iLounge

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FWIW, I have reservations about dealing with MacMice:

http://forums.yourmaclife.com/viewtopic.php?t=1450

That thread is part flamewar, but also contains some VERY scary admissions of dishonesty in Jack Campbell’s own words. (The guy behind MacMice and the fake-rumor site MacWhispers, apparently created just to promote Mr. Campbell’s ventures.)

More info here:
http://www.macintouch.com/mactable.html

Mr. Campbell’s latest venture does seem to sell and ship actual products—so make up your own mind—but he himself admits to lying in his business—and makes no apologies when caught. Even some of the claims about his product details seem to be intentional lies: he says his PowerBook holders are custom-built. But they are clearly just plate-holders that can be found for a fraction of the price at craft stores. When confronted with this, he said he “engineered” a stronger hinge capable of holding a laptop, and had it built by the plate-holder company. Not true—those plate-holders can carry more weight than a PowerBook already. He’s also lied about having met with lawyers who don’t exist, invented email addresses for them… even registered business web sites under false names. Then he was turned down for a job at Griffin, and retaliated by writing a fake review at MacWhispers claiming iTrip is the worst FM transmitter—the opposite of other reviews. (Remember that Griffin is a competitor of MacMice—and Mr. Campbell hides the fact that he runs BOTH MacMice and MacWhispers.) He defends his business by saying what a great team he’s assembled, and how his employees depend on him, and then in the same thread he bemoans the fact the he and his wife must do everything right down to packing boxes, because they can afford no help. Basically, he’ll say anything that sounds good. This is not evil as much as a treatable disorder, I believe. I still wouldn’t give him my credit card.

Posted by (Word of warning) on August 23, 2003 at 9:58 PM (PST)

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He claims a massive, years-long conspiracy against him—so if you wish to keep a truly open mind, you should read only his OWN posts in that thread. His own words are plenty to scare ME away from any of his many business ventures (some of which have landed him in jail in the past).

Note that although I question his integrity, he does have a genuine sense of style and pride which certain of his products show. I think he could do well as part of something he did not himself run, and wish him no ill will. I think some kind of treatment or counseling could really help him turn over a new leaf.

But having been convinced myself of just HOW extreme some of his dishonesty has been, I thought this ought to be passed along.

Judge for yourself—I have no first-hand facts.

Posted by (continued) on August 23, 2003 at 9:59 PM (PST)

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I ordered from MacMice several months ago - the price seemed fair, the item was delivered very quickly, and I was happy with it.

I’ve never met Campbell and have no particular ax to grind here, other than the fact that in principle, I’m offended by sleaze, especially when it masquerades as high-minded public service.  The author ends this anonymously submitted heap of condescension, innuendo, and character assassination with the caveat, “judge for yourself - I have no first-hand facts.” Apparently, the poster has no factual basis for his comments.  He’s just passing along something he read on the internet (that well-known source of unimpeachable information).

Posted by IClaudius on August 30, 2003 at 4:50 AM (PST)