Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
"Renting" New Macbook Air/Pros from the Apple Store
- Thread starter okwhatev
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Get the highest spec 15" rMBP next.
Since you did ask, yes I think you're crazy. I personally wouldn't have the time to go through all of the hassle of migrating stuff to each machine, and then the hassle of having to pack it all up and return it. My time is way more valuable to me than to be bothered with things of that nature.
Not sure why you're shocked at the varied response either. Like I said, you asked, so you should probably be prepared for any possible response. There's lots of different people in the world, and this is a rather popular site, so there's no telling who is going to read/respond to your post.
I say ignore everyone who told you not to do it for dubious moral reasons (this is business, let's not make it personal). Similarly, ignore anyone who says you shouldn't do it because you are cutting into Apple's profit margins (as if you should care about their shareholders; plus, even if they sell the returned units on the refurb store, they still turn out a very healthy profit on the computers, so again why should you care?). You are not breaking any laws, and if Apple has this policy, you are within your rights to avail yourself of their offer to best suit your needs until they change their policy or your needs change.
And if you are worried they might deny you a sale due to some sort of purchasing history, just buy the computers with cash and don't give any identifying information. Heck, I'd say you are just being an intelligent consumer by pursuing this plan.
BS. In Canada, specifically in the province of Ontario, there is a law called the "cool off period" it is implemented for all purchases or contracts above 50$, and allows the consumer to return the product for whatever reason they want. The Canadians acknowledge that sometimes you can be pressured to buy something, or purchase something impulsively. Return policies are there for people to return the product for whatever reason they want. Some stores used to specifically ask for you to provide an explanation as to why you want to return the product. Apple has a no questions asked return policy, and so it doesn't only apply to unhappy purchased but anyone who changed their mind.
----------
Good post. My bet is the overwhelming majority of people can't be bothered to do this since it's a waste of their time, as you state. The policy exists because the benefits of pleasing the customers far outweigh the few people who "abuse" the system. Just as a case in point, the week before WWDC, a relative's computer broke down and I told them to buy one now with plans to return it the following week when the new systems were released. Well, that relative enjoys the system so much that the unit isn't going back, even though there was a refresh. My point? There are probably just as many people who should be returning units who aren't as there are people who shouldn't return them but do.
I don't often agree with you but this I do agree with…
@OP
This is an integrity thing be a grown up, and buy something cheap to hold you over until late summer then buy what you want..
since I'm chock full of quotes:
The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it. - Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr
Easy there cowboy. You criteria for a return resembles the examples I gave more than the "rental" issue in this thread.
I think Apple expects people to be honest and not abuse loopholes.
Yes, indeed, do what you want and ignore the rest, if enough people do that then Apple will be forced to change their policy and then all those selfish people ruin it for the rest of us. Great idea!
I've been very happy with how my local Apple store treats me and my wife, both with her OOW iPhone replacements and when I exchanged my MBP for one with better specs.
If someone genuinely doesn't like the product they buy, even if they've already swapped it once, then they should be able to swap it for something they think they'd like better or else get a refund. For someone to do "return kiting" (My new term.
) so that they can get a new computer now, with no intention of keeping said computer, and then willingly abuse the return policy for MONTHS shows a real lack of character.Just because you CAN do something doesn't mean you SHOULD. Society is going down the toilet.
Honestly I can't even believe you would do something like this. This is actually illegal and though it may seem as not since you are using the return policy, think of it as ding the same with clothes and tell if thats the moral thing to do. I hope apple changes there policy and watches you because now you are creating refurb units for no reason. You are costing the company money.
I have forwarded this thread via screenshots to apple legal department. I can't wait to see what kind of response I get.
I have forwarded this thread via screenshots to apple legal department. I can't wait to see what kind of response I get.
I'm not sure if you'll get a response, I filed a copyright complaint with them some weeks ago due to someone selling illegal copies of FCPX and other high-end Apple software for cheap, never heard anything back.
I still see people on Craigslist offering to install or make available for download FCPX+Compressor+Motion, etc, for $40.
what kind of response you get? you mean that you're the type of person who likes to tattle on people and be rewarded for feeling superior to them? like religious people who snarl at the people who are different then them but call themselves christians?
I'm a huge Apple fan just like anyone who would bother caring enough about any of this to post on a message board about it. I asked a loaded question that got loaded answers. I called my thread "renting" for a reason... because I knew it would get answers to help me make my desicion of what I should do the next few weeks.
It has helpled me make my decision, Im going to return my newly purchased Air for a full refund and just sit and wait until the new computer eventually comes out. I'm treating the new Air like it was a newborn child... it doesn't get to go outside, stays only on the desk, and I haven't even opened any unessary packing material. even the box has its swink wrap still attached. it will be in pristine condition when it is returned, and I dont know if that will help them at all but I wouldn't want to do anything less. And there was a very good chance that I would've fallen in love with this computer and kept it anyway. Ive done that with so many apple products before. It just didn't happen this time.
saying I should be denied a return and that Im morally wrong for even trying the computer (I've decided not to do the every two weeks thing) makes me kind of sad. this is what discussion boards are supposed to be about. Discussions so we can make informed descisions, not about our own personal sense of charecter.
Go in, tell them outright that you plan to do this, see what they say.
I would bet you they'd say "Sure, go right ahead!"
Then do it.
If they seem to not approve of it, don't.
I would bet you they'd say "Sure, go right ahead!"
Then do it.
If they seem to not approve of it, don't.
There's nothing wrong with trying a computer and returning it if you don't like it.
Planning to buy a computer and return it after two weeks, then repeating this for months until a new model comes out is not. If you can't see the difference between these two, then it's your character that needs some review. This is what you proposed at the beginning of this thread isn't it? Why should you be surprised that anyone with a conscience would object to it?
Apparently you didn't read what I wrote. Next time instead of coming up with ad hominems, pay attention to the argument. "No questions asked" means that there are no criteria for a return. In other words, provided there is no damage you can return it for whatever reason you want, including to annoy Apple, in spite, or because you intended to "rent" the device.
----------
I'm not certain regarding the law in the US, but I'm pretty sure they can't refuse a paying customer without a valid reason. The OP intends to abide by the terms of all their policies, I can't see how they can refuse. They may try, but legally that might put them in hot water.
----------
Thought Experiment:
To everyone against the OP's plan. Please let me know if this is ok:
Situation A: You have been waiting for months now for the new update, which you intend to buy the day it is released. Suppose it's the new Mac Pro coming out later this year. One day before it comes out, your computer dies on you but you have very important work to do. What do you do? Do you buy the old one and keep it, or do you buy the old one, return it the next day when the Mac Pro is released, and buy the new Mac Pro? Be honest.
Situation B: Same as above, but 2 days difference.
Situation C: Same as above, but with 3 days difference.
.....
Situation N: At how many days is it no longer ok to do this, assuming some of you will grant A was ok?
Now that we have your intuitions, see if you can give me a principled reason by means of which to distinguish A from N, and from what comes after N.
This is not the same. He is proposing returning multiple times. Let's say you keep the computer for two days, the return for another one, then another, and repeat for four months. Is that OK? If you say yes, really? Deep in your heart you feel it's OK to take advantage of a generous policy to be an a$$?
Finally, he talks about renting. But he is not renting, he is getting it for free. If he had to pay a 10% return fee, that would be renting. In this case he is free loading. Why not buy a machine, keep it until the new one comes out then sell? That difference is the rent. Here he is not renting, he is getting the machine use for free for a long period.
If N > 14, then that implies multiple returns. So again, if you accept A, you gotta give some explanation why N = 1 is ok but N = 15 is not. Four months just means N = 120. So let's say your threshold is N = 10. My question is what is so darn special about 10? I have no problem with N = 120. Personally I wouldn't bother with any large N since I have better things to do with my time, and my bet is the overwhelming majority of the population is the same.
Nope, that is incorrect. A business can refuse service to anyone as long as it's not based on some sort of discrimination. And by that I mean race, gender, sexuality, and the like. Even then, it may not be a cakewalk to prove that a business refused to sell based on one of those ideas.
Apple can choose not to sell to him. No problems whatsoever. There are many businesses that you can walk into, and there will be signs that say "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone." Nothing illegal about it.
This is wrong.
If you want to try out the new air, do it in store.
Get a used Macbook off ebay if you really need a computer now, then sell it again when you get the updated rMBP.
If you want to try out the new air, do it in store.
Get a used Macbook off ebay if you really need a computer now, then sell it again when you get the updated rMBP.