Do you try before buy?

[sjleworthy]

curious how many demo or try out tech before spending the cash? do you absolutely insist on it (maybe been stung before?) or just want to try out of curiosity? how many just buy it whatever and hope all goes well?

personally, i never tryout or demo as i know Apple don't release trash (even if next year's model trounces this years). If i want some tech i'll buy the newest and latest as i know for this point in time it's their best on the market.

my only big indecision this time around is colour. pics online aren't the same as seeing in the flesh. i didnt fall in love with the gold option until i actually handled one a week or 2 back.

 

[DeltaMac]

So, those carefully-crafted displays in retail stores, allowing anyone to try out most any Apple device, hold no interest for you at all?
A long-time Mac user may not need to "touch and hold", but new users may like that process!
I think that newer technology, such as the force touch, and the butterfly key mechanism on the rMacbook are enough different that it is good to get a "feel" for the different - well - feel. And, getting a quick "feel" is good for you...

But, I also understand what you say, as a longtime Mac-er - Apple is Apple, after all, and all things Mac are good, and made just for you. And, you can always tell before purchase that new tech will be good for you, too!

But, then it sounds like this thread is about testing and inspecting the individual unit that you want to purchase, to verify the screen, and check for appearance defects, etc.
That's a very different issue, as you can do demos, and tryout things in any retail store.

 

[sjleworthy]

yes, i understand new users want to have a touchy-feely experience. of course. thats why the stores are great.
personally, never been in one. no, no interest.

i'm actually a long time Windows man. dont use macs by choice, much prefer windows over mac os and dont even own a mobile phone.
but, Apple devices are to die for. i love ios and have had my trusty ipad2 next to me since pre-order

this thread is mainly to see how many fans and new users alike feel the need or want to play with or try out a new tech before they commit and spend cash. or not.

 

[Ludatyk]

It all depends on the circumstances of the products. In regards to new product categories.... There is always a mindset of "try & see" approach to see if you like it or not.

As for the iPad Pro.. I'm skeptical of it due to the large screen, I like my Air 2... I've had it for quite some time. I'm accustomed to its size, so... Not overly excited by the size of the iPad Pro. But I can't wait to see how it looks..

 

[DeltaMac]

Some folks will have that need to touch, feel and hold.
Even the OP says that handling (trying out!) the gold model helped the sale.
And, that's the point of the active setups in a retail store, isn't it?
I think if you venture into an Apple store when the iPad Pro is released for sale, you will quickly decide if it is something you really do need - or is simply too big, or whatever reasoning you have for deciding to purchase, or that you hate it - or something in the middle. I don't feel much need to "try before I buy", but it can be an important part of the decision, particularly with new tech.

Some folks don't have any need to try anything out. Others are not too sure, and others will never purchase without some way to test or use.
You may not need the "experience". Everyone will be different in that respect, I think.

OTOH, I think you could replace the name "Apple", with "Mercedes", or "Lexus", or "Nikon", or some other respected product name.
Would your thoughts be the same?

 

[sjleworthy]

OTOH, I think you could replace the name "Apple", with "Mercedes", or "Lexus", or "Nikon", or some other respected product name.
Would your thoughts be the same?

for me personally, that comparison is a different issue again.
i'd always test drive a car before i buy it, as i never buy new and any older used car might suffer mechanical issues. this isnt what im generally talking about in the thread

As for new tech i'd not personally feel the need or want to play with the product first. it was only by chance/luck i came across the gold colour that swayed me. so, am i missing a trick here? maybe. but again, it isnt something that generally bothers me. if i never came across the gold then silver would be just as fine

 

[ardchoille50]

While I feel that Apple doesn't release junk, I am still more comfortable going into an Apple Store and trying out a certain product prior to purchase. I feel that this helps me make an informed decision about my needs.

 

[M-5]

I'll definitely just buy it outright, try it out, and if by two weeks I don't think it justifies the price then I will just return it.

I did that with the Apple watch. I didn't originally intend on returning it, but I did. I'm glad I was able to try it out for two weeks though.

 

[Badrottie]

I am a late purchaser because I want to be sure everything is OK and hear no complains from hardcore Apple fanboys then I test drive at local Apple store and will decide where to order - Apple store, AT&T store, or eBay online.

 

[joeblow7777]

I'm somewhere between the first 2 options. I do lots of research before I make a purchase and will, given the opportunity, try a device out in store even if I'm 95% certain I will be buying it. It never hurts to try it out.

But if it's a product line that's well established and familiar to me, trying before buying isn't necessarily vital. For instance, while I did happen to try out a Mini 4 before buying one, I would have confidently bought one without doing so because I'm familiar enough with the iPad/iPad mini line that I knew what I would be getting, and I checked out enough reviews and discussions to know that Apple didn't suddenly forget how to make them and totally messed it up somehow.

 

[Tom G.]

I try before I buy when ever I possibly can. Since I live an hour and a half from the nearest Apple store I cannot always do that. So I purchase based on reviews, with the knowledge that I can return it if I am unsatisfied.

I trust Apple on their return policy.

 

[Genkakuzai]

Nah. I've had enough Apple products over the years to get the information I need from reviews.

 

[MadeByApple]

Planning to buy the iPad pro without trying. I am confident this is something I'll enjoy after using; if not, I can always return it. Would rather buy and return than try first and have to wait longer because it's sold out.

 

[GaryNoine]

Just the Apple Watch

 

[mtneer]

Depends on the gear. iPad's, MBP's - I try in store before purchase. iPhones are pre-ordered, so no chance to try.

 

[littelsquidge]

If it's a first gen product or something fundamentally different to previous generations... then I'd want to try it first. I tried out my iPhone 5C in store before-hand, simply because I wasn't sure about the feel of the plastic back.

However, I pre-ordered my iPad 3 and my iPod Touch 4th Gen. I'd already tried the iPad 2 and iPod Touch 3rd Gen in store in the build up to their respective releases, so knew what to expect.

It's difficult with the Mac line-up. It's hard to judge some fundamental things in store. For example, how well will it run the specialist software I use? They're hardly going to let you install it in store and spend an hour or two working on it. That's where you need to rely on Apples return policy.

 

[pat500000]

I am a late purchaser because I want to be sure everything is OK and hear no complains from hardcore Apple fanboys then I test drive at local Apple store and will decide where to order - Apple store, AT&T store, or eBay online.

Nothing is perfect.

 

[kazmac]

For iPads and Macs, I always try before I buy - which often doesn't help my decision making (I think I don't like an iPad / Mac will lately mean a product I do buy.) I will definitely need Specialist assistance to help me get the hang of the Apple Pencil and the apps which really take advantage of it.

iPhones, no. I just jump right in with iPhones.

 

[iPhone1]

Try before you buy is for those who have the discipline to wait for an item to be available at the store for demo and who don't mind waiting a few weeks after the release of an Apple product to get it. Nothing wrong with it but it required a lot of patience and lacking the need to have something first. I'd say this excludes 90% of the people who visit these boards.

 

[Arran]

As for the iPad Pro.. I'm skeptical of it due to the large screen, I like my Air 2... I've had it for quite some time...

Yeah, for something that's a bit different, I like to try first.

My example: I really wanted an iPad pro when they were announced. Mostly just for reading and surfing. Then I played with one in three different stores over several weeks and my attitude changed.

1st Tryout: Wow! Huge screen. Unbelievably thin. Two full iPad apps side by side. Awesome. A tad unwieldy, however. Need to think about it.
2nd Tryout. Yep, a bit unwieldy. This thing's going to be awkward to carry around. Bending risk. Lots of glass. Easier to hit or bang into something. Cases are scarce and expensive. Still a really nice screen. Still undecided.
3rd Tryout (Pro and air 2 side-by-side comparison): Confirmed the pro was too big, heavy and expensive for me. Air 2 was a skinny featherweight compared to my old iPad 4. Air 2 cases were plentiful, varied and cheap. Bought the air 2.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I've owned lots of iPhones and iPads so I know what I'm getting when i want to buy a new iPhone/ipad. I pre-ordered the apple watch. I did have a try on in the store and still had time to cancel my pre-order but it's such a personal device that I don't think the try on can really tell you what the device will really be like to wear on a daily basis so i suppose with the apple watch I bought it on a whim. I also bought my macbook air without trying it out. However I did not want a windows laptop so that only left a mac. After doing a lot of research I settled on the MBA due to my limited computing needs and preference for the lighter device. I basically wanted a more powerful Samsung Chromebook 3 (Design, SSD, Keyboard) that didn't run windows or chrome and that's what I got with the MBA. Apple have such a good returns policy that it doesn't matter anyway as if the device isn't for you you can return it and get a full refund no questions asked.


I'm not sure that It's really possible to get a feel for a device after playing around with it for a few minutes in the store. I do a lot a research before I buy non-apple devices and watch a lot of reviews because I don't have the luxury of returning them for a full refund if I don't like them.

 

[seadragon]

I think that most things need to be "auditioned" for a few days at home. I know that was true of the iPad Pro I had for a few days. No way to know how well it will fit in unless you try it for real. I always buy a product and just return it within 14 days if I don't like it for any reason. Trying it for a few minutes in a crowded store just doesn't work for me.

 

[Eric5273]

Yes, I spent 2 hours at the Apple Store with the iPad Pro in my hands before I decided to purchase it.

 

[Davefevs]

I don't normally try, but was caught between a SP4 and IPP. I was in favour of the SP4 until I tried it, both with finger and (free) stylus. Just don't think Windows 10 is built for touch on a small screen. Then had a play with IPP, and loved it immediately. I think part of it was because I've be one so used to my iPad, but it us much more friendly than SP4.

Loving my IPP.

 

[Michael Goff]

I live in the middle of nowhere. I never get to try before I buy.