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Difference Between Purchasing iPad2 @ Apple Store vs. Target, Walmart or Best Buy?

HappyDude20

HappyDude20

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Jul 13, 2008
3,688
1,479
Los Angeles, Ca
I'm on the hunt for an iPad 2 and all Apple Stores in my location are totally sold out.

I'm now researching Walmart, Target & Best and it seems Target & Best Buy have some.

Is there is a difference between purchasing at one of these locations as opposed to an Apple Store?

I mean, 1 year of AppleCare is still there right? And if I ever have an issue I can always set an appt. at the Genius Bar, right?
 
No difference. Same product and warranty!

If there are any issues, take it to the Genius Bar at any Apple store.
 
If bought from a third-party store, Apple will be less willing to swap your unit out if it has problems. But they'll still take care of warranty work.
 
Peteman100 said:
If bought from a third-party store, Apple will be less willing to swap your unit out if it has problems. But they'll still take care of warranty work.
Click to expand...

Not true at all, if there's something wrong with any Apple product within the 1-year warranty they will service it and/or replace the defective device regardless of where it was purchased.
 
+1^^^ I've never had a problem swapping out an Apple product at an Apple Store. If it's defective; they'll swap it out if it's still within the one-year warranty or under AppleCare. Even something out of warranty has been addressed in some way; they swapped out an iPod 30GB that was out of warranty for me...
 
Target has 90-day returns open or closed box. No restocking fee. Way better than Apple or BB. If you have a problem and want to swap out, just return it and buy a new one.
 
Blorzoga said:
Target has 90-day returns open or closed box. No restocking fee. Way better than Apple or BB. If you have a problem and want to swap out, just return it and buy a new one.
Click to expand...

Didn't know that. Looks like I'm off to Tarjay later!!
 
SFStateStudent said:
Bought my last two iPads at BestBuy b/c they have a "buy-back" program in case a newer and better iPad shows up and they buy-back the iPad for a reasonable amount over the next year...:cool:
Click to expand...

That program is a joke... Not to mention near robbery!! If you feel 50% is a fair buy back after 6 months then go for it. I have sold year old iPad 1's for 75% of retail on CL or whatever. BB's Buyback program is like their Black tie crap... Horrible deals that only a sucker would buy into. Which you have to PAY an upfront fee for the Buyback program, it's not just a given.

I buy plenty of stuff at BB, but those programs are a complete rip off.

Base iPad $500, buy back Fee on this item $60 min. So in the first 6 months you get 50% back, less the up front fee... You just sold it for 250-60, 190 bucks, EBay, CL or otherwise could easily bring twice that. 6 months to a year later.. 40% so 200 - 60 fee nets you $150.. Anyone that buts into that program has zero clue about resale values. Even if it was free, it's still a complete scam.
 
Last edited:
If all retailers have stock, buying from Apple directly is the better option. Primarily because of the overall customer experience. But if stock is constrained, you have to get the item from whatever source you can!
 
Bought a 16g wifi at target, took it back 45 days later and got a 32g 3g, no questions asked, although the guy in electronics took a good look at it to make sure there where no scratches. Thinking of taking it back again for a 64g
 
I buy online at Apple, bought from Mac all unit was DOA Apple would not touch it said to send it back to Macmall, lesson learned.
 
Peteman100 said:
If bought from a third-party store, Apple will be less willing to swap your unit out if it has problems...
Click to expand...

Not true, I've always found Apple Geniuses more than willing to help, even with products I haven't bought at an Apple Store (and even with products I'm not the original owner).

SFStateStudent said:
Bought my last two iPads at BestBuy b/c they have a "buy-back" program in case a newer and better iPad shows up and they buy-back the iPad for a reasonable amount over the next year...:cool:
Click to expand...

Really? Best Buy's "buy-back" program is a joke, you could probably coax more money out of a mugger. Anyone who knows about enough about technology to find this forum knows enough about technology to find something better to do with their used electronics.
 
Peteman100 said:
If bought from a third-party store, Apple will be less willing to swap your unit out if it has problems. But they'll still take care of warranty work.
Click to expand...

Most un-informed post of the day!

BB is an Apple Authorized Reseller! There is absolutely NO difference in buying from BB Vs Apple!

Its amazing how some people have no clue yet feel the NEED to throw in their worthless 2 cents!!:rolleyes:
 
bowlerman625 said:
If all retailers have stock, buying from Apple directly is the better option. Primarily because of the overall customer experience. But if stock is constrained, you have to get the item from whatever source you can!
Click to expand...

I'm intrigued.. As much as I hate BB.. What customer experience ? :confused:

You walk in, ask for an iPad.. If they have the desired config. in stock, go thru check out and you're done!

What pleasurable *customer experience* does one miss out having bought from BB vs Apple ?
 
HappyDude20 said:
I'm on the hunt for an iPad 2 and all Apple Stores in my location are totally sold out.

I'm now researching Walmart, Target & Best and it seems Target & Best Buy have some.

Is there is a difference between purchasing at one of these locations as opposed to an Apple Store?

I mean, 1 year of AppleCare is still there right? And if I ever have an issue I can always set an appt. at the Genius Bar, right?
Click to expand...

There's no difference at all. Apple only wants your money. Warranty and genious access is the same.
 
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8G4 Safari/6533.18.5)

Has anybody got a refund from Target due to backlight bleed?

Hm
 
^thats what I took my original back in for. Then bought my current one at target also, but it has backlight bleeding also. I have till august 23rd to return/exchange it.
 
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8G4 Safari/6533.18.5)

Shasta McNasty said:
^thats what I took my original back in for. Then bought my current one at target also, but it has backlight bleeding also. I have till august 23rd to return/exchange it.
Click to expand...

Nice, are they pretty lenient?

Also what was said and how did you demonstrate the issue to them (assuming in the store with all the bright lights you can't see the bleed)?
 
M5RahuL said:
I'm intrigued.. As much as I hate BB.. What customer experience ? :confused:

You walk in, ask for an iPad.. If they have the desired config. in stock, go thru check out and you're done!

What pleasurable *customer experience* does one miss out having bought from BB vs Apple ?
Click to expand...

You could possibly miss out on the store giving you a standing ovation for forking over money for a magical product. ;)
 
bossxii said:
That program is a joke... Not to mention near robbery!! If you feel 50% is a fair buy back after 6 months then go for it. I have sold year old iPad 1's for 75% of retail on CL or whatever. BB's Buyback program is like their Black tie crap... Horrible deals that only a sucker would buy into. Which you have to PAY an upfront fee for the Buyback program, it's not just a given.
Click to expand...

Whatever; I don't mind giving my iPad to BB and not have to try and hawk it on eBay or CL. I've got money burnin' a hole in my pocket! "I'M RICH BIT$#&*S!!!!" :p:cool::eek:
 
bobright said:
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8G4 Safari/6533.18.5)



Nice, are they pretty lenient?

Also what was said and how did you demonstrate the issue to them (assuming in the store with all the bright lights you can't see the bleed)?
Click to expand...

Yeah they actually are. They just asked why i was returning it and i said it has a backlight issue along the side. The woman then just checked everything was in the box and looked at the serial numbers to make sure it all matched up and then i was on my merry way to the next ipad with worse light bleeding issues!
 
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