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Bestbuy or Retail Apple Store to buy Mac?
- Thread starter MikeMacPL
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Apple Store. Don't let the Freak Squad touch your computer, not even the box.
This rocks for getting questions answered, and the forum rules suggest using it before creating new threads.
This rocks for getting questions answered, and the forum rules suggest using it before creating new threads.
My name for Best Buy's Geek Squad.
Truthfully, they know less about computers than the average end-user purchasing them.
I'll tell you a story:
So here I am in Best Buy looking for a Y-splitter (SATA power to dual 6-pin molex), and of course they don't have any, when I overhear "yeah, you can put a GTX 260 in there" from the wrong part of the computer department from which I should be hearing it.
I turn, and to my horror, there stands a young couple (early 20's) looking at a 20" iMac with a Freak Squad representative next to them. The guy went looking in the system for pricing for something, and I saved them from him entirely by showing them simply that the GTX 260 was taller than the case in which they would have been trying to install it (there would have been no sense in trying to explain the dozen other reasons it was impossible).
When the guy came back, the couple just gave him a horrible look, and he just left, leaving me to sell them their iMac.
And no, I don't work for Best Buy or any of their competitors, or in retail at all, for that matter. I was simply a customer that day.
It's worse for PC buyers. The Geek Squad are known for installing extra stuff (anti-virus programs and etc) or removing the excess crap included with some Windows PCs right when they receive them from their shipping docs and tack on an additional 'optimization' fee onto the price.
If the bestbuy is close I wouldn't second guess it. If something goes seriously wrong with your imac you would be able to return it, and chances are they will either work on it or work something out with you. I'm not a fan of best buy, but one of our professors won't buy anywhere else....why?.....because he has never had them not take something back that was defective...
something to consider, especially when people are complaining about refurbs, bad pixels and the like...
If you have a good Apple authorized service center near you, try to throw them some business. They might not have all the rebates, etc of online stores nor the stock on an Apple store, but what they will do is handle most repairs without question, even systems that have been modified/upgraded. They don't replace your add-ons while in for service and the don't say you've voided your warranty just for opening your system. Talk to their owners and techs. Having a local shop, staffed by local people who care about your business is worth the extra $50/$100 extra you night pay instead of online.
I know not everyone can afford to pay full list or close to it (but you will at the Apple Store too) but the more we help our local support centers the more options we have when there's a problem.
Cheers,
I have to disagree with this 100%. While Best Buy will let you return a computer for any reason for the first 14 days without having to pay a restocking fee, once that little golden window is shut they are pretty much horrible to deal with.
Warranty issues? They'll tell you to deal with Apple, and if you have their crappy extended warranty then they will take your computer in and you won't see it again for 4-6 weeks while they ship it all over the country. Get it back and have it chipped/scratched/wiped out, oh well, not their problem, you're lucky they even fixed it.
They will tell you that their extended warranty guarantees you an exchange if the product fails which is an outright lie as all they will do is send it off for repair.
Additionally they are absolute idiots as others have mentioned. I, also, have routinely heard them spout complete nonsense at customers... if you can imagine something retarded and wrong about technology, I've probably overheard a Worst Buy idiot parroting it to a customer.
The only reason they are still in business is that many people are still fearful about making purchases over the Internet and/or are too lazy or stupid to do a bit of research on a product before they go shopping for it.
The only reason I still purchase from BestBuy is because I have a credit card there, and I like to make use of the 18 months no interest. I do all my research beforehand and then just walk in, get my stuff, pay, and leave. Other than that, I wouldn't buy from them.
But when it comes to service and overall atmosphere, the Apple stores take care of you, the best they can.
But when it comes to service and overall atmosphere, the Apple stores take care of you, the best they can.
Hands down Apple store. The experience is better and the associates will be able to better answer your questions. Plus is there are ever any warranty issues you wont run into problems.
Apple Store. Don't let the Freak Squad touch your computer, not even the box.
This rocks for getting questions answered, and the forum rules suggest using it before creating new threads.
OMG I almost fell out of my chair laughing!
I would 100% agree, Apple Retail Store is 110% better than BestBuy.
Amazon is better than either if you are buying stock model.
No tax , discounted off retail , and zero questions asked on 30 day returns.
Bought my Macbook pro and earlier Imac from there , they ship it inside another box surrounding the Apple box that is well padded also.
No tax , discounted off retail , and zero questions asked on 30 day returns.
Bought my Macbook pro and earlier Imac from there , they ship it inside another box surrounding the Apple box that is well padded also.
I bought from an online authorize reseller. I wish I would have bought from Apple Store. Not because I've had any problems, but because of the troubles I've heard people having when they do have problems. Wouldn't you just love to be able to take it right back to apple rather than having to deal with a third party that you ordered from over the internet. Next time I certainly will over trying to save $60.
I'm sure this guy would beg to differ.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/675961/
I agree that the Apple Store would be the best option to get a Mac. It may cost more, but it should be alot easier to get your Mac fixed or exchanged if anything is wrong with it.
And I call BS , I've bought many , many thousands of dollars from Amazon both in computers and parts , and they have taken back CPU's that I have had to box back up after being used and something being wrong , without question.
Entire systems and a laptop just recently also, I sent back an MSI that had bleeding problems at the bottom on the screen I didn't want to tolerate. Within the 30 day return policy they gave full refund , zero questions asked , and refunded the full amount of shipping back to them also.
Read that whole thread , many people have pointed out the OP is clueless , and simply wanted to return it because he didn't like the peformance of the video card.
Amazon takes back Apple or any other computers or parts within 30 days without any restocking fee or questions if there's ANY problem with your machine. And pays for return shipping also.
I bought my Macbook Pro from there in Dec and received it two days after I ordered it. It cost 550 dollars less than the exact same machine from the local Apple store. I added a cheaper Apple Care on my own and had a month to try it out and make sure nothing was wrong with it. That trumps anything the Apple store locally could have done.