iMac $200 Cheaper from Amazon

[gorby]

24" aluminum iMac @ amazon

So I think I've decided on the base 24 AluiMac.... for some reason I always thought I would order it from the Apple store online (as opposed to even their brick/mortar store or another retailer)

But some last round of price check just to see how much it would cost if I were to order it right this second (which I'm not... yet )... reveals that I forgot about the tax. On really, any of the macs, this can be a pretty big chunk of change. $150 in tax.... holy crap, forgot about that. Then I thought I'd check amazon, since they don't charge tax here in CA, and free ship also. To my surprise they are running a $100 rebate until Nov.! Here's how it stacks up:



Amazon:
Items: $1,799.00
Shipping & Handling: $31.13
Super Saver Discount: -$31.13
Total Before Tax: $1,799.00
Estimated Tax: $0.00
Order Total: $1,799.00
After Mail-in Rebate: $1,699.00

Apple:
Cart Subtotal: $1,799.00
Free Shipping: $0.00
Est. Tax*: $148.42
Est. Total: $1,947.42



I probably won't get Leopard even if I order it from Amazon on the 26 (?)

But up-to-date is only $10 so it's not even worth mentioning. So what do you think? Is there any side benefit to ordering from Apple?

First time Mac buyer and excited as hell!

 

[Hoo03]

Well, if you don't mind the stock configuaration you are absolutely right. I can only think of 2 benefits of buying through Apple B&M:

1) Be able to walk in and walk out with your new computer on same day
2) If necessary, you have the option to quickly exchange rather than dealing with packing/shipping etc

I am sure that others can point out other benefits beside the ones I listed above.

Just FYI, if you prefer the white iMac over the recently redesigned iMac, I think Amazon has it for $1499.

Lastly, I highly recommend that you get Apple Care. I guess I received a huge discount on Apple Care because I bought it through eBay. Just make sure you are getting a sealed/unopened box and check sellers feedback.

 

[je1ani]

You will get leopard discounted I am sure and you can buy applecare on ebay for $100

 

[gorby]

Thanks guys--

and yeah, actually I was wrong about Apple Care-- you don't get any discounts from apple (it was .mac that I was thinking of). Leopard will be $10 up-to-date...


So yeah, wow, Amazon is like $250 cheaper, straight up.

I'm not really too fussed about having it same day... but ease of returning would definitely be a plus, especially if any of the 'screen complaints' issues pop up here. But it's not worth $250 though, I don't think.

 

[Mindflux]

Prepare to be swarmed by folks that tell you that you should be declaring out of state purchases on your state tax forms to 'pay' the state for them. I got the whole schtick yesterday because I ordered from Macmall to save not only 100 on the iMac, but 144 in tax as well.


FWIW there's Apple Care on eBay right now for 87 shipped, NIB. I paid 109 yesterday as this other item wasn't up.

 

[Hoo03]

Thanks guys--

and yeah, actually I was wrong about Apple Care-- you don't get any discounts from apple (it was .mac that I was thinking of). Leopard will be $10 up-to-date...


So yeah, wow, Amazon is like $250 cheaper, straight up.

I'm not really too fussed about having it same day... but ease of returning would definitely be a plus, especially if any of the 'screen complaints' issues pop up here. But it's not worth $250 though, I don't think.

Chances are your 24" is going to be fine. If not, you still have options to either send it back or try to get it fixed through Apple. Also, I agree with you that it's not worth $250.

Believe me, I went through all the options and cost scenario before I bought my iMac. Good luck on your search and I hope your first mac experience is all you hoped it to be!

 

[ucfgrad93]

Thanks guys--

and yeah, actually I was wrong about Apple Care-- you don't get any discounts from apple

I got a education discount on Apple Care when I ordered my new iMac. The discount was $50 off. In addition, I saved $100 on the iMac, and $15 on the upgrade to 2GB of RAM.

Not the best, but it helps.

 

[ntrigue]

FWIW there's Apple Care on eBay right now for 87 shipped, NIB. I paid 109 yesterday as this other item wasn't up.

How does the eBay situation work? Is there a legit seller? It just seems so SCAM driven.

 

[gorby]

I got a education discount on Apple Care when I ordered my new iMac. The discount was $50 off. In addition, I saved $100 on the iMac, and $15 on the upgrade to 2GB of RAM.

Not the best, but it helps.

yeah, i know apple does offer discount-- i was referring to Apple Care in that context


as mentioned, you can get .mac discounted with a mac purchase ($30), and then there's student discounts and such-- which were completely disappointing, I think ($100 off the 24" model)

 

[rjedoaks]

Leopard is 109.00 at Amazon

Is it cheaper any where else?

 

[Hallvalla]

I ordered a 24" 2.4 through Amazon last week...said it was in stock and would be shipped 'soon'.

Then I received an email from them a few days later saying they didn't have them in stock, but would be getting them in between Nov 21 and Dec 21 if I would like to wait.

Uh, no.

*cancel*

 

[Mindflux]

How does the eBay situation work? Is there a legit seller? It just seems so SCAM driven.

Uh buy it, activate the key with apple. If it doesn't work dispute it?
Not everything on eBay is a scam.

 

[Mundy]

I would have bought my 24" Aluminum iMac through Amazon (I've purchased an iMac Core Duo, two MacBook Core 2 Duos, and a MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo from them), but in this case, I needed to do some custom configuring. So I ordered directly from the Apple Store, and my iMac Core 2 Extreme left Shanghai this morning.

One great thing about Amazon is that their "mail-in rebate" doesn't really have to be mailed. You just go online and type in your order number. I've received my check in the mail within two or three weeks every time. It's the first company I've ever dealt with where the mail-in rebate didn't feel like an underhanded attempt to try to keep your money.

Amazon's return policy also makes them my first choice when purchasing a Mac. They're much better about taking stuff back than Apple.

So buy your iMac from Amazon and be happy.

 

[Twinkie]

Prepare to be swarmed by folks that tell you that you should be declaring out of state purchases on your state tax forms to 'pay' the state for them. I got the whole schtick yesterday because I ordered from Macmall to save not only 100 on the iMac, but 144 in tax as well.

I'm pretty sure you got the whole schtick yesterday after you went off the deep end because you thought MacMall's T&C was "fine print" and that they were somehow screwing you for an order you hadn't received yet. You then started asserting all sorts of nonsense, including the perception that evading sales tax somehow makes you exempt from paying it.

 

[ezpk69]

I ordered a 24" 2.4 through Amazon last week...said it was in stock and would be shipped 'soon'.

Then I received an email from them a few days later saying they didn't have them in stock, but would be getting them in between Nov 21 and Dec 21 if I would like to wait.

Uh, no.

*cancel*

Yep, it says 4-6 weeks now.

Just FYI, if you prefer the white iMac over the recently redesigned iMac, I think Amazon has it for $1499.

Don't know if this matters to you, but that's not actually Amazon, it's Small Dog selling through amazon.com. Not that Small Dog isn't reputable, but it'll be more for shipping, etc.

 

[killerrobot]

I just bought an 20" imac from amazon a few weeks ago and it's perfect.
It was over a hundred bucks cheaper than the student discount from Apple.
You can take it to an Apple store for any problems you have and they'll fix it.
I'm sure you'd have to return it to amazon if you weren't pleased with it, but maybe you could exchange it at an Apple store if needed.

 

[Mindflux]

I'm pretty sure you got the whole schtick yesterday after you went off the deep end because you thought MacMall's T&C was "fine print" and that they were somehow screwing you for an order you hadn't received yet. You then started asserting all sorts of nonsense, including the perception that evading sales tax somehow makes you exempt from paying it.

Please, show me where I said they were screwing me? I said *IF* I had a problem that could not be satisfactorily resolved with Apple I have *NO* recourse to return it, since macmall has an asinine policy. Please, please show me where I said they were 'somehow' screwing me.

I never said I was exempt from paying it, again show me where I said that. I said I saved sales tax. The difference between use tax and sales tax is 2% in this state.

Why don't you show me where you claim all of you out of state purchases on your tax return, and I'll fully believe that you are an upright and honest citizen day in and day out.

 

[gorby]

Yep, it says 4-6 weeks now.



Don't know if this matters to you, but that's not actually Amazon, it's Small Dog selling through amazon.com. Not that Small Dog isn't reputable, but it'll be more for shipping, etc.

It's $50 for shipping, I checked it out, so not bad. $1550 shipped...

 

[theanimala]

I bought my 24" from Amazon last week the morning Leopard was announced. I'm lucky in that I am a prime customer, so they always ship out the same day (if they say it's in stock), and it always ships 2 day shipping. I waited months for first the new iMac, and then for Leopard, so I couldn't wait any longer. Amazon let's prime members pay $3.99 extra to ship overnight, regardless of the size of the item. My cost breakdown was exactly the same as yours only I paid $4 more to get it next day. One week late, I am stoked. I love the iMac, but I find I need to learn a lot about OSX.

FYI, my company has a relationship with Apple that gives me a discount. This discount is greater then the EDU discount, but even that wasn't enough to cover no tax plus $100 rebate. I love Amazon, and would recommend them to anyone looking for a standard config iMac.

 

[Hallvalla]

I bought my 24" from Amazon last week the morning Leopard was announced. I'm lucky in that I am a prime customer, so they always ship out the same day (if they say it's in stock), and it always ships 2 day shipping.

Ooooohhh, so you're the ONE who just beat out my order.



Seriously though, I thought that was kinda' f'up by Amazon to leave me hanging for a few days thinking it was already shipped. But now I'm kinda' happy because I'm going with the 2.8 Extreme.

 

[powerbook911]

Actually returning to Amazon is easier than returning to Apple. Apple can be very fussy about things. Amazon will let you return for any reason pretty much.

 

[iViking]

I ordered a 24" 2.4 through Amazon last week...said it was in stock and would be shipped 'soon'.

Then I received an email from them a few days later saying they didn't have them in stock, but would be getting them in between Nov 21 and Dec 21 if I would like to wait.

Uh, no.

*cancel*

They have them in stock right now, if you still want one.

 

[Twinkie]

Please, show me where I said they were screwing me? I said *IF* I had a problem that could not be satisfactorily resolved with Apple I have *NO* recourse to return it, since macmall has an asinine policy. Please, please show me where I said they were 'somehow' screwing me.

You're doing it now... getting all bent out of shape over terms you agreed to when you placed your order.

I never said I was exempt from paying it, again show me where I said that. I said I saved sales tax. The difference between use tax and sales tax is 2% in this state.

Yet, you failed to calculate that when you were popping off about your savings. You just deducted the sales tax.

Why don't you show me where you claim all of you out of state purchases on your tax return, and I'll fully believe that you are an upright and honest citizen day in and day out.

You seriously think I'm going to scan my state tax return and post it online to satiate someone on the internet? Please.

 

[andorino]

Thanks for the heads up on this.

Just bought a 24" 2.4ghz, and it will be here Friday. This is cheaper than using the educational discount due to the tax thing.

And, next day shipping for $2, how can you beat that? No waiting game, I'll get to play with it over the weekend. =D

 

[j/k/Andy]

Just wanted to say I have purchased 2 iMac's from amazon(neither for myself) and both were perfect. Rebates were easy too, and sometimes they run a tie-in printer rebate with HP.

LA Computer Company has applecare for $105 all the time if you want to skip ebay.