A Mac writer’s day at the Apple store
I think its fair to say that, as a writer of all things Apple, a trip to the mecca is one of the more exciting things one can do with one’s day; unfortunately, this day’s trip to the holy land wasn’t as pleasant as I would have liked.
You might be wondering why, aside from the pure ecstasy of surrounding myself with shiny Apple gadgets, would I venture into the Apple store so close to Christmas. My answer, dear reader, might surprise and shock you: I was returning a MacBook Pro.
Before you flood the comment boxes with outcries against my heresy, please consider that I am already the content owner of a normal MacBook; the Christmas season can be quite taxing on a pocketbook, and mine is no exception. I decided, very shortly after purchasing my Macbook Pro, to hold off on owning the machine I love dearly until a time when the purchase won’t be a strain on my lean college budget.
That being said, I took my neatly packed MacBook Pro into the Apple store, and informed a green t-shirted Apple employee I wanted to return it.Then came the unpleasant reminder that my MacBook Pro return would be accompanied by a $179 restocking fee. Sure, I vaguely remember hearing something of the sort when I bought it not long ago, but my excitement overpowered my already paltry listening skills, and the overstocking fee caught me by surprise.
Can I say, for a moment, that a 10% restocking fee is a bit…excessive. First, as someone who writes about Apple and loves its products dearly, the MacBook Pro was in pristine condition; I even repackaged it exactly as it came from the store originally. Aside from wiping the hard drive and sealing all the packaging again, I really don’t think that a 10% fee is a very logical number..a flat rate wouldn’t leave me feeling quite so empty.
Then, as my discomfort over the restocking fee was settling in, the rep told me I was a day late for the return time frame; I could receive the full amount back…just as Apple credit. So here I am, looking at losing 180 dollars, and being forced to spend the remaining value of my returned MacBook Pro, with tax, on something else from Apple..and the only thing I would want to spend that kind of money on from Apple is a MacBook Pro.
I suppose I’ll be selling my day-late MacBook Pro on eBay; though I’m a die-hard Apple fan, days like to day leave a sour taste in my mouth. Anyone else out there dissatisfied with Apple’s return policies?
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December 19th, 2007
Caveat emptor
December 19th, 2007
Sadly there is a valid reason for the return window. It’s not unlike many major computer manufacturers, and the reason for it is the few scumbags that purchase a computer for a one time use, like a term paper or dissertation, and pack it up after the work is done, for a refund. Kind of a cheap, free rental plan. This went on long enough to cause the manufacturers to take action, IE the return restocking fee. The window, well, what can you say? Should there be an indefinite return time, especially when its a case of buyer’s regret, and not dissatisfaction over the quality of the product? Really, I’m so tired of people not being willing to accept the responsibility of their actions. Both of these policies, the return window and the restocking fee are clearly spelled out in the details of the sales agreement with Apple. Is it their fault that you didn’t bother to read them? You’re spending $2000+. You need to know your options before committing. It’s no different than any other big ticket purchase. You should have done your homework first. Consider it a life lesson. It could have been a home mortgage.
December 20th, 2007
I brought an G3 iBook in for a repair at an Apple store a couple of years ago. I couldn’t be without a computer for my work. A Mac Specialist recommended I buy a new G4 iBook and return it within the two-week return window. He said I’d just have to pay the restocking fee. So that’s what I did. When I returned the iBook, I wasn’t charged the restocking fee because I kept the laptop and packaging in mint condition. Maybe there’s some leeway with returns. I’ve had only great experiences with Apple service.
December 20th, 2007
Well, I guess I’ll be the first to notice that you’re not really dissatisfied with Apple’s return policies. Rather, you’re upset that you failed to pay attention to the restocking fee notice, and that you decided a day late to return the computer. Does it matter what percentage the restocking fee is, or how long before you can return the computer? They’re pretty arbitrary numbers. They become meaningful only if you need to meet the numbers, which you didn’t do. For everyone who returned their computer within the two-week period and were aware of the restocking fee, Apple’s policies probably seem to make sense.
December 20th, 2007
A 10% restocking fee is less than the standard retail restocking amount of 15 to 20 % everywhere else. And restocking fees are standard everywhere. product returns are accepted.
December 20th, 2007
The reason for restock fees is not to keep folks from
“renting”, it’s mainly because Apple cannot legally sell it as new. Since you caused that situation, you should bear the penalty.
December 20th, 2007
ah, ken…never one to miss an opportunity to point out my shortcomings
December 20th, 2007
That was meant as a royal “you”, and came from too many years of my youth spent in retail management. I’m actually a bit bummed out you can’t keep something that made you happy. Not enough to buy it for you, but I’ll be glad to spring for a copy of Linux to further your education in unshiney.
December 21st, 2007
“…I even repackaged it exactly as it came from the store originally.”
Soooo… Apple should resell your used computer to someone else at full price?
Would you buy it in those conditions?
Didn’t think so.
February 25th, 2010
I bought a macbook and was not informed about the fee, until I opened the package three days later became beyond ticked off my $1000 laptop had no SD card reader, seriously screw you steve jobs learn the word entry level and value they do not apply to a $1000 machine. Every PC I ever owned had one. Didn’t think to ask if this did it’s standard like a dvd played or a hard drive for god’s sake. I’m going back to windows.
So I called up and asked if I could upgrade to the pro and I’m told sure you can it will cost you an extra $100 dollars for a restocking fee. I about killed the woman over the phone. Seriously that is something you need to tell people about or post in a big freakin sign in your store.
With the asinine markup they have on thier products you cannot tell me the company who’s motto seems to be pay twice as much for half the hardware has not included the price of returns in the price of thier computers as a cost of doing business. No other store I have ever been to does this. Now I’m stuck with this machine that I hate and loathe and despise unless I pay 100 dollars to return it. I don’t have a hundred dollars to throw away on nothing. I’ve got doctors bills to pay.
I’ll never buy another apple product again, ever. Windows 7 is perfectly fine and the value is better. The glory days of Vista are over for Apple, they need to learn how to treat thier customers right and make a competitive machine, or give up the ghost and just make Ipods.