Buy a Large Product at an Apple Store? You Can Now Choose Delivery

[iFishishh]

Is that true? I don't think so. There's the option of mailing your item into an AppleCare service center for AppleCare warranty fix/repair, isn't there? In some places, you can even have a technician come to where your machine is.

AppleCare

Enjoy easy 24/7 support, fast repairs for accidental damage, and peace of mind with theft and loss coverage — for one or all your products.

www.apple.com

So instead of taking it to a store you have figure out how to pack it for shipping, drive to a mail center, lug it and hold it in a line likely longer than McDonald’s at 5pm and pay for shipping? Sounds like a great alternative

 

[msackey]

“Apple said its retail stores are also now able to sell out-of-stock items to customers that are delivered to their home at a later date”

So basically an Apple employee can help you order from an Apple Store like you would normally online. Wow it’s impressive that after all these years that’s finally an option!

I went to an Apple Store to purchase an Apple Watch and wanted to use the veteran discount. I was told it’s only available online, not at the physical store for reasons unknown 🤷‍♂️ So I ordered it online for pick up at the same exact store. I had to wait an extra 15 mins, neither myself nor the employees could believe Apple for such malarkey and inconsistencies.

Yeah, it does seem crazy that they couldn't offer that to you in the store at that time. I'm guessing it has to do with how their purchase systems work and there's no way for them to administratively purchase the veteran discount option online and then hand the product to you in person due to two different stock accounting issues. Yes, from a human user perspective, it is a bit nutty.

This makes me wonder if the discounts offered for education/government would be available for purchase at an Apple Store, through this new easy pay online option. Knowing Apple I doubt it.

Not sure what you mean but education discount is available when you purchase an Apple product in person at their stores. I've done it before.

 

[compwiz1202]

Yeah, send an entirely separate delivery truck. That will make Mother Nature happy! 🌿

MN: Dommit Tim, you are losing all your positive environmental points!

 

[msackey]

So instead of taking it to a store you have figure out how to pack it for shipping, drive to a mail center, lug it and hold it in a line likely longer than McDonald’s at 5pm and pay for shipping? Sounds like a great alternative

Have you tried it or is this an assumption on your part?

I haven't tried sending my Apple Thunderbolt Display in for AppleCare repair using the shipping option, but when I've used the mail-in option for phones, Watch, and iPad for AppleCare repair/replacement (including battery replacement!), they SHIP a box to you. Then, you place your item in their box and you can either call for courier pickup or you can send it to an authorized shipment outlet. There are options.

And, in all the situations where I've used the shipment options, shipment is not something I pay for but is included in the AppleCare.

 

[compwiz1202]

I do like the idea to have an out of stock item ordered, but to be honest I try and avoid Apple stores like the plague. They are not fun places to be. Always a mad house and chaotic and even a minor purchase is annoying. I stick to online.

Never had a problem at ours unless it's event time, but I guess it depends on location

 

[ProfessionalFan]

Have you tried it or is this an assumption on your part?

I haven't tried sending my Apple Thunderbolt Display in for AppleCare repair using the shipping option, but when I've used the mail-in option for phones, Watch, and iPad for AppleCare repair/replacement (including battery replacement!), they SHIP a box to you. Then, you place your item in their box and you can either call for courier pickup or you can send it to an authorized shipment outlet. There are options.

And, in all the situations where I've used the shipment options, shipment is not something I pay for but is included in the AppleCare.

Yes Apple is really good about this, makes AppleCare+ totally worth it

 

[MuppetGate]

Yes every single thing Apple does, must be innovative. They aren't allowed to do anything another company has done before without it being brought up as "inNoVaTIoN"

But you have to admit it was funny the first time you heard it. After all 1000th time? … not so much.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I did this with my 2008 iMac, from the Regent Street store.

It’s nothing new.

 

[LambdaTheImpossible]

The studio display is a classic example of things not mattering until Apple doing them. Every monitor has drawbacks and the SD has the least of any monitor I’ve used. Like honestly, monitors suck so bad these days. But because it isn’t perfect and it’s Apple… time for that to be the entire tech news cycle for a week.

The studio display is my favorite Apple product of all time. It’s a dream to use.

Agree with this so so so much.

 

[msackey]

Yes Apple is really good about this, makes AppleCare+ totally worth it

I totally agree that Apple is typically this good. YUP! In my experience, they have truly provided some of the best customer service with least amount of angst over the years. There have been a few very small cases I experienced that weren't so good, but by and large, their customer service has been A+++. I have often been truly amazed.

 

[CarAnalogy]

I assume they are using the same courier service as they do if you choose same day delivery when ordering online. That is DoorDash or UberEats in the USA depending on the market. I had a really bad experience with the Apple courier one time on a high priced item and won't use it again.

Its one thing to get a phone case or cable delivered by DD/UE, but Apple using them to transport $2k machines is just risky.

This is a great idea in theory, but Apple needs to just have their own employed delivery drivers instead of a random person grabbing your MacBook while they also grab someone's Big Mac.

My thoughts exactly. Even professional delivery services routinely destroy and/or lose expensive packages. Why Apple thinks they can trust Uber with this is beyond me. It’s mostly safe for people because people care a lot more if a person arrives busted up or not at all. Packages? Not so much.

 

[citysnaps]

That's an excellent option! Hat-tip to Apple for offering it.

 

[citysnaps]

The studio display is a classic example of things not mattering until Apple doing them. Every monitor has drawbacks and the SD has the least of any monitor I’ve used. Like honestly, monitors suck so bad these days. But because it isn’t perfect and it’s Apple… time for that to be the entire tech news cycle for a week.

The studio display is my favorite Apple product of all time. It’s a dream to use.

Having my Studio Display for a year now and using it to Lightroom-process my photos daily, I totally agree. It's a superb display.

 

[StudioMacs]

I can't say that I've ever had a problem with monitors wobbling when I type, even large 27" panels. I can only assume that either:

a) The LG UltraFine is unusually poorly made, or
b) You are an insanely aggressive typer

It sounds like you’ve never used the Studio Display or another 5K display like the the UltraFine, yet here you are…

 

[bluespark]

I assume they are using the same courier service as they do if you choose same day delivery when ordering online. That is DoorDash or UberEats in the USA depending on the market. I had a really bad experience with the Apple courier one time on a high priced item and won't use it again.

Its one thing to get a phone case or cable delivered by DD/UE, but Apple using them to transport $2k machines is just risky.

This is a great idea in theory, but Apple needs to just have their own employed delivery drivers instead of a random person grabbing your MacBook while they also grab someone's Big Mac.

I'm sure bad things can happen, but I've ordered several expensive Apple items (including my Studio Display) from Apple via same-day courier and my experience was always excellent.

 

[Mr. Dee]

I assume they are using the same courier service as they do if you choose same day delivery when ordering online. That is DoorDash or UberEats in the USA depending on the market. I had a really bad experience with the Apple courier one time on a high priced item and won't use it again.

Its one thing to get a phone case or cable delivered by DD/UE, but Apple using them to transport $2k machines is just risky.

This is a great idea in theory, but Apple needs to just have their own employed delivery drivers instead of a random person grabbing your MacBook while they also grab someone's Big Mac.

This is the first thing that came to mind. I remember reading a reddit thread where someone’s iPhone or iPad I believe was stolen by an Uber driver that went to pick it up and the buyers had proof, neither Apple or Uber would do anything. I’ll take my chances and ask a friend to pick it up.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

For those defending Apple using UberEats as their courier since the good transactions outweigh the bad ones, I am here to tell you that you're very wrong.

When an UE driver steals the merchandise, Apple has to open an investigation. This can take weeks and in the interim the charge on your card remains and you also don't have the merchandise. Maybe eventually it is figured out and you get your money back or the product you wanted, but it is a huge hassle as a customer.

 

[supremedesigner]

I understand why they are choosing to do this. It seems like a safer option, especially if you reside in a bustling or dangerous city. Just think about how difficult it would be to carry a large box through a perilous street, which is the only way to reach your apartment,time. It would also be challenging if you are frail or weak and unable to carry the box. even in the day

 

[klasma]

Why do Apple dissenters/haters assume that everything Apple does must be “innovative” or never done before?

Apple made their own bed there with the self-image they are trying to project. If their marketing was a bit more down-to-earth instead of undiscerningly spinning everything they output as the best thing since sliced bread, they would be getting these kinds of comments less frequently.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

Apple made their own bed there with the self-image they are trying to project. If their marketing was a bit more down-to-earth instead of undiscerningly spinning everything they output as the best thing since sliced bread, they would be getting these kinds of comments less frequently.

I must've missed their big marketing campaign for this announcement. If you think burying a paragraph about it in a press release on their web site is equating it to the best thing since sliced bread, I don't know what to tell you.

 

[ikramerica]

So innovative, no other stores have done this before. Like last month, we got a new fridge and had to take that to a compact car and drag it home like Mr. Bean.

True but not usually for carry size items like a computer box.

Granted, if you watch old movies or TV shows everything you purchased in store was delivered for free if you asked. Clothes, groceries, you name it.

 

[IceCool]

It’s just a gig worker delivering $50 worth of groceries and a couple of lunch orders in the their trunk with your $1,300 iMac.

What could possibly go wrong???

 

[jayducharme]

Have you ever been into an Apple Store to purchase something small, like a new iPhone case or Apple Watch band, but passed by that colorful iMac or pixel-perfect Studio Display along the way and just couldn't resist buying one?

No, can't say that I have. Maybe if I hit the lottery, I'd be tempted. But one Apple product each year or two is enough of a drain on my bank account.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

No, can't say that I have. Maybe if I hit the lottery, I'd be tempted. But one Apple product each year or two is enough of a drain on my bank account.

Seriously I have heard of impulse buying a candy bar at grocery store checkout but impulse buying a $2k monitor?

 

[coffeemilktea]

I dunno, I might miss the classic Apple shopping experience of buying an iMac and then carrying it to my car in the parking lot... two blocks away from the Apple Store 🤪