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use cash when buying Macbook Pro at Apple Store?

Kyle9859

Kyle9859

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 19, 2011
13
0
Louisville, KY
I plan on going in the morning to purchase a Macbook Pro 17, but I was wondering if the apple store took cash. Has anyone paid with cash before? Also is there any conflicts with using a student discount and do I just need to show them my student I.D. to get the discount?

I just received the funds in the form of a check, and I can either cash the check or put it into my bank account. (no credit cards) The problem with putting it into my bank account is that the money is not accessible for 24 hours... meaning I have to wait another day (been waiting for 3 months) and Its also a hassle to meet with the accounting dept to get my daily spending limit raised to 2500$, which means I have to wait another 24 hours, and since the bank isn't open on Saturdays, I would have to actually wait 72 hours...

Long story short, I wanna pay cash and get the computer same day.
 
I guess you could if you wanted to, but I personally wouldn't carry around $2000 in my wallet.
 
You will have to go up to the front counter obviously. Might have to wait in line. I bought my iPad this way. Nothing wrong with paying cash money. :)
 
Kyle9859 said:
The problem with putting it into my bank account is that the money is not accessible for 24 hours... meaning I have to wait another day (been waiting for 3 months)

and Its also a hassle to meet with the accounting dept to get my daily spending limit raised to 2500$, which means I have to wait another 24 hours, and since the bank isn't open on Saturdays, I would have to actually wait 72 hours...

Long story short, I wanna pay cash and get the computer same day.
Click to expand...

What kind of crazy-assed bank are you doing business with?
 
You should go to the bank again and pull out the money needed for the purchase in rolls of quarters and pay that way.

They cant say not to sale of $2000+
 
Steve's Barber said:
What kind of crazy-assed bank are you doing business with?
Click to expand...

Any bank will hold onto the money till the check "clears", even though it can be done electronically in an instant. Banking laws differ by state, but for large amounts, many banks can hold that money for 7 to 11 business days with you unable to access it. Depends on where the check was written from and where it's being deposited to.
 
wikus said:
You should go to the bank again and pull out the money needed for the purchase in rolls of quarters and pay that way.

They cant say not to sale of $2000+
Click to expand...

Carrying 100lbs worth of quarters doesn't sound smart.
 
Kyle9859 said:
I plan on going in the morning to purchase a Macbook Pro 17, but I was wondering if the apple store took cash. Has anyone paid with cash before? Also is there any conflicts with using a student discount and do I just need to show them my student I.D. to get the discount?

I just received the funds in the form of a check, and I can either cash the check or put it into my bank account. (no credit cards) The problem with putting it into my bank account is that the money is not accessible for 24 hours... meaning I have to wait another day (been waiting for 3 months) and Its also a hassle to meet with the accounting dept to get my daily spending limit raised to 2500$, which means I have to wait another 24 hours, and since the bank isn't open on Saturdays, I would have to actually wait 72 hours...

Long story short, I wanna pay cash and get the computer same day.
Click to expand...

Jmouse said:
just use your debit card. They do take cash.
Click to expand...

Some people dont read...I know your pain OP. I had to fight the bank to allow me to put my MBP on my card, had to make special meetings with the bank manager and everything since I had to order online and didnt have an option of paying with cash. But I would just go in with cash and walk out happy :)
 
Steve's Barber said:
What kind of crazy-assed bank are you doing business with?
Click to expand...

The hold on cash, is an industry wide practice due to a litany of reasons. Perhaps you've not dealt with much cash.

I prefer to pay cash at the Apple Store when I buy a computer. It's always been quite easy. That said the OP's question is quite reasonable as more people are living outside their means via credit cards.

We read about it here all the time. Fanbois that have to sell their existing phone or computer before they can buy the replacement.

When one's priority is something they can barely afford, it's very revealing.
 
The bank holding money has nothing to do with the check clearing...they also deny charges over X amount...I think my bank is something like $500 charge is maximum. My bank also has a maximum withdrawal limit from ATMs and such per day at like $1500 or something so when my total order was $3100 I had to get all kinds of special permission to use my card.
 
mienna said:
Yeah, but if I was the manager, I'd tell you to drag your 125 pounds of quarters out of my store and come back with 5.5 pounds of dollar bills! ;)
Click to expand...

That would never happen. Mainly because: I'd do it myself and get it on camera and throw it up on youtube.

If word got to upper management that a store manager refused to take legit funds, there would be either firings, lectures, suspensions or demotions (or a combination of those).

You don't say no to $2,000 dollars.
 
i personally wouldnt have that amount of cash on hand but in your situation, you should have no problem as long as you dont lose it or get randomly jumped in the parking lot??? good luck!!! ;)
 
tjb1 said:
The bank holding money has nothing to do with the check clearing...they also deny charges over X amount...I think my bank is something like $500 charge is maximum. My bank also has a maximum withdrawal limit from ATMs and such per day at like $1500 or something so when my total order was $3100 I had to get all kinds of special permission to use my card.
Click to expand...

It absolutely does have to do with the check clearing. There are specific transactions that MUST be credited to the account by the next business day (direct deposit, US Treasury checks, state or local government checks, etc.) A "nonlocal" check deposited into your account may be held up to 5 business days, save for the first $100.

Although they may place a hold on the funds for several other reasons not related to that at all.
 
mienna said:
It absolutely does have to do with the check clearing. There are specific transactions that MUST be credited to the account by the next business day (direct deposit, US Treasury checks, state or local government checks, etc.) A "nonlocal" check deposited into your account may be held up to 5 business days, save for the first $100.

Although they may place a hold on the funds for several other reasons not related to that at all.
Click to expand...

Different banks have different policies...you can cash the check and deposit it and have access to it immediately. What the OP is talking about on the hold is the debit card limit.
 
For those choosing to pay by cash in an Apple store, make sure and get a physical receipt printed out, do not agree to having the sales guy arrange an email only receipt. Insist on the printed one too.

At least half the times I've got them to do me an email receipt those email ones have never shown up. Could be a real pita if your looking to claim back costs from employer etc
 
You can pay with cash but if, for whatever reason, you require a refund that will have to be mailed to you in check form. So it's doable but don't plan on getting full refund if it's not what you want.
 
tjb1 said:
Different banks have different policies...you can cash the check and deposit it and have access to it immediately. What the OP is talking about on the hold is the debit card limit.
Click to expand...

He is indeed talking about the debit card limit, but he also mentions that the bank will put a hold on the check when he deposits it. You are also correct in that many banks do have differing policies regarding the availability of money after check deposits. For example, my sister and I were both given $5000 (thanks Grandma!) and deposited the checks within a day of each other. My money was available the next business day, while the bank held hers for 5 business days (her balance had gone negative for a few days two months before). The bank could have held my money for the same timeframe.

----------
wikus said:
That would never happen. Mainly because: I'd do it myself and get it on camera and throw it up on youtube.

If word got to upper management that a store manager refused to take legit funds, there would be either firings, lectures, suspensions or demotions (or a combination of those).

You don't say no to $2,000 dollars.
Click to expand...

I see that my attempt at a joke failed! :rolleyes:

Putting aside the idea that even doing this would be a total dick move, and then taping it and putting it on the internet would be a gargantuan dick move; the manager has to consider way more than "saying no to $2,000 dollars." Does he make a night drop deposit after close of business? Is the receptacle for the night drop large enough to accept giant bags of coins? Is the person making the deposit physically able to transport said coins?

I'd hazard a guess that if the manager was polite and courteous and requested that you bring a method of payment that wasn't extremely inconvienient, that upper management wouldn't fire, lecture, suspend, or demote anybody.
 
fullojellybeans said:
So it's doable but don't plan on getting full refund if it's not what you want.
Click to expand...
Wrong.

I paid cash in the store, then returned the MBP on instruction from the genius due to a defect. Long story short, they exchanged it 3 times and all were bad. I was refunded the full price I paid.

Method of payment is irrelevant. 100% refund, no problem.
 
I payed my $2000 something MBP cash. I was actually the only customer in the store thank God. Cashier even called out the manager to count the money. After she counted about ten times. I got my precious machine :) Nothing wrong with paying cash although it might attract some attention. I only did so because I had just cashed in a check and the bank where I did and I was so desperate I wasn't going to go deposit to wait a few hours maybe even days.
 
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