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Buy ipad3 online or in store?

M

Muscleflex

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 26, 2010
312
0
I'm getting the new iPad next week to replace my iPad 2. Waiting time of 1-2 weeks online if I went that route. Or I could go to a store and walk out with one. The store is 30 miles from me.
However, I have heard buying online gets shipped straight from china? If so, wouldn't this guarantee me a new iPad rather than a 'stocked' iPad if I bought in store?
I just want to minimize the risk of light leaks on this new purchase.

Also, if I bought online, what's the chances I could get it within 1 week as opposed to 2 weeks? Has anyone ordered online and git it less than a week?

I'm in the UK by the way. Thanks
 
P

pelicanflip

macrumors 6502a
Jun 24, 2009
802
0
NYC
There's no guarantee that the iPad will come from China, or be free of defects. It's not like they ship it from China, add/gets defects in another country, and then ship it to you.

I ordered online, and it shipped from Middletown, PA. Mine had a huge light leak and I had to exchange it.




Here's something to consider:

You buy the iPad in store. Open it up, look for light leaks, yellow tint, whatever. If there aren't issues, go home, yay! If there are issues, well, you're already in the damn store. Exchange it right then and there.
 
B

barkomatic

macrumors 601
Aug 8, 2008
4,519
2,821
Manhattan
The posters on this forum give a disproportionate impression that there are widespread problems with the iPad 3, particularly in regard to screen issues and heat. In reality, this is affecting a relatively small amount of people.

So, I don't think you are any more or less likely to experience an issue from one ordered online as opposed to one purchased in a store. However, it might be more convenient just to order one online and not have to pay for the gas to get to a store. Aside from launches, (when products are intentionally held until a specific release date) I've generally received my orders a little earlier than estimated.
 
D

deeddawg

macrumors G5
Jun 14, 2010
12,244
6,392
US
Third angle - order online for in-store pickup.

If you have a Discover credit card, go through ShopDiscover.com to Apple.com and get 5% cash back (in two months tho...)
 
D

dell who?

macrumors member
Feb 2, 2012
79
0
Cali
pelicanflip said:
Here's something to consider:

You buy the iPad in store. Open it up, look for light leaks, yellow tint, whatever. If there aren't issues, go home, yay! If there are issues, well, you're already in the damn store. Exchange it right then and there.
Click to expand...

Well put. OP, also keep in mind that with the iPad 2 the light leaks were attributed largely to an adhesive element not having enough time to set, so you may arguably be reducing your odds of encountering this by getting one that's been in the box for a little while longer, i.e. one that's already had enough time to make it to a retail store and sit in inventory for a short time.
 
M

Muscleflex

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 26, 2010
312
0
Thanks for the posts.
I'm just a tad wary now coz my iPad 2 was replaced 4 times. (1st time had a scratch when I lined up and bought it on release day, 2nd had major light leaks. Replacement came but had a scratch on the glass.) This last replacement is not perfect neither and has light leaks but I couldn't be bothered to keep goin back.
Hence I didn't line up on release date. Hoping some of the initial problems, whatever they may be, would go away.

Can't really check for light leaks in store. It's not easy and I don't want to look like a monkey chimping on a screen.

But I think I'll go for the suggestions and I'll go in store and buy one. Always could make a day out of it in the mall anyway.

Thanks. Is the heat problem really a problem? I don't think I've ever noticed it on my iPad 2
 
M

MrBambinoDent

macrumors regular
May 23, 2011
197
15
Just go grab one from any place.
Get it from Best Buy, Walmart, Apple store
If you find anything wrong with you know Apple are usually good with these issues. They won't argue about getting it replaced.
Good luck.
 
iHeartsteve

iHeartsteve

macrumors 68000
Feb 12, 2012
1,554
900
In store. Why risk possibly having to exchange through mail? Plus I'm sure you can find one at one of the retail stores.
 
M

Muscleflex

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 26, 2010
312
0
Just an update.. I got my ipad 3 tonight from Apple Sheffield Meadowhall, UK
I have just checked the week, it's April 15
Did a quick light leak test... it's not perfect but I think I can live with it. bottom left all the way to the right bottom corner has some leak but at 50% brightness, it's hardly noticeable and since I use it at around 30% brightness especially in bed at night, I should be ok with it.

Just need to find a good skin for it now.
Thanks!
 
S

seajewel

macrumors 6502
Aug 31, 2010
385
76
deeddawg said:
Third angle - order online for in-store pickup.

If you have a Discover credit card, go through ShopDiscover.com to Apple.com and get 5% cash back (in two months tho...)
Click to expand...

Darn, I wish I had realized this before I ordered. I placed an order on Monday and it hasn't shipped yet so I can cancel, but I hate having to wait an extra week...... still, the more cash I have left for accessories the better. Bleh.
 
N

NTeggerdine

macrumors member
Jul 3, 2011
88
0
Montrose Iowa
Muscleflex said:
I'm getting the new iPad next week to replace my iPad 2. Waiting time of 1-2 weeks online if I went that route. Or I could go to a store and walk out with one. The store is 30 miles from me.
However, I have heard buying online gets shipped straight from china? If so, wouldn't this guarantee me a new iPad rather than a 'stocked' iPad if I bought in store?
I just want to minimize the risk of light leaks on this new purchase.

Also, if I bought online, what's the chances I could get it within 1 week as opposed to 2 weeks? Has anyone ordered online and git it less than a week?

I'm in the UK by the way. Thanks
Click to expand...

I bought my iPad 2 at the apple store and I ordered my iPad 3 from the apple website. I ordered mine three days before the release date and it took a week to get to me. I say do what ever is easier.
 
koigirl

koigirl

macrumors 6502a
Jul 29, 2011
846
401
Raleigh, NC
iHeartsteve said:
In store. Why risk possibly having to exchange through mail? Plus I'm sure you can find one at one of the retail stores.
Click to expand...

You can return/exchange anything you've purchased online through the Apple site in any Apple store, I believe?:confused: I think it might be better to order online in hopes of getting one of the newer build weeks as anecdotally there seem to be fewer issues with more recent build weeks? You can always return at brick and mortar Apple location if there are any issues.
 
I

Icedliptontea

macrumors newbie
Mar 31, 2012
9
0
Apple id

If you order online, I suggest you create your Apple ID first...don't order while as guest. Seems to me guests in apple store are unable to relogin to modify their orders...they have to call in. I had to do this bez I ordered as a guest in the ordering process.
 
S

shadow86

macrumors newbie
Oct 14, 2009
11
0
I got mine yesterday from MacMall. Free overnight shipping. Ordered it Thursday, got it Friday.
Everything is great!
:D
 
iHeartsteve

iHeartsteve

macrumors 68000
Feb 12, 2012
1,554
900
koigirl said:
You can return/exchange anything you've purchased online through the Apple site in any Apple store, I believe?:confused: I think it might be better to order online in hopes of getting one of the newer build weeks as anecdotally there seem to be fewer issues with more recent build weeks? You can always return at brick and mortar Apple location if there are any issues.
Click to expand...

If you buy it online they usually do not let you return/exchange in store. It has to be sent back through mail.
 
D

deeddawg

macrumors G5
Jun 14, 2010
12,244
6,392
US
iHeartsteve said:
If you buy it online they usually do not let you return/exchange in store. It has to be sent back through mail.
Click to expand...

Completely wrong in the US.

http://store.apple.com/us/help/returns_refund

Bring your item to an Apple Store

You can bring the item(s) you want to return to any U.S. Apple Store and a Specialist will assist you. Once we receive the item(s) in an Apple Store, we will issue a refund immediately
Click to expand...

I returned a preordered iPad third gen in-store with no issues or trouble. (I was switching from ATT to Verizon and chose to order the replacement for in store pickup rather than do an exchange.)
 
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