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Buying online versus in store?
- Thread starter Liquinn
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The only benefit in buying directly from Apple is when you want to pay more for a custom configuration of a MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac Pro, or Mac mini.
I still prefer buying online, as even though Apple give a 30 day return policy, I'm always skeptical about it. At least here in the UK, goods can be returned within 14 days of delivery and no reason is required to do so. Although you may need to pay postage costs back if the item isn't faulty.
There's no Apple store near me, so buying online is the best option. It's also the easiest way to order from the educational store.
I much prefer online, I do most of my shopping online (except food)
Amazon prime is the best thing I've ever used to be honest. I don't mind going to shopping centers but there are too many annoying people, getting in my way or walking to slow (yes that's right to slow!)
Online do it all in one get it all next day boom! quick and easy
Amazon prime is the best thing I've ever used to be honest. I don't mind going to shopping centers but there are too many annoying people, getting in my way or walking to slow (yes that's right to slow!)
Online do it all in one get it all next day boom! quick and easy
Answering you own question?
I wanted an i7/8gb/612gb 11" MBA in 2013 and checked around everywhere. No Apple Stores in the NorthEast US had one in stock. None of the major retailers like Best Buy, MacMall, etc. had them in stock. It was a special order item everywhere.
Except B&H Photo. That had them in stock. Walked into the store in New York and walked out with the computer a few minutes later. Their price was very competitive and they also threw in a free case. I was in a hurry so I got it in the store, but since I live in NJ and their only store is in NY, I could have had it shipped to my home and avoided paying sales tax as well.
No massively obvious pros and cons as you pay the same price.
I guess pros in Apple Store would be you get it immediately and you don't have to wait for shipping. Also if you're a paranoid pooper you can assess the display in-store for slight dents, breath marks, fingerprints, dust particles -- you know, all the things that MR members whine about.
Pros to buying online means you don't have to leave your desk or make the long walk/drive to an Apple Store. You don't need to interact with humans. You can bury yourself in your KFC bucket and greasily make your purchase between burps.
TL;DR: either's fine, you're not likely to get a bad experience whichever route you go.
I guess pros in Apple Store would be you get it immediately and you don't have to wait for shipping. Also if you're a paranoid pooper you can assess the display in-store for slight dents, breath marks, fingerprints, dust particles -- you know, all the things that MR members whine about.
Pros to buying online means you don't have to leave your desk or make the long walk/drive to an Apple Store. You don't need to interact with humans. You can bury yourself in your KFC bucket and greasily make your purchase between burps.
TL;DR: either's fine, you're not likely to get a bad experience whichever route you go.
If your online purchase is a pre-order, if timed right, you can get the exact configuration you want. Otherwise, you can't be sure; considering possible parts constraints; the 64GB isn't even available at the launch.
No one wants to rush these things, but the alternative can be frustrating (as we all know )
No one wants to rush these things, but the alternative can be frustrating (as we all know
)
i normally order direct from Apple online, but this time I'll buy direct in store (John Lewis to be precise) as i get store points on my credit card
any concern or breakage during shipping? i ordered a TV online from costco and the screen was broken in 3 places when it arrived...or the fact that some delivery companies leave packages on the door step?
Since I buy most of my Apple-Gear "Refurbished" I have bought from the Apple On-line Store 95% of the time since I live in Costa Rica. However, my Apple On-line Store Experience has been a 100% POSiTIVE Experience as I bought the Following:
Mac Mini(Late 2012 and Mac Mini(Late 2014)
Apple Time Capsule(Latest Generation)
Two(2) Apple TV's
Apple Express(2nd Generation)
Apple Superdrive(new)
My Recommendation: Buy Refurbished!
Mac Mini(Late 2012 and Mac Mini(Late 2014)
Apple Time Capsule(Latest Generation)
Two(2) Apple TV's
Apple Express(2nd Generation)
Apple Superdrive(new)
My Recommendation: Buy Refurbished!
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How about observing forum rules and not repeatedly posting identical threads? The mods had to merge the thread you started today with this one. Don't you think they work hard enough already?
I can generally get a 5% discount buying online using my Discover card, going to the Apple site via the Discover site. During the times of the year when Discover gives 5% cash back for mail order purchases, the effective discount becomes 10%. On the other hand, until the end of December I can get a 10% discount buying at the store using ApplePay and my Discover card. On the third hand (foot?) refurbished units are only available online and I tend to buy refurbished (and can still get the 5% Discover discount).
In most cases in recent years when I've bought online I've opted for in store delivery, so in that respect one can get the best of both worlds.
In most cases in recent years when I've bought online I've opted for in store delivery, so in that respect one can get the best of both worlds.
+1 for that. I hate it when people all slow AND block the sidewalk, hallway or aisle at the same time. Also when they take 5 min to pick an item of the shelf as if they don't know what they want.
In the case of Apple stores I am regularly annoyed with the shopping process there. You walk in, employee number 1 asks you what you want and tells you to stand in a corner to wait until employee number two has time to serve you. You tell Employee what you want and employee number two asks you fifty questions what you want the gadget/computer for, if you want something different and if you want software and training and blah blah blah. You say no thank you I want just this computer. Employ 2 says great please wait over there for Employe 3 to bring your computer. After waiting Employee 3 comes and asks what you want. You tell him again and he disappears for 5 min in the back room. When he comes back he has the computer and asks what you want to do with it, if you want something different and if you want software and training and blah blah blah.You say no thank you I want just this computer.He then says please wait here for employee 4 to take your credit card. Employee with a card reader shows up and asks you if you want to pay with your aple D and lectures you that you should have had the apple store app to pay. Then he asks you for you CC and lectures you that you should have had the apple store app and that you should have bought some software and a training. Finally he swipes your card and you sign. But before you leave he asks you if you want the receipt via email and what your email is. Then he lecture you that you should have had the apple store app. He asks you to wait for him to get you an apple plastic bag for your computer and he disappears. At that point I leave so I have no idea how that damn apple plastic bag looks like and how long it takes for employee 5 to bring it.
In short, shop at Amazon prime...........