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TofSanity

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Original poster
Oct 29, 2010
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Hello, I have had bad experiences with ordering and having MacBook Pros delivered. The last two arrived damaged. I’m sure it was Fedex and not Apple. My question is: how’s B&H Photo with packing and returns? I see you can buy a base model 2018 15” with 32GB of ram for the same price as a base model from Apple. Anyone have experience with them?
 
I've ordered a used iPad Pro from them and it came on time and in excellent condition with all original box and accessories. I'm also wondering what it is like to order a computer from them. Their return policy isn't as good as Apple but I am very tempted by the deals.
 
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I've ordered a used iPad Pro from them and it came on time and in excellent condition with all original box and accessories. I'm also wondering what it is like to order a computer from them. Their return policy isn't as good as Apple but I am very tempted by the deals.

I’m tempted as well. Like I said, just bad delivery experiences.
 
B&H Video doesn't allow you to return Mac products. FYI

Better do your research :)
As I read their return policy, it would be ok to return defective or damaged computer products within 30 days. But you can't return just because you don't like it. Also I'm guessing for a damaged delivery, you might need to file a claim against the delivery company, or maybe B&H does that. In any case, you would probably be best protected if you had photos of a damaged box before opening a package that you later want to return as damaged. And it would be even better if you did not further open packages delivered inside of a damaged box.

I've ordered a good bit from them, but I only had one return almost a decade ago, of some binoculars that were not collimated. That wasn't shipping damage.
 
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I've ordered stuff from them, very reputable, you're getting an excellent deal and if you're sure you want it, then this is one way to save good money
 
I just got a 2018 mbp and dell 3818 monitor from them. No sales tax, cheaper than apple, free shipping. All perfectly packaged and delivered. No brainier for me.
 
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you could also get your local Best Buy to price match B&H. Just picked up another MacBook Pro 15 2.6/16/512 Space Grey and will be sending mine back from Amazon which I paid $2976 for with taxes. Out the door in Delaware today for $2499 with no taxes . Gotta love B&H's Labor Day weekend sale
 
I purchased my 2017 iMac from them and it came in PERFECT condition. I've also ordered a $1000 ultrawide monitor from them, that also came in perfect condition. And because of where I live, it was here SUPER fast.
 
While I've not purchased a computer from BH, my experience with them buying photography equipment has been top notch.
 
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OP:

WHICH DELIVERY COMPANY damaged your previous deliveries?

You might consider asking B&H to ship via A DIFFERENT company.
Not sure if they'll agree, but express your concerns so they understand WHY you're making the request.

Worth it to call and ask.
 
I bought the max out MBP 2018 15in from BH. Everything looks fine although I had quite few issues with the machine--- but that is apple's design/trade off (which means it doesn't matter where you buy it, it will be there).

Sweet point is tax+$150off, which translated to $700+. I bite it .
 
I have a 2017 15” in transit that Apple sold for $2799 3 months ago. $2099 on my doorstep. Nice deal.
 
I have a 2017 15” in transit that Apple sold for $2799 3 months ago. $2099 on my doorstep. Nice deal.

I was thinking of getting this exact mode. I don't need the extra performance of the 2018 and $2099 for a 15" MBP with 512gb of storage seems like a really good deal. Are you worried at all about the 2017 keyboard (that is the only thing making me second guess not buying the latest model).
 
I was thinking of getting this exact mode. I don't need the extra performance of the 2018 and $2099 for a 15" MBP with 512gb of storage seems like a really good deal. Are you worried at all about the 2017 keyboard (that is the only thing making me second guess not buying the latest model).


Not at all, it’s almost a bonus, 4 year FREE warranty for the KB. 3 1/2 years sounds like new KB, Battery and top cover. Thank you Apple. I’m going with a 2016 from December 2016, daily used and no issues. I’m passing that down to my wife because of the warranty. The Silver same model is $800 off vs space grey $700 off. But I like SG. Also the 2016 came from B&H.
 
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B&H is a very reputable and solid company. I've ordered many a photography product from them and everything always arrives perfect.
 
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I've ordered numerous items from them, including my 65" Sony XBR900E 4K TV. You can't beat there prices, and living outside of NY is an added bonus of tax free. The only reason I didn't order my MacBook Pro from them was only because I was in Delaware on Saturday on a day trip, got Best Buy to price match them and they don't charge sales tax either.

My original 15" came from Amazon, for which I originally paid $2785 + tax for a grand total of $2952. New system saved me $450. Already sent the other back to Amazon since they do not price match nor price protect, but the biggest was saving on the taxes ($170).

As for the 2017, with the upgraded warranty for the keyboard to 4 years of purchase date, its a no brainer unless you want the newer processor (4 vs 6 cores), faster DDR4 memory, and True Tone. I personally went with the 2018, but I was close to pulling the trigger on the 2017 until they had there sale this weekend.
 
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I have had good luck buying stuff from B&H. Great group. But, some caveats:

1) Their return policy means returns are costly if you have opened the box. Buy direct from Apple, you have 14 days of pretty much no-questions-asked return privileges, and exceptions are sometimes made if you exceed that 14 days. You generally cannot return something to Apple if you purchased it from a 3rd party like B&H.

2) B&H and other retailers also seem to no longer offer AppleCare for discounted price. And that great old trick of purchasing AppleCare a day before your 1-year factory warranty expires is no longer possible, from B&H or Apple or anyone else. That's a pity, as it reduced some of the sticker-shock, though of course at the end of the day the money spent is the same. You must buy AppleCare (now AppleCare+) at or near the time of purchase or close to it, and if it's not purchased simultaneously you may need to bring the machine into an Apple store for inspection or run a utility to verify the machine's integrity. This really isn't a B&H issue but it's something to be aware of.

On the plus side, last time I looked, B&H still did not charge state sales tax for residents of most states, and their prices are excellent. Those days might be rapidly drawing to a close due to the recent Supreme Court decision, unfortunately for consumers in high-tax states. Also a plus, B&H has fast, from-stock fast delivery of models Apple handles as build-to-order. If you're in a hurry, this can really count. B&H also has new, previous-generation models available for great prices.

For me, Apple's friendly return policy is worth the small premium of purchasing from Apple directly, most times. Sadly, I have had two instances where I needed to take advantage of it. The good news is, my new 2018 top-spec MacBook Pro is an absolute gem and I love it to bits. Highly recommended.
 
Use PayPal. You get six months to return anything and don't have to deal with B and H's super limited return options. I had tech return with them a few years ago, after two months it stopped working completely (overheating and other issues not caused by any mishandling on my part) and they wouldn't even do an exchange for the same item. Went though paypal and was able to send it back and get a full refund.
 
you could also get your local Best Buy to price match B&H. Just picked up another MacBook Pro 15 2.6/16/512 Space Grey and will be sending mine back from Amazon which I paid $2976 for with taxes. Out the door in Delaware today for $2499 with no taxes . Gotta love B&H's Labor Day weekend sale

I second this. I love Best Buy's return policy, and this is how I got the computer I am typing on now. You will have to pay sales tax, but you get a much better return policy. I am super finicky and I had two MBPs before this one with backlight bleed. I was able to exchange them.
 
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