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2017 27" iMac - Mid vs High pricing issue

D

diamond3

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 6, 2005
887
403
Does anyone else find it weird you can spec the mid and high end model to have the same processor, memory and storage for the same price, but if you select the high end model to begin with, you get the upgraded 8gb video card for free?

I experienced this frustration after another department purchased the computer on my behalf and made the mistake to start with the midrange model. So my 27", i7, 8gb memory, 3tb fusion Mac and 4GB video card could have had the 8gb video card for no extra cost. Why would apple even allow this pricing structure to happen?
 
Mid-range considers 1TB Fusion Drive as standard with the 3TB Fusion Drive as a $300 option.
High-end considers the 2TB Fusion Drive as standard with the 3TB Fusion Drive as a $100 option.
Both of the above offer the i7 4.Ghz CPU as a $300 option.
The high-end base price is $300 higher than the mid-range.

The mid-range option allows users to configure less expensive components unavailable in the high end. It's not a "free upgrade" for the Radeon 580 in the high end. Caveat Emptor.

Are you still within the 14 day return period? If so you can contact Apple for an exchange.
 
you are right.... u should have order the high-end if u config that way. return asap.
 
SaSaSushi said:
Mid-range considers 1TB Fusion Drive as standard with the 3TB Fusion Drive as a $300 option.
High-end considers the 2TB Fusion Drive as standard with the 3TB Fusion Drive as a $100 option.
Both of the above offer the i7 4.Ghz CPU as a $300 option.
The high-end base price is $300 higher than the mid-range.

The mid-range option allows users to configure less expensive components unavailable in the high end. It's not a "free upgrade" for the Radeon 580 in the high end. Caveat Emptor.

Are you still within the 14 day return period? If so you can contact Apple for an exchange.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what you're saying. I get that you can configure the cheaper model to be less expensive...but price out the specs I told you and the price is the same.

To follow up... it's been a pretty terrible experience. The campus store refuses to return it for the correct model. I called Apple and they've informed me that they can't intervene since they don't have the order in their system. I talked to some great people at Apple support that did go above my expectations and tried to reach out to different groups that could maybe help. At the end of the day, they said it comes down to the people at the campus store initiating a return. It's really an unfortunate situation and for this reason, I'll never purchase a department computer through the university campus store ever again. It seems there are only drawbacks to doing so that make no sense. I may try to talk to the manager on monday and see what my options and if I pay some sort of restocking fee or anything else. I was hoping Apple would just step in and intervene, but I didn't have any luck. :(
 
diamond3 said:
I'm not sure what you're saying. I get that you can configure the cheaper model to be less expensive...but price out the specs I told you and the price is the same.
Click to expand...

I'm saying that yes, while there is a way in which a user can configure a mid-level model to be the same price as an otherwise identical high-end model with a better GPU, it is not Apple's fault nor is it a problem with their pricing structure. The model tiers exist for a reason. The mid-range allows the user to configure lower-end components that the high-end does not. A user has to pay a higher entry base price for the high-end model.

I do sympathize with your situation. I work at a university here in Japan and thus always use the edu discount to buy directly from the online Apple Store. Plead your case to the campus store manager and maybe they can work something out for you, at least if only to get you the purchasing info necessary for Apple to do the exchange.
 
In Europe you have a 14days cooling down periode. So can return without any reason. Off course should not have user scratches but I ussuem you don't have.

Good luck

Stefan
 
Followed up with the store today and they denied the possibility for a return. They said they'd lose a thousand dollars since it's a custom order. Waiting to hear back from Apple support for Higher Ed. Looks like there won't be any happy ending except for the campus store selling a computer.
 
diamond3 said:
Does anyone else find it weird you can spec the mid and high end model to have the same processor, memory and storage for the same price, but if you select the high end model to begin with, you get the upgraded 8gb video card for free?

I experienced this frustration after another department purchased the computer on my behalf and made the mistake to start with the midrange model. So my 27", i7, 8gb memory, 3tb fusion Mac and 4GB video card could have had the 8gb video card for no extra cost. Why would apple even allow this pricing structure to happen?
Click to expand...
Yes, it's weird, but it's also been reported here and elsewhere quite a few times. Interestingly though, it's country specific.

In Canada, the one with the 580 was still priced higher for edu, but not too much higher. Only a double-digit $ amount higher, so it still made sense to go with the 580.

Live and learn unfortunately, but that's why it always takes me so long to order. I usually go through 3 or 4 pricing scenarios before I make my decision. And I still generally order from Apple directly, because of their return policy.
 
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