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Direct from Apple or not?

V

Vartox

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 11, 2008
2
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The online Apple Store's after-sales service is excellent, but if it were me I'd buy it wherever I could get it for the best price.
 
I just bought an iMac direct from Apple. Completely painless. I decided to call them up to hear a human voice during the process (and because I wasn't sure about a rebate). They were very friendly and reassuring.

However, my understanding is that you will always save more at an online retailer that doesn't charge sales tax (I don't think Amazon does).

If that's the case, I'd recommend the online retailer.
 
I bought mine from Amazon. Apple doesn't care where it came from as long as they are an authorized reseller.
 
Apple will repair the machine not matter which reseller you buy it from.

Buying from a 3rd party and you deal with them for DOA replacements, damage in transit, and/or returns.
 
We just recently bought an imac direct from Apple. There was no problems but if I were you I would just get the cheaper price. Maybe with that extra money you could add some ram or something?
 
I got mine from Apple (or rather, a friend hooked me up with ESP). They sent him a notice that there would be a shipping delay of about a week (we figured they were dealing with big orders from the edu promos), and the machine arrived the day after he got the notice. Can't figure it out, but I'm not complaining!
 
I buy mine from Apple for one reason. I get a corporate discount that the retail stores will not honor.

So, to get my discount, I purchase direct.

But, if it were not for that, I would buy local for one reason. They are the same price as Apple's normal prices. And, if there is a defect when I get home, I can take it right back and exchange it. Also, if I just decide that it's a lemon, I can return it locally on the spot.

If you buy from Apple directly, then you can only exchange it or return it by sending it back to Apple (which causes additional delays). You can however take it to any local service shop for repair if you wish to just have it repaired.

If you buy from Amazon, you are going to have to deal with mail order routines for exchanges, refunds, or whatever else. But, you can deal with local service centers for repair without any trouble.

If it were me (and I didn't have a corporate discount directly with Apple), then I would buy it local. That gives you more convenient options if there is an issue with the machine.

I would not buy mail order from any other vendor when it comes to Apple branded machines. It only serves to complicate matters if you need to return it or exchange it.
 
I would purchase directly from Apple. Back in 2004, I purchased a 15" Powerbook G4 from the online store that I still have today and that I am using to write this thread. The speed of the delivering and the quality of the packaging that the box came to me is definitely why I would purchase directly from them again.
 
There doesn't seem to be any benefits to buying direct from Apple, then. Thanks for the replies.
 
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