Last day to return MacBook Pro...is it worth it?

[modit]

Thursday Sept 16th is the last day I can return my macbook pro to the Apple store and pay the 10% restocking fee.

I got a base model 15 inch with a free 8GB ipod touch. The student education discount also saved my $100. I was thinking of returning my opened box macbook and ipod (opened only to get the barcode for a rebate I didn't yet send off).

I was planning on ordering a base model with a hi-res screen. So here is the pro and con list I made.

Please chime in if you'd like.

Pro:

-Hi res screen = More screen real estate with better quality
-Better resale value and future proofing (unless 'Retina Display' comes to Mac)
-No small scratch like on my 2 week old macbook pro

Con:
-Possibly paying ~$194 in restocking fee + losing $100 education discount + $95 for a hi-res screen
[I could tell them to waive the fee because I wasn't satisfied with the quality of the screen and because I'm buying a more expensive model online]
-No free ipod [Outdated iPod isn't useful unless I sell it new for around $200]
-Missing 1 university lecture to travel 2hr to nearest apple store and 2hrs to come back
[Could be your deal breaker but not for me ]

What could you guys think?

Thank you so much for not trolling my new thread [Insert User Name]!

 

[Buck987]

for that savings I would stick with what you have...

 

[mulo]

as you didn't mention anything about what your going to be using it for I'll be assuming you might want to do some gaming? and in that case it would not only be cheaper, but you'd also get better performance out of your current machine, as your gfx has to work with less pixels

 

[modit]

for that savings I would stick with what you have...

That what my inner student cheapskate is telling me. To deal with the screen and upgrade 2 years from now and sell/deal with the scratch. I'm planning on buying the iPhone 4 in a month or 2 and since I have my old iPhone 3G, I could sell it + the iPod to pay for my new phone.

Also, waiting 3-5 days for a computer during first few weeks on your freshman year sounds like a bad idea.

*Taking to self* "I hate you scratch which made me justify getting a hi-res screen."

I purchased my bus ticket and I'm ready to go tomorrow morning. I still have doubts to stick with what I have.

as you didn't mention anything about what your going to be using it for I'll be assuming you might want to do some gaming? and in that case it would not only be cheaper, but you'd also get better performance out of your current machine, as your gfx has to work with less pixels

I'm a media buff and I thought that the hi-res screen would give me a better view experience.

 

[gldubzakjr]

I too was in a similar position recently. I wanted to purchase a MBP 15" but I was torn between the standard "glossy" screen and the high-resolution anti-glare. My have has the standard glossy which we purchased a few months back and I recently settled on the high-resolution "anti-glare" and let me tell you, you won't be upset with the choice of upgrading. The high-resolution "anti-glare" screen is awesome. I've taken both units outside in direct sunlight and the glossy screen is useless whereas the high-resolution "anti-glare" is simply stunning; in fact, it's difficult to even tell I am in direct sunlight on the screen.

Now, when visiting the Apple store, they stock two models; at least here in New Jersey, they'll have the standard screen and then the high-resolution "anti-glare". Some stores may have them setup side-by-side for you to see, mine did and the choice was easy...

Good luck with whatever you decide and best of luck in school this semester too!

 

[kny3twalker]

Con:
-Possibly paying ~$194 in restocking fee + losing $100 education discount + $95 for a hi-res screen

-No free ipod [Outdated iPod isn't useful unless I sell it new for around $200]
-Missing 1 university lecture to travel 2hr to nearest apple store and 2hrs to come back


What could you guys think?

I do not think you would lose the $100 education discount because you would be returning the current one in exchange for another. And why not speak with customer service via the phone rather than going back to the store. I bet you would have better luck simply paying for the upgrade only and still might be able to keep the free ipod.

That said I do not think the upgraded screen is worth ~$400 ($100 education discount + ~$100 for upgraded display + $200 ipod). If you are a freshman missing one lecture is not an issue.

 

[Merkava_4]

I was planning on ordering a base model with a hi-res screen. So here is the pro and con list I made.

Hi-res anti-glare, or hi-res glossy?

 

[modit]

The plan so far...

Hi-res anti-glare, or hi-res glossy?

It's hi-res glossy.

Will call 1-800-MY-APPLE in the morning and ask to just pay for the $95 upgrade. If I lose my rebate, I'll send in my iPod for a refund and so be it. If it doesn't work out, I'll live win my discounts

Keep posting and I'll do the same.

 

[Queen of Spades]

Here's a tip, don't "tell" them to waive the restocking fee. It's rude and entitled, and no one likes ****** customers. Just ask them nicely and they'll likely do it for you without any hassle.

 

[alphaod]

Here's a tip, don't "tell" them to waive the restocking fee. It's rude and entitled, and no one likes ****** customers. Just ask them nicely and they'll likely do it for you without any hassle.

You may think it's rude and entitled, but I think the best way is to be firm about it. Asking nicely has the possibilty of them not waiving it. Being firm about it can get you better results.

 

[AdamRock]

You may think it's rude and entitled, but I think the best way is to be firm about it. Asking nicely has the possibilty of them not waiving it. Being firm about it can get you better results.

i actually agree with you, just be firm when you say it and dont sound demanding.

 

[modit]

Calling didn't work

i actually agree with you, just be firm when you say it and dont sound demanding.

It didn't make a differnece since I was told by 2 reps that I should call the actual store and talk to the manager. Since saying no is easy when you don't look the person in the face, I'm heading back to return everything and I'll be firm by saying that the restocking fee shouldn't apply if I'm buying a more expensive model.

Keep up the great posts!

 

[bamf]

Good luck. Hopefully you'll end up with the machine you want in the end.

 

[HLdan]

It didn't make a differnece since I was told by 2 reps that I should call the actual store and talk to the manager. Since saying no is easy when you don't look the person in the face, I'm heading back to return everything and I'll be firm by saying that the restocking fee shouldn't apply if I'm buying a more expensive model.

Keep up the great posts!

Good luck, but remember that you have a scratch on your machine and you may not be in the position to insist on them waiving the restocking fee. Doesn't matter if the scratch has been there since you opened the box, they'll say you did it. The Apple stores would prefer that you buy the computer from their store if you plan on upgrading. Telling them you're going to buy online isn't gonna win any points there, but they may still take care of you.

On a side note, I didn't agree with the part of your buying decision of the upgraded 15" model taking into account that you're gonna miss a lecture plus 2 hours driving. So what??? You're making a major purchase.

 

[modit]

Update: They took it back

Good luck, but remember that you have a scratch on your machine and you may not be in the position to insist on them waiving the restocking fee. Doesn't matter if the scratch has been there since you opened the box, they'll say you did it. The Apple stores would prefer that you buy the computer from their store if you plan on upgrading. Telling them you're going to buy online isn't gonna win any points there, but they may still take care of you.

On a side note, I didn't agree with the part of your buying decision of the upgraded 15" model taking into account that you're gonna miss a lecture plus 2 hours driving. So what??? You're making a major purchase.

I got to the store yesterday for my appointment and told them what I wanted...an exchange. The hooked me up with a specialist who said if I wanted a hi-res anti-glare version, it's in stock but since I wanted the glossy online, he said I wouldn't pay the restocking fee and the education discount applies to new macs still. He then laughed saying "you thought you were going to be arguing and fighting about this but you're not".

What a nice guy! Not only that, they let me keep my new iPod Touch and they cut off the UPC label on my Macbook Pro. Technically, I could send in my receipt/rebate and I would get the iPod with no string attached .

However, the refund was made and now I'm planning on getting the hi-res version. He said good luck with school and with such a nice ending, I hope so too.

Thank you all for following my thread. Mac Forums is still alive with great people!

Take that you trolls!