Simple question! In the UK there are three options for purchase direct from Apple. Online, over the 'phone, or from an Apple store. Does any one have an advantage over the other? When I bought my Macbook Pro over the 'phone they threw in a rather nice case as a freebie!
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How/where to buy an iMac in the UK
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No massively obvious pros and cons as you pay the same price. You don't get any freebies either way -- well, not these days, anyway.
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.
However stock of certain specs may be limited, whereas you can get a BTO online/over telephone, albeit the shipping time will increase as a result.Pros to buying online or over the telephone 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: you're not likely to get a bad experience whichever route you go.
No massively obvious pros and cons as you pay the same price. You don't get any freebies either way -- well, not these days, anyway.
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 or over the telephone 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: you're not likely to get a bad experience whichever route you go.
As it would be a BTO I guess only real option is online. However you have reminded me that a KFC is only a stone's throw from my Apple store so that may be the deal clincher.
Thanks for reply.
For a BTO? Will check it out. Even closer to KFC and next building to where Apple store is. Thanks.
Have checked on JL site. To extend their 2 year guarantee to 3 year cost £130, a few pounds cheaper than Applecare. Do not appear to offer options as per BTO.
No options unles you buy direct from apple online, with one caveat many apple stores will keep one maxed out version of each line in stock.
Currys is another option but stockmodels only again but you occasionally get some savings or cashback etc.
Currys is another option but stockmodels only again but you occasionally get some savings or cashback etc.
Hey matey,
If you're a student or you know anybody who studies at Higher Education, I'd purchase it through that. You're in the UK, right? Student discount at University gives you 15% off RRP in addition to free 3-year hardware warranty (essentially AppleCare but without the telephone support).
Honestly I'd just ask around and do that, for the crazy savings it's worth the extra bit of effort.
I'm in Romania and i purchased a late 2015 rImac from the UK through a company that has an apple bussiness account.
I used my company that has a intra-community VAT registered, so basically my invocie was exempt from VAT.
Therefore, i paid £308 less for the machine. Of course, i added £60 for transportation and around £20 pounds for payment related taxes (bank fees and currency loss ron-pound).
I used my company that has a intra-community VAT registered, so basically my invocie was exempt from VAT.
Therefore, i paid £308 less for the machine. Of course, i added £60 for transportation and around £20 pounds for payment related taxes (bank fees and currency loss ron-pound).
I see you're in Cobham! I used to live just down the road in Weybridge! Small world!
Anyway to your question: if you're not going with a BTO, you can order from John Lewis and collect it from your local Waitrose (I'm not sure if the Cobham Waitrose did that, I think it's a "Little Waitrose" however the Waitrose in Hersham certainly allowed it). That saves a trip to Apple (Kingston?).
If you want a BTO, only option is Apple Online.
Anyway to your question: if you're not going with a BTO, you can order from John Lewis and collect it from your local Waitrose (I'm not sure if the Cobham Waitrose did that, I think it's a "Little Waitrose" however the Waitrose in Hersham certainly allowed it). That saves a trip to Apple (Kingston?).
If you want a BTO, only option is Apple Online.