MBP from Retail or Online Store - Advantage to either?

[Cryptography]

About to purchase a MBP. Just wanted to know from people with experience if there is an advantage to buying it at the Retail store vs the online store. I don't plan to get a CTO. Thanks for any feedback.

 

[yoda13]

I would suppose that it is easier to return it to the brick and mortar store if needed.

 

[ucscc10]

i would say retail. if you do that, you can take the computer outside and check it 5 minutes after buying for dead pixels or any other easily spotted problems.

 

[Abulia]

Retail, most likely.

As an aside, does anyone know if the retail stores honor the education discounts or is that an Online Store only?

 

[Cryptography]

Thanks for the input so far. To answer your question though....yes, you can use the education discount at Retail for hardware. You must use the online store for software though. Hope that helps.

 

[iShane]

I don't know if theres a better way, but I always prefer to buy it retail. I think that its more fun.

 

[carfac]

I like to buy from Brick and mortars, too. Where do you normally shop? Who has the best sales staff to help you? Reward them with your sale. Just make sure it's anywhere except the Apple Stores. Apple Stores customer service (as documented on this site and elsewhere) is so abysmal it's hard to believe it's the same company that makes Macs.

 

[velocityg4]

Retail, most likely.

As an aside, does anyone know if the retail stores honor the education discounts or is that an Online Store only?

Only at the Applestore or college stores. Regular retail like CompUSA do not give educational discounts.

I'd say buy from CompUSA. Many of their stores have a representative from Apple to answer questions and typically there are one or two Apple fanatics working their.

 

[AlBDamned]

Another vote here for buying at the retail store.

 

[count chocula]

Apple Stores customer service (as documented on this site and elsewhere) is so abysmal it's hard to believe it's the same company that makes Macs.

i've had great experience with apple store customer service. they let me exchange something that was opened when the reciept said they wouldnt, no problem.

 

[Cryptography]

I do like the idea of being able to carry it back to a store if it has any problems. If you buy it online from Apple, can you return it at any Apple retail store or do you have to send it back? If I have to send it back, that would be a deal breaker with me buying online for sure. Thanks again.

 

[AlBDamned]

I do like the idea of being able to carry it back to a store if it has any problems. If you buy it online from Apple, can you return it at any Apple retail store or do you have to send it back? If I have to send it back, that would be a deal breaker with me buying online for sure. Thanks again.

Perhaps they'd be more inclined to take it back or help you out if you bought it at the store. It really depends on the situation/problem. 9/10 a broken Mac needs to be sent off somewhere, even if you take it to the store. It's just at the store, you stand more chance of getting a replacement there and then (if you bought it there of course) and, you're dealing face to face with a person, not someone on the phone.