Bucking the Recession: Apple's Retail Stores

The Apple retail stores have always impressed me, and increasing sales during this recession...

I'm a die hard Mac fan, but just once in my life I would like to feel like I'm not paying top dollar. It's so contrary to my nature to not be able to haggle at all, or save money off sticker some other way.

I want to dismember places like Mac Connection when they have "sale" or "lowest prices" on the cover of their catalogue and we're talking a couple of dollars, literally, off.

The model I have went from $2499 to $1999. (and still not subsidized with crapware as partial compensation - you know, the sort PC makers put on their windows boxes and the tech forum ninnies then whine that the crapware should be kept on a separate CD... uh, it's preinstalled to make up the cost difference. They want it both ways - it's ridiculous.)

.... and had to look up "bloatware" not three days ago means that I have led a charmed life.

Those netbooks do look like a bargain though. What I don't understand is why they are being sold with Vista when Windows 7 is already out.

It has been released for manufacturing, and it probably has been released to Microsoft partners (developers, etc.), but its release date to the general public is Oct. 22.

They have the same warrentee as a new product and really are a bargain. I recommend you search it out on the Apple Web site next time you need hardware from Mr Jobs.

Never a problem w/any of them, always look and behave like brand new. Amazon also has good prices.

It was nerve wracking, but I got what I wanted, ie a Macbook with Firewire when Apple gave the impression they were declaring firewire obsolete.

It was a lot of work, waiting for the new product to come out so I could order yesterday's product, but for $1100 I got the 2.4ghz Penryn with 250 GB Black case so I was happy.

Got a room full of refurbs, never had a problem.

Have you tried to make a deal?

Once you start buying stuff from an Apple retail store, they will do absolutely anything to make you happy. I think Apple realizes they are selling a potentially long-term relationship... I've learned they thrive on good customer experience surveys (that they send to you after a visit).

I personally exchanged a perfectly good 30" monitor twice because it had 1 dead pixel, and my friend got a brand new model laptop after he brought his in older one into the Genius Bar several times for the same issue... He didn't ask... The employee said, "I see you've been here a couple of times before. I'll be right back." He returned with a brand new model to exchange.

I bought a $150 pair of third-party earbuds for my iPhone, and after three months the wires started to fray... I was browsing in the store on 14th & 9th and an employee asked me if I needed help... I remembered my earbuds, and showed him... At first he replied, "You need to send those to the manufacturer, and they should replace them." I simply replied, "Maybe you could do that for me?" And, he agreed... I walked out with new brand new earbuds.

So, I prefer to buy stuff at the Apple Stores... And, I make an effort to seek out the same employee or manager whenever I do. I've never left unhappy.

My last two Macs were "gently pre-owned".

There are those who offer warranties on used computers if you feel the need for one.

Microsoft Retail Store Design Plans

I'll bet the Microsoft Surface tables will be the main attraction... Other than that, who wants to play with a Zune?

busy at his location all the time.