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Purchase MacBook Pro retina from Amazon or Apple?
- Thread starter cosrocket
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Get it from Amazon if you can - but if you buy it in store you can take it home without waiting for any type of delivery. Amazon do good discounts on Macintosh hardware.
It really does not matter.
I've bough from Amazon, B&H Photo and MacMall and all were good buying experiences. I bought my MBPr from MacMall and had no issues.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/searc...N=4110474292+4291615352+4100277621+4294949014
http://www.macmall.com/n/Macbook-Pro-Retina-Display/macNavLinks-753
Last I checked, Amazon is good if you don't qualify for education pricing. If you do, Apple is cheaper by $0.99. Given that Apple services the warranty, purchase wherever benefits you the best, whether that's due to store loyalty, rewards, gift cards, sale price, etc.
I miss the tax-free purchasing from Amazon, though given state use tax guidelines you are just having to pay it later anyway. Ever since mid-September California purchases are now charged sales tax, so saves some trouble come tax season and avoid having to fill out the use tax declaration.
No they don't, at least not in my experience. One method I used to use while I was working at my university was to purchase on-campus, as they were automatically inventoried in the bookstore's system with the edu discounted price. So, anyone could come in and purchase theoretically as they never asked for a student ID# or anything. Those days are over, as starting last year they no longer "stock" inventory and instead have an iMac hooked up that you can order from "in-store" and have it shipped to you.
Not that I'm encouraging fraud, but I recently purchased with an education discount through the website (which I am legitimately entitled to) and they did not confirm nor ask for my .edu email address online or when I picked up the machine.
But, when I've purchased in person they have made me log onto my .edu email address or provide a university ID card with a graduation date.
Amazon doesn't yet charge sales tax for Florida so I patiently waited earlier this month for Amazon to get the base model back in stock and went for it just about 4 weeks ago. I love Amazon. I use Prime and paid the extra $8 on a Friday to get it delivered the next day--Saturday. And with Amazon you do have 30 days to send it back--my 30 days expires next week but so far, there is no way they are getting this baby back.
Amazon doesn't yet charge sales tax for Florida so I patiently waited earlier this month for Amazon to get the base model back in stock and went for it just about 4 weeks ago. I love Amazon. I use Prime and paid the extra $8 on a Friday to get it delivered the next day--Saturday. And with Amazon you do have 30 days to send it back--my 30 days expires next week but so far, there is no way they are getting this baby back.
But you know that when you pay your taxes, legally you have to pay tax on that purchase, right? I know a lot of people like to think that it's tax-free shopping, but really it's not...
^^
Legally true although most Floridians do not file any state forms and so far, Florida has not aggressively pursued compliance. My guess it that eventually Amazon will have to start collecting sales tax, just a matter of time.
Legally true although most Floridians do not file any state forms and so far, Florida has not aggressively pursued compliance. My guess it that eventually Amazon will have to start collecting sales tax, just a matter of time.
For me it ends up being as my current permanent address is in Europe and I'm not american, I travel to the U.S almost every week though which makes the Amazon option perfect as I avoid paying taxes for a state that gives me nothing in return (ie: my kids don't go to school there), not that it really matters as we are looking to help the OP, just some insight.
In your particular case, that makes a lot of sense.
For those of us that live in the U.S., technically you're supposed to pay taxes on all internet purchases when you file your taxes in April, if tax wasn't collected at the time of purchase.
Many don't know this (others do their taxes for them); or just choose to ignore the requirement. Those that look for an out on paying state sales taxes then complain about cuts in the services THEY want funded....
And this will be a boon to brick and mortar stores in Florida and other states that DO compete quite well on price - but loose out because people walk out over paying sales taxes.
But the state does give things in return - roads, public transit, public safety, libraries, wifi access - all things that I have enjoyed in my travels in the US and overseas.
Please forgive us in the US for sales taxes on hotel rooms and rental cars that seem to fund stadiums and such that should have been funded by those that actually own the teams and businesses...
Well when I bought my MacBook Pro in 2009 I didn't need to provide any identification when I purchased from the online store. However I have heard from others that they have had to provide ID when purchasing since then.
Interesting. Wonder how they handle a case like mine where I qualify due to the fact that i'm the parent of (multiple) higher education students. I sure don't have their EDU logins nor their ID's.
Ok, I've bought 4 Macbook Pros and 2 iPads for my college attending kids, seems to me that I've had purchases that were eligible. Your point is? *I* qualify when buying for my kids, as your quote so clearly states.
Now that that's clear you want to answer how they handle that? I've NEVER been asked for their ID's
First check the AppleInsider pricing guide. http://appleinsider.com/mac_price_guide
I save over a $100 on price plus no sales tax or shipping costs by purchasing my BTP rMBP from MacMall. Another choice is to join NAPP or other organization that gets discounts from Apple.
I save over a $100 on price plus no sales tax or shipping costs by purchasing my BTP rMBP from MacMall. Another choice is to join NAPP or other organization that gets discounts from Apple.