Real life "service" from "authorized Apple dealers"

[sbdocker@acs.ucalgary.ca (Sean Brendan Dockery)]

A little while ago, it was insisted to me in the comp.sys.apple2.comm
newsgroup that it is possible to get a *free* logic board upgrade for
an Apple IIc computer (from the ROM 0 to the ROM 4) by simply
contacting an authorized dealer.

I have since sought to do so as I would like to move beyond using a
5.25" disk -- developing larger programs is a hassle with such limited
disk space of 140k.

I live in Calgary, AB (Canada for those who are geographically
ignorant, eh!).  :-)

In the White Pages, under Apple Computers, I am directed to look for
"Authorized Apple Dealers" in the Yellow Pages under COMPUTERS.  As
such, I went right through the COMPUTERS section from A-Z.

Here is my standard query:

  "I would like to upgrade my original Apple IIc motherboard to the
   latest revision available.  I understand that you are an authorized
   Apple computer dealer; can you help me?"

There were several times when I had to stress the word "APPLE;" people
kept hearing (or wanting to hear) Macintosh LC, Mac II, etc...

Here are the results:

   Caldraft Computers (Retail Outlet)
   "Macintosh hardware only.. sorry"

   Compucentre Computers (Retail Outlet)
   "We don't carry parts to do any servicing.. sorry"

   Epicore Computers (Retail Outlet)
   "Macintosh hardware only.. sorry"

   Future Shop (Retail Outlet)
   "We don't carry parts to do any servicing.. sorry"

   Hamilton Computers (Wholesale Outlet)
   "We only deal with corporate accounts.. sorry"

   J W P Businessland (Wholesale Outlet)
   "We only deal with corporate accounts.. sorry"

   Systems Resources (Retail Outlet)
   "Macintosh hardware only.. sorry"

   Vertimac (Retail Outlet)
   "We're sorry, the number you have dialed is no longer..."
   (Vertimac was the main rival with Westworld Computers, but
    they went into receivership because their hardware was highly
    overpriced.)

Ironically/appropriately, the success story was last authorized dealer
listed:

   Westworld Computing Centre (Retail Outlet)
   "Yes!  We can help you!"
   (YES!)

By now, I was overjoyed, but.. he insisted that the upgrade that I was
expecting to get free would cost me a cool $300 CDN.  Furthermore, the
part I needed was not kept in stock and would have to be sent away
for.
	
And, finally, the icing on the ccake:

   ME: [dialing 1-800-555-1212]
   OP: "1-800 information."
   ME: "Hi!  I'd like the number for Apple Computers, Canada."
   OP: "I'm sorry, but that number is not published at their request."
   (etc...)

Wow!  An 800 number that a company doesn't publish!  I always thought
that 800 numbers were designed as a convenient way of keeping the
company in touch with its customers.  Wouldn't not publishing it be
self-defeating?

Would someone please mail me the phone number for Apple Computers,
Ltd., in the United States so I can phone the services department and
get the straight poop about whether or not this upgrade is free, as I
have been told so many times?  It would be appreciated.
-- 
 internet: dockery@griffin.cuc.ab.ca   |
      -or- sbdocker@acs.ucalgary.ca    | "640K ought to be enough for
      -or- dockery@pro-calgary.cts.com |   anybody."
 pro-line: dockery@pro-calgary         |             -Bill Gates, 1986