i saw a refurbished $1299 unit on Apples website for $899
But i would prefer to pick it up myself rather than have a UPS or Federal Express driver do an Ace Ventura on it while in transit
Stores do not stock refurbished products. But, as mentioned above, they may be able to order one for you. Best bet is to call and ask.
Just for the record, I've ordered a refurbed iBook G4 and an iPod Nano and both arrived in perfect like-new condition without any problems. I really wouldn't worry about it.
After all, your refurb will be shipped via UPS or FedEx either way, whether it goes to a store for pickup or straight to your home or place of business.
Stores do not stock refurbished products. But, as mentioned above, they may be able to order one for you. Best bet is to call and ask.
Just for the record, I've ordered a refurbed iBook G4 and an iPod Nano and both arrived in perfect like-new condition without any problems. I really wouldn't worry about it.
After all, your refurb will be shipped via UPS or FedEx either way, whether it goes to a store for pickup or straight to your home or place of business.
Stores do not stock refurbished products. But, as
mentioned above, they may be able to order one for
you. Best bet is to call and ask.
I have heard (and experienced) exactly the opposite. Each local store has a supply of refurbished products in addition to those on the open box/discount table by the cash wrap. When I am in an Apple Store on the mainland, I ask them what "renewed" or "refreshed" products they have in the back. I've never been told they don't have any.
As for having Fedex do an "Ace Ventura" on your computer, how do you think all of the millions of other Apple computers are delivered? How do you think those in the Apple Store got there? They all came via Fedex. My MacBook just arrived on Friday. It went from China to Anchorage to Indianapolis to Memphis to Honolulu and then to Maui. They specialize in packaging: Elegant and functional.
G4 450 DP, Mac Mini, 2 Networked Tivos, Nano, Video iPod Mac OS X (10.4.8) and a new MacBook Core 2 Duo has arrived. Yahoo!
G4 450 DP, Mac Mini, 2 Networked Tivos, Nano, Video iPod Mac OS X (10.4.8) and a new MacBook Core 2 Duo has arrived. Yahoo!
The Apple store near me (Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg IL) randomly has a table of returned and/or refurbished products at the back. It doesn't appear to be there on a schedule. Sometimes it's there, sometimes not.
One friend of mine traded his base model MacBook for the middle model. The next week, we saw his old MacBook on the discount table, at something like a 15% or 20% discount.
Occasionally they'll have floor display models for sale. They're complete and tested, but maybe a little more scratched or scuffed, or just plain dirtier, than a typical refurb. Not sure if I'd buy a laptop that's had hundreds of hands on it (picture a kid with a runny ice cream cone playing with a MacBook, and the kid behind him waiting to play on it is blowing snot bubbles). But for an iMac or Mac Pro, the keyboard and mouse are easily replaced.
my concearn about UPS or Fedex doing an Ace Ventura on the Computer came from when i worked in retail,i have seen (AND HAD) a few very uncareful ups drivers
What Ace did in the movie was a bit exagerated but pretty much on target
The Apple stores carry only returned product that is sold as "refreshed" for usually a 10% discount to new. There is no refurbishment process nor in-depth testing. True, Apple-refurbished product is available only on-line and is typically not stocked at Apple retail locations. Both carry a full Apple warranty and AppleCare can be purchased for them.
MacBook w/2GB & 100GB 7200 rpm hd, G5 iMac, 15PB, G4 iMac, Mac OS X (10.4.8) G4 QS, AX, 3G iPod, Shffl, nano.
I will agree that the Apple Stores do not "stock" refurbished product. But they have some. Apple does not actively distribute refurbished product to their stores.
There are Apple Resellers who do have factory refurbished product sent to them by Apple, as well as their own refurbished Apple hardware. The one that comes most to mind is www.smalldog.com.
If you are looking for deals on Apple hardware (refurbished, used, or new), subscribe to the dealmac list. They cull and organize the latest and greatest prices from all sources.