I placed an online/phone order for the Macbook pro 17" anti glare via apple-store a couple of days ago. I did not know that anti-glare meant that the screen is completely different, i.e. they remove the glass (on the glossy version) and then put an aluminum bezel around the display to hold it in.
I found this out yesterday when I was looking at some videos on You-tube about the Macbook pro 17" and getting all happy, until...Yikes!!! the anti glare looked terrible, and also there were several issues that were reported on many blogs regarding the display itself. So I started getting worried. Mind you, my Macbook pro has yet to arrive. I chose the anti glare option also because of stuff I read on reviews about the glossy being too bright but since I was in a hurry, I did not even bother to look up pictures and just assumed that it would look the same as the glossy, maybe just darker. No offense to anyone who does like the anti glare version, but personally I like the structural integrity exhibited by the glossy, again which is what I though the anti glare would look like.
However, I called the online store and told them that I felt misinformed as no one told me that they are changing the screen. And just to be clear, this is my first mac and to me anti glare simply meant that there would be some sort of a coating on the screen. Also, I told the apple online store rep that they not only do not have any pictures of the anti glare version online on the apple website but also they do not explain how it is different. I also told them to put pictures up, explain the process and also let their phone reps know that they should describe this to their customers. The online store rep was nice enough to put in my request for a refund. However this was unsettling to me. So I called again, and this time got an approval for the return request and also asked the online store to send me return shipping labels.
After all this, about 10 minutes ago, I started thinking again that even after I return the Macbook pro, I would have to wait 5 days get refunded. So while I am drowning in my sorrows, I start to Google Macbook pro 17" matte. Finally I find a blog, here on Macrumors, in which a person stated to return a product to an apple store. Bingo; a light bulb came on and I called the 5th ave. store in Manhattan which is literally open all the time. I spoke with them and to my relief, they will take it as far as I do not open the box and give me the glossy with the remote and any difference would be store credit.
Long and short of it, I am tied for time as I am mobilized for Iraq with the US Army and this is the last week I have with my family. Given my research could have been a bit thorough and I could have avoided this mistake. I must say that apple is by far the most understanding company I have dealt with as they were helpful. Although I need to add that you need to ask the right questions and not take no for an answer. Also, I guess I will only be completely satisfied after I actually exchange the Macbook pro at the apple store, which is due by Tuesday. I am sharing this story as I have seen in some blogs that people bought the anti glare aka matte version and were not happy and also were not able to refund it. Maybe their story was different as maybe they knew what it looked like and what had been done to it or possibly the their CTO (configure to order) was too complex to refund. In any case, the moral of the story is, if in doubt, speak your mind and call your friendly neighborhood apple store.
I found this out yesterday when I was looking at some videos on You-tube about the Macbook pro 17" and getting all happy, until...Yikes!!! the anti glare looked terrible, and also there were several issues that were reported on many blogs regarding the display itself. So I started getting worried. Mind you, my Macbook pro has yet to arrive. I chose the anti glare option also because of stuff I read on reviews about the glossy being too bright but since I was in a hurry, I did not even bother to look up pictures and just assumed that it would look the same as the glossy, maybe just darker. No offense to anyone who does like the anti glare version, but personally I like the structural integrity exhibited by the glossy, again which is what I though the anti glare would look like.
However, I called the online store and told them that I felt misinformed as no one told me that they are changing the screen. And just to be clear, this is my first mac and to me anti glare simply meant that there would be some sort of a coating on the screen. Also, I told the apple online store rep that they not only do not have any pictures of the anti glare version online on the apple website but also they do not explain how it is different. I also told them to put pictures up, explain the process and also let their phone reps know that they should describe this to their customers. The online store rep was nice enough to put in my request for a refund. However this was unsettling to me. So I called again, and this time got an approval for the return request and also asked the online store to send me return shipping labels.
After all this, about 10 minutes ago, I started thinking again that even after I return the Macbook pro, I would have to wait 5 days get refunded. So while I am drowning in my sorrows, I start to Google Macbook pro 17" matte. Finally I find a blog, here on Macrumors, in which a person stated to return a product to an apple store. Bingo; a light bulb came on and I called the 5th ave. store in Manhattan which is literally open all the time. I spoke with them and to my relief, they will take it as far as I do not open the box and give me the glossy with the remote and any difference would be store credit.
Long and short of it, I am tied for time as I am mobilized for Iraq with the US Army and this is the last week I have with my family. Given my research could have been a bit thorough and I could have avoided this mistake. I must say that apple is by far the most understanding company I have dealt with as they were helpful. Although I need to add that you need to ask the right questions and not take no for an answer. Also, I guess I will only be completely satisfied after I actually exchange the Macbook pro at the apple store, which is due by Tuesday. I am sharing this story as I have seen in some blogs that people bought the anti glare aka matte version and were not happy and also were not able to refund it. Maybe their story was different as maybe they knew what it looked like and what had been done to it or possibly the their CTO (configure to order) was too complex to refund. In any case, the moral of the story is, if in doubt, speak your mind and call your friendly neighborhood apple store.
