On a positive note, orders from Apple.com can be returned to an Apple Store, saving the hassle of shipping the return yourself. You can also exchange an item in an Apple Store, though it’s a good idea to check if the location has what you want in stock. Apple products purchased from another retailer need to be returned to that retailer.
You Need to Go Online to Find Refurbished Items
Apple Store veterans to this day talk about a workaround to that grimace when you once again realize you’re paying Tesla-like prices for a new Apple device. Back in the day, you could walk up to the checkout counter – there used to be such – and ask an employee, with a wink and a knowing nod, if they had any returns or refurbished products in the back. (I once got a significant discount on an iPod that had been returned the same day it was purchased.)
No more. “We don’t sell refurbished [products] in the store,” an Apple specialist confirmed to me recently. Not in the back, anyway. But Apple.com does sell certified refurbished products. And remember, “refurbished” doesn’t necessarily mean “repaired.” So you could be getting a Mac that was an open-box item or a return. And here’s the kicker: The refurb comes with the same one-year limited warranty as Apple’s new products.
You Don’t Need to Purchase AppleCare on the Spot.
Some people are squeamish about computer malfunctions (like the ‘90s or something) and dive right into buying extended warranties. Apple’s case, AppleCare or AppleCare+ extended warranties provide two additional years of limited warranty service (including phone support). The price tag for AppleCare on a MacBook Pro: $249. Ouch
If you’re that person, wait. That one-year limited warranty thing that comes included with the device at no extra charge? It’s solid. If you’re still squeamish nearly a year into ownership (or you’ve had issues), consider purchasing extended coverage then. Apple will gladly sell you the comprehensive coverage later, as long as you are still within the coverage window offered by the original one-year limited warranty.
The Genius Bar Takes Reservations
Warranty or no warranty, the Apple Store’s Genius Bar is where customers go to get help when they have questions about how to operate an Apple device, or, worse if there’s a problem with it. The certified Geniuses on duty can’t fix everything on the spot, but you’ll usually at least get a free 10-minute consultation. You can randomly walk in and sign up with the iPad-carrying greeter to see a Genius. However, it’s better to book ahead online or by phone to avoid a long wait.
