Previously we covered a class action lawsuit filed by a group of former Apple resellers and California consumers alleging a long list of illegal and improper business practices by the computer company. We also linked to a scathing story in last month’s VAR Business magazine called “Inside the Channel’s Battle With Apple.”
The following letter was sent to MACadam customers after the Apple reseller was forced to close its doors after what President Tom Santos called “the consistent bad behavior of our number one supplier, Apple Computer.” Read the whole letter after the jump.
Previously we covered a class action lawsuit filed by a group of former Apple resellers and California consumers alleging a long list of illegal and improper business practices by the computer company. We also linked to a scathing story in last month’s VAR Business magazine called “Inside the Channel’s Battle With Apple.”
The following letter was sent to MACadam customers after the Apple reseller was forced to close its doors after what President Tom Santos called “the consistent bad behavior of our number one supplier, Apple Computer.”
MACadam Customers,
After 16 years of having the pleasure of servicing our Macintosh family in
Northern California, we are closing our doors. This decision did not come
easy. In fact, it came as possibly the most difficult thing I have ever
done. MACadam was not simply a company, it was a family of different people
from all different walks of life.
I can site a number of reasons why, but it primarily focuses on but two. The
consistent bad behavior of our number one supplier, Apple Computer. They
have made it so difficult to both get product in a timely fashion and treat
our customers with the respect that they currently treat their Apple Direct
customers. We have tried everything to resolve these problems over the last
4 plus years, yet our requests for help have simply gone unanswered. I feel
for all of the MACadam family. I want to thank all of the MACadam Alumni;
without you this would never have been the place that you made it. We were
diverse and yet one. Good, bad or indifferent this was MACadam; customers
became friends! I am so sorry that we cannot continue to be there for you. I
will miss you. I remember the first customer to ever come in the store so
many years ago when I was on top of a ladder hanging a fan and you needed a
cable for your Imagewriter. Thank you David W., you will always be a friend.
“Believers” everywhere, please open your eyes and realize that your
community without an independent dealer is not a good thing! When your only
choice is but one, you will no longer have the option.. We are not the first
to close, and unfortunately we will not be the last. I love the product and
software, but I have an incredible distrust of the company. For those of you
who can’t believe this, you have never walked in our shoes. Ask dealers
everywhere, they will tell you what I say is the truth. We dealers have made
the ultimate sacrifice! We have dedicated our lives to the Mac and our
futures to the platform that is simply unsurpassed by Windows. The Mac has
brought us more than 20 years of the most incredible enjoyment that one
could ever hope for. I have been lucky, blessed and so fortunate to have
been able to touch so many peoples lives and made a difference. Think
Different wasn’t just an advertising campaign for Apple, but it was a way of
life for all of the independent dealers out there.
Should any customers need any assistance, consulting, support or any
paperwork to help them in dealing with Apple please don’t hesitate to
contact me at [email protected]. I will do everything I can to assist you!
For customers that prefer not to purchase from Apple directly, please stay
in touch, and we can arrange for your purchase [sic] of equipment from
sources other than Apple stores or online.
Thank you, forever, to our treasured Merriam who made this such a smooth
journey. None of this would have been possible if it weren’t for our chance
meeting in August 1989. Her love of cows and immediate mutual respect
cemented our business and personal relationship; she told me to fight for
what I believe, and I will fight in her name until closure is reached.
Roland, you and Merriam have been a rock for us, and will always be.
Louis, your generosity and compassion are a gift, and will be appreciated
always. You have carried on the family name in the grandest of traditions by
continuing to foster such wonderful relationships, whether they be personal
or professional.
We will be eternally grateful to our employees, families and friends,
including the great Jim Nelson and his Printing Company, Keith A., Chris M,
Flora F, Allen B., Fred I, Albert G., Mark Boschart and his family of Scents
from Esco foods, Jerry the preacher Mann, Stanley A, American Industrial
Center, Jack B, Denise J & Napa Valley Winery Exchange, Deborah C, Elliot,
Sarah and Jessica P, Frank M, Richard W, Neko Studios, Su and Lol, Richard
H, David L Steven H, Richard H, Victor C, Phil H, Drs. Jack & Connie, Bob C,
Johnny and Pat, Greg M, Ruedi S, Reese J, Jonathan M, Robert A, Tom F,
Stacey B, Kurt and Karen B, Jann Linder, Greg Linder, Carl B, Bob and Jack
L, Raines C, Babette, Joe Mc, Bernie W, Greg E, Jeff L, Joe W., Dwayne D,
Les M, Tim H, Adrian M, Karl J, Steve F, Matt C, Matt K, Ken W L, Bob and
Drew, T.C. Doyle, Lobue and Majdalany, Bob B, Ken K, Narsai D, The BlowUp
Lab, BMUG, GMUG, Computer Liquidation, Power Mac Pac, Rosai Group, Harry and
Alan, CastroBear Presents, Roscoe, Julie and Added Dimensions, Bill and
Luke, Rick and Knuckles, San Francisco Police Officers Association, SFPD,
Gerard C, Griffin Technologies, Ashley R, The Apple Reseller Association and
the other 74,000+ customers that I quite honestly cannot remember at this
time. I will miss you all. Please keep in touch!
Tom Santos
[email protected]
(tellonapple.org)
1/28/2005
