I've got a friend who bought a Powerbook.
Since I got my Powerbook some time ago, he was green with envy but couldn't afford one.
So a couple of months ago, I got the call from him - "I've got a Powerbook, nya nya nya" or words to that effect.
He loves it, got it very cheap from a classified ad - about 50% off the retail (which is still a lot of money) and paid cash. When I asked how he got it so cheap, he said that the previous owner had broken part of the case, that was why. The seller demonstrated the Mac in detail and my friend was assured that the Powerbook was in full working order.
Today he called me and said his machine had started to go strange. I looked at it, and it could be a hard disk problem but it could also be other issues. However, I also noticed where the previous owner had 'broken the case' and had taped it over - exactly where the Kensington lock port is.
Can you see what I'm getting at?
He's planning to put it in for repair to Apple. I've told him to hold on a while and not to contact them yet as I might have some info for him. Now, bearing in mind he paid a lot of money for this, do I tell him it's most certainly stolen, or say nothing and let him put it in for repair and get it probably taken away, plus potentially additional trouble? Would Apple repair an obviously stolen Powerbook like this if it was sent in?
Whatever I say, I'm most probably telling him that he's thrown $1,500+ (US equiv.) down the drain.
Caveat Emptor indeed - But what would you say? Are there any other options?
P.S. No Apple flames please.
Since I got my Powerbook some time ago, he was green with envy but couldn't afford one.
So a couple of months ago, I got the call from him - "I've got a Powerbook, nya nya nya" or words to that effect.
He loves it, got it very cheap from a classified ad - about 50% off the retail (which is still a lot of money) and paid cash. When I asked how he got it so cheap, he said that the previous owner had broken part of the case, that was why. The seller demonstrated the Mac in detail and my friend was assured that the Powerbook was in full working order.
Today he called me and said his machine had started to go strange. I looked at it, and it could be a hard disk problem but it could also be other issues. However, I also noticed where the previous owner had 'broken the case' and had taped it over - exactly where the Kensington lock port is.
Can you see what I'm getting at?
He's planning to put it in for repair to Apple. I've told him to hold on a while and not to contact them yet as I might have some info for him. Now, bearing in mind he paid a lot of money for this, do I tell him it's most certainly stolen, or say nothing and let him put it in for repair and get it probably taken away, plus potentially additional trouble? Would Apple repair an obviously stolen Powerbook like this if it was sent in?
Whatever I say, I'm most probably telling him that he's thrown $1,500+ (US equiv.) down the drain.
Caveat Emptor indeed - But what would you say? Are there any other options?
P.S. No Apple flames please.
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