[Cemetery Man]

A couple of weeks ago I started working in the pre-press department of a printing comany that desperatley needed some new, faster computers. I recommended that the managers buy two new G4s and I went to apple's web site and constructed the computers I felt they needed and printed the managers out copies. They agreed with all of the specs I built into the computers, but one of the managers decided to take a look at what MacWarehouse had to offer. She seems to have found a considerably better deal at MacWarehouse than the Apple store is offering, but I am leary about buying computers from places like MacWarehouse and MacMall. I have heard from a number of people that it is wise to avoid these stores when buying a computer and it is best to order directly from Apple. I've heard that places like MacWarehouse buy the individual parts from Apple as well as other places that sell lower quality parts for cheaper prices and they build the Macs themselves therefore making more of a profit on a cheaper machine. I'm not sure if there is any truth to this at all, but if there is I don't want the company I work for to make a bad purchase decision when they could order straight from Apple and get a machine that will last without the problems a "MacMall" computer might bring. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this at all?
Thanks

[jaredbkt]

I have always ordered from MacMall and have never had any problems at all. In fact most of my friends and family have also use MacMall and their service was wonderful. I highly recommend them. They don't build their own Macs. No one except for Apple does that. They get their shipments of computers from Apple like any other reseller or retail store. Because they are mail order ONLY they have much lower overhead costs which is why they can sell at lower prices and offer lots of add on goodies (free RAM, free printers, etc.). I'm sure they also want to stay competitive so they are agressive with their pricing.

I say order from MacMall. I've never had a problem and neither thas anyone else I know who has ordered from them.

[dreilly1]

Originally posted by Cemetery Man:
<STRONG> I am leary about buying computers from places like MacWarehouse and MacMall. I have heard from a number of people that it is wise to avoid these stores when buying a computer and it is best to order directly from Apple. I've heard that places like MacWarehouse buy the individual parts from Apple as well as other places that sell lower quality parts for cheaper prices and they build the Macs themselves therefore making more of a profit on a cheaper machine. I'm not sure if there is any truth to this at all, but if there is I don't want the company I work for to make a bad purchase decision when they could order straight from Apple and get a machine that will last without the problems a "MacMall" computer might bring. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this at all?
Thanks </STRONG>

I've never heard of that happening. Maybe that happens for PC's, but I think Apple is pretty particular about making sure the same equipment is in each computer. That's why they say certain vendors are "authorized resellers". Now, the resellers may do things like add different memory to the system if you ask, but I don't think they mess with drives and stuff.

Apple handles all warranty claims on any Mac sold, either on its store or through a reseller. In fact, if you have a warranty problem with a Mac after you buy it from a catalog, you usually can't send it back to the vendor; you have to send it to Apple.

Apple charges sales tax in every state that has one; most catalogs do not.

I bought my iceBook shortly after it was releaded from Outpost and had no problems.

[OldManMac]

Apple, and only Apple, builds the machines. If you order a machine from a reseller or a mail order house, with a different hard drive, or more memory, it is still built by Apple and shipped to the dealer. I've sold Macs for a few years, and there's no such thing as a dealer doing anything to a Mac unless they're adding something, such as RAM or an additional hard drive.

[Cemetery Man]

Thanks for the input everyone. I guess I have my answer,then and its good to know that Apple is the only one who builds the computers. I had my doubts about what people had been telling me in the past and I'm glad I asked you guys for the real truth.
Thanks again

[MikeM32]

I'll also vouch for MacWarehouse here. IN fact my last place of work had some sort of business account through them so it was better to order through them. They never had any issues with anything they orderred, and as others have mentionned Apple builds the machines, not the re-sellers.

The only time they ever went outside thier normal Mac Warehouse ordering scheme was when they needed a customized G4 Server, so I recommended they order directly from Apple so they could get everything built into the system rather than having to buy add-ons.

Mike

I've had problems recently with the RAM in my new iMac at home, but MacWarehouse is pretty reputable with large clients, business customers especially. I've heard some stuff about individuals buyers getting the run-around with tech support though. So I'd say make a big deal that you're a sizable client and you'll get good service.

[buffalolee]

I don't think it really matters where you buy your mac. A mac is a mac all built by Apple. :-)