Any luck with vendors other than Apple?

[Platypusman99]

I don't want to mention any names, but it has been over a week since I ordered my MBA 13" with 4 GB Ram from an internet based Apple retailer and I have heard nothing. My credit card has been charged a hefty "non-refundable" deposit but other than that all has been silent.

I am curious if anyone here has received a BTO (or CTO) MBA from anyone other than the Apple Store yet.

 

[Moodikar]

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I ordered from a reseller friend here in toronto but it has taken over a week.

There is a thread about Macmall that many don't like and one guy who just ordered from them on another thread.

Most ordered from apple it seems.

 

[nearpass]

Ordered from an Apple reseller I've dealt with for years...on the 23rd, shipped the 27th, should be delivered tomorrow. Getting the base 13"

 

[wirelessmacuser]

Why anyone would order from a reseller is crazy. After all, they have to order from Apple just like you would.

So your putting them in the middle, assuring that it will take far longer than if you ordered it yourself. That's why most resellers offer "bundles" as incentives which is nothing but a farce.

Apple is one of the industries very best (with few exceptions) when it comes to meeting the timeline they estimate. Currently Apple's online store has them shipping within 24 hours. Yes that's a standard configuration, but even BTO / CTO machines have been shipping with regularity. I know I have a new 13" CTO that took less than one week. Can't beat that.

I order quite a few new Apple computers from their online store, and it never ceases to amaze me at just how good they are with building / shipping / delivery times.

 

[Platypusman99]

Thanks. I'm not complaining, really. Just curious. I'm glad to know that Apple isn't playing games with their retailers, at least.

 

[nearpass]

Well, I didn't have to pay sales tax, which saved me over $100.00, and I'm getting it just about as quickly as a lot of other people. Our local Apple store did not have them yet last weekend. I like supporting local businesses that contribute to the community, too.

 

[bossxii]

Thanks. I'm not complaining, really. Just curious. I'm glad to know that Apple isn't playing games with their retailers, at least.

Local Apple store here in KC had (but sold out) of the Max'd out 13" and still had 2 of the 1.6/4gig/128ss 11" models in stock. I had to tell the employee to go look as he thought they only carried the "stock" 4 models.

The manager said they would get them randomly and probably only a few at a time.

 

[sls3000]

Hi,

Ordered the 11/1.4/4/64 on the 24th from MacMall with no issues. It arrives tomorrow with the free next day shipping. The big difference a small discount no tax, saved 120 over the Apple store.

 

[re2st]

Why anyone would order from a reseller is crazy. After all, they have to order from Apple just like you would.

So your putting them in the middle, assuring that it will take far longer than if you ordered it yourself. That's why most resellers offer "bundles" as incentives which is nothing but a farce.

Apple is one of the industries very best (with few exceptions) when it comes to meeting the timeline they estimate. Currently Apple's online store has them shipping within 24 hours. Yes that's a standard configuration, but even BTO / CTO machines have been shipping with regularity. I know I have a new 13" CTO that took less than one week. Can't beat that.

I order quite a few new Apple computers from their online store, and it never ceases to amaze me at just how good they are with building / shipping / delivery times.

There are A LOT of good reasons why one wants to order from a reseller.

No sales tax is one, ability to use various discounts, free/cheap next-day delivery (e.g. Amazon Prime), generous return policies (e.g.no restocking fee whatsoever with Amazon). I'm sure others can point out a lot more.

It's the same Apple computer regardless where you order it from.

 

[runnin17]

Ordered a top spec 13" from MacMacll today. Called the customer service and they said they will have them in by Nov 5th and they give you free overnight shipping. So the latest I will have mine is Nov 8th.

Buying from Apple I would have paid $200 more due to tax and having to pay extra for expedited shipping. Still would have put me getting the laptop at the earliest on Nov 4th or 5th. Personally having to wait 3 or 4 more days and saving $200 is a frickin' no brainer to me.

 

[Platypusman99]

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Found out today that my MBA 13 w/4 GB has shipped and will arrive on the 5th. That is good enough for me. It was worth the suspense to save the sales tax, which would have been close to $140.

 

[runnin17]

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Found out today that my MBA 13 w/4 GB has shipped and will arrive on the 5th. That is good enough for me. It was worth the suspense to save the sales tax, which would have been close to $140.

Who did you order it from??? MacMall? That is who I ordered mine from and that is the date they said they would ship mine out.

 

[Platypusman99]

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I went with Small Dog. MacMall charges tax to California residents.

 

[Daud]

13" 4GB shipped

MacMall
13.3" MACBOOK AIR 1.86GHZ/4GB/128/320M
Item No : 08233537
Mftr Part No : Z0JG-4GB
(currently showing still preorder??)

ordered 10/21
shipped today
tracking indicates delivery 4th

went through the other insider site for 6% off plus 1% off on my CC
Let's say final price $1300

I think it is the most cost effective model (1.86 only 14% slower in tests, not paying the steep fine for going to 256GB, 4GB upgrade was $90)

However the free overnight shipping promotion is gone.

 

[spacecadet610]

MacMall
13.3" MACBOOK AIR 1.86GHZ/4GB/128/320M
Item No : 08233537
Mftr Part No : Z0JG-4GB
(currently showing still preorder??)

ordered 10/21
shipped today
tracking indicates delivery 4th

went through the other insider site for 6% off plus 1% off on my CC
Let's say final price $1300

I think it is the most cost effective model (1.86 only 14% slower in tests, not paying the steep fine for going to 256GB, 4GB upgrade was $90)

However the free overnight shipping promotion is gone.

what "other insider site" gives you 6% off?

 

[barefeats]

I've ordered CTO Macs from both Small Dog Electronics (smalldog.com) and from Silverado Systems (silverado.cc) in the past. The only problem is that Apple has to ship it to them and they ship it to you. So that part takes longer.

Some places require a deposit so they don't get stuck with a "non-standard" machine they can't sell. That's reasonable.

The only reason I would do it again is if I'm not in a big hurry and there is a substantial savings.

 

[cheapa55]

what "other insider site" gives you 6% off?

yeah, I'd like to know as well. thanks!

 

[Daud]

yeah, I'd like to know as well. thanks!

insider

 

[VespaMatt]

My 'Ultimate' 13in shipped from MacMall yesterday as well, should arrive via ground shipping on Tuesday the 2nd - I didn't get the free overnight since I took them up on the free printer, so got free ground shipping instead. The printer and free copy of parallels are already here, didn't take the discount on MobileMe since I can find it on eBay for approximately the same price and the Apple rebate required cutting the bar code off the Air's box.

Was really happy with MacMall's service, the guy originally told me they wouldn't receive this model until November 5th from Apple, so the fact that I'm getting it a week early was a nice surprise - and the discount made it worth the wait. When I called they didn't try to upsell me on anything either, which I've seen some people complain about on here.

Just my 2 cents on experience with them.

 

[HLdan]

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I went with Small Dog. MacMall charges tax to California residents.

Be patient, Small Dog is a great reseller. I've bought from them and they ship relatively fast but since the Air is new product it may take a bit longer. They do good business though.

 

[bobr1952]

Well, I didn't have to pay sales tax, which saved me over $100.00, and I'm getting it just about as quickly as a lot of other people. Our local Apple store did not have them yet last weekend. I like supporting local businesses that contribute to the community, too.

That is a big reason for many of us--especially when they also provide free shipping too.

 

[airbillion]

insider

How do you get the discount?

 

[WardC]

I just checked at Best Buy today and they had several units in stock, I believe they had both the 11.6" and 13" models in stock. I ordered mine CTO from Apple, however, and getting mine delivered Monday morning from FedEx.

 

[KPOM]

So my reseller just told me that my 13" Ultimate that was supposed to ship in "3-5 days" last week has been delayed another "3-5 days." I see that a CTO of any Air is estimated at 1-3 business days shipping per Apple's US store. Is Apple giving the runaround to their resellers trying to force people to buy through them instead of resellers? If so, that's disappointing.

Has anyone else received a CTO MacBook Air (i.e. not something in their stock) from a reseller yet?