Is there any way to buy an OEM macbook pro mid 2012 battery without going to an apple store?

You can try going to an authorized service provider. Best Buy is usually a good one. You may be able to find a local computer shop that is authorized as well. check apple.com Apple Store - Find a Store - Apple to find the nearest authorized service providers.

Phil0124 wrote:

Apple doesn't actually sell batteries any way.

Other than third parties and used or salvaged components, there's no way to get an OEM battery unless its actually replaced by Apple at a store.

They do have authorized service centers. It's kind of hard to find them from Apple. These days you have to enter your serial number and go through steps to select your issue before it will suggest a place other than an Apple Store. That's important because not all repair shops authorized by Apple will fix everything as an authorized repair place. Some places might only work on iPhone or iPads while others are computer specialists. I picked my MBP with a battery issue, and I got 20 locations suggested within 25 miles of where I live. 10 were Apple Stores.

I'm still unsure on what they would charge. For the standard stuff like battery changes I suspect that they would probably charge the flat Apple rate as a condition of receiving the authorization. Other stuff I'd guess they would charge at their own labor rate.

Apple doesn't actually sell batteries any way.

Other than third parties and used or salvaged components, there's no way to get an OEM battery unless its actually replaced by Apple at a store.

The only way to get one is to have it installed by Apple or an Authorized Service Provider. Apple does not sell parts, including batteries, to unauthorized 3rd parties and authorized service providers are prohibited from selling them to resellers.

Phil0124 wrote:

Apple doesn't actually sell batteries any way.

Other than third parties and used or salvaged components, there's no way to get an OEM battery unless its actually replaced by Apple at a store.

They did sell ones where all you needed was a quarter and a twist to unlock the battery. I don't know how long they stopped. I think I got a new one in 2013 after mine started swelling. Everything user serviceable in that machine went through the battery compartment too, including the RAM and the drive. That drive connection. I had a few times where my drive didn't show up, and it worked again after I went in the drive bay and pushed it back in.

KiltedTim wrote:

Not all Best Buy stores are authorized. Never mind the fact that I would never use the words "Best Buy" and "good" in the same sentence...

I tend to agree, but Best Buy is ubiquitous and a battery replacement is one of the simplest things to do on a 2012 MBP, even if Apple doesn't consider it "user serviceable". The only hard part is finding a tri-wing screwdriver, and some aftermarket battery kits come with one. I could teach almost any adult to do it.

If only Best Buy could do it quickly, I'd have no problem letting them do it. Then I'd promptly check their work just in case.

That being said, I remember I was trying to buy something at one when a particular Best Buy sales guy was saying to other customers something that was just flat out wrong about the computer business - that IBM owned Lenovo, which was just their brand. I think he was hoping they would buy one if he could convince them that IBM made it. When I told him he was wrong (after they'd already left) he told me I was wrong. He was trying to impress me with his credentials, telling me about his years servicing electronics in the military, that previously owned his own electronics servicing business, and that "I'm Geek Squad". It was just flat out wrong. My then employer was a supplier to Lenovo, and anyone in the business knew that IBM sold off their PC business to Lenovo in 2005 for cash and a minority stake in Lenovo (which they eventually divested).

Not all Best Buy stores are authorized. Never mind the fact that I would never use the words "Best Buy" and "good" in the same sentence...