Is MacMall a safe bet (Mac Pro)

[blakespot]

I'm about to get a Mac Pro and would not mind avoiding $400 or so in tax that Apple will charge me, also nice is the $200 rebate on a Mac Pro at Mac Mall.

I've heard mixed things about Mac Mall. Some say they swap out components for cheaper ones in Apple configs. I'd be getting a base config of a Mac Pro. Wonderring if it's likely to be as it was when it left Apple.

Thanks.



blakespot

 

[ITASOR]

I've had nothing but GOOD experiences with Mac Mall. We ordered out 2.3Ghz Dual G5 from Mac Mall and all the components are Apple's. I would say that if for some reason they did replace something, you could call them out on it (most people probably never check) and they would be in trouble.

itasor

 

[baleensavage]

I am the sysadmin for a small paper and do all the ordering of computers and stuff. I have had no problems at all with MacMall, MacZone or MacConnection. i don't order from ClubMac because we had some problems with them a few years back.

With that said, I usually order all our computers directly from Apple. When all is said and done it usually evens out to roughly the same cost (give or take $100) with less hassle. Apple never charges shipping on computers, so that is up to $50 saved there. Plus all those deals you see on MacMall and the like are rebates which are the devil. Trust me, I have had to fill out dozens of them. If you don't mind rebates, then by all means go for it. Also remember that even though they say free ram they charge you an installation fee and the ram installed is probably generic. The one nice special that MacMall is offering now is to install Windoze on the Intel Macs. As far as I know they are the only ones doing that, the others are giving away parallels. If you want boot camp, that may be the easiest way to go.

 

[Doctor Q]

Hi blakespot!

I've made many purchases from MacMall, as a mail-order customer, as a business customer through their corporate sales department, and at their retail store in Santa Monica, California. I've had 99% good experiences with them.

The one exception was when a salesman told me I should add some "100% rebate" items to my order ("why not, they're free") and then it turned out two rebates were from the same company and they limited it to "one to a customer".

I sometimes wonder if I was just lucky to have had no major problems, after reading complaints here about their service.

I've never heard that they do partswapping. I'd be very surprised if they did something so blatant with new Macs, since they are a major Apple retailer and have a lot at risk if they do anything underhanded.

See also this thread from the other day about MacMall.

 

[Caitlyn]

I bought my iPod 5G from there as well as some computer accessories. Id say they are reputable. They also have great sales from time to time, such as the one you are describing now.

 

[swingline]

Are there any other reputable apple retsellers outside of CA?