Should I return my unopened i7 bought online and buy from Local Apple Retail Store

[ravinder08]

Went to local Apple Store at the weekend, the "GENIUS" informed me that the store didn't stock the i7 model and was only available on-line!
Feeling a bit disappointed I went home and ordered the iMac on-line on Tuesday. The Imac arrived yesterday, I have since found out that my local store actually does have them in stock! I am too worried to open the box in case I've got a bad machine IE yellow screen noisy HD etc and am thinking of returning it for a refund (no restock fee for refund) and buying from the store so I can check for probs.

Would it be wiser to buy in store so I can check every thing before leaving with it or should i just keep the unopened machine and set it up to see if it is ok?

All these quality problems for a 2K machine are not good.

What would you do in my position?

PS This will be my first ever Mac, so wanna make sure I hav a good experience first time round.


Thanks

Rav

 

[shiseido]

I just received mine today from online and everything was working fine...however, if you are worried...would it be possible to just unbox it at the store?

 

[lyrrad721]

People here are getting paranoid about these iMacs.....don't let the negative feedbacks consume you, enjoy your purchase. Maybe by returning it and getting one at the store you'll get a faulty one. Another thing, just because they cost $2,000+ doesn't mean that they HAVE to be perfect in every single aspect. I have never seen such an absurd level of OCD over a product in a forum. Again, open that box, enjoy it, what are you waiting for!!??

 

[ravinder08]

I just received mine today from online and everything was working fine...however, if you are worried...would it be possible to just unbox it at the store?

Congrats shiseido, glad to here you've got a good machine. I am really worried as I'd rather not have the stress of having to go through the exchange / swap merry-go-round.

Not sure if the Apple store will let me unbox it there if bought from apple online?

Rav

 

[ravinder08]

People here are getting paranoid about these iMacs.....don't let the negative feedbacks consume you, enjoy your purchase. Maybe by returning it and getting one at the store you'll get a faulty one. Another thing, just because they cost $2,000+ doesn't mean that they HAVE to be perfect in every single aspect. I have never seen such an absurd level of OCD over a product in a forum. Again, open that box, enjoy it, what are you waiting for!!??

Are you sure?

Rav

 

[lyrrad721]

Are you sure?

Rav

Yes.

 

[ravinder08]

Yes.

Ok guess it can't hurt if the machine's good then I'm laughing if not suppose I can just get a refund or replacement.

I think your right unless it's a noticeable problem it should be ok to live with.

Thanks

Rav

 

[lyrrad721]

^Exactly. I was getting paranoid too at first when joining this forum because I was going to buy my first iMac too. As many other members have pointed out, most of the them are in near perfect conditions and people complaining here are just the minority. If it has a problem that is obvious and you can't work your way around it, then return it. Complaining about the slightest buzzing, noises from its hard drive, that is incredible for me. It is true that some consumers have experienced very loud noises and I have read extreme stories about hairs/animals under the screen, etc. Don't let these negative inputs affect your peace of mind, if something goes wrong you can always return it.

Edit: Did you buy AppleCare for your iMac?

 

[MacRodster]

Whether you open it or not, there's a chance you'll be returning it...So just open the one you have already. If you're not happy, then just return it.

Who knows, it might be perfect just like mine

 

[Northgrove]

This would be taking this scare much too far.

Open it, unless you want to take an unnecessary trip with an iMac that could work better than one from a local store.

You don't exactly void any rights to return a machine if you open the package...

 

[byron_hinson]

Open it. If it is faulty send it back for a refund and get the i7 from the store like we ended up doing

 

[Giuly]

I don't really understand your problem. You want to ship it back to Apple, because you don't want to open the box and ship it back to Apple in case something is wrong? What a problem is that supposed to be? You don't even have to ship it back in case something is wrong with it, you can bring it to the Apple Store just like you would do with an iMac you bought there. You have one year of AppleCare, in case you didn't noticed.

The yellow screen problem seems fixed as far as I can see, btw. Or if it's yellow, which is not likely to happen, all you do is recalibrate the screen under System Preferences->Monitor->Colors->Calibrate.

I couldn't even stand to have a boxed iMac standing around and not open it…

 

[CountlovE]

People here are getting paranoid about these iMacs.....don't let the negative feedbacks consume you, enjoy your purchase. Maybe by returning it and getting one at the store you'll get a faulty one. Another thing, just because they cost $2,000+ doesn't mean that they HAVE to be perfect in every single aspect. I have never seen such an absurd level of OCD over a product in a forum. Again, open that box, enjoy it, what are you waiting for!!??

Hah... I was reading in this forum too.. I saw all the complaints and thought nah, my iMac will be perfect. This can't happen to me.

Well it Did happen to me. Twice!!! If you are going to buy an iMac, make sure you get it from Apple directly. And get Apple Care too. The biggest flaw in the new Designs are the Screens. If Apple makes it BTO, or if something goes wrong with your iMac and they have to take the screen off, you can just say good bye to a nice screen, and say hello to screen glow from the screen being warped.



Apple is in the process of giving me a full refund on my purchase because they had no ways of fixing the screen glow on a BTO Mac. I am sure there are Stock iMacs with a perfect screen, but if you ever decide to add to an exist Stock 27inch, you will be in some hurt when they take the screen off for anything..

 

[kazmac]

Keep the online one

I think your i7 should be fine. Many have ordered BTO 27" iMacs and have reported good news

I got a dud 21.5" late 2009 iMac back in March and have been through 2 refurbs since (one died within 3 months).

But there is a happy ending: The stock 21.5" 3.0Ghz, 500gb HD iMac I bought online this week is completely perfect.

This is the computer I've expected and loved from Apple. After having 1 new dud, yes I got very paranoid (even tried other Macs that aren't for me) but it was worth going with the stock model online.

I agree with the other posters, OP keep your iMac unless there are problems.

 

[newdeal]

...

Went to local Apple Store at the weekend, the "GENIUS" informed me that the store didn't stock the i7 model and was only available on-line!
Feeling a bit disappointed I went home and ordered the iMac on-line on Tuesday. The Imac arrived yesterday, I have since found out that my local store actually does have them in stock! I am too worried to open the box in case I've got a bad machine IE yellow screen noisy HD etc and am thinking of returning it for a refund (no restock fee for refund) and buying from the store so I can check for probs.

Would it be wiser to buy in store so I can check every thing before leaving with it or should i just keep the unopened machine and set it up to see if it is ok?

All these quality problems for a 2K machine are not good.

What would you do in my position?

PS This will be my first ever Mac, so wanna make sure I hav a good experience first time round.


Thanks

Rav

People on here are blowing things out of proportion. I got a 21.5" yesterday, the screen may be a bit yellow in areas but you don't notice it at all unless you are staring at it during the white apple screen. After colour comes on them display it's gone. If you want a perfect monitor you need to buy a Mac pro and a top of the line monitor, not an all in one

 

[Spike88]

There is a chance that your recently received iMac could be damaged (internal damage from shipping) or defective (from factory). Thus, it needs to be replaced (exchanged). This risk does exist.

If it were me, I would "open the box" in a way to allow me to re-pack it. re: Undo its tape instead of ripping its sides, cut the plastic bags instead of over stretching them (to tear them open), etc. etc. Open everything really slowly and remember its opening order - as if knowing it will need to be repackaged.

If the machine is perfect, then great. Keep the boxes in your closet - just in case. If the system must be returned, then call Online Apple Supprot for next steps. And, be prepared to re-pack it. Hopefully Online support will allow you to return / exchange at your local Apple retail store. Sometimes, they allow local returns. And, they even call your local Apple Retail Store - to give them direct exchange approval.

If wondering, my iMac 21.5 3.2 ghz "is a keeper" first try. When I received my iMac box, I was worried as well. But, "postiive luck" came my way.

Hopefully, "postiive luck" goes your way as well...

.

 

[Giuly]

There is a chance that your recently received iMac could be damaged (internal damage from shipping) or defective (from factory). Thus, it needs to be replaced (exchanged). This risk does exist.

If it were me, I would "open the box" in a way to allow me to re-pack it. re: Undo its tape instead of ripping its sides, cut the plastic bags instead of over stretching them (to tear them open), etc. etc. Open everything really slowly and remember its opening order - as if knowing it will need to be repackaged.

If the machine is perfect, then great. Keep the boxes in your closet - just in case. If the system must be returned, then call Online Apple Supprot for next steps. And, be prepared to re-pack it. Hopefully Online support will allow you to return / exchange at your local Apple retail store. Sometimes, they allow local returns. And, they even call your local Apple Retail Store - to give them direct exchange approval.

If wondering, my iMac 21.5 3.2 ghz "is a keeper" first try. When I received my iMac box, I was worried as well. But, "postiive luck" came my way. Hopefully, "postiive luck" goes your way as well...

.

= You bought a computer with the estimation that it will be DOA? That's a way of doing it, too. I generally assume that my stuff arrives in perfect working condition, which until now always happened, except for a 20GB WD hard drive, which I RMA'd and received a recertified 40GB one - which still works today, after 6 years.

 

[alent1234]

so you spent almost $2000 on a computer and you're afraid to open the box after it arrived?

 

[Spike88]

Hi Giuly.

Yes. I buy anything (like vehicles, DVD/CD Players, LCD TVs, ladders, shop tools, etc.) under the assumption they "can break" within their warranty time period. No. I'm not a negitive person. Just a realist. If that item breaks (like our new sterio that broke on day 11), I have all packaging in my closet. I simply re-pack and take back to the retail store (and exercise my product exchange rights). And if that items breaks within 1 year, I re-pack and send back to its factory - like our recent CO Detector that blew on its 11 month. Being a 12 month warranty device, it got shipped back to the factory (for free replacement) in its original packaging as well.

If one assumes that item will need to be re-packaged (from a "reality" - not from a negative thinking perspective), they open the box in a non-destructive manner. And, if needed, can use the item's original packaging later on. Works for me....

.

 

[HLdan]

Hi Giuly.

Yes. I buy anything (like vehicles, DVD/CD Players, LCD TVs, ladders, shop tools, etc.) under the assumption they "can break" within their warranty time period. No. I'm not a negitive person. Just a realist.

.

You're not understanding the situation. Buying something with the assumption that they CAN break is not the same as buying something already thinking it's broken before opening it. That in itself makes the person paranoid and they need to chill out. Yes, in this case I'm referring to the OP. Everything I buy new (regardless of how much I spend on it) I assume that it's in perfect condition since it's new, as it should be. I'm usually excited about opening something brand new, I'm not sitting there staring at the box wondering if it's broken, ridiculous!

Also the OP already has received the iMac so he's still going to have to go through the return process if he's going to send it back to Apple without even looking at it so he might as well open it. What a shame that people allow MacRumors to scare them, just shameful. I didn't know MR had THAT much power over other human beings.

 

[Spike88]

You're not understanding the situation. Buying something with the assumption that they CAN break is not the same as buying something already thinking it's broken before opening it. That in itself makes the person paranoid and they need to chill out. Yes, in this case I'm referring to the OP. Everything I buy new (regardless of how much I spend on it) I assume that it's in perfect condition since it's new, as it should be. I'm usually excited about opening something brand new, I'm not sitting there staring at the box wondering if it's broken, ridiculous!

Also the OP already has received the iMac so he's still going to have to go through the return process if he's going to send it back to Apple without even looking at it so he might as well open it. What a shame that people allow MacRumors to scare them, just shameful. I didn't know MR had THAT much power over other human beings.

Are we chatting about "word definations"?

To me, anything has a risk of breaking within its warranty time period. Anything. Even CO Detectors and coffee pots. Thus, I open its box to allow me to return it "if I need to". If I need to return it, I have its original box and it can be re-packaged very easily. To me, it's not about "assuming the box will NOT work" on day 1. Or, assuming box is always 100% perfect on day 1. When I open a box, I simply simply keep the box in great shape. If someone thinks the item inside the box is 100% broken or 100% working "even before they open the box up", then they lack experience. Life experience taught me many times over there's a risk of any item being bad. Even opening a bag of chips from a vending machine could be bad (re: have bad insides - that isn't seen from the outside). It's not about being paranoid about the item. It's simply a "fact of life" - with anything one buys.....

Long post short... To OP: Open the box in a method that allows you to keep the box in a re-useable condition. If you need the box again, you have it. Destroy the box (like many kids do when opening a toy on Christmas morning) then great. You can do that too. But if you need that box again (for return within its 1 year warranty or 2 more years with AppleCare), the original box won't be usable. It isn't about emotions BEFORE opening that box. It's about keeping the box - from life experiences with any product I buy... Works for me....

.

 

[Corndog5595]

Are you sure?

Rav

We see your username right next to every post you make, no need to sign them...

 

[HLdan]

Are we chatting about "word definations"?

To me, anything has a risk of breaking within its warranty time period. Anything. Even CO Detectors and coffee pots. Thus, I open its box to allow me to return it "if I need to". If I need to return it, I have its original box and it can be re-packaged very easily. To me, it's not about "assuming the box will NOT work" on day 1. Or, assuming box is always 100% perfect on day 1. When I open a box, I simply simply keep the box in great shape. If someone thinks the item inside the box is 100% broken or 100% working "even before they open the box up", then they lack experience. Life experience taught me many times over there's a risk of any item being bad. Even opening a bag of chips from a vending machine could be bad (re: have bad insides - that isn't seen from the outside). It's not about being paranoid about the item. It's simply a "fact of life" - with anything one buys.....

Long post short... To OP: Open the box in a method that allows you to keep the box in a re-useable condition. If you need the box again, you have it. Destroy the box (like many kids do when opening a toy on Christmas morning) then great. You can do that too. But if you need that box again (for return within its 1 year warranty or 2 more years with AppleCare), the original box won't be usable. It isn't about emotions BEFORE opening that box. It's about keeping the box - from life experiences with any product I buy... Works for me....

.

I don't know why you replied to me honestly, other than what I highlighted, the rest of it has nothing to do with anything I wrote. I wasn't talking about keeping boxes for future repacking and such...what was that all about?
Bottom line, it's nothing but paranoia to buy something brand new and automatically expect it to be bad or sour whether we are talking about electronics or anything else. You wanna live your life negative, fine by me. Living life with a negative attitude is not the same as being realist. With your way of thinking we might as well expect CD's to be scratched before opening them, food to be spoiled, cars to break down 5 minutes after we drive them off the lot, clothes to rip after we buy them. Yes, some things will break during the warranty period, but here's a thought, don't focus on the negative and your products just might last you until your sick of them and want to buy something new.

 

[Spike88]

"You wanna live your life negative, fine by me." WOW!!! This one surprised me... I'm not negative at all. Actually, I think you are a very bad judgement in character. You are confusing "one's experiences in life with that person being negative".

I'm just a realist who knows "things can go bad and within 3 years and things can accidently fail as well". Its a simple FACT OF LIFE. When your under warraty items break and "can" be returned, how do you ship them back? Where's your packing boxes - for easy return / exchange shipments? I'm not being negative at all. Just being realist - who knows things (any product in life") breaks. And yes, my "perfect" iMac 21.5" can blow its HD within 3 years and it all "needs to be shippe back as well". It's the reality I accept in any product. Hope it doesn't happen but at the same time, realize that it can. Just like our brand new coffee pot can blow as well...
.

 

[Chubby Davis]

Haven't turn my I-7 on yet have been sleeping in the box it came with....