I am ready to purchase a new Mid 2010 Mac Pro and am debating how to purchase it - either via Apple.com or walking in to my local Apple Store. It seems like there is so much more potential for damage via the various shippers that Apple.com uses versus how the Apple Stores must received theirs palletized via semi's. Doesn't appear that Apple.com double boxes and the world is free to see a Mac Pro is being shipped. I just always wonder how much shock those heavy boxes take via FedEx etc. Thoughts?
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New Mac Pro Shipped or Picked Up?
- Thread starter Chillviper
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Why not refurb?
I got a great deal on the 2010 2.8 quad.
In regards to shipping, I think its all the same. Plus the Mac Pros are boxed pretty securely.
-Kevin
I got a great deal on the 2010 2.8 quad.
In regards to shipping, I think its all the same. Plus the Mac Pros are boxed pretty securely.
-Kevin
Out of hundreds or perhaps thousands of packages I've got from UPS/FedEx/USPS, only one has been damaged. It was a 20" CRT where the glass cracked. The box itself had massive damage and you could hear glass shards moving around inside. I can't believe the UPS guy tried to get me to sign for it as if there was nothing wrong.
My track record for palletized shipping is much worse. 2 out of 3 freight shipments were essentially FAIL for me.
I had a 50" plasma TV shipped freight. Keep in mind these have a thin, heavy, glass screen. It was on a pallet with signs pointing up and warning to secure it to the truck wall. When the driver opened the back, it was flat on its face and clearly had been sliding around loose in the back of the truck.
I also had a motorcycle shipped on a pallet. Although the motorcycle was secured to the floor, many other packages were loose and had collided with the motorcycle.
You're going to have a return period and a warranty so I wouldn't worry about it. But if you are really that worried about it, just go buy it in a store.
My track record for palletized shipping is much worse. 2 out of 3 freight shipments were essentially FAIL for me.
I had a 50" plasma TV shipped freight. Keep in mind these have a thin, heavy, glass screen. It was on a pallet with signs pointing up and warning to secure it to the truck wall. When the driver opened the back, it was flat on its face and clearly had been sliding around loose in the back of the truck.
I also had a motorcycle shipped on a pallet. Although the motorcycle was secured to the floor, many other packages were loose and had collided with the motorcycle.
You're going to have a return period and a warranty so I wouldn't worry about it. But if you are really that worried about it, just go buy it in a store.
This is a key point. My local apple store did not sell the model I wanted (3.2 quad). So ordering online the was the only option. Your local store may be different . . . Other than that the only difference is wait and convenience - you have to wait to have one shipped, but, sometimes it is more convenient to have one shipped to your door. Do whatever makes you happy.
Thanks. All good points, indeed. I just got a bit worried looking at some of the unboxing photos and videos where the boxes looked pretty dirty and the corners dented.
I saw the deal on that refurb 2.8. My iMac and MBP are refurbs, so I totally believe in going that path. They are probably better than new as they have had everything tested more than once.
I saw the deal on that refurb 2.8. My iMac and MBP are refurbs, so I totally believe in going that path. They are probably better than new as they have had everything tested more than once.
If you go refurb, maybe you'll get lucky like mine....I got the 5870 in the machine
I got nothing special with my refurb. And boy am I tired of reading about your 5870!
I got nothing special with my refurb. And boy am I tired of reading about your 5870!
Noted.
-Kevin
Are you sure? Have you ever seen the back of an Apple store? Are you sure there aren't spawning pools back there?
Are you sure? Have you ever seen the back of an Apple store? Are you sure there aren't spawning pools back there?
They usually reserve them for high volume items like iPods and iPhones.
It wasn't damaged but the box looked like it survived a war. It would be nice if Apple had it in another plain box. If you have a choice I would pick it up at the Apple Store. All that being said, definitely get your MP with the config you want or need. Consider it a bonus that you're able to pick it up at the Apple Store.
Haha, that's a good point. Although, I doubt the boxes in the store are as dirty as the one that shipped to my house. I had no problems with shipping, though. I'm fine with a dirty box and everything was in perfect shape.
Little did I know how amusing this thread would turn out to be
I'm upgrading from a 2.6 MBP and a 2.16 iMac, so I think the Quad 2.8 with the stock vc should be more than enough. I can always upgrade to the 5870 if needed.
I guess it depends on the product, but Id be shocked if they didn't receive at least some of their stock palletized like from Gator, R&L etc. Although, even the most cared for product can be a problem child, even if it didn't bounce out of a UPS truck onto the street
The corporate discount also helps offset not getting a refurb, close but refurb is a slightly better deal.
I'm upgrading from a 2.6 MBP and a 2.16 iMac, so I think the Quad 2.8 with the stock vc should be more than enough. I can always upgrade to the 5870 if needed.
I guess it depends on the product, but Id be shocked if they didn't receive at least some of their stock palletized like from Gator, R&L etc. Although, even the most cared for product can be a problem child, even if it didn't bounce out of a UPS truck onto the street
The corporate discount also helps offset not getting a refurb, close but refurb is a slightly better deal.
I bought my Mac Pro in the new Covent Garden Apple Store in London, thinking that I could probably make it on a bus. When I realised how huge the thing is inside its box, I let them call me a cab and they wheeled the thing out for me with two members of staff for about 200m to the taxi. That was service.
Awesome was when I went into the store where I was greeted by 4 sales staff: I told one of them that I would like to buy a Quad 2.8 MP and they went "so which Macbook Pro do you want?"... It was almost as they didn't believe that I was to pick a Mac Pro
Awesome was when I went into the store where I was greeted by 4 sales staff: I told one of them that I would like to buy a Quad 2.8 MP and they went "so which Macbook Pro do you want?"... It was almost as they didn't believe that I was to pick a Mac Pro
I bought my Mac Pro in the new Covent Garden Apple Store in London, thinking that I could probably make it on a bus. When I realised how huge the thing is inside its box, I let them call me a cab and they wheeled the thing out for me with two members of staff for about 200m to the taxi. That was service.
Awesome was when I went into the store where I was greeted by 4 sales staff: I told one of them that I would like to buy a Quad 2.8 MP and they went "so which Macbook Pro do you want?"... It was almost as they didn't believe that I was to pick a Mac Pro
Pretty well the same reaction happened to me when I went to pick up my Mac Pro at the retail store. It was funny looking at staff in amazement and the rest of the customers. I also say pick it up at the store, my box was clean as a whistle so I can tell it wasnt dragged or thrown around.