Moving to USA in 2 weeks. Need advice buying a mac.

[TLewis]

Haha.. well that was straight to the point. Do i take it as a general rule? Since I will have quite a bit of cash with me for a car, rent, and utilities need to settle in. Or should I use some sort of credit/debit card when needed?

Things to note:

1. In general, in the US, do NOT let other people know that you are carrying large amounts of cash. Doing so can be an invitation to be robbed or killed. I assume that you will be electronically transferring money into a US bank, as carrying a lot of cash across the border will get you noticed by the authorities (e.g., drug smugglers and money launderers do that).
2. A credit card issued in the US is best, followed by a debit card issued in the US. Some stores may not accept non-US credit cards. In the US, credit cards offer consumers more protection against theft and fraud.
3. You probably already know this: the retina Macbook Pro has no security lock slot, and so there is no way to secure it. This can be a big problem in a university environment.

Also, I'm probably being overly paranoid, but please be aware of your surroundings and the people around you, when you buy the macbook. I believe it's pretty rare, but robbers have been known to follow Apple customers out of the store to rob them (I can only remember one story, and that was around the Christmas holidays). It never hurts to be wary, though.

Edit: also, I'd recommend staying away from Best Buy. Go to your university bookstore or Apple store.

 

[TLewis]

They have to - cash is legal tender to pay all debts, public and private (at least in the USA).

Nope -- note the word, "debt". Basically, they generally have to accept cash if you already owe them money, but they don't have to accept cash for goods (stuff you want to buy) or services (e.g., car wash). (Actually, this is almost, but not quite right -- see here: http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/faqs/Currency/Pages/legal-tender.aspx )

While I'm sure that Apple stores accept cash for macbooks, I'm not sure about iPhones. I don't know if this is still true, but Apple used to require credit/debit cards when buying iPhones. They wouldn't accept cash. I'd guess that this is no longer true, though, but I really have no idea.

 

[AppleDApp]

While I'm sure that Apple stores accept cash for macbooks, I'm not sure about iPhones. I don't know if this is still true, but Apple used to require credit/debit cards when buying iPhones. They wouldn't accept cash. I'd guess that this is no longer true, though, but I really have no idea.

why wouldn't Apple accept cash for an iPhone? If a consumer is willing to pay it in full I see no issue as far as paying the phone bill with the carrier that's up to the carrier to ensure that the user has good credit to pay the plan.

 

[TLewis]

why wouldn't Apple accept cash for an iPhone? If a consumer is willing to pay it in full I see no issue as far as paying the phone bill with the carrier that's up to the carrier to ensure that the user has good credit to pay the plan.

lol, you do know how to click on hyperlinks, right? There's one right in my post.

 

[AppleDApp]

lol, you do know how to click on hyperlinks, right? There's one right in my post.

You're article is also pretty much obsolete. In 2007 iPhones didn't come unlocked. Demand was high and Apple want to reduce the risk of scalpers.

 

[TLewis]

You're article is also pretty much obsolete. In 2007 iPhones didn't come unlocked. Demand was high and Apple want to reduce the risk of scalpers.

Yes, no argument there. That's why I wrote:

I'd guess that this is no longer true, though, but I really have no idea.
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[DrJohnZoidberg]

Just use cash. Don't fall into that liberal debt hole with credit cards just to get a few rewards.

Rather specious to blame credit-cards for the ills of their users. I've used credit-cards for decades and never once paid any interest or fallen into "that liberal debt hole".

I've also eaten at McDonald's and not become morbidly obese; and fired a gun, but never killed anyone.

A little self-control and responsibility go a long way.