I purchased a NEW iMac and it was 2 years old!

[nicho]

Even the Apple people said it could be overstock. And they had never heard of buying a Mac online that wasn't that year's model, unless stated.

Do you work for Apple?

If their managers read this, the people you spoke to might not work for Apple for much longer...

a valid concern according to at least three Apple employees that offered me to trade-in for a 2019 model.

You mean the employees that offered to allow you to make use of their return policy for something you weren't happy with and purchase a more expensive model? How generous of them.

Also, if you read the entire thread, I thought it deceptive not to tell customers it was "last years model".

They don't tell customers that the other models are "this year's model". And none of them, now, are this year's model. It is 2020 now.

But, if you go to the Apple store and look at the iMacs, all the models there say 2019 when you go to "About this Mac", including the lowest priced model.

I know because I checked.

I don't recall my nearest flagship store having any lower priced imac configurations on display last time i went there. Did you check the rest of the specs in "about this mac" on the "lowest priced model"?

 

[Riqiv]

If their managers read this, the people you spoke to might not work for Apple for much longer...



You mean the employees that offered to allow you to make use of their return policy for something you weren't happy with and purchase a more expensive model? How generous of them.



They don't tell customers that the other models are "this year's model". And none of them, now, are this year's model. It is 2020 now.



I don't recall my nearest flagship store having any lower priced imac configurations on display last time i went there. Did you check the rest of the specs in "about this mac" on the "lowest priced model"?

Yes, the salesman and I checked processor and graphics configurations on the two 21.5" models. Great machines!

 

[nicho]

Yes, the salesman and I checked processor and graphics configurations on the two 21.5" models. Great machines!

Beautiful 4K screens too...?

 

[Jim Lahey]

In summary;

1. You bought a new iMac.
2. This model of iMac was released in 2017.
3. Yours was manufactured in 2019.
4. You and/or whomever you spoke to is confused.

 

[Riqiv]

In summary;

1. You bought a new iMac.
2. This model of iMac was released in 2017.
3. Yours was manufactured in 2019.
4. You and/or whomever you spoke to is confused.

I actually looked up the specs of my machine before calling two Apple reps and going to the 14th store. I and the people I spoke to were not confused in the least.

I knew the model of the Mac was 2017. No one I spoke to could tell me the actual manufacturing date.

Do you anything useful to add?
[automerge]1580364427[/automerge]

Beautiful 4K screens too...?

and Retina 5K on the 27"....

 

[JacobHarvey]

I think the OP has inadvertently stumbled upon a cheap way to upgrade from the awful base model 21 to the 4K version 😉. However it does rely on the so called "Geniuses" you meet having no clue

 

[Jim Lahey]

Do you anything useful to add?

Hey I'm just trying to help clear things up. Or at least explain the situation as I see it. You seem confused about what has happened, but maybe I'm misunderstanding. In any case I hope you enjoy your iMac. They're lovely machines. I wish I had a use for one 😎

 

[Riqiv]

No worries...thank you for your input. They are great machines 😎

 

[smbu2000]

Apple doesn’t always update all of the models at the same time. For example, the base 2017 13” Macbook Pro (w/o touchbar) was still being sold when they released the updated 2018 models (w/touchbar). it was still the ”current” model base 13” MBP that was sold as new even though it was released the previous year.
In 2019, Apple updated all of the 13” MBPs at the same time and they are all 2019 models now.

Have you tried the MachineProfile mac application? It should tell you information about your Mac and it is free. (from the makers of TechTool Pro)

 

[iAssimilated]

I understand the frustration and I am not here to pile on, but this should have been a slight clue on the age of the system:

 

[theluggage]

Also, if you read the entire thread, I thought it deceptive not to tell customers it was "last years model".

The Apple web page is completely upfront about the specifications of the different model: the facts that it has a 7th generation processor and a non-retina screen are there in plain sight, and those were the specs you got. There is no deception. You're not missing out on anything. That is the current specification for the entry-level iMac.

I don't think I've ever seen any suggestion, with any consumer product, that offers any guarantee as to when it was actually manufactured. If it was something perishable and the use by/expiry date was unreasonably close, that would be a different matter (food, fire extinguishers etc.) If a computer has been sitting in its original packaging in a properly maintained warehouse for 2 years then there really isn't an issue.

Looks like Apple have gone beyond the call of duty in giving you a generous trade-up.

PS: I believe that the deal with VESA mounts on the current iMac (non-pro) model is that they have to be included at the time of manufacture. The only 'aftermarket' VESA adapters that Apple sell are for the iMac Pro and the XDR Display. Since the VESA mount versions probably sell in far lower numbers, it could well be that your machine had been on the shelf for longer than the regular ones.

PPS: That doesn't mean that Apple gets a pat on the head and a lollipop for relying so much on keeping old models alive to provide its entry-level options (*cough* iPhone *cough*) but that's a ;do the research' issue. Also, note to Apple: For shame. Almost every other maker of TVs and displays in the world has worked out the mystic, supernatural woo-woo of including 4 threaded holes with standard spacing in the back for VESA mounting as standard - even if the device cones with its own non-VESA stand.

 

[Riqiv]

Apple doesn’t always update all of the models at the same time. For example, the base 2017 13” Macbook Pro (w/o touchbar) was still being sold when they released the updated 2018 models (w/touchbar). it was still the ”current” model base 13” MBP that was sold as new even though it was released the previous year.
In 2019, Apple updated all of the 13” MBPs at the same time and they are all 2019 models now.

Have you tried the MachineProfile mac application? It should tell you information about your Mac and it is free. (from the makers of TechTool Pro)

Hi SMBU, Thx for the info...I'm gonna pass on the MachineProfile app and get back to work. Even the lowliest Mac works great once it's humming!

Funny, I just switched back to TTP from Drive Genius for the "Smart" capabilities. Drive Genius switched to a subscription model (which I don't mind if the price is reasonable) but wouldn't check Time Machine and couldn't give a date for when it would work on Catalina. It's a shame because they told me when an external was failing while I got a negative from TTP, but I think they weren't making enough money to keep their developers on.

So TTP (as well as Drive Genius) told me my hard drive was failing and I have this iMac now which is humming along fine along with AppleCare protection. So, I think it's best to give up the ghost and go about my work now.

Thank you all for your help and insights!
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I understand the frustration and I am not here to pile on, but this should have been a slight clue on the age of the system:

View attachment 891372

Yeah, I blew right by that and didn't associate 7th gen with the 2017 Mac.

Even though I am very good at fixing pretty much anything on a Mac that isn't hardware (sometimes, before the Apple rep gives me an answer on the phone) my weak point is the specs when purchasing a new computer (especially when the hard drive is failing on the one in my home).

But as I said, this has never happened to me online, and I don't believe the Apple store sells anything but the most "current" models.

Lesson learned 🙂 Next time I will go to 14th street and pick out my model.
[automerge]1580402860[/automerge]

I understand the frustration and I am not here to pile on, but this should have been a slight clue on the age of the system:

View attachment 891372

Yeah, I blew right by that and didn't associate 7th gen with the 2017 Mac. I just figured that's why it's cheaper, but it was still one or the most current iMacs.

Even though I am very good at fixing pretty much anything on a Mac that isn't hardware (sometimes, before the Apple rep gives me an answer on the phone) my weak point is the specs when purchasing a new computer (especially when the hard drive is failing on the one in my home).

But as I said, this has never happened to me online, and I don't believe the Apple store sells anything but the "current" model.

Lesson learned 🙂 Next time I will go to 14th street and pick out my model.

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

Same as motor cars. In most instances the 2020 models are the same as the 2019.but will be sold as 2020 when they come through with compliance plates.

 

[Riqiv]

Same as motor cars. In most instances the 2020 models are the same as the 2019.but will be sold as 2020 when they come through with compliance plates.

True, but many are missing my point.

In the Apple store, even though it is currently 2020, you will see 2019 models, but no 2017 models...they don't have them in stock at all.

My complaint to Apple was that they were selling 2017 models online without making it clear to the consumer. I may have stuck with the iMac a have now...but probably not.

It's not against the law...but try reaching someone at Apple that might say, "Let's make this information easily available to the average consumer on our website as 'fairness policy'".

 

[Hexley]

I am not making excuses for Apple but think of it this way.

If you were to start from the beginning would you have opted to buy the newer early 2019 iMac given it is $200 more expensive than your older mid 2017 iMac?

On the product page where you screenshot came from also includes tech spec & price comparison between the three 21.5" iMacs SKUs. Your iMac has 7th gen Intel chips, slower RAM and a non-4K res display. The other 2 iMacs have 8th gen Intel chips, faster RAM and 4K res display. That in itself shows an implicit generational difference.

Apple stock items in their stores that have the potential to sell faster and have a better margin on them first than SKUs that sell slower and do not make them as much money.

Apple's supply chain is very lean so it is highly unlikely for you to receive stocks manufactured earlier than a few days/weeks prior to your purchase.

As to what year the initial debut of that specific SKU is often not mentioned as it isnt really relevant to a purchase decision.

Finally, If you registered on MacRumors in 2020 I'd get why you'd feel treated unfairly but you've been here since 2008. This forum caters to individuals who generally follow Apple rumors for the latest and greatest. I find it incredible that you were caught off guard by your SKU debuting 3 years ago.

 

[Riqiv]

If you were to start from the beginning would you have opted to buy the newer early 2019 iMac given it is $200 more expensive than your older mid 2017 iMac?

Answer: Yep
___
On the product page where you screenshot came from also includes tech spec & price comparison between the three 21.5" iMacs SKUs. Your iMac has 7th gen Intel chips, slower RAM and a non-4K res display. The other 2 iMacs have 8th gen Intel chips, faster RAM and 4K res display. That in itself shows an implicit generational difference.

Answer: (Actually, copy & paste from a post in this thread.)
Yeah, I blew right by that and didn't associate 7th gen with the 2017 Mac. I just figured that's why it's cheaper, but it was still one or the most current iMacs.
___

Apple's supply chain is very lean so it is highly unlikely for you to receive stocks manufactured earlier than a few days/weeks prior to your purchase.

Answer: How do you know that. Do you work for Apple?

You disagree with several employees that agree it may be overstock. Do you think Apple would be selling 2017 models online if they had only ten pieces.
___
On the product page where you screenshot came from also includes tech spec & price comparison between the three 21.5" iMacs SKUs. Your iMac has 7th gen Intel chips, slower RAM and a non-4K res display. The other 2 iMacs have 8th gen Intel chips, faster RAM and 4K res display. That in itself shows an implicit generational difference.

Answer: (Actually, copy & paste from a post in this thread.)
Even though I am very good at fixing pretty much anything on a Mac that isn't hardware (sometimes, before the Apple rep gives me an answer on the phone) my weak point is the specs when purchasing a new computer (especially when the hard drive is failing on the one in my home).

Lesson learned 🙂 Next time I will go to 14th street and pick out my model.
___

Finally, If you registered on MacRumors in 2020 I'd get why you'd feel treated unfairly but you've been here since 2008. This forum caters to individuals who generally follow Apple rumors for the latest and greatest. I find it incredible that you were caught off guard by your SKU debuting 3 years ago.

Answer: As stated above, "Yeah, I blew right by that and didn't associate 7th gen with the 2017 Mac. I just figured that's why it's cheaper, but it was still one or the most current iMacs."

I'm happy you know what kind of individuals Apple Rumors cater to.

Are you an administrator on this site?
___
I am simply saying that if the iMac was listed as:
2.3GHz dual-Core 7th generation Intel Core i5 processor (2017 model)
...it would be more transparent.

I don't come to any site for the "latest and greatest". I come when I have a question, or an issue, or most often, to help others emphatically.

I can also say with a certain degree of confidence if the Apple store sold this model without telling their customers, they would soon stop because of the amount of returns.

 

[Hexley]

You can check the made week by submitting your serial # at https://reincubate.com/lookup/

Below are the Macs I bought & sold for a profit as they were deeply discounted

SKU	Introduction Date	Made Week	Order Date
2006 MacBook Pro 15"	February 14, 2006	May 14, 2006
2007 iPhone 2G	June 29, 2007		December 19, 2007
2007 iMac 20"	August 7, 2007		August 14, 2007
2008 Macbook Pro 15"	February 26, 2008		February 26, 2008
2008 Macbook Pro 15"	October 14, 2008
2010 MacBook Pro 13"	April 13, 2010	April 30, 2010	May 14, 2010
2010 iPhone 4s	October 14, 2011	October 22, 2011
2011 iPhone 4s	October 14, 2011	October 22, 0201
2011 MacBook Pro 13"	October 24, 2011	November 12, 2011	December 8, 2011
2012 iPhone 5	September 21, 2012
2012 iMac 27"	October 23, 2012	January 22, 2013	February 16, 2013
2013 iPhone 5s	September 20, 2013
2013 iPad Air	October 22, 2013	November 26, 2013
2014 iPhone 6 Plus	September 19, 2014
2015 iPhone 6s	September 25, 2015	October 15, 2015
2016 Macbook 12"	April 19, 2016	July 1, 2016	August 17, 2016
2017 iPhone 8 Plus	November 3, 2017
2017 iPhone X	November 3, 2017	November 26, 2017
2018 iPhone XS Max	September 12, 2018	May 21, 2019	June 28, 2019
2018 Watch Series 4 44mm	September 12, 2018	December 3, 2018	January 1, 2019
2018 iPad Pro 11"	October 30, 2018	November 12, 2018	December 6, 2018
2018 MacBook Air 13"	October 30, 2018	May 28, 2019	August 28, 2019
2019 AirPods 2nd generation	March 20, 2019	August 13, 2019	December 11, 2019
2019 MacBook Pro 13"	July 9, 2019	May 21, 2019	July 28, 2019
2019 MacBook Pro 13"	July 9, 2019		August 6, 2019
2019 iPhone 11 Pro Max	September 20, 2019	October 22, 2019	November 27, 2019
2019 Watch Series 5 40mm	September 20, 2019	September 24, 2019	November 15, 2019
2019 Watch Series 5 40mm	September 20, 2019	October 15, 2019	November 7, 2019
2019 MacBook Pro 16"	November 13, 2019	November 19, 2019	December 30, 2019

 

[Hexley]

Answer: Yep

Why did you buy the $1099 model instead of the $1299 one? It has a newer Intel chip.

Answer: (Actually, copy & paste from a post in this thread.)
Yeah, I blew right by that and didn't associate 7th gen with the 2017 Mac. I just figured that's why it's cheaper, but it was still one or the most current iMacs.

It is the most current iMac as it is still being offered as "brand new".

Regardless if its 7th or 8th gen Intel chips your iMac has slower RAM and low res display as well. Justifying the lower cost.

Also it's 2020 already. Using your reasoning why buy a 2019 model that was introduced 10 months ago? Why not wait for the 2020 model?

Answer: How do you know that. Do you work for Apple?

Type in your serial # https://reincubate.com/lookup/ to check for when your iMac was made. I'd be surprised if it was more than 3 months from the date of order.

I work in supply chain specifically in transportation and warehousing. Whether it is Dell, Apple or Huawei there is a cost in storing/warehousing any and all unsold items. The faster it is sold the lower the cost. Also parts cost changes from day to day, week to week and month to month. Factor in foreign exchange currency changes as well.

The Apple employees you spoke to are front liners whose job is to facilitate sales, make you happy and de-escalation your problems with the company. They rarely train them for the intricacies of supply chain and they shouldn't talk about supply chain with any customers.

One way for them to to de-escalation is to agree with your point of view as much as legally possible.

Apple's goal is to make you happy as they want to cultivate loyal customers who will buy again from them in within 5-6 years. It is difficult to find customers who are willing to pay the proverbial "Apple Tax".

Apple has historically kept older SKUs like your 2017 iMac on stock to cater to the educational market. Historically the educational SKU of any of their Macs tend to be the cheapest/oldest of all the SKUs.

I am simply saying that if the iMac was listed as:
2.3GHz dual-Core 7rh generation Intal Core i5 processor (2017 model)
...it would be more transparent.

I don't come to any site for the "latest and greatest". I come when I have a question, or an issue, or most often, to help others emphatically.

I can also say with a certain degree of confidence if the Apple store sold this model without telling their customers, they would soon stop because of the amount of returns.

Macrumors is a website for the latest and greatest. That's why the profile that visits here is generally those looking for the latest and greatest. You even complained that what you bought isn't the latest and greatest.

Go to Dell.com, Lenovo.com or even HP.com and they will not disclose the introduction date of their currently sold products on the order page, product page or tech spec page. You will only find out when it was introduced in the technical manuals or press release page.

If the product is considered obsolete they will either remove or demote the product page and state that it has been discontinued.

I am happy you have resolved your problem. To avoid future incidents like this dont buy the cheapest SKU. 🙂

 

[jerwin]

I understand the frustration and I am not here to pile on, but this should have been a slight clue on the age of the system:

View attachment 891372

i3's are for budget builds. Give me a 2.3 Ghz i5 anyday!

 

[nicho]

@Riqiv so you never twigged that there was a $200 discount between the “cheapest” model you checked out in store and the one you bought with lower specs while the one to the right of it matches the one you checked in store and at the same price?

If there’s one thing Apple doesn’t do, it is random discounts online. Interestingly, they do sometimes do (unadvertised online) discounts to clear out older modes from store inventory, for iPads etc.

An updated (base) model wouldn’t necessarily be better. Just ask 2014 Mac mini buyers (or see the multitude of complaints about how rubbish it was compared to the 2012 and how Apple gimped it).

 

[Riqiv]

I work in supply chain specifically in transportation and warehousing.

Answer: And I sold products at J&R for several years. I always made it clear when a model was several years old.
___
One way for them to to de-escalation is to agree with your point of view as much as legally possible.

Answer: The reps weren't condescending in any way. They were just polite and truthful and thought that Apple could have told people that they were selling a 2017 model.

___
Also it's 2020 already. Using your reasoning why buy a 2019 model that was introduced 10 months ago? Why not wait for the 2020 model?

Answer: My reasoning was that I wanted the cheapest, best, available model made in 2019.
___
Macrumors is a website for the latest and greatest.

Answer: If I want to know the "latest and greatest" in Mac I'd resubscribe to Macworld.

Despite what the profile says, help forums are a place to ask questions and express opinions. There is not a friend of mine in NYC that didn't think that to the average consumer, it was deceptive to sell overstock and announce it as "new". I figured it was the best, cheapest 2019 model I could purchase. They were not selling the latest and greatest on their website.

They do not sell anything but recent iMacs in the Apple Store. If they did, and customers weren't told, got the machine home, and saw it was a 2017 model, they'd have tons of returns.
___
Apple has historically kept older SKUs like your 2017 iMac on stock to cater to the educational market. Historically the educational SKU of any of their Macs tend to be the cheapest/oldest of all the SKUs.

Answer: Yes, I know...I've taught in college for several years.
___
I am happy you have resolved your problem. To avoid future incidents like this dont buy the cheapest SKU. 🙂

Answer: I own the iPhone 8 ($400 cheaper with my trade-in) because the only thing that interested me in the iPhoneX was the "depth of field" feature in the camera.

And I would never presume to tell someone not to "buy the cheapest SKU". As stated, next time I'll choose my model from the 14th Street store (to make sure it's an up-to-date model)...and if the "cheapest SKU" (or the next one up) fits my needs, thats what I'll purchase plus the SSD. 😎

 

[Riqiv]

@Riqiv so you never twigged that there was a $200 discount between the “cheapest” model you checked out in store and the one you bought with lower specs while the one to the right of it matches the one you checked in store and at the same price?

If there’s one thing Apple doesn’t do, it is random discounts online. Interestingly, they do sometimes do (unadvertised online) discounts to clear out older modes from store inventory, for iPads etc.

An updated (base) model wouldn’t necessarily be better. Just ask 2014 Mac mini buyers (or see the multitude of complaints about how rubbish it was compared to the 2012 and how Apple gimped it).

A was a little twigged after I discovered in my 2nd week of ownership I had purchased a 2017 iMac model to my chagrin 🥺

And yes, Apple doesn't discount anything, not at Best Buy, online, or anywhere. I did purposely search for older models in the past on their site just as the newer ones appeared...but that's not what I was looking for this time. They would be in a special section on the Apple website, as were the refurbs.

My main complaint was that in the past, the Apple Store online worked as the "brick and mortar" store did. If I decided to get the least expensive iMac (or 2nd least expensive), it was the best, most recent model available to date in that price range.

Must be a few slow news days as I only expected a couple of people to say, "Gee, they could have put up:
"2.3GHz dual-Core 7th generation Intel Core i5 processor (2017 model)...it would be so much clearer to customers"...and that would have been the end of it.

I am as loyal an Apple customer as anyone here, love their products, but never expected such an outcry when suggesting it would be nice to have a little transparency on the online Apple sales site.

And the computer is humming along nicely...now that I've got it up and running.

So thank you all for your responses!

 

[bsamcash]

My main complaint was that in the past, the Apple Store online worked as the "brick and mortar" store did. If I decided to get the least expensive iMac (or 2nd least expensive), it was the best, most recent model available to date in that price range.

Several individuals have already made it clear that this is the case. The model you ordered and received is the most recent model. It just happens that the most recent model hasn't been updated since 2017.

 

[Hexley]

Answer: And I sold products at J&R for several years. I always made it clear when a model was several years old.

Is that the same J&R that shut down a few years ago?

Answer: The reps weren't condescending in any way. They were just polite and truthful and thought that Apple could have told people that they were selling a 2017 model.

Pretty good de-escalation on retail's part. Verify what week was your iMac was made https://reincubate.com/lookup/

Answer: My reasoning was that I wanted the cheapest, best, available model made in 2019.

Which your 2017 iMac is. Cheapest, best and available made within a week in the year 2019. Verify what week was your iMac was made https://reincubate.com/lookup/

Answer: If I want to know the "latest and greatest" in Mac I'd resubscribe to Macworld.

Macworld gets their rumors from MacRumors, AppleInsider, etc. I remember their magazine being less than 1" thick. Now it's less than 1cm thick.

Despite what the profile says, help forums are a place to ask questions and express opinions. There is not a friend of mine in NYC that didn't think that to the average consumer, it was deceptive to sell overstock and announce it as "new". I figured it was the best, cheapest 2019 model I could purchase. They were not selling the latest and greatest on their website.

Yes, forums are meant to talk about on topic issues. But your issue is that the brand new & sealed iMac was introduced in 2017 and was made in 2019. Verify what week was your iMac was made https://reincubate.com/lookup/

Knowing Apple it is highly unlikely to be excess inventory. That SKU caters to customers whose budget is at that $1099 price point.

They do not sell anything but recent iMacs in the Apple Store. If they did, and customers weren't told, got the machine home, and saw it was a 2017 model, they'd have tons of returns.

If "tons of returns" were true then Apple would have pulled the SKU from the website. As this appears to be a problem unique to you then it is cheaper for them to be agreeable, take the return and for you to pay $200 extra for the "latest and greatest". Keeping good will and a loyal customer is worth the inconvenience of customer-made errors.

Answer: I own the iPhone 8 ($400 cheaper with my trade-in) because the only thing that interested me in the iPhoneX was the "depth of field" feature in the camera.

I also eschewed the iPhone X for the iPhone 8 Plus as I was not confident as to the quality and reliability of OLED.

And I would never presume to tell someone not to "buy the cheapest SKU". As stated, next time I'll choose my model from the 14th Street store...and if the "cheapest SKU" fits my needs, thats what I'll purchase plus the SSD.

You did buy the cheapest SKU of the iMac and iPhone and then complained you were fooled with the iMac. You may want to search for deals at https://slickdeals.net/ or https://camelcamelcamel.com/ to get better pricing. I use these sites myself and a reason why I was able to do a bit of buy & sell for a profit.

 

[Riqiv]

I understand the frustration and I am not here to pile on, but this should have been a slight clue on the age of the system:

Thank you for your kind reply....