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How do YOU pay for your Macs?

S

Statelymwhite

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 1, 2011
108
5
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I'm considering an iMac or MBP. I rarely spend more than $500 at a time at retail, so I was curious about how best to pay at an Apple store.

Cash? Do they take checks? Bank-accounted linked credit cards at that high amount? A regular credit card?

Assuming the money/credit line is there, what's the payment method with least hassle at the $2,000 level?
 
Credit cards have several advantages. You usually get some kind of points from every $ and in case you have issues with the delivery or something like that, the CC company will back you up.
 
Hellhammer said:
Credit cards have several advantages. You usually get some kind of points from every $ and in case you have issues with the delivery or something like that, the CC company will back you up.
Click to expand...

I agree to this. CCs are awesome.

In case there is no CC available and/or the amount of money is too big i would take the offered financing option of the Apple Store.
 
I pay with a credit card because of convenience for Internet purchases. Then, when the credit card bill arrives, I pay the entire balance with one check.

If buying at an Apple store, I just write a check for the entire amount.
 
I got a Barclay's card last year when I bought my iMac. Couldn't resist no interest for a year. Payments were like $13/month and I spent about $1,700. Paid it off in full a few months ago.

The ex stole that when she left a few months ago so now I'm iMac-less. Barclays just sent me an email letting me know I had zero interest on anything over $1,000 bought via Apple until the end of May. So I'm kinda thinking I could use a new iMac until I take her to small claims court. So I'm hoping that rumored new iMac gets released soon.
 
All my computers my iMac my iPad have been given to me by the owners of the forum I manage.
 
Careful with the Barclay's offer. I assume they still mean it must be paid off in full by the end of May. And if not paid in full by the then, the full interest will be compounded. They're very sneaky.
 
I pay with my American Express. Not just for the points, but they also extend the warranty by one additional year after the standard 1 year is up. What really happens that if anythings happens, you just pay for it, and Amex will reimburse you.
I haven't had to use it yet, but that is what I have been told by many Amex reps.
 
I am old fashioned. I go to the Apple store and pay cash. I have credit cards, but the credit card people will usually decline purchases made over $300 in the Apple Store as they consider it probable fraud, which is what happend to me. I had to spend half an hour on the stupid phone, wading through the freaking menus, listening to advertisements, waiting on hold, more advertisements, and finally reached a live person. I asked why my card had been declined without even bothering to do something so simple as check ID and they said it appeared to be a fraudulent purchase. After I said it was me in the store and I don't even carry a balance and have paid on time for years and they finally unlocked the card. I got so pissed with them that I simply went to the bank and got cash. The Apple store was a little freaked out when I pulled out $1800 in cash, but they accepted it. I've bought 2 more Macs since then and now I just go to the bank and take the money from my checking account; it's not worth the hassle of calling the credit card people, waiting for a rep, listening to ads, wading through menus, arguing that I am really me. The CC people said you need to pre-authorize purchases over $250. I find it hard to believe though.
 
Credit card always. And if I buy from the online Apple store my card will give 5% cash back (Discover Card) rather than 1% for an in-store purchase. Even applies to refurbished Macs.
 
old-wiz said:
I am old fashioned. I go to the Apple store and pay cash. I have credit cards, but the credit card people will usually decline purchases made over $300 in the Apple Store as they consider it probable fraud, which is what happend to me. I had to spend half an hour on the stupid phone, wading through the freaking menus, listening to advertisements, waiting on hold, more advertisements, and finally reached a live person. I asked why my card had been declined without even bothering to do something so simple as check ID and they said it appeared to be a fraudulent purchase. After I said it was me in the store and I don't even carry a balance and have paid on time for years and they finally unlocked the card. I got so pissed with them that I simply went to the bank and got cash. The Apple store was a little freaked out when I pulled out $1800 in cash, but they accepted it. I've bought 2 more Macs since then and now I just go to the bank and take the money from my checking account; it's not worth the hassle of calling the credit card people, waiting for a rep, listening to ads, wading through menus, arguing that I am really me. The CC people said you need to pre-authorize purchases over $250. I find it hard to believe though.
Click to expand...

If you rarely/never use a credit card, why are you surprised that an $1,800 purchase sets off red flags for the card issuer?

Remember, fraudulent CC purchases are written off. The consumer is not responsible for paying for the ill-gotten items, but someone has to pay ... so of course, the credit card company is going to investigate an uncharacteristic purchase if it might result in the company being stiffed for $1,800.

edit: I might have read too much into this, assuming old wiz rarely uses CC's for purchases. Now that I reread his post, I might be inferring too much. But he does say he doesn't often make large purchases with credit cards. So the purchase still is uncharacteristic. I doubt the purchase would have been scrutinized if you ordered it online and the shipping address matching your bill address. An in-store purchase (which prevents tracking the final destination of the equipment) + an uncharacteristically large purchase = red flag.
 
Last edited:
old-wiz said:
I am old fashioned. I go to the Apple store and pay cash. I have credit cards, but the credit card people will usually decline purchases made over $300 in the Apple Store as they consider it probable fraud, which is what happend to me.
Click to expand...

They flag things that are outside of your normal spending patterns.

I use a credit card for pretty much all of my expenses, because it gives me 1% back on everything. When the statement comes, I just transfer money from my checking account to the card company.

If you don't carry a balance and pay interest, credit cards are like free money, and much more convenient than checks or cash.

I've bought several Macs at the Apple Store, along with a ton of other gear, and never had my CC declined except for the time I bought a MBP while in California (I live in DC). 10 minutes on the phone resolved that.
 
I have an Apple Barclay card. That's what I've always used. I just got an email from them that if I purchase something from the Apple Store greater than $999 that it qualifies for 12 months no interest. It expires May 31st so I hope the new iMac gets released before then so I can take advantage of the offer.
 
bozz2006 said:
Careful with the Barclay's offer. I assume they still mean it must be paid off in full by the end of May. And if not paid in full by the then, the full interest will be compounded. They're very sneaky.
Click to expand...

It's 1 year no interest from the time of purchase (offer ends May 31), if I spend over $1,000. I see how my post wasn't clear. I wouldn't call it sneaky, you just have to know what you're doing. In fact the email clearly states the details and didn't hide it in the fine print. Also, if you make a late payment the you're hit with the interest as well.

I'll gladly take 1 year no interest knowing I'll pay it off by then. Otherwise, yeah, having a year full of interest dumped on you isn't fun. I also don't go overboard cause I have 1 year no interest.
 
talmy said:
Credit card always. And if I buy from the online Apple store my card will give 5% cash back (Discover Card) rather than 1% for an in-store purchase. Even applies to refurbished Macs.
Click to expand...

this is the best way to buy. there is one more secret to this 5% discount you can't purchase more then 5 machines each month.
 
I know the feeling!

I just bought an iMac to take over for my aging MacBook Pro.

I am trying to get rid of my credit cards so I simply saved up for it. Its a lot of money to spend in one go, but BOY is it worth it!
 
I pay for everything in cash, I don't like having the temptation of a credit card and as i'm a student its just a bad idea to risk the debt so i don't bother.
 
Thanks.

Looks like all options are decent. I didn't realize they accepted checks. I might either do that or use my CC and call them up ahead of time to authorize.

Thanks. :)

Now the only question is iMAC (after refresh) or MBP now. :D
 
xxRONNIExx said:
CASH is KING...:)
Click to expand...

Yeah, if I ever were to pick up an expensive item at a store, I'd definitely go and withdraw the amount from the bank, and pay it in cash. Way more style than 'Yeah I'll take it on my credit card'.
 
mrzeigler said:
If you rarely/never use a credit card, why are you surprised that an $1,800 purchase sets off red flags for the card issuer?


edit: I might have read too much into this, assuming old wiz rarely uses CC's for purchases. Now that I reread his post, I might be inferring too much. But he does say he doesn't often make large purchases with credit cards. So the purchase still is uncharacteristic. I doubt the purchase would have been scrutinized if you ordered it online and the shipping address matching your bill address. An in-store purchase (which prevents tracking the final destination of the equipment) + an uncharacteristically large purchase = red flag.
Click to expand...

I travel, using my CC for air fare, car rental, and hotel. I use it a lot on day to day, grocery store, the mall. However, I pay the bill in full each month, so they tend not to like me. If I make a purchase on the web and ship to my home address, it of course goes through.

If you've ever tried to talk to the CC people about something like this you will see how frustrating it is just to even reach a human.

Still, they could have at least asked for my ID instead of simply declining.
 
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