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Should I Buy from Apple Online, Apple Store or 3rd Party Retailer?

D

dcweber

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 26, 2009
17
1
Potential windows to mac switcher here. Looking at all the 13" laptops out there and am seriously considering the MBP vs a Dell or HP.

Looking for informed advice on the merits or shortfalls of buying from...

1) Apple Online
2) Apple Store
3) 3rd party Apple retailer

Thanks for your help.
 
Don't buy from a 3rd party...unless theyre giving you a special discount or something.

apple store or online!
 
jmann said:
1. If you wanna play with the computer before you buy one.

2. If you already know what you want, and don't want to deal with people.

3. Only if you HAVE to. ;)
Click to expand...

I think you have 1 and 2 the wrong way around...

Anyway, why not have a play in an Apple Store or 3rd Party Reseller, then buy it online? That's what I did. Gives you time to play, then time to ponder your decision at home. Unless buying straight after playing is an easier decision for some.
 
buying from apple store = FAIL
buying from apple online = FAIL

Both charge full retail. Only nimnods willingly pay full retail for a product.
You will be charged sales tax.

Buy from out of state 3rd party online that offers discount or rebate. You won't pay sales tax = WIN.
 
Well, just to throw my hat in...

I almost always order from the Apple Store Online. I find it quick, easy, and convenient, and the one time I did have a problem with the computer I received I simply returned it. Obviously you'd need to check your rights in your country (distance selling regs in the UK help). I tend to BTO.

Failing that, I'd buy from an Apple Store (Retail) if I was OK with a standard configuration.
 
dcweber said:
1) Apple Online
Click to expand...
This option is useful if you don't have an apple store near you or you want to go with a customized configuration. You can only buy stock model at the brick and mortar apple store

2) Apple Store
Click to expand...
One word - instant gratification baby :D Great option if you want to pick up your mac now.
3) 3rd party Apple retailer
Click to expand...
If they're an apple authorized dealer and a brick and mortar store, I have no personal issues going with them. I've read some online places take out the apple ram and put in there own inexpensive ram and thats not something I want. typically a 3rd party store may give you a printer or ram upgrade if you went with them. I don't have any other apple authorized dealers close to me other then an apple store so I go there
 
3rd party retailers can make it VERY hard to get a Mac replaced/repaired. I've seen a number of threads (not just here) about people having a difficult time getting repairs on a Mac purchased from retailers.
 
I would buy from Apple just incase you need to return or something, I've heard 3rd party retailers can sometimes be a pain in the butt.

If you want a build to order (BTO), then you'll have to order online, otherwise either online or Apple store are good.
 
DO NOT BUY FROM THE APPLE ONLINE STORE!

I am currently in the middle of a nightmare having to do with a iPhone purchase.

Apple builds in China and ships via Fedex. Fedex is supposed to take 2 days when the get the device.

WHAT THEY DON'T TELL YOU, is that Apple gets a special shipping rate, and they don't actualy ship the device until they are able to fill up the plane.

My iPhone has been sitting in a warehouse for a week now. Apple customer support is clueless, and the FedEx visibility platform is not accurate. It says it's being delivered today, but talking to FedEx customer service confirms the iPhone is still in China.

If I knew what I now about Apple Online, I would've sucked it up and walked into a store - even a crowded one.

MoonliteDC
 
avoid online

I'm a PC switcher and Im very exited about my new mac... I went to the apple store, started salivating about the 13inch MBP (the $1,500 one). I got a $100 discount for being a student and on top of that I get a free ipod touch and a free printer. I was only crushed when they told me they didnt have that MBP in stock... They told me to call back in a couple of days which I did.. they told me not to hold my breath and to order it online.... Big Mistake...

I placed the order on July 13... the ipod was shipped inmediately and got it on july 17... the printer is supposed to arrive today...but my mac wont ship until JULY 27!!! are you serious!!!!! are they selling so many of them??? why are they making me wait so long for my freaking laptop! I paid $1,800 for the whole combo and Im still WAITING....
 
moonlitedc said:
DO NOT BUY FROM THE APPLE ONLINE STORE!

I am currently in the middle of a nightmare having to do with a iPhone purchase.

Apple builds in China and ships via Fedex. Fedex is supposed to take 2 days when the get the device.

WHAT THEY DON'T TELL YOU, is that Apple gets a special shipping rate, and they don't actualy ship the device until they are able to fill up the plane.

My iPhone has been sitting in a warehouse for a week now. Apple customer support is clueless, and the FedEx visibility platform is not accurate. It says it's being delivered today, but talking to FedEx customer service confirms the iPhone is still in China.

If I knew what I now about Apple Online, I would've sucked it up and walked into a store - even a crowded one.

MoonliteDC
Click to expand...
I've bought plenty of computers from apple online and never once had an issue. I know others who echo that as well.

As for waiting for the shipments, it makes sense, why ship a single computer from china when they know a others will be going to the US, makes no sense. They're not about to ship computers to the US from China one at a time. Who cares if they're get a special rate from fedex, I suspect that dell gets a special rate as well. I never trust the online tracking information, regardless if its fedex, ups or some other shipping company.
 
Apple Online will charge you tax, so if you live near a store, just go pick it up and don't kill yourself over watching the tracking code.

Refurbished, ebay, and resellers are good options if you can find a deal that results in a cheaper buy.

I got the student discount with the free printer and ipod touch 8gb, so there wasn't a better deal to be had elsewhere. Plus, they were out of the $100 printer at the apple store, so they gave me the $200 printer with $100 off instantly, and $100 mail in rebate. This was well worth walking into the store for!

Remember that return policies differ with different sellers, so check that out before you buy, lest you have issues.
 
sdsvtdriver said:
buying from apple store = FAIL
buying from apple online = FAIL

Both charge full retail. Only nimnods willingly pay full retail for a product.
You will be charged sales tax.

Buy from out of state 3rd party online that offers discount or rebate. You won't pay sales tax = WIN.
Click to expand...

I bought mine online for 25% off =)
 
You can get below student discount items off of eBay, new sealed in a box. Take an extra 8% off from Bing.com, add free shipping and no sales tax, and you have a winner! :)
 
old-wiz said:
3rd party retailers can make it VERY hard to get a Mac replaced/repaired. I've seen a number of threads (not just here) about people having a difficult time getting repairs on a Mac purchased from retailers.
Click to expand...

where you bought the computer has nothing to do with the eligibility of apple's warranty repair (getting it replaced may differ by the retailer, though). Unless your mac was stolen, apple has no grey/secondary market models that they will deny service to, like some other consumer electronics.
 
buy from web 3rd party retailer and save $$$

I'm less than 20 minutes from two Apple stores in Atlanta and I only go in them if I have a problem or want to look over something new.

I'd NEVER buy something over $100 from the stores or Apple Online. When buying a new MacMini a few weeks ago I saved about $75 in taxes, didn't pay shipping and it was $40 less at the retailer (MacMall, but typically I use Amazon).

Not only that, some (I know Amazon for sure) don't charge you a restocking fee if you decide you don't want it, where Apple charges 15%. That works out great if Apple comes out with a new product just after you bought it. That happened to me in buying a PowerPC iMac within days of them releasing the Intel iMac.

And if anything goes wrong with the computer, I just take it to the apple store for them to fix, not the retailer.

If you want to save some $$ (assuming you're not a student, which if you are then I don't know if the 3rd party retailers can hook you up), don't by your Apple from Apple.
 
Personally, I prefer going to the apple store. You get the item right away, and if you're worried about stock levels, you can call ahead.

Ebay + bing.com isn't a bad deal either tho.
 
Thanks for th Input

Gracias to all for the good advice on my post. Will do a hands-on at the nearest retailer before I put any money down.
 
best buy

if you are a student and have a valid student ID you can get a free ipod touch instantly at any Best Buy with an "Apple Shoppe" no mail in rebate nonsense, but its only until saterday, otherwise it doesnt really matter, macmall.com will be cheaper
 
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