Buy online or in store?

[EternalTL2k3]

Just as the title suggests, which would you mac fans prefer to do? For my last purchase I chose to do the online option because they didnt have it in the store. I am looking to get a new macbook but with no real options on it so I was thinking about the store option. however, i have heard that sometimes the stores have the initial batches and might get an older earlier revision (without minor upgrades).

the advantage of the store is obviously instant gratification while with the online I would think they would send out a slightly revised macbook.

 

[opik]

i personally buy from amazon since they usually have some sort of small discount up front and sometimes a mail in rebate too. (if you want a no-upgrade model) their customer service is excellent.

 

[livingfortoday]

Well, I've bought from both, and I've gotta say I prefer getting a Mac from the store. You get it faster, FedEx won't screw up your shipping, and best of all - you don't have to wait a week for a package that comes beat up.

 

[risc]

If I didn't need to upgrade it I'd get it from the store, if I needed any CTO updates which I'd have to wait for anyway I'd buy online from a reseller. I'm in Australia so buying from a reseller gets me certified RAM cheap.

 

[xfiftyfour]

I prefer the store. I've read some theories that buying online gets you a "newer" item, and although that makes sense, I don't think it outweighs the "instant gratification" you get from buying in store. Plus, if you're buying from a big-city store, it also makes sense that shipments of popular items (the ones you'd even be concerned with getting "newer" of) are coming in regularly, so I doubt you'd be that much better off going online.

 

[Caitlyn]

If you are looking to buy a stock model, go to the store. You can go right home with it, and it's just a lot easier in my opinion.

However, if you want to add some BTO options, doing it online might be easier as some Apple stores I've been to don't do BTO options.

It really depends on what you plan to buy. Like an iPod. I'd buy at the store. My MacBook, I bought online because I wanted the upgraded 80GB HD.

 

[netdog]

I just love going to The Apple Store here on Regents Street.

That said, my iMac only has a 250GB drive and 128MB of VRAM because I didn't want to wait for apple.com to deliver.

 

[Jiddick ExRex]

I can only get education rebate 12% on the online store, so not much of an option for me there

 

[Fuzzy Orange]

I would rather have bought my Mac Pro in store, but I don't think they can do BTO options. I know they can put in RAM and minor things like that.

 

[Jamesw]

I fiddle and toy with their products at the store and ask any nessisary question. When it comes to purchasing, I do it all on the online store . Why? Because I purchase from the US store and get the US prices and tax breaks. I live in Toronto Canada so the pricing is much more expensive as well the 14% tax. I usually purchase whatever I need from the New York store or online and ship it down to a relatives in North Carolina.

 

[Guitar geek]

Most of the times, I'll just go online and see the pricings and different configs. All of my purchases though, are always at my local apple stores. It's great that they just put another one in Freehold, NJ. Now I have 2 apple stores within 20 minutes of my house!

I'll usually visit the Apple Store at least once a week, and whenever new products are released. Only sad thing is that a lot of the employees around here aren't as up-to-date with the mac products as you'd hope.

 

[sunfast]

I went to the store because, although I'd been considering the purchase, when I finally decided I wanted it THEN. So I went straight to the Apple store and bought it. Was happy to get stock though as I was going to add RAM later myself.

 

[Jamesw]

There are only 2 Apples stores in all of Canada as of right now. Both of them in Southern Ontario. I live near each, roughly 30-60 minutes away. Both are ALWAYS crowded, I can't even move. If you want to talk to a genuis be prepared to wait 4-5 hours. Honestly its dumb. I drive down to the States to go to their stores which are peaceful and quiet.