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Any recommendations on WHERE to buy iPhone 6?

Tofupunch

Tofupunch

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 4, 2014
411
615
Hi everyone,

I'm a newbie to the Apple universe and am thinking of buying the iPhone 6. Does it really matter where I buy it? My options (unless otherwise enlightened) would the the Apple Store, T-Mobile store, or best buy. I've been reading about some issues with the front facing camera, screen problems, etc. I'm going into this anticipating some return scenarios. The only thing is the closests Apple store is a bit away and instead of having to drive over there possibly repeatedly there are many T-Mobile stores closer.

Can I still take a non-Apple store purchased iPhone to the Genius Bar? Are the return policies less rigid for best buy and T-Mobile?

Thanks in advance for any help!:apple:
 
Buy from Apple unless you have a particular reason to go elsewhere.

In case you didn't know, you can also have the phone delivered.

Don't buy from some site endorsed by someone who joined right after you did and whose first post was to push their website.
 
Tofupunch said:
Hi everyone,

I'm a newbie to the Apple universe and am thinking of buying the iPhone 6. Does it really matter where I buy it? My options (unless otherwise enlightened) would the the Apple Store, T-Mobile store, or best buy. I've been reading about some issues with the front facing camera, screen problems, etc. I'm going into this anticipating some return scenarios. The only thing is the closests Apple store is a bit away and instead of having to drive over there possibly repeatedly there are many T-Mobile stores closer.

Can I still take a non-Apple store purchased iPhone to the Genius Bar? Are the return policies less rigid for best buy and T-Mobile?

Thanks in advance for any help!:apple:
Click to expand...

It doesn't really matter if you go to your carrier or apple. You can take either phone to the genuis bar and you can purchase applecare+ on either phone.
 
Tofupunch said:
Hi everyone,

I'm a newbie to the Apple universe and am thinking of buying the iPhone 6. Does it really matter where I buy it? My options (unless otherwise enlightened) would the the Apple Store, T-Mobile store, or best buy. I've been reading about some issues with the front facing camera, screen problems, etc. I'm going into this anticipating some return scenarios. The only thing is the closests Apple store is a bit away and instead of having to drive over there possibly repeatedly there are many T-Mobile stores closer.

Can I still take a non-Apple store purchased iPhone to the Genius Bar? Are the return policies less rigid for best buy and T-Mobile?

Thanks in advance for any help!:apple:
Click to expand...
I've always bought mine from the Apple store, even though they're a 2-hour drive away. For whatever reason, I just prefer to buy them there - probably because I enjoy spending some time wandering around looking at all the other Apple stuff.

Regarding the bold above - this is my fourth iPhone and I've never had a return scenario immediately after purchase. In fact, the only hardware issue I've ever had with an iPhone was when the camera on my iP5 quit working after a year or so - I made a Genius Bar appointment and they handed me a new phone.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone, you gave me points to think about. I think I will just buy it at the Apple Store. Besides, the T-Mobile return policy said they may charge a restocking fee. Thanks!
 
Not sure about Best Buy, but at the T-Mobile stores you'll end up with a locked phone that you cannot use on another network until you've had 40 days of service with T-Mobile.

Just because you read about issues does not mean that they occur at a high frequency. Apple has already sold tens of millions of iPhone 6 and 6 Plus units. If the phone's defective, any one of those retailers will exchange it. If you just don't like it, then restocking fees potentially apply at those other stores. Of course, with Apple, you also have a shorter return window.

And as others have said, the Genius Bar will look at any iPhone and provide service, no matter where you bought it.
 
In the UK we mainly buy through carriers unless purchasing the handset outright, in which case an Apple store would be a good bet if you're near one purely for the no-quibble returns.
 
Tofupunch said:
Hi everyone,

I'm a newbie to the Apple universe and am thinking of buying the iPhone 6. Does it really matter where I buy it? My options (unless otherwise enlightened) would the the Apple Store, T-Mobile store, or best buy. I've been reading about some issues with the front facing camera, screen problems, etc. I'm going into this anticipating some return scenarios. The only thing is the closests Apple store is a bit away and instead of having to drive over there possibly repeatedly there are many T-Mobile stores closer.

Can I still take a non-Apple store purchased iPhone to the Genius Bar? Are the return policies less rigid for best buy and T-Mobile?

Thanks in advance for any help!:apple:
Click to expand...

Apple Store.

I've purchased every iPhone the day of launch, and only had to return one (the 4S ... had something really loose rattling around inside -- not the normal 'button jiggle', there was something broken inside), which I was able to do before I even got back to my car. Beyond that, they've all been solid as you'd want it to be.
 
What about Sam's? They can sell you a new one at a good price. Like 127.00. For the iPhone 6. 16gb
 
I would always recommend buying from the Apple Store purely because then you are directly their responsibility and can then go into any store should you have any questions or problems with your purchase. Sometimes they will be lenient and replace your device rather than sending it away for repair. Third parties and resellers are often not as lenient and will rely on warranty repairs or ask you to buy third party insurance.
 
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Tofupunch said:
Hi everyone,

I'm a newbie to the Apple universe and am thinking of buying the iPhone 6. Does it really matter where I buy it? My options (unless otherwise enlightened) would the the Apple Store, T-Mobile store, or best buy. I've been reading about some issues with the front facing camera, screen problems, etc. I'm going into this anticipating some return scenarios. The only thing is the closests Apple store is a bit away and instead of having to drive over there possibly repeatedly there are many T-Mobile stores closer.

Can I still take a non-Apple store purchased iPhone to the Genius Bar? Are the return policies less rigid for best buy and T-Mobile?

Thanks in advance for any help!:apple:
Click to expand...

If you are with AT&T you're able to get a 2 year subsidy only at AT&T corporate stores or on their online site.
 
abta1 said:
I would always recommend buying from the Apple Store purely because then you are directly their responsibility and can then go into any store should you have any questions or problems with your purchase. Sometimes they will be lenient and replace your device rather than sending it away for repair. Third parties and resellers are often not as lenient and will rely on warranty repairs or ask you to buy third party insurance.
Click to expand...
Great point.
 
abta1 said:
I would always recommend buying from the Apple Store purely because then you are directly their responsibility and can then go into any store should you have any questions or problems with your purchase. Sometimes they will be lenient and replace your device rather than sending it away for repair. Third parties and resellers are often not as lenient and will rely on warranty repairs or ask you to buy third party insurance.
Click to expand...
No matter where you buy your iPhone your default (generally 1 year) warranty is still through Apple, so you can still go to an Apple store or contact Apple directly with questions/issues and get the same repair/replacement service if/as needed.
 
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