MAcbook pro in UK

[londonguy]

Does any one know if it is available for sale or demo in any of the UK stores yet??

I keep calling Regents street but they keep saying that they will have it next week. They keep saying this week on week, thus i am getting a bit pissed off.

 

[londonguy]

Or has anyone in the UK recieved there Macbook pro?? If so what do you think of it?

Is it worth buying it from an apple retail store like Regnts Street or from the online store, is there any real benefit from buying it from the retail store?

 

[captainbeefheat]

I'd order online I don't see any benefit from buying from a retail store, it's not as if you are even browsing you know what you want. Not sure if it is cheaper or not, things usually are bags cheaper online not sure if it's the same for apple. More secure too!

 

[dcv]

Is it worth buying it from an apple retail store like Regnts Street or from the online store, is there any real benefit from buying it from the retail store?

The advantage to buying at Regent Street is that you can get a full refund (within 14 days) in case you need to return it.

If you buy online I think you have to pay some sort of charge if you need to return an item. However you can get 5% cashback if you have an Egg Money card (applies to online store only) and there are quite often email vouchers from Apple so you can save a few pounds e.g. £23 off an order over £235. (not exactly much compared to the price of a MacBook Pro, but the Egg cashback is nice)

You can only buy a 'stock' item from Regent Street; if you want any built-to-order options then you need to order online.

 

[londonguy]

Thanks for the replies.

dietcokevanilla, i visited the store in Brent Cross today and asked them the same question and was told that they don't really accept returns. But they could make an exception if the item was bought back to them in perfect condition so that they could sell it on. I find the fact that they would sell a used laptop as new as worrying.

Is the 14 refund a definite apple policy in the UK? Also does that mean if i buy the mac and find that i want to stick with windows within 14 days that they would take the item back and give me a full refund or do i have to have a more solid reason for returning?

I thought that in the UK consumers had a cooling off period but i am not sure.

 

[TMA]

Resellers are often another good option, because as well as being able to go for them for help and support you can also fully depend on Apple Stores as well. Resellers will more than likely be more kean to do you a good deal versus buying from the internet or an Apple Store.

If buying Online you gain the advantage of having extra distance selling regulations which can be useful. Basically, because you've not had a chance to inspect the goods first, you can return them for a full refund or exchange if they're not what you expected.

I'm not sure exactly what Apple's retail store policies are, but normally to qualify for a 14 day refund in most retail stores the product must either be totally unused (still sealed) or be faulty.

 

[londonguy]

Are there any resellers in the UK? Sorry about the ignorant questions but i am switching from windows to macs and so am new to this platform and the distrubution methods.

 

[TMA]

Quite a few, some tucked away and some chains.

I actually work for one, www.krcs.co.uk with stores in Hull, Peterborough, Leicester, Nottingham and Leeds. http://apple.via.infonow.net/locator/jsp/index.jsp?LOC=en_GB is a good place to start to find your nearest authorised reseller.

 

[Mr Skills]

Are there any resellers in the UK? Sorry about the ignorant questions but i am switching from windows to macs and so am new to this platform and the distrubution methods.

I highly recommend buying from John Lewis in the UK as they give you a 2 year free warranty and in the past they've replaced/repaired stuff for me no questions asked. The next best thing to AppleCare and you don't have to pay (in fact, I think you can upgrade to 5 years cheaper than AppleCare's 3 years). I think it even includes telephone support.

The downside? They don't do build-to-order. But at least RAM you can upgrade yourself (I recommend crucial.com - fairly cheap and absolutely reliable).

 

[thomasp]

You can only buy a 'stock' item from Regent Street; if you want any built-to-order options then you need to order online.

Stupid question (probably), but will the Apple Stores (Bluewater, Regent Street, Brent Cross, etc) add extra RAM in an MBP in-store?

 

[londonguy]

Yes the apple retail store willl upgrade the ram in store as long you purchase the RAM from them, but they cannot change the hard drive or any other bits.

I know for a fact that Brent Cross and Regent Street will do this.

 

[captainbeefheat]

Legally in the UK it's a seven day cooling off period from the point you get the goods. A refund must be given within thirty days. Obviously there are exceptions like if you damage it! Also there are special circumstances for custom built goods. If you are not supplied with any information about a cooling off period then the cooling off period is extended. But it seems apple states a 14 day one which is quite good.

One other thing to note which doesn't apply to apple is, but many stores will tell you after thirty days if you take back faulty goods that you have to get in touch with the manufacture, which is complete rubbish the contract you make is with the store NOT the manufacture so it is there responsibility. They are aloud to pass that responsibility to a manufacture however it is your choice as to weather you except that change not theres. It annoys me greatly when I have taken stuff back and I am told the contract is not with them...they sold it so it is!

 

[Vanilla]

Thanks for the replies.

dietcokevanilla, i visited the store in Brent Cross today and asked them the same question and was told that they don't really accept returns. But they could make an exception if the item was bought back to them in perfect condition so that they could sell it on. I find the fact that they would sell a used laptop as new as worrying.

Is the 14 refund a definite apple policy in the UK? Also does that mean if i buy the mac and find that i want to stick with windows within 14 days that they would take the item back and give me a full refund or do i have to have a more solid reason for returning?

I thought that in the UK consumers had a cooling off period but i am not sure.

Just as an FYI I bought a 17" iMac from Apple Regent Street, changed my mind(fans were a little noisy and decided I wanted a bigger screen) and swapped it for a 20" within the first week with absolutely no problem at all. The staff were great.

Vanilla

 

[cwedl]

I agree with Mr Skills, buying in John Lewis is a good idea, the staff however don't know what they are talking about though, In southampton I was listening to what the staff were saying to the customers, i.e. I can't seem to install iPhoto etc from the Tiger install disks I bought in here. The staff said they will be there just explore the disk. and other stuff like that.

Micro Akita on in london are very good, Well in my experience the one in the basement at selfridges are the best, they seem to know a lot about Macs and are not as busy!

PC World as well, DON'T BUY coverplan! Believe me I used to work at currys and then PC World! It is Cr@p! buy Applecare for your new Laptop direct from apple if you want to extend the warranty.

Harrods in knightsbridge - Again they seem okay, they don't seem to keep that up to date though, back in July they still had panther running on their machines!

If i were you, Buy from an Apple store! I know I will for my next Mac!

 

[FireArse]

John Lewis

The downside? They don't do build-to-order. But at least RAM you can upgrade yourself (I recommend crucial.com - fairly cheap and absolutely reliable).

Errr - I haven't found this information to be accurate. While I was shopping for my Mac, I noted the 2yr warranty with John Lewis and thought long and hard about it vs. Student discount + Applecare.

Anyway, the helpful staff said i could place an order and change the config (i wanted more HDD space) and it'd be treated as a normal purchase by Johnn Lewis. If you don't have Student Discount - they are the best bet to buy Apple goods from in my opinion.

FireArse

 

[Fireburst]

Didn't John Lewis get an award recently for being the best Apple reseller of the year? I am sure I read that somewhere.