Apple Store vs. Apple.com

[cfs]

Hello Forum,

I am almost at the finish line in going from pc to Mac, but really need to stop researching because it is causing delays. Kind of like when i was overwhelmed at choosing a Roth IRA back when.

I was wondering if anybody had any input if there is any benefit in buying an iMac directly form an Apple store (I have one 10 min. away) or purchasing one online that is refurb. I have found no info.

My thoughts about buying at a store is that I could test it at the store to make sure there are no scratches and dead or stuck stuck pixels before walking out as opposed to buying a refurb online and finding issues that are still "within the norm" where I am out of luck.

-cfs

 

[Mac Addict]

I choose to buy from the stores, if there's one near you. On the build to order, only items I choose to upgrade is memory & hdd. Apple will rip you off on both so I buy memory myself & use external hard drives as I need. That way I don't pay for a 500gig hdd today that I wont need for a year or so.

I recently bought my 3rd iMac from the Apple Store. I had a problem right out of the box, took it right back and was handed a new one... very little hassle. Not sure if you have that option if bought online?!?

Let us know either way how you like your new machine.

 

[purelithium]

I don't think you can purchase refurbs in store, so you would be missing out on those savings. Other than that, you just have to wait for your machine to be shipped, rather than going to pick it up yourself, I think.

I personally am going to buy refurbed off of the website, because of the huge savings, and AFAIK, there's no difference in warranty.

Plus, I've bought from a reseller before, and had the apple store do some warranty work for me, such as replace my discoloured topcase on my macbook. So where you buy your machine shouldn't affect where you can get support later on.

 

[MacBooksRock]

Go to the Store, then you can try what you want out, and then buy it! Then you don't have to wait for shipping.. ugh

 

[Tallest Skil]

only items I choose to upgrade is memory & hdd. Apple will rip you off on both so I buy memory myself & use external hard drives as I need...

So you don't upgrade those and just get the standard from the Online Store. The Online store offers BTO options; that's why it's better than retail if you'd like a better machine.

 

[purelithium]

Go to the Store, then you can try what you want out, and then buy it! Then you don't have to wait for shipping.. ugh

I just don't think that paying more for an instore new machine is worth it. I would rather wait a couple days and save the money on a refurb.

 

[Unspeaked]

If you're not buying refurbs, go with the physical store.

Returns are a million times easier.

 

[Mac Addict]

So you don't upgrade those and just get the standard from the Online Store. The Online store offers BTO options; that's why it's better than retail if you'd like a better machine.

True, good point. Hey I still have to wait for memory to be shipped. CPU upgrade is the only BTO option I would do. Guess you can actually save some $$. Like, buying a 24" BTO & only upgrading the CPU to 2.8C2E. In store you have to buy the whole 2.8C2E machine with the overpriced RAM & HDD.

 

[jrrjbl]

I am/was in same situation. Buying 2 IMacs and TC. The Apple store is 10 mins from my office. I qualify for HE discount. But was struggling with the $200 difference on mine and $3-400 on my wife's plus 6% tax on additional monies.

Went to the store today to ask questions about options for file transfer from PC to Mac. Quote " Buy from the online store, save the money and it will make no difference to us here. We are all one company". He thought the look on my face was hilarious.

True differences. Immediate gratification of taking it home. Free file transfer versus buying One on One and getting it done. Otherwise per the store there is not really a difference.