NFT: Buying a Product from Apple

Only suggestion that I have is that if you want to buy elsewhere, go talk to the Apple people about the product and options first. I recently bought 3 iPads from Best Buy. The Best Buy clerk talked me into buying Apple care which is like a warranty. He told me that it was for the life of the product and covered everything 100%. A month later one of the kids IPads broke and I brought it to Apple to fix. I learned Apple care only lasted a few years and I had to pay a $50 deductible. I’m still glad I bought it but in the moment, I probably would have declined. Talk to Apple first then buy elsewhere if cheaper.

I have been buying Apple products since the 1990s, and I believe the prices are fairly uniform regardless of whether you buy it from Apple or from one of their authorized dealers. The only difference is--depending on where you live--you won't have to pay tax if you buy online from a place like B+H Photo, as opposed to buying directly from Apple.

go with the best price.

You can get a substantial discount from Apple.

You can purchase AppleCare up to 60 days after purchase, so never feel pressured to do it in the store. In fact, you actually have up to a year to buy AppleCare coverage, but after 60 days you have to bring it to an Apple store for inspection first.

In comment 15250283 GruningsOnTheHill said:

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I have been buying Apple products since the 1990s, and I believe the prices are fairly uniform regardless of whether you buy it from Apple or from one of their authorized dealers. The only difference is--depending on where you live--you won't have to pay tax if you buy online from a place like B+H Photo, as opposed to buying directly from Apple.

Both of those points are wrong. You can definitely find discounts on Apple products at Best Buy and other retailers. It pays to shop around.

And due to a Supreme Court ruling a couple of years ago, places like B&H have to charge you sales tax now.

In comment 15250425 Ron from Ninerland said:

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You can get a substantial discount from Apple.

Or student...

10% discount

I have verizon and what to buy a new iphone 12 mini. Is there a difference getting it at verizon vs at an apple store. In addition, does anyone have thoughts about apple care plan vs the verizon total protect plan?

In comment 15251017 Giantimistic said:

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I have verizon and what to buy a new iphone 12 mini. Is there a difference getting it at verizon vs at an apple store. In addition, does anyone have thoughts about apple care plan vs the verizon total protect plan?

I looked into this last year so things do change, but Verizon would not let me just buy a phone if I was trading in my old phones, I had to pay in monthly installments for some reason and I did not want to do that since I was buying 5 phones.

Apple didn't care, I could just buy the phones outright from them, so I did (BestBuy too - they would have let me buy the phone)

the other advantage with Apple was at the time their trade in value was greater than Verizon.

I do think these terms change from time to time, so not sure if it's all the same.

In comment 15250987 Kev in Cali said:

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In comment 15250425 Ron from Ninerland said: Quote: You can get a substantial discount from Apple. Or student... 10% discount

If you’re a vet, or know one, you can probably get a better deal through AAFES.

In comment 15251070 giantBCP said:

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In comment 15250987 Kev in Cali said: Quote: In comment 15250425 Ron from Ninerland said: Quote: You can get a substantial discount from Apple. Or student... 10% discount If you’re a vet, or know one, you can probably get a better deal through AAFES.

True... no taxes at AAFES/MCX/NEX stores and online.

if you're getting an extended warranty, Apple vs Best Buy. If you are, I would strongly recommend buying from Apple directly.

In comment 15251066 pjcas18 said:

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I looked into this last year so things do change, but Verizon would not let me just buy a phone if I was trading in my old phones, I had to pay in monthly installments for some reason and I did not want to do that since I was buying 5 phones. .

Verizon has the best service in terms of the reach and function of its cellular network. But in terms of customer service, not so much. Their retail stores in particular are notoriously abysmal.

In comment 15251307 Section331 said:

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if you're getting an extended warranty, Apple vs Best Buy. If you are, I would strongly recommend buying from Apple directly.

There is no difference in the extended warrantee. You can buy an Apple device from anywhere and then buy AppleCare from the vendor who sold it to you or from Apple themselves.