Does it matter where you buy an iPad?

I bought mine at a best buy - the closest apple store was over an hour away. My little $10 rewards points wasn't a huge selling point but did help when i bought the camera connection kit. I will say, when the port on my iPad messed up, I just took it back to best buy, it was within 90 days, they were going to send it in but then the computer told them to exchange it and I walked out with a brand new iPad fresh in the box. Had I taken it into an apple store all I would have gotten was a refurb. So as much as Best Buy annoys me, my experience with my iPad was a pleasant one.

Best Buy also has warranties you can buy that may/may not be better than Apple Care (have to read through the fine print and see how it shakes out for you).

I think my only negative thing for Best Buy was when I bought it I also got a screen protector, so after dropping $550+ they were still going to charge me $15 to install said screen protector. Didn't impress me but that was the only downside.

Many retailers have far more generous return policies than an APple store, although I would consider that $50 gift card....well it's only worth $50 is you have something to spend it on. So bear that in mind. (although it could get you a decent case 'for free')

Apple has cookies?

I bought my iPad 3 at Best Buy and was able to purchase AppleCare+ through Apple. It makes absolutely no difference where you buy the iPad - as long as you buy from an authorized reseller. The warranty is honored by Apple no matter where you bought it and you can take it to a Genius Bar if the device needs to be replaced. You should arrange that in advance with an Apple Store.

I used Best Buy because its closer than any Apple Store for me and I get the rewards points toward future purchases. Some stores - including Best Buy - offer their own additional warranty/insurance policies as well.

My local Target told me that I can certainly return an electronic item, but there would be a 15% restocking fee if it was opened. So I won't buy any cameras, iPads/Pods nor anything else they sell in that department.

I would not buy from Bestbuy, Walmart, etc. if you are a first time buyer because the do not offer the same buying experience as the Apple store. The apple store will set up your new gear, give you lessons on how to use it, and give you support at every level. Plus all the congratulations from the employees and the Apple cookies are an added bonus.

I have a similar question. I can save a lot by buying my MacBook Air online from a dealer in New York. It's about a $200 savings. The only thing I'm not sure about is how to set it up. Can I take my new MacBook Air to an Apple store for that service? Any pitfalls to look for if I go this route>

magnus500500 wrote:

If you buy outside of the apple store, can you still go to the genius bar.

If the iPad needs replacing, will the genius bar exchange, or do you have to go back to the original store?

Some stores have a more generous return policy than Apple, but some are more restrictive.

You can still go to the genius bar.

Make a Genius Bar Reservation

http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/

Depending on the problem, you should probably go back to the original store first, but your warranty is always covered by Apple.

 Cheers, Tom 😉

Remember that the warranty starts with date of original sale. If the on-line

NY dealer is not authorized retailer, the warranty started when the dealer

purchased the MBA or earlier.

Apple will assist in setup. Make a Genius Bar Appointment to avoid delay

at the store.

Make a Genius Bar Reservation

http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/

Some have reported issues dealing with Target for returns.

I would use BestBuy if not Apple because a BestBuy associate said they even take back iPods that a person bought to use on vacation and then returned as "do not want".

Plus all the congratulations from the employees and the Apple cookies are an added bonus

.

I've never gotten any congratulations from any employee at either of two Apple stores despite the fact that I've purchased iMacs, Macbooks, MBP's, and an iPad. The closest thing was a "enjoy your new .....". To me, that is fine (I don't need hype) - but I can get the same polite and canned "sales employee of the month" response in most stores. In fact, I got that yesterday buying a new Microwave oven at Target. So, if I can save money on my purchase elsewhere, I certainly will (as long as their terms are acceptable to me). And I've also never seen a cookie, nor would I want to in a store selling sensitive electronic equipment/computers - it wouldn't be advisable to have cookie crumbs dropped all over keyboards, chocolate fingers swiping across an iPad, etc.

babowa wrote:

And I've also never seen a cookie, nor would I want to in a store selling sensitive electronic equipment/computers - it wouldn't be advisable to have cookie crumbs dropped all over keyboards, chocolate fingers swiping across an iPad, etc.

You need to go to the higher-end Apple stores. The one near me offered wine and cheese when the iPad first came out.

Mine are higher end (for this area) - but then I never, ever go near a store until at least a month or longer after a product is introduced. As I said: I don't need nor appreciate hype in any store. If I want a product, I'll research it on my own; if I want it sooner, I'll order it from Apple online or buy it at another store. I waited to buy an iPad 3 until the hype had settled down (3 months) and one could actually get good customer service at my favorite authorized reseller. (I don't watch advertising on TV either, nor do I respond to anyone's selling pitch - in fact, I walked away from a car dealer when he wouldn't stop and I pay extra every month for a non-published number just so I don't get telemarketing calls).

Glad to hear you enjoy this type of thing...

babowa wrote:

Mine are higher end (for this area) - but then I never, ever go near a store until at least a month or longer after a product is introduced. As I said: I don't need nor appreciate hype in any store. If I want a product, I'll research it on my own; if I want it sooner, I'll order it from Apple online or buy it at another store. I waited to buy an iPad 3 until the hype had settled down (3 months) and one could actually get good customer service at my favorite authorized reseller. (I don't watch advertising on TV either, nor do I respond to anyone's selling pitch - in fact, I walked away from a car dealer when he wouldn't stop and I pay extra every month for a non-published number just so I don't get telemarketing calls).

Glad to hear you enjoy this type of thing...

Depends on what kind of experience you want. Like you, I don't really care about the hype, but to others it matters. Some like the full treatment, if ya know what i mean.......

For special events, such as iPad releases, they will provide bottles of water and have someplace like a cookie place in the food court of the mall go down the line and hand out product.

They have not yet branched out into producing a line of snack products.

Johnathan Burger wrote:

They have not yet branched out into producing a line of snack products.

They tried out an "Intel chip" cookie, but the dental claims made a second run of that impractical.