Apple Does Not Allow The Purchase of iPad Cases w/o a Credit Card. This is ridiculous

[XciteMe]

Whatever man... what i said above will probably be deleted, so TC... Don't listen to people here telling you "Apple has a right to do whatever they please because they are the rulers of the free world, they cure disease and end famine, and they can never do any wrong"

You had EVERY right to pay cash, you were a legitimate customer with LEGITIMATE and LEGAL tender...

You weren't handing them Monopoly money, and they did something they may have the power to do, but that was still a HORRIBLE call on their part.

Go back to the same store and give the manager a piece of your mind.

 

[thiagos]

Whatever man... what i said above will probably be deleted, so TC... Don't listen to people here telling you "Apple has a right to do whatever they please because they are the rulers of the free world, they cure disease and end famine, and they can never do any wrong"

You had EVERY right to pay cash, you were a legitimate customer with LEGITIMATE and LEGAL tender...

You weren't handing them Monopoly money, and they did something they may have the power to do, but that was still a HORRIBLE call on their part.

Go back to the same store and give the manager a piece of your mind.

Finally someone with common sense! I don't listen to these idiots, I post here because I know Apple employees come to these forums for customer feedback and I want them to know that they are about to lose a customer who owns more than $10,000 worth of their products and has spent over 50k on the course of the past 5 years.

 

[miles01110]

Finally someone that agrees with me! I don't listen to people with logically thought-out arguments, I post here because I know Apple employees come to these forums for customer feedback and I want them to know that they are about to lose a customer who owns more than $10,000 worth of their products and has spent over 50k on the course of the past 5 years.

Fixed that for you.

 

[thiagos]

Fixed that for you.

While you are at it don't forget to take that stick off your butt.

 

[Whorehay]

What about businesses charging extra or having a "minimum payment" for credit cards? If you really wanted the product or service, you'll play by the rules. You could complain and see where it gets you, but another way to look at it is, if you feel like you're getting shafted, then don't buy the product or service.

People are selling these iPad cases for $$$$$$ on eBay and other places because demand is high. The only way to keep decent track of these purchases is to mandate CCs. Yeah, it's awkward to wave cash in front of them and then have them reject you. So from this, you can assume they are betting on the fact that people who really want/need a case will adjust and pay with a CC, and if you were just going to buy it to sell it on eBay or whatever, then you'll probably reject.

What can you do? Remember, time is money.

 

[dejo]

Don't listen to people here telling you "Apple has a right to do whatever they please because they are the rulers of the free world, they cure disease and end famine, and they can never do any wrong"

Nobody here is saying that. Need some more hay for your strawman?

 

[Jaro65]

All of what you say is true..... But what ever happened to the 2,000 year old policy of exchanging CASH for goods at stores?
Yes, it is Apple's Store and they can do whatever the hell they like, but it's just a damn case!
Cash is the universally-accepted method of paying for items face-to-face, so as a customer I think that there is a reasonable level of expectation to have that option available for a mundane item.

You know, here is the funny thing. After my initial response here, I called my local Apple Store to check again if they finally got the cases in stock. And they did. So I drove there, picked one up, and was asked "cash or charge?" So...now I'm really not sure what this thread is all about.

 

[thiagos]

You know, here is the funny thing. After my initial response here, I called my local Apple Store to check again if they finally got the cases in stock. And they did. So I drove there, picked one up, and was asked "cash or charge?" So...now I'm really not sure what this thread is all about.

Here in New York, the Upper West Side store will not accept cash.

 

[Night Spring]

No they won't. The total came to $43.00 after taxes and I handed him cash. He said: we no longer accept cash for any iPad Accessories. I looked at him with a WTF face and he said that's the new policy. I think it is Apples clauses lately that had me explode. It is starting to get tyrannical.
I always say competition is good for the consumer.

I'm on the fence about whether or not Apple should be able to enforce a credit-card only policy on iPad accessories, but if it happened the way you say, they are definitely going about it the wrong way. You should have been informed of this policy before they rang up your purchase, or better yet, they should have a notice posted somewhere prominent in the store. When I was at an Apple store the other day, employees were walking up and down the line of people waiting their turn for the register, checking to make sure that everyone who were buying an iPad had a credit card, *beofre* they got to the counter. That's more the way it should be handled.

 

[soxfanreggie]

There goes the fanboys again, you people are like a freaking cult. It is not right, cash is cash and will always be cash. I have never heard of a company not accepting cash.
It is outrageous and you know what, when I called to ask if they had it in stock I was never told it was credit card only.
The whole problem is I do have credit cards but I didn't feellike using one, period.
You people can defend apple all you want but you know this is wrong. Most of you are all Apple's butt boys lol.

1.) They are a private business who can do as they please. I don't think you ever asked the question, "What form of payment is required to purchase this item?"
2.) There are other items you need to purchase with something like a check or credit card. I have heard of companies not accepting a particular form of payment. For example, some insurance companies and banks will not accept cash payments, instead requesting a check, cashier's check, money order, or credit/debit payment. I also think a lot of red flags would be raised if you tried to pay for a plane ticket in cash.
3.) I would strongly caution you about comments like your last one. Something like you last line is uncalled for and offensive - really showing immaturity on your part.

You had EVERY right to pay cash, you were a legitimate customer with LEGITIMATE and LEGAL tender...

As a private business, Apple has every right to accept that form of payment or not. If you look at paper money, it says that it is legal tender for debts public and private. I don't believe it says anywhere on there that someone has to accept it though, just that it is a legal type of tender that can be used for debts public and private. In addtion, you are not indebted to Apple when trying to pay for the iPad. You are only indebted to them if they allow you to purchase the product.

I don't like their policy, but it is their policy. Their business may suffer because of this decision, but it's their decision to make.

 

[aristobrat]

I can't tell you the number of times the store near me would get the Apple iPad cases in stock, and within an hour or them being on the wall, people with wads of cash would walk in, IN GROUPS, trying to buy 10+ of them at a time.

It was quite obvious that they were going to turn around and resell them, and it was quite obvious that they were organized enough to roll on down to the store together. This wasn't just one dude trying to flip some stuff around. And again, this wasn't a big city, either.

By requiring a credit/debit card, that card can be prevented from purchasing additional items, once it's reached the limit. That stops people from going to store to store to store trying to buy up everything.

So it sucks for people who want to pay cash. But honestly, having no product to sell because scalpers are picking up 10+ of each item to resell doesn't make for any better of an experience, either.

This is not a new policy for Apple. They did the exact same thing for the original iPhone, until it was released internationally, and the gray market for it went away. Apple has already said that this policy will go away (for iPad related things) once the iPad is released internationally at the end of this month.

 

[Buck987]

I support the policy.

of paying for the CASE with credit only....

luv to hear how you come up with that logic.

oh yeah...ebay pricing?

Like its the only case on the market.

 

[thiagos]

I'm on the fence about whether or not Apple should be able to enforce a credit-card only policy on iPad accessories, but if it happened the way you say, they are definitely going about it the wrong way. You should have been informed of this policy before they rang up your purchase, or better yet, they should have a notice posted somewhere prominent in the store. When I was at an Apple store the other day, employees were walking up and down the line of people waiting their turn for the register, checking to make sure that everyone who were buying an iPad had a credit card, *beofre* they got to the counter. That's more the way it should be handled.

Yes, that would have been nice. I even called before I went and they never mentioned anything about cc only. Besides I own 8 credit cards myself and there are people who own more than that. How exactly are they tracking purchases this way?
Now if you tell me that in order to buy more than 4 cases they require a credit card, I might be a little more sympathetic towards them.

 

[jerkstore99]

Why don't you just buy an Apple Gift Card with the cash, and then pay for your iPad case with the Apple Gift card? I went in to buy a couple of cases last week and they said "No cash" so I said, "Ok." I went over, bought $100 worth of Apple Gift Cards, went right back to the same Apple employee and said "Two iPad cases please." He didn't even recognize me. I handed him the gift cards and was out of the store in minutes.

 

[iRobertM]

Be mad at those who abuse the system not Apple. Typically the ones who are abusing are the ones who get bent out of shape.

 

[miles01110]

Why is this thread still open? We went from a legitimate (if immaturely stated gripe):

So I have been calling the Apple Store for about a week now in search of the Apple iPad Case. They finally got some in stock today and I rushed to the store. Upon trying to checkout, the Apple Clerk tells me that I cannot pay for it in cash. Say what?
This is the most ridiculous, outrageous and stupid thing I have ever heard. If it was for the iPhone, it would be understable but for a case?
You know, Apple has been ticking me off lately, with their absurd requests and if they keep on they are gonna lose me as a customer.
Who are they to dictate how and when I wish to pay for something, it is cash people.

...to a suggestion that Apple's Legal team should somehow get involved with policing eBay...

Apple Legal has eBay end auctions if it violates their policies. Maybe their legal department should be doing their job instead of grilling Ellen for making an iPhone parody.

...to a post that calls into question whether or not the OP is allowed to make purchases with a credit card in the first place due to the US age requirement of 13...

While you are at it don't forget to take that stick off your butt.

...and now to some pointless hypothetical involving randomly chosen quantity limits and credit card tracking evasion.

Yes, that would have been nice. I even called before I went and they never mentioned anything about cc only. Besides I own 8 credit cards myself and there are people who own more than that. How exactly are they tracking purchases this way?
Now if you tell me that in order to buy more than 4 cases they require a credit card, I might be a little more sympathetic towards them.

Isn't it clear that there's really nothing else left to cover here?

 

[Chupa Chupa]

For all you pretend lawyers this is direct from the U.S. Teasury Dept. (bold added for emphasis):

http://www.ustreas.gov/education/faq/currency/legal-tender.shtml

FAQs: Currency
Legal Tender Status



Question: I thought that United States currency was legal tender for all debts. Some businesses or governmental agencies say that they will only accept checks, money orders or credit cards as payment, and others will only accept currency notes in denominations of $20 or smaller. Isn't this illegal?

Answer: The pertinent portion of law that applies to your question is the Coinage Act of 1965, specifically Section 31 U.S.C. 5103, entitled "Legal tender," which states: "United States coins and currency (including Federal reserve notes and circulating notes of Federal reserve banks and national banks) are legal tender for all debts, public charges, taxes, and dues."

This statute means that all United States money as identified above are a valid and legal offer of payment for debts when tendered to a creditor. There is, however, no Federal statute mandating that a private business, a person or an organization must accept currency or coins as for payment for goods and/or services. Private businesses are free to develop their own policies on whether or not to accept cash unless there is a State law which says otherwise. For example, a bus line may prohibit payment of fares in pennies or dollar bills. In addition, movie theaters, convenience stores and gas stations may refuse to accept large denomination currency (usually notes above $20) as a matter of policy.

Case Closed.

 

[neekon]

Here in New York, the Upper West Side store will not accept cash.

ive been to the upper west side store, there are no registers if i remember correctly, just employees with handheld credit card machines, how would you propose they accept cash without a register? have the employee carry huge amounts of money in their pockets?

 

[Buck987]

Be mad at those who abuse the system not Apple. Typically the ones who are abusing are the ones who get bent out of shape.

sorry wrong...i say be pissed with apple....they are an international company...release the product everywhere at once and stop the ebay thugs.

I don't agree with the cash policies at all....and it has changed my buying habits with apple. Instead of buying several ipads for family members; I stopped consideration of any new ipads and of a new i7 macbook pro.

I know...boohoo...no lose to apple...they make billions...go elsewhere....windows 7 suxs...yada...yada..yada.

Sometime you need to stand-up and say why you punishing me because of others.

 

[thiagos]

Why is this thread still open? We went from a legitimate (if immaturely stated gripe):



...to a suggestion that Apple's Legal team should somehow get involved with policing eBay...



...to a post that calls into question whether or not the OP is allowed to make purchases with a credit card in the first place due to the US age requirement of 13...



...and now to some pointless hypothetical involving randomly chosen quantity limits and credit card tracking evasion.



Isn't it clear that there's really nothing else left to cover here?

The funny thing is that you are still here reading the posts, you must like to be shoved around. If you think this post has nothing to offer to your majestical mind, then eff off.
Btw don't ever argue with a New Yorker my friend, you'll never win.

 

[thiagos]

ive been to the upper west side store, there are no registers if i remember correctly, just employees with handheld credit card machines, how would you propose they accept cash without a register? have the employee carry huge amounts of money in their pockets?

There are registers on the lower level of the store which is exactly where I went.

 

[neekon]

There are registers on the lower level of the store which is exactly where I went.

i was only upstairs, i didnt even know there was a lower level, the only stores in nyc that i thought had levels were the 14th st. meat packing store and the soho store. the 5th ave is really one level, and does have registers

its an inconvenient policy and may have just been an employee misunderstanding the policy about no cash for ipads policy, not enough of an inconvenience to get up in a hissy fit for though, just pay with a debit card and move on(same as cash IMO)

EDIT: looking at photos of the store i notice a flight of stairs to go downstairs, and that must be where accessories and registers are.

 

[Night Spring]

i was only upstairs, i didnt even know there was a lower level, the only stores in nyc that i thought had levels were the 14th st. meat packing store and the soho store. the 5th ave is really one level, and does have registers

How did you miss the stairs at Upper West Side, they are right by the main entrance as you walk in!

 

[thiagos]

For all you pretend lawyers this is direct from the U.S. Teasury Dept. (bold added for emphasis):

http://www.ustreas.gov/education/faq/currency/legal-tender.shtml

FAQs: Currency
Legal Tender Status



Question: I thought that United States currency was legal tender for all debts. Some businesses or governmental agencies say that they will only accept checks, money orders or credit cards as payment, and others will only accept currency notes in denominations of $20 or smaller. Isn't this illegal?

Answer: The pertinent portion of law that applies to your question is the Coinage Act of 1965, specifically Section 31 U.S.C. 5103, entitled "Legal tender," which states: "United States coins and currency (including Federal reserve notes and circulating notes of Federal reserve banks and national banks) are legal tender for all debts, public charges, taxes, and dues."

This statute means that all United States money as identified above are a valid and legal offer of payment for debts when tendered to a creditor. There is, however, no Federal statute mandating that a private business, a person or an organization must accept currency or coins as for payment for goods and/or services. Private businesses are free to develop their own policies on whether or not to accept cash unless there is a State law which says otherwise. For example, a bus line may prohibit payment of fares in pennies or dollar bills. In addition, movie theaters, convenience stores and gas stations may refuse to accept large denomination currency (usually notes above $20) as a matter of policy.

Case Closed.

Never did I speak about the legality of the issue, I was saying that Apple is becoming riiculous with their policies. It is the way they want it and how they want it and instead we are the consumers who pay their salaries.

 

[aristobrat]

ive been to the upper west side store, there are no registers if i remember correctly, just employees with handheld credit card machines, how would you propose they accept cash without a register? have the employee carry huge amounts of money in their pockets?

All Apple Stores have at least one "real" register, used for cash and check transactions. In additional, some stores have cash drawers located throughout the store that can be accessed with the hand-held POS system. They type in how much cash you're paying with into the hand-held POS system, the drawer pops up, and they give you the change.

Why don't you just buy an Apple Gift Card with the cash, and then pay for your iPad case with the Apple Gift card?

If the employee was doing his job properly, he wouldn't have accepted a gift card. The temporarily policy states no gift cards.