I think that having a Bahrain Macintosh User Group is a very good idea. I know that speaking to a few Mac users they support the idea. Speaking also to Sofyan at iMachines, one of only 2 Apple dealers in Bahrain, that he supports it and is willing to commit resources to help with the success of the group. As we do not have a constitution, nor do we know how we might want to go forward, may I suggest that if you are interested to register your name, please do so as a comment to this post, or even better email me with your full details so that I can have a list of people to include as founders of the group.
I would rather the group be independent of business interests at the moment, and that we be neutral to both Apple dealers, as that will enable us to keep good relations with both, and utilise their resources whenever it is necessary. This will also ensure that both compete honourably for our custom without treading on toes.
That said, I have been informed by Sofyan Al-Moayed this morning (you thought you could get out of it this easy? Think again boyo!! ;)) that he is trying to organise a “Ghabga” (literally meaning “gluttony fest”) during one of the Ramadhan nights! The difference is that he will invite Apple representatives in the area as well as other interested parties (Adobe, FileMaker, etc.) to kickstart the first Bahrain MacWorld!
What is required right now? Get your names and details across to me as soon as possible, and let us meet informally to discuss what the next step is.
As most of you know, the Bahrain Bloggers meet at 8pm on the first Thursday of the month at Cinnabon’s in the Diplomatic Area. As a first meeting of BMUG, may I suggest that once the names and contact details are collected, we might consider that we meet there to start talking about what we want the BMUG to be and decide on when and how often we meet?
Spread the word guys and gals, I’m sure there are hundreds of loyal Mac users on the island, so print this post and hand it or email it to them.
Comments
Sounds amazing, but what’s the point of the Group? Join together and talk about all the latest mac stuff? really learn new things with your mac? promote mac use in Bahrain? share on where to get the best solutions and deals on all things Mac?
If I was the distributors, I’d be worried! If we can receive their support and backing, that would be too good to be true! That tells me that they’re willing to know about the truth of the mac community in Bahrain and for once really understand where they went wrong, and what areas they can do right.
I’m for it, but do those brothers – sorry uhh – distributors have the guts to face their own customer base? Where’s the REAL Apple in all this? Can’t anyone contact Apple UK and tell them that we seriousely need support here and perhaps look into the option of openning another distributor in Bahrain?
it this going to have the same fate at the Bahrain Filmmakers Club, in which, basically, nothing happened!
I’m up for it!
Author
Ali, you’re more than welcome to take that idea over yourself. In fact, nothing was ever stopping you from doing so, so why didn’t you take the initiative?
VCBMU, the point as I see it is to make more like-minded friends first and foremost. You know the “cult of Mac” and anyone who buys a Mac automatically becomes a member in that virtual club, so why not bring it out to the physical one?
Other objectives might be:
1. meet
2. drink
3. eat
4. laugh
5. exchange experiences
6. exchange tips and tricks
7. suggest and organise Mac-based shows and exhibitions
8. suggest and organise Mac-based activities
9. Mac training
10. negotiate better pricing/bundles/exchange programs with dealers
etc.
Loki, excellent, you’re the first bona fine founding member! Any others?
You can count me in
Author
that’s two, excellent! any more?
This is a great idea… and count me in, too.
me too, just emailed ya.
I’m in. I e-mailed my confirmation on the 2nd, did you get it?
Author
nope! will look in the “other” folder!
Adlin, email me again please (or whoever else who did as I didn’t receive anything yet. Will check my filter settings now.)
ok, 2nd email sent.
I’m in !
Just emailed you with the details…
Author
I have no idea why my regular email doesn’t work, so I switched to my Google mail (until the Ministry of Information decides to block that one too?) and the emails are reaching me now and I have replied to them. Hope you got them.
Is this thing still getting started as I would like to participate.
Author
Thanks for reminding me Kris. As you might have guessed, I’m pretty swamped at the moment, but would be happy to follow in this case rather than lead.
Any takers? I’ll offer as much help as I could…
Am interested with Bahrain Mac Users Group. I recently arrived in Bahrain (three weeks). I come from the Philippines. I was wondering if someone in the group is selling a used (but in good working condition) Powerbook G4 1.5 Ghz Superdrive, MacBook or MacBook Pro. I can sacrifice some scratches but I need a Mac where I can edit videos in Final Cut Pro.
Author
Rom, email me your details, I might be able to help.
I bought a mac in NY a few months ago. The hard drive has just crashed and the Mac store in Bahrain wants to charge me an extra BD25 for “duties and freight”. BD25=$66. Duties amount to $31 meaning that they are charging $35 for freight. They tell me the disc will take 6 weeks.
This is crap service and typical shoddy deal and high prices you get from car dealers etc who have the monopoly in Bahrain (eg Bebehani, Euromotors etc)
Has anyone else had this experience?
Hasn’t he got anything better to do with his time?
Author
I’m not sure how the Apple international warranty is like. It should be honoured regardless of where you bought your Mac, and if there are to be any charges then those should be paid by Apple or refunded to their dealer including any labour charges incurred. This is all part of the user’s experience, or should be.
I can tell you that we (Gulf Broadcast) do not charge our direct customers anything. We bear the price of shipping, customs, insurance while the supplier bears the return shipping and the replacement/repair of the part only. I am thinking now as there is a lot of pressure on margins, to advise the customer at the time of purchase that should something happen to their equipment, they will have bear all charges other than labour and administrative, and in lieu of that we would give them extra discount. The repair charges as I have explained above hurt us especially that most suppliers do not compensate for these things because they apply the US and EU rules; ie, no customs between them and shipping is dirt cheap. Here, obviously due to various reasons we just cannot survive on that, but I can tell you from my experience that we try very hard to do whatever we can to please, this is part of the added value of buying from us locally (at better than international list) rather than going elsewhere.
I’ll find out regarding the Apple policy and let you know.
Guys the post where I said “Hasn’t he got anything better to do with his time?”
was accidental and meant to go on a totally different blog – apologies for any confusion/offence that was caused.
Mahmood, thank you for your comments, I look forward to hearing more
Johnster :blush:
is the offer still standing?? i would love to
Author
Yeah, we forgot about that and its high time we kick this and get it done.
Any takers for the first BMUG meeting? Let me know as soon as you can so we can set a date and time.
The service (so called) at the Apple store in bahrain STINKS.
I am still waiting