[ph0ust]

i have two options: buy the bto imac i orginally wanted and pay sales tax, or buy a loaded imac somewhere online and not pay sales taxes (a $50 difference). as i would rather spend the extra $50 and not pay sales tax (while getting a more capable computer), i am wondering what other experiences have been with online stores in this regard.

i know that macmall, compusa and some others do not apply sales tax. can anyone offer some recommendations or advice on where i ought to go?

thanks.

[ph0ust]

ok, this sux. can you even buy a loaded imac from any reseller? i haven't been able to find a loaded 17" model on a site other than apple's.

[jedi]

Hi phOust,
Try ,
http://www.macconection.com/scripts/...howcase=iMac_E

Good luck
jedi


"I keep trying to go faster , but always end-up speeding"

[zeebe]

I got mine at MacMall (phone order not online) and they replaced my internal 256MB with a 512 for $139 for the memory and then the charge for installation. Then I also got the 512 MB ram free from them, making a total of 1GB or RAM!!! That is what I would do! I think they have free shipping right now also.
Good luck.

[robby818]

amazon.com
free shipping no tax in CA. easy return policy.

[MacMaui]

Originally posted by ph0ust:
i have two options: buy the bto imac i orginally wanted and pay sales tax, or buy a loaded imac somewhere online and not pay sales taxes (a $50 difference). as i would rather spend the extra $50 and not pay sales tax (while getting a more capable computer), i am wondering what other experiences have been with online stores in this regard.

i know that macmall, compusa and some others do not apply sales tax. can anyone offer some recommendations or advice on where i ought to go?

thanks.

www.smalldog.com is great and have a very flexible exchange policy. They'll let you exchange even if there's just one dead pixel. Amazon has told me that they follow Apple's guidelines in regards to dead pixels........

[robby818]

Hmm, Amazon's printed policy on computer returns is 30 days as long as it is in new condition w/ original packaging. I'm not sure why Apple's pixel policy is relevant because they don't ask for a reason. In fact, you don't even have to talk to a person to do a return. You are responsible for the return shipping though so ~$30 on an iMac I guess...If smalldog picks up the return shipping on an exchange and does not charge you for shipping on the second unit then that would be a better deal. But then don't you have to wait for them to receive your iMac and then for them to ship another one to you (2-3 weeks turn around if across the country)? With Amazon, just start a separate order for a new iMac. All of this only really matters if you insist on a dead pixel free screen otherwise return policies prob aren't too big of a deal as the vast majority of iMacs arrive in excellent shape. Just watch those shipping charges and restocking fees.

[MacMaui]

Originally posted by robby818:
Hmm, Amazon's printed policy on computer returns is 30 days as long as it is in new condition w/ original packaging. I'm not sure why Apple's pixel policy is relevant because they don't ask for a reason. In fact, you don't even have to talk to a person to do a return. You are responsible for the return shipping though so ~$30 on an iMac I guess...If smalldog picks up the return shipping on an exchange and does not charge you for shipping on the second unit then that would be a better deal. But then don't you have to wait for them to receive your iMac and then for them to ship another one to you (2-3 weeks turn around if across the country)? With Amazon, just start a separate order for a new iMac. All of this only really matters if you insist on a dead pixel free screen otherwise return policies prob aren't too big of a deal as the vast majority of iMacs arrive in excellent shape. Just watch those shipping charges and restocking fees.

Actually, Amazon is a little sneaky. Their printed return policy for computers off the "returns policy" link at the bottom of their page implies that you can return it for any reason as long as it's within 30 days and in new condition with all components.

However, if you go to Amazon's listing for the FP iMac, click on the "technical details" link, and then scroll down you'll find this printed policy on computer returns:

"Amazon.com Returns Policy: You may return any new computer purchased from Amazon.com that is "dead on arrival," arrives in damaged condition, or is still in unopened boxes, for a full refund within 30 days of purchase. Amazon.com reserves the right to test "dead on arrival" returns and impose a customer fee equal to 15 percent of the product sales price if the customer misrepresents the condition of the product. Any returned computer that is damaged through customer misuse, is missing parts, or is in unsellable condition due to customer tampering will result in the customer being charged a higher restocking fee based on the condition of the product. Amazon.com will not accept returns of any desktop or notebook computer more than 30 days after you receive the shipment."

That suggests something a bit different; that only DOA, defective, or units in unopened boxes may be returned for a full refund.

A ways back I emailed Amazon for clarification regarding the contradiction in these two printed policies and they told me the above (DOA, defective, unopened box) is the criteria that they use. They also told me, for instance, that a few dead pixles wouldn't qualify as defective.

YMMV. You could argue that all you saw was the less specific return policy, and maybe you'd win...... or maybe not.

Too shifty for my tastes. They shouldn't state a rather friendly return policy on one page and then sneak in more strict terms on another.

Phooey on Amazon! Smalldog is a straight shooter!

[robby818]

that is very sneaky on the part of Amazon. I never noticed the "other" returns policy before. I wonder how strictly they enforce it? Anyway, I do nto like it either. Smalldog has the preferable returns policy then and paying for the shipping is prob worth the extra peace of mind concerning the returns policy.

Macmaui, If you need to exchange a computer bec of dead pixels, who pays the shipping on the second unit? If it is the customer then that is shipping 3x so even if Smalldog will accomodate you on the exchange, it starts to get pretty expensive bec of the shipping alone. I am a bit of a nut when it comes to this issue and so I usually just buy locally from a store where I can exchange easily (Fry's) or a small retailer that will open the box before I purchase. I pay the sales tax, but it is usually worth it to me--I had to open two 20" cinema displays before I found one w/o dead pixels.

[ph0ust]

thanks everyone! my new problem is not finding resellers that don't charge tax and/or shipping, but rather finding a loaded imac. what i originally wanted was a bto 17" imac with 1 512mb dimm and a bluetooth module (so i could add another 512mb ram and an airport card later if i wanted). however, this would incur sales tax. so i figured i might as well get a loaded imac (1gb ram, bluetooth and airport) since they aren't bto. can't seem to find those anywhere, so i assume that apple considers those "custom built" and not shipped to resellers.

is this true? has anyone found what i am looking for online or am i out of luck?

[MacMaui]

Originally posted by robby818:
that is very sneaky on the part of Amazon. I never noticed the "other" returns policy before. I wonder how strictly they enforce it? Anyway, I do nto like it either. Smalldog has the preferable returns policy then and paying for the shipping is prob worth the extra peace of mind concerning the returns policy.

Macmaui, If you need to exchange a computer bec of dead pixels, who pays the shipping on the second unit? If it is the customer then that is shipping 3x so even if Smalldog will accomodate you on the exchange, it starts to get pretty expensive bec of the shipping alone. I am a bit of a nut when it comes to this issue and so I usually just buy locally from a store where I can exchange easily (Fry's) or a small retailer that will open the box before I purchase. I pay the sales tax, but it is usually worth it to me--I had to open two 20" cinema displays before I found one w/o dead pixels.

Robby, I'm not quite sure, you'd have to ask Smalldog. I believe that a certain # of dead pixels fall within Apple's specs. In that case, you'd have to pay the shipping back and forth. For dead pixels over Apple's "specs", it probably qualifies as defective and Smalldog would pay the extra shipping charges.

Buuuuut, you'd be saving on the sales tax, thus you have room to gamble a bit on the pixel situation/ shipping charges. Odds are in your favor that all will be fine from the start, yet you get the peace of mind that you have options.

As for Amazon, it probably depends on what customer service agent you get and on what kind of day they've been having

[MacMaui]

Originally posted by ph0ust:
thanks everyone! my new problem is not finding resellers that don't charge tax and/or shipping, but rather finding a loaded imac. what i originally wanted was a bto 17" imac with 1 512mb dimm and a bluetooth module (so i could add another 512mb ram and an airport card later if i wanted). however, this would incur sales tax. so i figured i might as well get a loaded imac (1gb ram, bluetooth and airport) since they aren't bto. can't seem to find those anywhere, so i assume that apple considers those "custom built" and not shipped to resellers.

is this true? has anyone found what i am looking for online or am i out of luck?

ph0ust: Just give Smalldog a call, I bet they can do the bto unit to your specifications..... be sure and ask how bto effects their exchange policy. Also, with Smalldog, new customers have to order over the phone rather than via internet.......