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Apple Store vs Compusa vs Online

jburrows500

jburrows500

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jan 26, 2007
135
0
Hells Kitchen NYC
I am almost ready to buy.. if I just walk into CompUSA and buy a macbook off the shelf as it sits, can I still get Final Cut Express HD for $99.00 or is that just available when ordering directly from online? There is an Apple store close by.. would they honor the special?
 
I believe it would only be valid through apple. It should be available on-line as well as in the store. You can always call the store beforehand to verify. Hope this helps.
 
Thanks!!!I just started on it so I haven't done much yet but I plan on updating the pages soon.
 
if u can meet cumpuSA's apple manager, he/she might be able to give u discount, at least the one at local compUSA told me so.
 
never buy at retail apple... REal bad return policy if you have bad pixels... REal bad... Go to Comp USA... You can return the computer real easy if necessary... Apple.com for refurbished is a nice deal too...
 
clevin said:
if u can meet cumpuSA's apple manager, he/she might be able to give u discount, at least the one at local compUSA told me so.
Click to expand...

Check Circuit City out also, they have been selling Mac's since about Sept 2006. The Apple Rep in Circuit City infomed me of the 30 day price match, and I (this was the Sunday after the C2D came out) That I should check with the Apple Store on a refund and to my surprise I was refunded $322.00 on my Black macbook w/1 gig of ram.
 
Definitely go to the Apple Store. It's no different from ordering online except you get the computer immediately. Staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. If you're a college student, educator, in the military, or work at a corporation with a partnership with Apple, bring an ID and you'll get a further discount. $200 off Final Cut Express HD is taken off at the point of sale, so no rebate required.

If you call before going, you can reserve one hour with a Mac Specialist so they'll know you're coming. Ask for what they call a "talk mac" reservation.
 
rxl125 said:
never buy at retail apple... REal bad return policy if you have bad pixels... REal bad... Go to Comp USA... You can return the computer real easy if necessary... Apple.com for refurbished is a nice deal too...
Click to expand...

I usually don't like to encourage the crooks at CompUSA to stay in business by giving them my money.
 
Amazon is hard to beat on price, if you don't need any BTO options and don't qualify for an education discount. Free shipping on most items, no sales tax --and rebates besides.
 
IJ Reilly said:
Amazon is hard to beat on price, if you don't need any BTO options and don't qualify for an education discount. Free shipping on most items, no sales tax --and rebates besides.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'd seriously look into Amazon. Oftentimes, they're cheaper than the student discount once you factor in sales tax.

If you find that you can get that Final Cut deal even by buying from CompUSA, then I'd imagine the same would apply if you bought from Amazon. Worth looking into, anyways.

Good luck!
 
I bought my macbook off amazon and I believe after the rebate it was about $30 cheaper than the edu price would have been w/ Apple. I had no problems at all!



allison.
 
If you know exactly what you want, Amazon is the way to go, bottom line.

CompUSA will pretty much always match the Apple Store price, and usually throw something in extra. I would think Circuit City would, too... just show them the special in witting. Both those stores have far better return policies than Apple, and (IMHO) better service.

I usually don't like to encourage the crooks at CompUSA to stay in business by giving them my money.
Click to expand...

I have found them to be pretty good- they are very fair on returns and exchanges. Not always the most knowledgeable staff, but thats what this forum is for! The "crooks" are the Apple Stores that charge restocking on anything.... they have the worst store policies of anyplace these days...
 
carfac said:
If you know exactly what you want, Amazon is the way to go, bottom line.

CompUSA will pretty much always match the Apple Store price, and usually throw something in extra. I would think Circuit City would, too... just show them the special in witting. Both those stores have far better return policies than Apple, and (IMHO) better service.



I have found them to be pretty good- they are very fair on returns and exchanges. Not always the most knowledgeable staff, but thats what this forum is for! The "crooks" are the Apple Stores that charge restocking on anything.... they have the worst store policies of anyplace these days...
Click to expand...

Actually Apple only charges restocking fees on opened iPods and computers...I hardly see that as "everything". I guess it's personal experience, but I've had nothing but problems with those CompUSA morons.
 
I got my first MacBook from the Apple Store at Meadowhall, but my second from the Apple Store.
 
I went to CompUSA today and they offered me a $200.00 mail in rebate on the Final Cut Express.. Hardware was the same price as the company store.. ram was cheaper when factoring in the 80 off 2gb.. I have had good luck with Compusa in terms of returning a HD tv so I have no issues with buying from them.. I just need to figure out what I want to buy.. the more I go there, the more I leave confused.. I would go a 22" gateway monitor with a mini if it had a core 2 duo.. thus the reason why I would go the macbook 2.0 with 2gb ram
 
I am an Apple Solutions Consultant (Apple Rep) in the Princeton NJ CompUSA. Beyond Apple Retail and online we are the only store that is supporting the "Movie Deal". You get a $200 MIR for it when urchased with a CPU. Circuit City and Best Buys will not have this promo available to you.

Kevin
 
jburrows500 said:
I went to CompUSA today and they offered me a $200.00 mail in rebate on the Final Cut Express.. Hardware was the same price as the company store.. ram was cheaper when factoring in the 80 off 2gb.. I have had good luck with Compusa in terms of returning a HD tv so I have no issues with buying from them.. I just need to figure out what I want to buy.. the more I go there, the more I leave confused.. I would go a 22" gateway monitor with a mini if it had a core 2 duo.. thus the reason why I would go the macbook 2.0 with 2gb ram
Click to expand...

when you think about it and look at the specs, the MB isn't much more expensive than a mini, but is a LOT more machine. and you can use it the same way if you want. AND, you can take it with you if you want to. more flexible, more powerful and can serve the same purpose if you want it to. the MB makes a lot of since, if you ask me.
 
I agree.. among the choices that I had before me and what I wanted to spend, the MB looked to be the better choice of the three.. (imac 20, mini, or MB) and possibly the best choice in terms of not being ready for an update 5 seconds after I walk out of the store..
 
OK: MB via Apple Store, with gov't discount: $1410 + tax of ~$70
MB via Amazon, with $100 rebate: $1400.

Any reason not do buy from Amazon? How's their return policy?

(and I know I could save $150 by getting a white one, and may just do so)
 
you might look at the refurbs. and if you live near an apple store, check out the refurbs they have in store. you get a chance to see them before you buy them and they are priced comparably to the refurbs online.
 
Halligan said:
Any reason not do buy from Amazon? How's their return policy?
Click to expand...
They gave me zero hassle returning an early Core Duo MacBook Pro for a full refund because I wasn't thrilled with how hot it ran (nor the CPU whine). Although their terms say that they reserve the right to charge a restock fee for opened laptops, they didn't for me, and issued the credit promptly.

I was impressed enough to buy my next Apple (a MacBook) from them. It came with a rebate which was all done online and received fairly promptly as well. :)
 
I have returned a good 15 items to compusa, and they have never charged me a re-stocking fee.
Also, you can't beat their same-as-cash financing that they have from time to time (like right now, 18 months interest free, purchases $899 and up, including apple)
 
Halligan said:
OK: MB via Apple Store, with gov't discount: $1410 + tax of ~$70
MB via Amazon, with $100 rebate: $1400.

Any reason not do buy from Amazon? How's their return policy?

(and I know I could save $150 by getting a white one, and may just do so)
Click to expand...

Goverment discount? Would an employee in a state agency be eligible? First I have heard of it.. Is it a % of the cost or does it vary from item to item?
 
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