Does Apple retail accept cash?

[ThE.MeSsEnGeR]

This summer, I'll be traveling to USA in late July. I'm planning to get a 15" MacBook Pro (most probably by that time, the new ones will be out).

The thing is that apart from USA I'm traveling to a couple of countries and cities, and I'm carrying cash only, because my bank's MasterCard doesn't always get accepted internationally, so I can't risk it.

My question is, if I walk in at an Apple store, will they let me pay for the MacBook with cash?

I've already done some research, and I can't seem to get a straight answer. Some say they don't accept cash just for iPhones and iPads. Others say they don't accept cash at all for anything. A few sites said they accept cash for everything. And I even read somewhere that they don't accept cash if it's over $500.

Please help!

[Liquinn]

I've bought Apple products in store with cash before; I'm in the UK.

Why wouldn't they accept cash? XD

[i5pro]

They most definitely accept cash. They also take credit cards, debit cards, traveler's checks, and personal checks.

[SugaredJuggler]

I bought a brand new 15" MacBook Pro several years ago from an Apple Store and paid for the entire thing in cash. You should be just fine. It would be very strange if an actual store wouldn't accept cold hard cash haha.

[xboxphanatic]

I think it is only during major product launches (iPhone, iPad, etc) that they don't take cash straight up. They usually will put it on a gift card though and then you buy with that. That's how it was anyway when I bought my iPhone 4.

[monokakata]

I think the OP is remembering infamous flap when the iPad first came out and somebody (in California, I think) tried to buy one with cash and was turned down.

I'm sure there threads about that on MR.

Here's just one of many news articles that Google produced:

http://www.switched.com/2010/05/19/i...rchase-policy/

[Paratel]

I tried to purchase my iphone 3G with cash and they would not accept it several years ago.

[Vantage Point]

They should accept cash, cash is king. The biggest camera store in the US, and one that carries many BTO Macs, is in NYC, B&H Photo. I have been there many times and they even have a line just for people that want to pay with cash.

[ThE.MeSsEnGeR]

Thanks for all the replies!

Originally Posted by monokakata

I think the OP is remembering infamous flap when the iPad first came out and somebody (in California, I think) tried to buy one with cash and was turned down.

I'm sure there threads about that on MR.

Here's just one of many news articles that Google produced:

http://www.switched.com/2010/05/19/i...rchase-policy/

Exactly, that's what I'm referring to... That's what started it all. I'm still not very convinced they'll accept cash.

If any of you visits an Apple store in these couple of days, can you please be kind enough to ask? Tell them specifically that it's a MacBook that I'm buying.

Thanks a lot!

[DWilliamson5002]

Originally Posted by Paratel

I tried to purchase my iphone 3G with cash and they would not accept it several years ago.

The Easy Pay devices would not allow Cash transactions until recently when they installed cash drawers in the display tables. iPhone transactions can only be done on the Easy Pay not on the Classic Point of Sale Register.

So the work around was that you had to buy a gift card for the exact amount and then an iPhone sale could be processed since the Easy Pay would take the gift card.

Not a refusal to take cash just no system in place back then to handle cash on the Easy Pay's

[John Kotches]

I guess Apple forgot to read the fine print:
This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private.

[dukebound85]

Originally Posted by John Kotches

I guess Apple forgot to read the fine print:
This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private.

That doesn't apply due to what is and what isn't considered a "debt"

Quite different than saying that the note is legal tender for all transactions, public and private

[smithrh]

Originally Posted by ThE.MeSsEnGeR

Thanks for all the replies!



Exactly, that's what I'm referring to... That's what started it all. I'm still not very convinced they'll accept cash.

If any of you visits an Apple store in these couple of days, can you please be kind enough to ask? Tell them specifically that it's a MacBook that I'm buying.

Thanks a lot!

They most assuredly take cash.

I have a friend with a cash business, he's paid cash for every Apple product that he's ever bought - three iMacs, two iPads, a MacBook, numerous peripherals (Airport, etc)... even got them to take cash for an iPhone.

Now, they will probably make a small production out of it, they'll gather a couple of co-workers to count the cash and such but in the end, you walk out with what you wanted.

[Shrink]

Originally Posted by i5pro

They most definitely accept cash. They also take credit cards, debit cards, traveler's checks, and personal checks.

Also salable body organs and parts, real estate, and good looking family members.

[ThE.MeSsEnGeR]

Originally Posted by smithrh

Now, they will probably make a small production out of it, they'll gather a couple of co-workers to count the cash and such but in the end, you walk out with what you wanted.

Talk about Apple being the icon of simplicity. I mean, I know they're trying to be ahead of the curve and do everything wirelessly and through those iPod-touch-PoS, or whatever they're called. But seriously, making a big deal out of a simple thing as paying with real cash is just wrong.

[Teem45]

My husband would agree with you on that! He loves cash. Of course, he also eschews technology, so it's just his ornery personality. More tech for me!

Just be careful hauling all that cash around with you. I'd hate to hear you got robbed or something, even in the TSA line. I hope the new 15-inch is out by the time you come and you can get the new one. Have a great trip!

[old-wiz]

Originally Posted by Shrink

Also salable body organs and parts, real estate, and good looking family members.

Salable body parts are discounted for the cost of removal from the body.

[Mal]

Originally Posted by ThE.MeSsEnGeR

Talk about Apple being the icon of simplicity. I mean, I know they're trying to be ahead of the curve and do everything wirelessly and through those iPod-touch-PoS, or whatever they're called. But seriously, making a big deal out of a simple thing as paying with real cash is just wrong.

The problem is that using counterfeit cash to buy something like a MacBook Pro would be a prime target for crooks. A gas station that accepts a counterfeit $20 is out $20, but if Apple accepted counterfeit bills for a $1700 computer, that'd be a big mess. They'll accept it, but I can understand them being very cautious. Add to that the fact that most people don't feel safe walking around with that much cash, and it's understandable they'd also be suspicious.

jW

[ThE.MeSsEnGeR]

Originally Posted by Teem45

Just be careful hauling all that cash around with you. I'd hate to hear you got robbed or something, even in the TSA line. I hope the new 15-inch is out by the time you come and you can get the new one. Have a great trip!

Thank you! I'll update this thread later on in the summer to let you know what happens.

Originally Posted by old-wiz

Salable body parts are discounted for the cost of removal from the body.

Yeah, maybe I'll throw in a spleen, and a couple of fingers just in case.

Originally Posted by Mal

The problem is that using counterfeit cash to buy something like a MacBook Pro would be a prime target for crooks. A gas station that accepts a counterfeit $20 is out $20, but if Apple accepted counterfeit bills for a $1700 computer, that'd be a big mess. They'll accept it, but I can understand them being very cautious. Add to that the fact that most people don't feel safe walking around with that much cash, and it's understandable they'd also be suspicious.

jW

That's totally understanble and logical. And now I feel that it makes sense why they might refuse cash. But it's a setback for us who work our a$$ off to get it.

Oh, Apple! Why do you have to take all our money??

[Carlanga]

Kifak messenger, you should be able to pay cash in Best Buy if an Apple Store doesn't take cash or you can just buy a Visa Debit Card in Walgreens or any other store for around $~5 and fill it up and use it at the apple store.

[ThE.MeSsEnGeR]

Originally Posted by Carlanga

Kifak messenger, you should be able to pay cash in Best Buy if an Apple Store doesn't take cash or you can just buy a Visa Debit Card in Walgreens or any other store for around $~5 and fill it up and use it at the apple store.

Nice touch. I'm good.

Well yeah, I guess Best Buy would be an alternative if Apple won't accept cash. Never thought about it.

And the Visa Debit Card seems like an amazing idea, not only for the MacBook but for my whole trip! You see, I'm going to NYC, Maine, a concert in Cleveland, also Cedar Point in Ohio and Universal Studios in Orlando. So, I'm carrying around enough money for all of that. That would be risky. You sure I can use that card for everything? Even online purchases, ATM's and normal stores?

Thanks for your reply!

[tdhurst]

Originally Posted by John Kotches

I guess Apple forgot to read the fine print:
This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private.

For governments, not private business. Apple can choose not to accept cash if they want to.

BUt they do.

----------

Originally Posted by ThE.MeSsEnGeR

Nice touch. I'm good.

Well yeah, I guess Best Buy would be an alternative if Apple won't accept cash. Never thought about it.

And the Visa Debit Card seems like an amazing idea, not only for the MacBook but for my whole trip! You see, I'm going to NYC, Maine, a concert in Cleveland, also Cedar Point in Ohio and Universal Studios in Orlando. So, I'm carrying around enough money for all of that. That would be risky. You sure I can use that card for everything? Even online purchases, ATM's and normal stores?

Thanks for your reply!

The U.S. is more of a plastic (card) than paper (cash) society. Some small convenience stores refuse to take cards, but that number is very, very low.

[old-wiz]

Originally Posted by tdhurst

The U.S. is more of a plastic (card) than paper (cash) society. Some small convenience stores refuse to take cards, but that number is very, very low.

One would think that going plastic would be safer for the convenience stores - no cash for a robber to take.

[miles01110]

Why is this still even under debate? Apple Stores take cash. It's not that difficult to understand.

[Adam-]

Originally Posted by old-wiz

One would think that going plastic would be safer for the convenience stores - no cash for a robber to take.

Yeah but then you need to pay charges for a card machine, and pay for the transactions, seems bait pointless for a snickers or mars bar.