Bought a Mac Mini over the weekend, can I swap it for the latest?

[AlexLFC]

Hiya.

Bought my first Mac on saturday, was very pleased with my purchase, I plan to turn it into a Media Centre.

Then last night I of course hear that there are now newer and faster ones out now. So my question is, do you think that if i was to take my Mac Mini back, they'd swap it for the latest?

It's a bit frustrating spending £650 on the more powerful unit, only 3 days later it's been replaced and even the base model £500 is better.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[thegoldenmackid]

If you bought from Apple either in store or online you have 14 days to return it. You will however have to pay a restocking fee.

 

[AlexLFC]

Thanks TGMK!

I'm a bit gutted about the restocking fee, at 10% it's a bit steep, though appreciate it could be very expensive if it wasn't a Mac Mini.

So far, not a lover of the Apple Experience, had to return to the store because it didn't come with Snow Leopard and was questioned heavily about if it really came with it.

 

[Peace]

Thanks TGMK!

I'm a bit gutted about the restocking fee, at 10% it's a bit steep, though appreciate it could be very expensive if it wasn't a Mac Mini.

So far, not a lover of the Apple Experience, had to return to the store because it didn't come with Snow Leopard and was questioned heavily about if it really came with it.

The Mini's sold new at least should come with Snow Leopard. There's a loophole for you right there.

Demand a new one because the one you purchased 2 days ago didn't have Snow Leopard.

 

[AlexLFC]

Peace, OF COURSE!!!

When I returned to the store and asked about an update, they said that I could bring in the unit and have it replaced for one that did have it. I said that I'd rather not have to, instead I walked out with a disc.

Doh, can't believe that I didn't think of that.

Factory reset the unit and return for an upgrade. (hopefully)

THANKS!

 

[Le Big Mac]

The other thing you may be able to do is get a price concession/partial refund.

If you're happy with the unit that may be a better course than paying a restocking fee. It's not like the one you bought is "worse" now that there are new ones. It's just more expensive and less powerful than the current models. But if you paid $500 instead of 650, that might be a deal.

 

[AlexLFC]

The other thing you may be able to do is get a price concession/partial refund.

If you're happy with the unit that may be a better course than paying a restocking fee. It's not like the one you bought is "worse" now that there are new ones. It's just more expensive and less powerful than the current models. But if you paid $500 instead of 650, that might be a deal.

Good idea, though to be honest I could do with the upgrade as it is a little underpowered for some of the stuff I would like to do on it too, so I might try and push for that.

 

[ditzy]

I don't think there is a restocking fee in the UK.

 

[katyoshi]

you have 14 days and counting!

 

[ViViDboarder]

The Mini's sold new at least should come with Snow Leopard. There's a loophole for you right there.

Demand a new one because the one you purchased 2 days ago didn't have Snow Leopard.

This would have been perfect, haha. Oh well. Good luck OP!

 

[optophobia]

Good idea, though to be honest I could do with the upgrade as it is a little underpowered for some of the stuff I would like to do on it too, so I might try and push for that.

1 - I guess you joined this site too late. Rumors of an imminent mac mini update have been going on for some time. Now that you have joined, you wil understand and will be better prepared for the future.
2 - you say the mac mini is a little underpowered for some of the stuff I would like to do on it. The latest upgrade is only a minor bump, so may not even make that much of a difference. Maybe you should look into a completely different model altogether if this is the case, like the iMac.

 

[vaudx]

Hi All;
New here and just made the jump to a Mac. I have been on PC's since the PC Junior from IBM. ($2500 Cdn in 1985 - I still have it in the basement)

I bought an iMac 24" with a 2.93Ghz processor. Bought it on Saturday and had a nice time setting it up and learning how to use the software on Sunday .. the transition will be easy.

On Wednesday morning I read the news about the new iMacs and last night I returned my iMac for a refund. The store I purchased from (not an Apple store) can be a bit frustrating to deal with when returning items but in this case that 14 day policy holds and I had no problems at all.

I put my order in for a new 27 inch iMac last night via the online Apple store and well I'll be on my PC for a week or so until the new iMac arrives.

I had no clue about the new iMacs and I dealt with a Mac rep at the store when I purchased the 24 inch on Saturday.

I always research what I plan to buy but this time it was an impulse buy.

 

[GoCubsGo]

Good idea, though to be honest I could do with the upgrade as it is a little underpowered for some of the stuff I would like to do on it too, so I might try and push for that.

If it was underpowered why did you buy it?

 

[bjorn989]

So let me get this straight. You went in to the store, considered the features of the Mac Mini to fulfill your needs and to be at the right price? You paid the price willingly. They did not overcharge you. You were happy with the product. It now continues to be the same product as it was before, fulfilling the exact same needs as you had when you bought it.

The machine is no slower than when you bought it.

You agreed that the price you paid was a fair price at the time of the transaction. Otherwise you wouldn't have paid for it.

Tell me again why you are disappointed? Just because Apple release an update doesn't mean that your machine changes at all.

 

[fluffyx]

I'm not sure how it is in the UK, but in the US, if you purchase something and within 14 days a new product comes out, you'll go to the Apple Store and the Specialist will explain Apple's return policy and restocking fee. They might even offer to get a Manager, who can better explain the policy.

Bring your Mac mini, your packaging, and your receipt.

In this US, if it's the right thing to do, the Manager may help you walk out with a current model Mac mini without restocking fee.

--

On a separate note, everyone who buys a product should know that it is not the "be-all, end-all" product. A newer, better one will come out—especially if it's technology or a car.

It sounds like you thoroughly understand this. Go to the Apple Store, ask for a manager, and be polite but firm in requesting the current model mini.

 

[ViViDboarder]

So let me get this straight. You went in to the store, considered the features of the Mac Mini to fulfill your needs and to be at the right price? You paid the price willingly. They did not overcharge you. You were happy with the product. It now continues to be the same product as it was before, fulfilling the exact same needs as you had when you bought it.

The machine is no slower than when you bought it.

You agreed that the price you paid was a fair price at the time of the transaction. Otherwise you wouldn't have paid for it.

Tell me again why you are disappointed? Just because Apple release an update doesn't mean that your machine changes at all.

A lot of stores have policies in place to keep the customer happy. Nobody would be happy to find out that had they waited a day or two they would have gotten a better deal. Especially on such a big purchase.

It's completely understandable. Even if it was a good deal, knowing that you would have had a better deal is disappointing.

 

[alent1234]

A lot of stores have policies in place to keep the customer happy. Nobody would be happy to find out that had they waited a day or two they would have gotten a better deal. Especially on such a big purchase.

It's completely understandable. Even if it was a good deal, knowing that you would have had a better deal is disappointing.

Dell and HP don't have huge banners on the website saying don't buy today because next week something newer is coming out. Best Buy doesn't either. In fact a lot of vendors will give a discount just to move inventory to make room for new models.

you have to read the blogs to see when the new stuff is coming

 

[DDave]

Hey from other posts in different threads, people have been saying that Apple has been really good about take the machines back with no restocking and giving full credit. Take it back to the store and if they won't then call the toll free number. Good luck with your new computer

 

[ViViDboarder]

Dell and HP don't have huge banners on the website saying don't buy today because next week something newer is coming out. Best Buy doesn't either. In fact a lot of vendors will give a discount just to move inventory to make room for new models.

you have to read the blogs to see when the new stuff is coming

You gave another example of what I'm saying.

Giving discounts for products that are soon to be outdated is a good way to move products without upsetting customers. Then they don't feel like they spent money on something that's now replaced at the same price point.

Apple doesn't do that. You buy a device and the next day it's just replaced at the same price.

 

[alent1234]

You gave another example of what I'm saying.

Giving discounts for products that are soon to be outdated is a good way to move products without upsetting customers. Then they don't feel like they spent money on something that's now replaced at the same price point.

Apple doesn't do that. You buy a device and the next day it's just replaced at the same price.

they have had news stories here and on AI about new Mac's about to come out for the last month.

and Dell/HP don't always discount to move inventory. one day you check the dell website and out of the blue you see they updated the video card choices. you have to keep track of the Intel/ATI/Nvidia releases and roadmaps to see where things are going. it's not like MS discounted the old Zune 2 months ago. i was researching TV's a few months back because my mom wanted one and they were selling them full price until a month ago when new models came out and the one she bought is now a lot less

 

[ViViDboarder]

they have had news stories here and on AI about new Mac's about to come out for the last month.

and Dell/HP don't always discount to move inventory. one day you check the dell website and out of the blue you see they updated the video card choices. you have to keep track of the Intel/ATI/Nvidia releases and roadmaps to see where things are going. it's not like MS discounted the old Zune 2 months ago. i was researching TV's a few months back because my mom wanted one and they were selling them full price until a month ago when new models came out and the one she bought is now a lot less

I don't see why you're comparing to other companies anyways... It doesn't change the way it impacts a customer.

I'm not talking about corporate responsibility, I'm talking about customer service.

 

[sukanas]

when youre buying a product, youre not just paying for the product itself (ie. hardware, and rest of what bjorn said).
you're also expecting a good and decent lifespan of the product. and by lifespan, i don't mean the actually life of how long the hardware lasts but the 'lifespan' of you having the latest and greatest (being a little exaggerated here...).

when you buy an 2010 car, i'm pretty sure its not too much to ask for to have the most recent model car for a year (of course w/ computers/technology speed, its different)

and if anyone wants to argue to me that that that is stupid for any buyers to expect that, i put my hands down and you win.

 

[weckart]

I don't think there is a restocking fee in the UK.

If you buy online within the EU, the Distance Selling Act (or its equivalents in the individual EU member states) gives you 7 days grace to return purchases for a full refund, not including postage. In the UK, this is usually extended to 14 days, but can vary from store to store and country to country. The act was passed primarily to stop pressure selling from insurance/double glazing door to door sales reps and give vulnerable people a chance to hold onto their money.

This period represents a statutory minimum, but most stores exceed this under the umbrella of customer service.

Restocking fees past this period exist, but are very much the exception, not the rule in the UK.

 

[bjorn989]

when youre buying a product, youre not just paying for the product itself (ie. hardware, and rest of what bjorn said).
you're also expecting a good and decent lifespan of the product. and by lifespan, i don't mean the actually life of how long the hardware lasts but the 'lifespan' of you having the latest and greatest (being a little exaggerated here...).

when you buy an 2010 car, i'm pretty sure its not too much to ask for to have the most recent model car for a year (of course w/ computers/technology speed, its different)

and if anyone wants to argue to me that that that is stupid for any buyers to expect that, i put my hands down and you win.

That is absolute rubbish. Lifespan refers to the time in which the product is usable, not the time in which the product is the latest and greatest.

If you are buying the Mac Mini, chances are you will not be looking for the latest and greatest. You just want something that will work. The fact that the OP bought the product last week suggests that they balanced their needs against the actual specifications of the mac and decided to spend money on it.

My point is that if the mac was worth the RRP to you then, why is it not worth it now? The computer has not changed.

 

[AlexLFC]

Hello, sorry it's been while since I started this thread, and wow what did I start.

I'm going to start by thanking people for their constructive thoughts and some others for speaking out their backside. I'll let each individual decide what camp they believe they're in.

I believe as a consumer I have a right to be sold a product that won't be bettered and replaced by another of less value within the first 14 days of purchasing. (ie Mac Mini £650, bettered by Mac Mini £500 3 days later)

And for those of you who disagree, I did take my Mini back and the sales guy without question said 'no problem'. I did mention that I was impressed with their stance regarding this, the sales guy simply replied 'well it would be cheeky of Apple if they refused to replace units like these, when they often update without prior notice'.

I left the Apple Store with the latest brand new Mac Mini to equivalent price, and didn't have pay a penny in restocking etc.

Thank you Apple, truly EXCELLENT customer service! I hope others with similar problems had theirs updated just as easily as I did.

For those of you interested in my purposes for the Mini, I planned to replace my (relatively unused) dated noisy PC that was hooked up to the TV as a media centre.

The big positive in buying the Mini was bootcamp and the use of OSX for the ability of simple video editing. I knew when buying it that it wasn't that powerful for some of the things I wanted use it for.

It's main use is as a media centre which it's perfect for, the iMac not so much, and I didn't have the money for a Mac Pro. It now sits beautifully on the shelving below the TV.

I have a slightly older version of Final Cut which I once used on lesser powered Pro machine and although it wasn't the best, it was certainly adequate enough to run without pulling any hair out.

All in all I'm very pleased with my Mini, using external drives it stores all my music, videos and stuff as my previous machine did and now I've got the option of OSX too. Oh and the girlfriend now loves iPhoto.

I'm a predominantly a PC user, but understand the pro's and con's of the two systems. I enjoy using macs for video and media applications, yet I enjoy using Windows 7 for it's media centre and everyday use on my laptop.

I hope that doesn't offend anyone, but I enjoy the balance of the formats.

Thanks!!!