iMac Purchase

feriso · 5 Jan 2012 at 13:33

After sometime I think my Dad is convinced about purchasing an iMac now that MSOffice2011 supports visual basic/macros as he's getting somewhat cheesed off at Windows reliability. The nearest place to get an iMac from where he can get to easily is a branch of purple shirt (he would buy from OCUK in an instant if they did them BTW *hint Spie*).

Now with it being Apple, there is not much that can go wrong, Apple is Apple and it really shouldn't make a difference where it was purchased from; should it?

Now I was planning to go with him to show him what exactly it looks like and the accessories etc (like keyboard mouse) and if he's happy go through with the purchase.

Anything wrong with this? Or should I try and tempt him into going the nearest reseller (which will be a pain - don't ask, it's my Dad you just have to know him to understand)

shine · 5 Jan 2012 at 13:50

You could always take your Dad to the purple store to let him see/familiarise himself with an iMac and then order online direct from Apple.

Tunney · 5 Jan 2012 at 13:58

You won't find much of a discount on Apple hardware anywhere so there's no real downside of ordering via the purple-shirted mob. You can deal with Apple directly for support either way.

feriso · 5 Jan 2012 at 16:14

Well he is not keen on spending that amount of money on-line, and that he has a real dislike of having to goto any parcel depot to pick one up if he is not in (with the exception of RM)

I thought that would be the case that Apple will deal deal with any product irrespective of where it was purchased.

DangerMoose · 5 Jan 2012 at 16:23

Apple will deal with it irrespective of where it was purchased. I think you will find if you get it from the purple shirts, they will try to send it to their own workshop for repairs but you certainly can go to Apple direct as well.

feriso · 5 Jan 2012 at 16:42

they will try to send it to their own workshop for repairs

God help me if it came to that, they'd screw it up completely.

I'm half expecting a dim salesman to come over and start his speel of garbage not realising I am a seasoned mac user. I'll wait long enough for him to get to the part about needing anti-virus before I let rip.

Disco Boy · 5 Jan 2012 at 16:42

Make sure that you are buying the latest version. I have seen the previous generation being sold at the purple shirt place a few times...

PardonTheWait · 5 Jan 2012 at 17:15

feriso said:
God help me if it came to that, they'd screw it up completely.

I'm half expecting a dim salesman to come over and start his speel of garbage not realising I am a seasoned mac user. I'll wait long enough for him to get to the part about needing anti-virus before I let rip.

And people say Mac users are snobby.

Tiny Clanger · 5 Jan 2012 at 17:20

Mrs Clanger went into Currys the other day at Wednesbury (see my iMac post

) and there was an Apple rep in-store who was (apparently) fantastic - might be worth checking if there's one in your local Currys/PC World.

DangerMoose · 5 Jan 2012 at 17:22

feriso said:
God help me if it came to that, they'd screw it up completely.

With the reputation they have I can understand why that might be assumed, though I couldn't comment personally. But I reckon Apple would usually be quicker at least, especially with the carry in option.

I'm half expecting a dim salesman to come over and start his speel of garbage not realising I am a seasoned mac user. I'll wait long enough for him to get to the part about needing anti-virus before I let rip.

Oh, I'm sure that you would get the usual sales pitch for extras. I'm not sure how bad they are for pushing AV software though.

Alpherah · 5 Jan 2012 at 17:31

PardonTheWait said:
And people say Mac users are snobby.

Nothing to do with being snobby. Lately, with Mac growing in popularity, retailers have been brushing up on their 'knowledge' and attempt to push it down your throat constantly.

quickshot89 · 5 Jan 2012 at 17:35

to be fair kaspersky have just brought out a mac anti virus (or at least ive only just noticed it, i had to look twice to confirm i wasnt going crazy)

DangerMoose · 5 Jan 2012 at 21:17

quickshot89 said:
to be fair kaspersky have just brought out a mac anti virus (or at least ive only just noticed it, i had to look twice to confirm i wasnt going crazy)

Norton and Trend Micro too. Maybe others.

Faustus · 5 Jan 2012 at 22:29

Tunney said:
You won't find much of a discount on Apple hardware anywhere so there's no real downside of ordering via the purple-shirted mob. You can deal with Apple directly for support either way.

Your warranty at least for the first twelve months is with the supplier not the manufacturer. That would be his first port of call were anything to go wrong - good luck with that BTW, just hope and pray it doesn't.

rogan · 5 Jan 2012 at 22:48

no apple will take all repairs in the first year

PardonTheWait · 5 Jan 2012 at 23:38

Faustus said:
Your warranty at least for the first twelve months is with the supplier not the manufacturer. That would be his first port of call were anything to go wrong - good luck with that BTW, just hope and pray it doesn't.

It will be vastly quicker to deal with Apple or an Apple Service Provider though.

DangerMoose · 6 Jan 2012 at 00:25

Faustus said:
Your warranty at least for the first twelve months is with the supplier not the manufacturer. That would be his first port of call were anything to go wrong - good luck with that BTW, just hope and pray it doesn't.

I think that you will find the term is "manufacturer's warranty". Statutory rights do of course still apply.

Scryus · 6 Jan 2012 at 01:21

Just check online for the deal you want, and make sure you're not getting ripped off by them selling old equipment.

Out of interest, why no purchase from Apple's own website?

feriso · 6 Jan 2012 at 12:39

The comment about selling extras and AV was went with irony and sarcasm - I missed the obligatory smiley and made it sound serious - sorry

My Dad is not confident about buying stuff for that amount over the net and then having to wait around for the courier to deliver it at some point - he'd rather go and have a look and then take one away. Rather than trying to scare him off altogether I'd rather he went for an iMac this way than not at all.

Faustus · 7 Jan 2012 at 22:52

DangerMoose said:
I think that you will find the term is "manufacturer's warranty". Statutory rights do of course still apply.

What is your point, why are you trying to be obtuse? Whether I call it manufacturers warranty or not makes not one tat worth of difference to what I said i.e. the consumers contract is with the retailer not the manufacturer and therefore that should be the first port of call.