 EGeezerGo CatsPremium
join:2002-08-04
Midwest
kudos:8 | Security theater dept - speak Farsi, can't buy an iPad An American citizen of Iranian descent is crying foul after she says a manager at a Georgia Apple Store would not allow her to buy an iPad because she was heard speaking Farsi.
Sahar Sabet, a 19-year-old student, said an Apple manager said he could not sell her the iPad because Iran and the U.S. have bad relations.
If you speak Korean, you're obviously taking the iPad to North Korea.
If you speak Arabic or English(official languages of Sudan) you're obviously taking the iPad to Sudan.
If you speak Arabic, you're obviously taking the iPad to Syria.
Being an American citizen doesn't mean squat to the Apple store sales gerbils.
However, if you order online and have a US credit/debit card and shipping address, they don't care.
»www.nbcbayarea.com/blogs/press-h···715.html
and
»www.wsbtv.com/videos/news/custom···i/vcNnm/
The Apple legal document |
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 BlackbirdBuilt for SpeedPremium
join:2005-01-14
Fort Wayne, IN
kudos:3
 ·Frontier Communi..
| I wonder how many Apple Store managers speak Farsi well enough to recognize it if they hear it. And if they do, what kind of security risk does that imply?
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"Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God!" -- P.Henry, 1775 |
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 DrunkulaPremium
join:2000-06-12
Denton, TX | reply to EGeezer
I was wondering that myself. How many can actually recognize Farsi? |
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This girl claims this was because she spoke Farsi. She also claims she left the store in tears, when most of us would be hopping mad.
There has to be more to the story. What else was said, for example?
This is way too thin to feel outraged over. |
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 KrisnatharokCaveat EmptorPremium
join:2009-02-11
Earth Orbit
kudos:7 | It makes no difference that her credit card was maxed out! Squirrel! Farsi!
To be clear, I'm not suggesting that is why they wouldn't sell her the over-priced electronics. Just that it might have been an explanation and she's going all 15 minutes of fame/Jersey Shore on us. |
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BlackbirdBuilt for SpeedPremium
join:2005-01-14
Fort Wayne, IN
kudos:3 Reviews:
·Frontier Communi..
1 edit | reply to EGeezer
As is so often the case, there's more to the story. From the original Atlanta TV story at Customer: Apple Store denied me iPad for speaking Farsi:
quote:
...she was surprised Thursday when an employee at the Apple Store inside North Pointe Mall in Alpharetta refused to sell an iPad to her and her uncle after overhearing them speaking Farsi. The iPad was to be a gift for her cousin who lives in Iran.
"When we said 'Farsi, I'm from Iran,' he said, 'I just can't sell this to you. Our countries have bad relations,'" Sabet said.
"I would say if you're trying to buy an iPhone, don't tell them anything about Iran. That would be your best bet," said Zack Jafarzadeh, who had a similar experience at the Apple Store in Perimeter Mall. Jafarzadeh said he was helping a friend buy an iPhone. That friend was from Iran, living and studying in the Atlanta area on a visa.
...
A manager showed Viteri (BB note: Viteri is a TV reporter following up on the initial report) Apple's policy. It said the exportation, sale or supply from the U.S. to Iran of any Apple goods is strictly prohibited without authorization by the U.S. government. The manager also told Viteri they have to rely on customers to be honest.
From this version of the story, it's apparent the manager initially noted the speaking of a foreign language and asked the girl about it, to which she replied, "Farsi, I'm from Iran". That triggered the manager's response in interpreting Apple's guidelines on the sale of technology devices to Iranian nationals (which, itself, was Apple's interpretation of the US government's Foreign Technology Export guidelines).
It's also worthy of note that the other person (Jafarzadeh) had earlier attempted a similar purchase at another area Apple store, and the girl indicates that her attempted purchase was for a cousin living in Iran (which would be a violation of the Federal export law).
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"Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God!" -- P.Henry, 1775 |
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KrisnatharokCaveat EmptorPremium
join:2009-02-11
Earth Orbit
kudos:7 | So it's not that she was an Iranian national (she's a naturalized U.S. citizen), but that she planned on sending the iPad to a relative living in Iran.
Tough titties.
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If we lose this freedom of ours, history will record with the greatest astonishment, those who had the most to lose, did the least to prevent its happening. |
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 wapuBroadband RangerPremium
join:2001-09-05
Boca Raton, FL | reply to Blackbird
said by Blackbird:As is so often the case, there's more to the story. From the original Atlanta TV story at Customer: Apple Store denied me iPad for speaking Farsi:
quote:
...she was surprised Thursday when an employee at the Apple Store inside North Pointe Mall in Alpharetta refused to sell an iPad to her and her uncle after overhearing them speaking Farsi. The iPad was to be a gift for her cousin who lives in Iran.
"When we said 'Farsi, I'm from Iran,' he said, 'I just can't sell this to you. Our countries have bad relations,'" Sabet said.
"I would say if you're trying to buy an iPhone, don't tell them anything about Iran. That would be your best bet," said Zack Jafarzadeh, who had a similar experience at the Apple Store in Perimeter Mall. Jafarzadeh said he was helping a friend buy an iPhone. That friend was from Iran, living and studying in the Atlanta area on a visa.
...
A manager showed Viteri (BB note: Viteri is a TV reporter following up on the initial report) Apple's policy. It said the exportation, sale or supply from the U.S. to Iran of any Apple goods is strictly prohibited without authorization by the U.S. government. The manager also told Viteri they have to rely on customers to be honest.
From this version of the story, it's apparent the manager initially noted the speaking of a foreign language and asked the girl about it, to which she replied, "Farsi, I'm from Iran". That triggered the manager's response in interpreting Apple's guidelines on the sale of technology devices to Iranian nationals (which, itself, was Apple's interpretation of the US government's Foreign Technology Export guidelines). It's also worthy of note that the other person (Jafarzadeh) had earlier attempted a similar purchase at another area Apple store, and the girl indicates that her attempted purchase was for a cousin living in Iran (which would be a violation of the Federal export law). Wow, I feel safe now. First the TSA and now Apple "geniuses" are defending us against terrorists. Never mind the fact that iPads and other social media centric devices are a huge threat to overthrowing bad Gov'ts like Irans. We are awesome.
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 Name GamePremium
join:2002-07-07
North Myrtle Beach, SC
kudos:7 | reply to EGeezer
Guess everyone forgot how "what's his name" got caught !!!
»www.blabla.co.za/how-osama-bin-l···s-found/
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Gladiator Security Forum
»www.gladiator-antivirus.com/
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 SparrowCrystal SkyPremium
join:2002-12-03
Sachakhand | reply to EGeezer
On a more practical note, as of May 16, 2012, USPS has banned the shipment of all lithium batteries in any device outside Con US : »about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2···_004.htm |
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| reply to EGeezer
An American citizen of Iranian descent is crying foul after she says a manager at a Georgia Apple Store would not allow her to buy an iPad because she was heard speaking Farsi.
Sahar Sabet, a 19-year-old student, said an Apple manager said he could not sell her the iPad because Iran and the U.S. have bad relations.
Any fool can claim anything they what about whatever they want. |
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 Dude111An Awesome DudePremium
join:2003-08-04
USA
kudos:11 | reply to EGeezer
I am amazed!!!
Usually they just want someone's $$$$$ they dont care where they live,etc.......... |
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Mele20Premium
join:2001-06-05
Hilo, HI
kudos:4 | reply to Sparrow
Re: Security theater dept - speak Farsi, can't buy an iPad That is not true.
"this prohibition does not apply to lithium batteries authorized under DMM 601.10.20 when mailed within the United States or its territories."
You forgot that Hawaii and Alaska are states I guess...forgot Puerto Rico also and the Virgin Islands. None of these qualify as "Con US" but lithium batteries in, or separate from the device, or completely without the device they will be used, in can be mailed within the USA and its territories. I will be able to continue ordering batteries for my Nikon camera. 
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When governments fear people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. Thomas Jefferson |
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| reply to wapu
said by wapu:said by Blackbird:As is so often the case, there's more to the story. From the original Atlanta TV story at Customer: Apple Store denied me iPad for speaking Farsi:
quote:
...she was surprised Thursday when an employee at the Apple Store inside North Pointe Mall in Alpharetta refused to sell an iPad to her and her uncle after overhearing them speaking Farsi. The iPad was to be a gift for her cousin who lives in Iran.
"When we said 'Farsi, I'm from Iran,' he said, 'I just can't sell this to you. Our countries have bad relations,'" Sabet said.
"I would say if you're trying to buy an iPhone, don't tell them anything about Iran. That would be your best bet," said Zack Jafarzadeh, who had a similar experience at the Apple Store in Perimeter Mall. Jafarzadeh said he was helping a friend buy an iPhone. That friend was from Iran, living and studying in the Atlanta area on a visa.
...
A manager showed Viteri (BB note: Viteri is a TV reporter following up on the initial report) Apple's policy. It said the exportation, sale or supply from the U.S. to Iran of any Apple goods is strictly prohibited without authorization by the U.S. government. The manager also told Viteri they have to rely on customers to be honest.
From this version of the story, it's apparent the manager initially noted the speaking of a foreign language and asked the girl about it, to which she replied, "Farsi, I'm from Iran". That triggered the manager's response in interpreting Apple's guidelines on the sale of technology devices to Iranian nationals (which, itself, was Apple's interpretation of the US government's Foreign Technology Export guidelines). It's also worthy of note that the other person (Jafarzadeh) had earlier attempted a similar purchase at another area Apple store, and the girl indicates that her attempted purchase was for a cousin living in Iran (which would be a violation of the Federal export law). Wow, I feel safe now. First the TSA and now Apple "geniuses" are defending us against terrorists. Never mind the fact that iPads and other social media centric devices are a huge threat to overthrowing bad Gov'ts like Irans. We are awesome. Actually if they indicated to the store staff that it was going to be sent to Iran, the Apple employees were only following US law and protecting the company from being fined for export violations.
It's a violation of US law to sell certain products that you know will be exported to a short list of "hostile" countries, of which Iran is one. The "idiocy" is in US export law and how it's enforced. |
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KrisnatharokCaveat EmptorPremium
join:2009-02-11
Earth Orbit
kudos:7 | You should take a crack at the OP's attempt at analysis:
said by EGeezer:So, if you speak Spanish, you're obviously taking the iPad to Cuba.
If you speak Korean, you're obviously taking the iPad to North Korea.
If you speak Arabic or English(official languages of Sudan) you're obviously taking the iPad to Sudan.
If you speak Arabic, you're obviously taking the iPad to Syria.
Being an American citizen doesn't mean squat to the Apple store sales gerbils.
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If we lose this freedom of ours, history will record with the greatest astonishment, those who had the most to lose, did the least to prevent its happening. |
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 DownTheShoreHelp Moore OklahomaPremium
join:2003-12-02
Beautiful NJ
kudos:12
·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to EGeezer
I would suggest that that customer start paying attention to politics and what the trade relations are between the US and Iran. If the cousin in Iran couldn't buy an Apple computer there then that was a big CLUE that there might be some sort of international restriction in place in one country or the other or both regarding the importation/exportation those kinds of products.
She tried to circumvent the law and was stupid enough to speak a language in front of the sales staff that raised a warning flag to them. They did what they were supposed to do and she failed in her scam.
Boo hoo - NOT.
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Patriotism is not waving a flag, it is living the ideals
I want to retire to the Isle of Sodor and ride the trains.
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 AVDRespice, Adspice, ProspicePremium
join:2003-02-06
Onion, NJ
kudos:1 | does Apple have an official explanation, or is this all conjecture? |
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SparrowCrystal SkyPremium
join:2002-12-03
Sachakhand | reply to Mele20
said by Mele20:That is not true. "this prohibition does not apply to lithium batteries authorized under DMM 601.10.20 when mailed within the United States or its territories." You forgot that Hawaii and Alaska are states I guess...forgot Puerto Rico also and the Virgin Islands. None of these qualify as "Con US" but lithium batteries in, or separate from the device, or completely without the device they will be used, in can be mailed within the USA and its territories. I will be able to continue ordering batteries for my Nikon camera. Aloha, Mele!
My bad. The prohibition is for overseas shipments. Forgot to add that to my original post.
Since some posts replying to the OP stated the customers were planning on shipping the iPad to Iran, in that case it would be prohibited regardless of the political implications. |
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