Where to buy anything Apple?
This is a question that crops up regularly and there’s a straightforward choice to make based on three criteria:
1.Price (usually but no always the most significant)
2.Service and warranty
3.Availability.
So, where to buy? For me, in the Peterborough area there are three options:
1.John Lewis
2.PC World
3.Apple refurb & clearance
Advantages and disadvantages:
1.John Lewis – gone from Peterborough, sadly, but the same price as Apple, the major advantage is their standard 2 year warranty, but they also offer a 3 year warranty for free from time to time as well. That is VERY significant. I still buy my Macs and phones from them, but do it online.
2.PC World – there are no advantages at all. Staff are, by and large, poorly trained and know next to nothing about Macs. There may be someone who is ‘Mac trained’ but if that’s the case the company attitude towards customers, once a sale has been completed, is shabby. I’ve had a lot of people come to see me with issues that PCW refuse to help with, after the sale is done, and that for me is the #1 reason why they should be completely avoided.
3.Apple refurb store is the place to go if you want to pick up a bargain. You do need to know a bit more about the specs as you won’t be asking questions, you’re going there to save money. The only disadvantage is that you have to take what’s there on the day and there’s no asking for upgrades or changes – if what they are offering is what you want, then buy it. You do get a full 1 year warranty with it and will have the option to extend that to 3 years for a fee.