Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Ordering rMBP: Best Buy/Amazon/Apple?

E

Eric8199

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 27, 2009
804
236
Going to order a rMBP in a day or two. Best Buy shows 1-2 weeks backorded. Apple is at 3-4. Not sure on Amazon. It's $110 cheaper on Amazon and BB than though Apple, though I can get $100 off at Apple through my credit card I'm waiting to come in.

SO, what is my best option for ordering? Anyone have experience getting one quickly from any of these sources? My gut tells me Apple will have inventory before anyone else, but maybe less people are ordering from other places too. I doubt Best Buy's 1-2 weeks is accurate when Apple is at 3-4, but who knows? What would you guys do?
 
In the event that anything happens, I'd much rather deal with Apple as opposed to Best Buy or Amazon.

Though personally I'd rather use my financing and get my reward zones points with Best Buy. Were I buying one, I'd wait until they were available in store then get one using the aforementioned benefits.
 
Eric8199 said:
Going to order a rMBP in a day or two. Best Buy shows 1-2 weeks backorded. Apple is at 3-4. Not sure on Amazon. It's $110 cheaper on Amazon and BB than though Apple, though I can get $100 off at Apple through my credit card I'm waiting to come in.

SO, what is my best option for ordering? Anyone have experience getting one quickly from any of these sources? My gut tells me Apple will have inventory before anyone else, but maybe less people are ordering from other places too. I doubt Best Buy's 1-2 weeks is accurate when Apple is at 3-4, but who knows? What would you guys do?
Click to expand...

How confident are you that the BB estimate is accurate?
 
I debated this and ended up ordering a 2.6 base rMBP from Amazon two days after launch. At time they were indicating pre-order with no ship date estimate. Ended up receiving it on quickly (June 25th) and I've had zero issues (no ghosting, cosmetic issues, etc). Given 9% sales tax here, that alone saved me about $250 to apply to other nice purchases :)
 
Went to the Saginaw, Michigan Best Buy today and got their last rMBP that they had in stock. Same way I got my old 2008 MBP a couple weeks after it was released. Absolutely LOVE this machine. Microsoft Word opens in less than a second. Wow.
 
Eric8199 said:
Going to order a rMBP in a day or two. Best Buy shows 1-2 weeks backorded. Apple is at 3-4. Not sure on Amazon. It's $110 cheaper on Amazon and BB than though Apple, though I can get $100 off at Apple through my credit card I'm waiting to come in.

SO, what is my best option for ordering? Anyone have experience getting one quickly from any of these sources? My gut tells me Apple will have inventory before anyone else, but maybe less people are ordering from other places too. I doubt Best Buy's 1-2 weeks is accurate when Apple is at 3-4, but who knows? What would you guys do?
Click to expand...

i managed to purchase the 512GB version at BB without a problem. i simply called and they held one for me and i received a $200 educational discount. that may be your best bet.
 
You may want to call the store and inquire regarding the stock on hand...The Best Buy in Springfield, VA was showing back ordered and I called to find out that they did have units available...they held it for me and I picked it up...base model rmbp
 
NathanMuir said:
In the event that anything happens, I'd much rather deal with Apple as opposed to Best Buy or Amazon.

Though personally I'd rather use my financing and get my reward zones points with Best Buy. Were I buying one, I'd wait until they were available in store then get one using the aforementioned benefits.
Click to expand...

I've never had trouble with Best Buy or Amazon on other things. Is it just Apple's return policy? I've always purchased from third parties whenever possible as they often have better deals, and I want to see those purchasing options remain. After the return period, you can take it in to the Apple Store for warranty concerns either way.
 
I would choose either amazon or apple. If you are in a state where Amazon doesn't charge sales tax you could save some money going that route.
 
depends if you care about local sales tax as you would if you go Apple, BB or other company with retail locations in your state. With Amazon, B&H...etc. no sales tax for most states.

B&H has Apple Care for $100 off.
 
another aspect to consider is what specs are you looking for in the retina? Best buy for example doesn't have all the same retina models available as the apple store. So do you sacrifice that to buy from best buy?
 
What's the overall best deal and what do I have to ask for at Best Buy to receive maximal benefits? Is $200 education discount the best I can get through them? I am in education.
 
I feel Amazon is great for not being have to pay taxes for the purchase. The only thing I am concern about buying from Amazon is how good its customer services regarding exchange your computer if you encounter problems such if you open your computer and see a dead pixel. Amazon from what I know will charge you 15% restocking fees if you want to do a complete return.
 
mac3609 said:
I feel Amazon is great for not being have to pay taxes for the purchase. The only thing I am concern about buying from Amazon is how good its customer services regarding exchange your computer if you encounter problems such if you open your computer and see a dead pixel. Amazon from what I know will charge you 15% restocking fees if you want to do a complete return.
Click to expand...

You also have to be concerned about being banned from Amazon. It can happen quite easily if you return expensive things after using them.
 
macbook123 said:
You also have to be concerned about being banned from Amazon. It can happen quite easily if you return expensive things after using them.
Click to expand...

That only happens to customers who amazon feels that have abused their return policy
 
Eric8199 said:
Going to order a rMBP in a day or two. Best Buy shows 1-2 weeks backorded. Apple is at 3-4. Not sure on Amazon. It's $110 cheaper on Amazon and BB than though Apple, though I can get $100 off at Apple through my credit card I'm waiting to come in.
11.gif


SO, what is my best option for ordering? Anyone have experience getting one quickly from any of these sources? My gut tells me Apple will have inventory before anyone else, but maybe less people are ordering from other places too. I doubt Best Buy's 1-2 weeks is accurate when Apple is at 3-4, but who knows? What would you guys do?
Click to expand...

I went with amazon.
 
check in with amazon frequently there's a seller called J&R Music and Computer world that routinely has them in stock. you won't get the 139 off but they are Also tax free depending on your state.

They ship from New York and mine was packaged very well. No complaints here.
 
Last edited:
macbook123 said:
You also have to be concerned about being banned from Amazon. It can happen quite easily if you return expensive things after using them.
Click to expand...

The use to be ban heavy - now they give warnings - I purchased several Amazon returned items (so they were from Amazon but used) and was not satisfied so I complained. Now my account is marked - o well. at least I still have an account.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back