"Renting" an Air for a few days.

[jsmf]

I need a new computer for grad school which starts this week, as in a case of corporate war, a flying blackberry slammed into my current Macbook screen and rendered half of it a giant black splotch. My current machine is almost five years old and I was planning on buying a new Air for school anyway. After perusing these forms I planned on upgrading the 13" base model to 8gb RAM, but would not have it in hand until the end of this week or start of the next.

So to the title question - I was thinking about buying the cheapest stock 11" Air, using it for the days until I receive my upgraded 13" and then returning the 11" to the store. Has anyone done anything like this? Am I not seeing a flaw in this plan? With Apple dropping their 10% re-stocking fee, I should get a full refund, correct?

Thoughts? Cheers.

 

[eawmp1]

I hope your grad school has a mandatory ethics course.

 

[HE15MAN]

So apple would have to lose money because of your impatience?

 

[SandboxGeneral]

Are we to assume that the damage to your current machine was incurred on the job, based on your words "corporate war"? If so, then I would expect the company to pay for repairs or a new one.

 

[jsmf]

Ok, first, thanks for the moralizing, but I'm not asking for an ethics lesson.

And no, not a company thing, I flipped my phone in a pique of anger and broke my screen. Yes, I know. My fault.

 

[tdhurst]

Okay

Ok, first, thanks for the moralizing, but I'm not asking for an ethics lesson.

And no, not a company thing, I flipped my phone in a pique of anger and broke my screen. Yes, I know. My fault.

But you're asking us for advice specifically how to cheat a company, so you're going to get ethics tips whether you like it or not.

 

[twiggy0]

Did apple really drop their restocking fee? You're saying I can use a brand new macbook pro 15" retina for a week, then return it, and lose $0?

(In case anyone was wondering, it's just a question)

 

[jsmf]

But you're asking us for advice specifically how to cheat a company, so you're going to get ethics tips whether you like it or not.

Well, actually nothing about it would be cheating the company, since cheating implies me doing something against the rules, and what I'm asking about is one hundred percent within Apple's policies. And I don't need the ethical tips, because, as I stated, I'm well aware of the moral considerations of what I'm proposing. Whether I choose to follow through with it is a different question, but I'm really just looking for practical considerations from this forum, not an ethical debate.

 

[tdhurst]

Uh huh

Well, actually nothing about it would be cheating the company, since cheating implies me doing something against the rules, and what I'm asking about is one hundred percent within Apple's policies. And I don't need the ethical tips, because, as I stated, I'm well aware of the moral considerations of what I'm proposing. Whether I choose to follow through with it is a different question, but I'm really just looking for practical considerations from this forum, not an ethical debate.

So you're planning on buying a MBA without any plans to keep it longer than a few days?

That correct?

How does that reflect this?

"We fundamentally believe you will be thrilled with the products you purchase from the Apple Store. That’s because we go out of our way to ensure that they’re designed and built to be just what you need. We understand, however, that sometimes a product may not be what you expected it to be. In that unlikely event, we invite you to review the following terms related to returning a product."

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/open/salespolicies

Just buy your damn 11" MBA and return it. All you do is make it harder on people with legitimate reasons to return products.

Thanks for gaming the system!

 

[jsmf]

So you're planning on buying a MBA without any plans to keep it longer than a few days?

That correct?

How does that reflect this?

"We fundamentally believe you will be thrilled with the products you purchase from the Apple Store. That’s because we go out of our way to ensure that they’re designed and built to be just what you need. We understand, however, that sometimes a product may not be what you expected it to be. In that unlikely event, we invite you to review the following terms related to returning a product."

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/open/salespolicies

Just buy your damn 11" MBA and return it. All you do is make it harder on people with legitimate reasons to return products.

Thanks for gaming the system!

You're welcome. I never said I was doing otherwise. And again, I understand the discrepancy between what the policy is and what it is intended for. But I guess I don't live by Apple's moral code. Although I do also pay my employees a living wage - so we'll call it a wash?

 

[tdhurst]

Huh?

You're welcome. I never said I was doing otherwise. And again, I understand the discrepancy between what the policy is and what it is intended for. But I guess I don't live by Apple's moral code. Although I do also pay my employees a living wage - so we'll call it a wash?

Quit changing the subject. First you didn't want an ethics lesson, now you're trying to give Apple one?

But if you come on here in a week asking how to return a damaged 11" MBA that you bought but didn't intend to keep, don't be surprised at the laughter.

 

[biohead]

You should get a full refund yes.

But I'm guessing the 8GB upgrade is a fairly common upgrade... you may find it ships before it's estimated date, so you might not wait any extra time at all.

I'm guessing you're not pushed for money either... but in the case of the refund of the 11", it may take a few days to get it back onto your card (if you paid via card). I'm not sure if they'd refund such a large amount of money through cash even if that was the original payment option.

 

[maril1111]

I'm am sorry to say this.... actually on a second thought i am not.

I hope you wont be able to return the "rented" air and karma will catch up with your immoral acts. Thanx to people like you companies like apple might change their policy making it impossible for people with legit reasons to bring back their computers.

Dont rent the laptop but be patient and get your new one.

 

[jsmf]

Quit changing the subject. First you didn't want an ethics lesson, now you're trying to give Apple one?

But if you come on here in a week asking how to return a damaged 11" MBA that you bought but didn't intend to keep, don't be surprised at the laughter.

Not changing the subject, simply pointing out the absurdity of trying using corporate policy as moral arbiter in this situation. But, wait, you're saying I should be careful with the 11" if I go ahead with this? Wow, thanks for the insightful advice.

----------

You should get a full refund yes.

But I'm guessing the 8GB upgrade is a fairly common upgrade... you may find it ships before it's estimated date, so you might not wait any extra time at all.

I'm guessing you're not pushed for money either... but in the case of the refund of the 11", it may take a few days to get it back onto your card (if you paid via card). I'm not sure if they'd refund such a large amount of money through cash even if that was the original payment option.

Thanks. You're the first person to actually answer my query w/o assuming I am in dire need of moral guidance. Much appreciated on both counts.

----------

I'm am sorry to say this.... actually on a second thought i am not.

I hope you wont be able to return the "rented" air and karma will catch up with your immoral acts. Thanx to people like you companies like apple might change their policy making it impossible for people with legit reasons to bring back their computers.

Dont rent the laptop but be patient and get your new one.

Fair enough, but look, Apple is not going to revert to charging a re-stock fee. They did the maths and concluded that the loss on the small number of returns similar to the one I am proposing is more than offset by the additional revenue from allowing people the greater freedom to purchase a computer they were otherwise on-the-fence about knowing they had the option to return it is they desired something different. Plus, the additional goodwill generated from not charging re-stocking is invaluable to a company like Apple that relies heavily on strong consumer loyalty to its brand.

And if karma catches up with me, I'm confident I have enough good saved up to more than offset the small dip from this act, assuming I even go ahead with it.

 

[tdhurst]

My bad if you thought I was trying to be insightful or telling you to be careful.

I'm totally rooting for you to break and not be able to return it.

 

[jsmf]

My bad if you thought I was trying to be insightful or telling you to be careful.

I'm totally rooting for you to break and not be able to return it.

I realize sarcasm is often a bit difficult to clearly discern in written form, but I thought someone who had a link to their personal blog in his signature wouldn't have too tough a time with some as obvious as mine was. My bad.

 

[tdhurst]

Okay

I realize sarcasm is often a bit difficult to clearly discern in written form, but I thought someone who had a link to their personal blog in his signature wouldn't have too tough a time with some as obvious as mine was. My bad.

You're quite clever. Best of luck with that.

 

[cheesygrin]

Putting the moral side of things to one side for a moment - isn't this just too much hassle? If you're anything like me, getting a new machine sparks a frenzied period of updating, software installing, accessorising and customising before I consider the machine "usable" for my needs.

To go through all that, including the buying and returning process, as well as potential cash-flow issues, just seems like a lot of work for a machine I'd only keep a few days before I get ANOTHER new one. Personally, I'd just try and manage without, or, if you haven't already, get yourself an iPad. They're great for filling in for all the usual essential day-to-day stuff, and would still be useful and enjoyable even after your new computer arrives.

 

[jsmf]

Putting the moral side of things to one side for a moment - isn't this just too much hassle? If you're anything like me, getting a new machine sparks a frenzied period of updating, software installing, accessorising and customising before I consider the machine "usable" for my needs.

To go through all that, including the buying and returning process, as well as potential cash-flow issues, just seems like a lot of work for a machine I'd only keep a few days before I get ANOTHER new one. Personally, I'd just try and manage without, or, if you haven't already, get yourself an iPad. They're great for filling in for all the usual essential day-to-day stuff, and would still be useful and enjoyable even after your new computer arrives.

Yeah, the hassle is a drawback, and one I would like to avoid if possible. Unfortunately, I can't use my ipad, as I need something for classes, and I have never been great at writing on the ipad (I mainly need something for writing and research, so no heavy customization except for personal uses). The whole thing is something I want to avoid, and I'm thinking I might be able to use the quarter of the screen I do have left on my current Macbook for the four or five days until my new one comes. Mostly I was exploring my options in case I found I needed something more than what I currently have.

Thanks for the measured reply.

 

[ntrigue]

Devil's advocations. Apple wants the customer to have a daily-driver experience and has a generous margin to absorb customer dissatisfaction. Moogle for all the returns whenever a new product is released. I am a business customer but my specialist has verbally encouraged returns for five years.

 

[thekev]

I hope your grad school has a mandatory ethics course.

That comment was hilarious, but to the OP's question, yeah you can do that, although I'm not sure how long it takes a refund to process. Another option may be checking out Best Buy's available options and pricing so that you can get what you want right away.

 

[Navdakilla]

You're welcome. I never said I was doing otherwise. And again, I understand the discrepancy between what the policy is and what it is intended for. But I guess I don't live by Apple's moral code. Although I do also pay my employees a living wage - so we'll call it a wash?

hahah Don't listen to the haters man, do what you like.
I wasn't sure of what size computer I wanted, but I knew I was going to get it online from the refurb store.
I tried the 13" MBP, 15" MBP, 15"rMBP, 13" MBA, 11" MBA, all bought and returned over a course of a couple of months to figure out exactly what computer I wanted. The policy is there for a reason, its not breaking the law or any ethics in buying one to return it.

 

[PatrickCocoa]

Greatest Thread Ever

You're welcome. I never said I was doing otherwise. And again, I understand the discrepancy between what the policy is and what it is intended for. But I guess I don't live by Apple's moral code. Although I do also pay my employees a living wage - so we'll call it a wash?

OK. I'll see your moral code and raise you one. Why not have one of your employees buy an MBA (with money you supply), give it to you, then return it in two weeks. Then have another of your employees buy another computer, give it to you, and return it in two weeks.

Repeat this process by cycling through your employees, getting a new computer every two weeks and paying nothing.

You're following Apple's rules, paying your employees a living wage, getting the computing power you need, and meeting all of your self-imposed moral and ethical obligations. Everybody wins.

I, myself, find the above practice obvious fraud, but it meets your moral requirements, so why not do it?

 

[NewbieCanada]

Ok, first, thanks for the moralizing, but I'm not asking for an ethics lesson.

And no one asked you to come here for advice instead of reading the policies on Apple's website.

When you ask for people's opinion, you're stuck with the opinion they give you.

 

[brentsg]

You might have to take notes on a piece of paper for a week? Oh the horror..