Where to buy?? Apple Store vs. BestBuy, Amazon or MacMall

[DeuxIt]

Looking to buy 1st mac in a long long time. An aluminum MacBook. What are the advantages to buying at the Apple corporate stores vs online or big box stores?

I am hoping to take advantage of the 12 month 0% offerings at Amazon or Best Buy, but won't if there are compelling reasons to buy at the Apple Store.

-Will I get the same treatment for warranty/defective exchanges?

-Are the free classes still available if you didn't buy at the apple store?

-Genius bar assistance?

-Migration of files from PC to Mac assistance?

-Any other things I'm not thinking of?

 

[techound1]

You can't get a refurb at any of those places (well, one with a one year apple warranty, anyway). They also do not offer the option of customizing (hd size, etc).

 

[MacsBestFriend]

The real question is if you want to buy in person. I want to get it in person so I am going to Apple. If you want to buy online you should check out Amazon.com because everyone says they are more reliable than Apple.com ones.

 

[aristobrat]

-Will I get the same treatment for warranty/defective exchanges?

Yes/no. For warranty work, Apple doesn't care where you bought it from -- they'll perform the warranty work for you (as long as you're covered under the warranty)

Apple only does defect exchanges if you originally purchased from them.

i.e. if you buy something from Amazon.com and it dies a week after you got it, you can either bring it into Apple for free warranty repair, or you can deal with Amazon in regards to exchanging it.

FWIW, a defect exchange is basically a refunding of your money and then selling you a new system, which is why Apple can't do that if you purchased elsehwere.

-Are the free classes still available if you didn't buy at the apple store?

Yes, and they're even free if you don't own an Apple yet.

Genius bar assistance?

Yup. Doesn't matter where you buy from.

Migration of files from PC to Mac assistance?

Don't know 100%. I'd call the store and ask.

I personally buy from amazon.com because without sales tax + their usual rebate, it comes out a lot cheaper.

Regarding MacMall, their policies state that they will NOT do a defect exchange for you. Even if it arrives totally dead, they make you work with Apple to get it repaired.

 

[darwin223]

Bestbuy has a good payment plan(if you qualify) where they dont charge you interest for 18 months or so.

they also got a better "apple care" type of coverage where it covers "accidental" damages---something apple care does not cover.

 

[kabooya]

any ideas when amazon will get the lower end models?

 

[iknowyourider]

Bestbuy has a good payment plan(if you qualify) where they dont charge you interest for 18 months or so.

they also got a better "apple care" type of coverage where it covers "accidental" damages---something apple care does not cover.

The Best Buy Guy told me that if you finance it with them, it is covered againt theft (for the amount left that you owe). A bad thing is if you want to return it (same 14 days as apple) there is a 15% restock fee. Apple is 10%

 

[carlgo]

Amazon has the no tax and free shipping, as mentioned. They are very good to deal with. I am a fan.

When it comes to any electronics, however, don't assume everything is the latest model. Amazon has some older stock as well, so make the effort to check out the model numbers and such so you are sure you are ordering what you expect.

I have been buying my Apple stuff from the local independent Apple retailer. They have been giving good service from the '80s here and I have gotten package deals and close-outs that I couldn't get elsewhere. Now, there is an actual Apple store here and I would guess the independent store won't be able to stay in business. Too bad.