Apple Resellers More Reliable?

[iMetroid]

First "real" post here on Mac Rumors. Been reading this place for a long time, but never seriously posted.

After reading through all the Apple Care issues on this board, I'm starting to wonder if it's better to purchase from a reseller and buy Apple Care separately. (That's possible, right? ) What resellers have you guys had good experiences with? How's their warranty policy? I'm biased to CompUSA. Are they any good with this type of thing?

Please excuse my newbie questions. My next computer purchase is probably going to be a Mac. I have at least a year of life ahead of this PC (possibly more, but I'm dealing with it for one more year) so I'm reading up on it now.

 

[discoforce]

First "real" post here on Mac Rumors. Been reading this place for a long time, but never seriously posted.

After reading through all the Apple Care issues on this board, I'm starting to wonder if it's better to purchase from a reseller and buy Apple Care separately. (That's possible, right? ) What resellers have you guys had good experiences with? How's their warranty policy? I'm biased to CompUSA. Are they any good with this type of thing?

Please excuse my newbie questions. My next computer purchase is probably going to be a Mac. I have at least a year of life ahead of this PC (possibly more, but I'm dealing with it for one more year) so I'm reading up on it now.

Welcome! And congrats on getting ready to make the plunge!

I'm not sure what Apple Care issues you're referring to, but whether you buy Apple Care from an Apple store or from a reseller, your warranty is the same (i.e., with Apple).

Personally, I'd choose an Apple Store over a big-box store like CompUSA. Prices should be identical, and they'll be more knowledgeable at Apple. And you've got one in Towson and Annapolis

 

[iMetroid]

Welcome! And congrats on getting ready to make the plunge!

I'm not sure what Apple Care issues you're referring to, but whether you buy Apple Care from an Apple store or from a reseller, your warranty is the same (i.e., with Apple).

Personally, I'd choose an Apple Store over a big-box store like CompUSA. Prices should be identical, and they'll be more knowledgeable at Apple. And you've got one in Towson and Annapolis

Thanks for the reply!

I've been reading through iGary's experiences and other people who ended up with a lemon, and Apple Care gave them a little trouble. There's ALWAYS lemons. Guess these people just got unlucky and ended up with them.

I've been wanting to visit one of those Apple Stores for a while. Annapolis is too far - I live in Baltimore. Towson is like... right there. Towson Town Center is suppost to have one.

I ramble.

 

[discoforce]

Thanks for the reply!

I've been reading through iGary's experiences and other people who ended up with a lemon, and Apple Care gave them a little trouble. There's ALWAYS lemons. Guess these people just got unlucky and ended up with them.

Are you talking about iGary's dented and scratched refurb laptop? That's not an Apple Care issue (Apple Care should be taking care of that), but definitely a lemon.

I'm still not sure what your original question was. Ultimately, all the computers (and Apple Care) come from Apple. So there shouldn't be better/more reliable computers offered by resellers vs. apple.

Towson is like... right there. Towson Town Center is suppost to have one.

So stop by, you'll be glad you did

 

[carfac]

I am not very impressed with Apple Stores, or their customer service. I would say try a local Brick and Mortar- MUCH better customer service, and they can always get better pricing that an Apple Store for the same product. I just did WAY better than even the "educational discount" at a different store.

If there is an immediate problem (first 30 days or so), most B&M just change you out with a new item- that is kinda nice, too.

 

[discoforce]

I am not very impressed with Apple Stores, or their customer service. I would say try a local Brick and Mortar- MUCH better customer service, and they can always get better pricing that an Apple Store for the same product. I just did WAY better than even the "educational discount" at a different store.

If there is an immediate problem (first 30 days or so), most B&M just change you out with a new item- that is kinda nice, too.

I think the key there is local brick and mortar. Compared to CompUSA, I'd choose the Apple Store. Compared to the Apple Store, I'd always choose my local: Smalldog Electronics (love that place!).