Any Reason to Buy (iPad) from Apple Store Instead of Cheaper at Officeworks, JB Hi-Fi etc ?

sam buster on 26/11/2024 - 10:35
Last edited 26/11/2024 - 10:39

What are the advantages of buying an iPad (and Apple Pencil) directly from the Apple Store instead of cheaper from one of the high street majors, such as Officeworks, JB-Hifi, The Good Guys, etc.?

I am not looking to trade in any old Apple device.

I am aware there is a possibility of a price match up to 10% off RRP, but I think it still works out cheaper at the other stores. There are also other advantages for buying from Office Works in that it is more local, and I can get a better deal before Black Friday (although Apple price match may invalidate their Black Friday deal (a voucher)?).

On the Apple Store website, it mentions free engraving - I assume that is wouldn't be an option when buying from a different retailer - but that is hardly a deal-maker/breaker.

I have read that DOA would be instantly replaced by the Apple Store, but repaired if bought from another retailer - is that really true? If I bought an iPad from Officeworks and it doesn't work, surely they would have to replace it?

But how do future repair / replacements work? If it stopped working in a few months' time would Apple replace or repair? Would it differ if bought from Office Works?

And can I still get AppleCare+ (or whatever it is called) if I buy from Office Works?
Does anyone know how much this cover costs (just for the one device?).

Thanks in advance.

Computing Apple Tablet

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Comments

  • Duckie2hh on 26/11/2024 - 10:45
    +7

    So you can flex that white carrier bag.

  • snapper17 on 26/11/2024 - 10:50

    Apple are doing a Black Friday sale. So it maybe worth to wait. Yes you can still get AppleCare if you purchase from officeworks ect.

    You can get 10% off Apple gift cards as well making it cheaper. You can also buy from the education store which is cheaper. They don’t check credentials and you can have free shipping.

    Apple generally replace the device with a refurbished one. If you break the screen or the battery needs replacement then they can do that on the spot.

    • sam buster on 26/11/2024 - 11:11

      Unless Apple will price match in conjunction with their Black Friday voucher offer, it is still cheaper at Office Works (both iPad and Pencil).
      Just 10% off, or just the Black Friday deal would still be cheaper at Office Works etc by $60 - $90.
      If apple take off 10% AND still issue the voucher, then it becomes cheaper.

      Does anywhere have 10% Off on Apple Gift Cards at the moment?
      (I looked yesterday but only came up with TCN and Ultimate gift cards.)

      Is this the education store? www.apple.com/au-edu/store
      I did enquire in store, but they said only applies to university students. Interesting if they don't check, but would it invalidate any warranty if needed to be called upon?

      [EDIT: assuming no price matching, but still eligible for Black Friday voucher, this would work out $6 cheaper than OW. They did tell me instore though, that they recommend buying at full price on Friday, then returning product a week later and repurchasing with the voucher (something to do with not missing out if a change of mind? Not sure if that still applies if devices have been used though. However, if bought online, then returns have to be online too - all a bit of a faff).

      Thanks for the reply.

  • ihfree on 26/11/2024 - 10:50

    I have read that DOA would be instantly replaced by the Apple Store, but repaired if bought from another retailer - is that really true? If I bought an iPad from Officeworks and it doesn't work, surely they would have to replace it?

    Yes. You'll get a replacement but it will also be much more painful.

    I had the fingerprint reader die on my iPad

    • Went to the Apple store and saw a "Genius"
    • Ran diagnostics, confirmed the issue
    • Said they could give a refurb but if I wanted new, I'd have to go back to the original retailer
    • Gave me a pamphlet on my ACL rights
    • Took back to Officeworks with the report
    • Still had to be sent for assessment which took about 2 weeks

    And can I still get AppleCare+ (or whatever it is called) if I buy from Office Works?

    Yes

    Would I buy from Officeworks again? Yes - savings > risk of failure.

    • sam buster on 26/11/2024 - 11:13

      Thanks, any idea how much the cover costs, please?

      • EightImmortals on 26/11/2024 - 15:27

        Cost me $109 when I got mine last week (ipad9). All the details pop up on the ipad after you have it set up.

        • sam buster on 26/11/2024 - 18:39

          Thank you, seems fairly reasonable for peace of mind as it's for a child.

  • terlalu on 26/11/2024 - 11:00

    i think you can get it engraved with your name from the Apple store

    • sam buster on 26/11/2024 - 11:12

      Even if bought from elsewhere? And if so, would it still be free?
      Least area of importance, mind.

  • lint on 26/11/2024 - 11:24

    Unless you need BTO on Macs, for their other devices there's no difference apart from engraving, really. Just do the maths yourself.

    At Apple, you can use 10% back in Flybuys/Woolies points on Apple gift cards, stack with education pricing and/or Black Friday gift card deal.

    You could possibly get discounted gift cards for JB, Officeworks etc and stack with whatever sale price they've got.

    Just buy from whichever one works out cheaper for you.

  • Ynk on 26/11/2024 - 11:30
    +2

    The other advantage of buying directly from Apple is that you get a no questions asked change of mind return/refund/trial currently extended until the 8th of Jan, so you can try it out and swap it out for a different model/storage for 6 weeks if that is of any value to you.

    • try2bhelpful on 26/11/2024 - 11:35

      To me that is a good selling point. I did that with an iPad. Bought it through Apple Store, tried it first a while, decided it wasn’t enough of an upgrade from my current device.

      With Costco you get 90 days and they generally gave Apple products st a discount.

    • sam buster on 26/11/2024 - 12:06

      Thanks for explaining that better than the in-store Genius!

    • omguleh on 26/11/2024 - 14:48

      Did that with the keyboard/pencil combo for the iPad pros. I was out by 2 working days but they still processed the refund.

  • try2bhelpful on 26/11/2024 - 11:36

    You might want to look at Apple refurbished products as well.

    https://www.apple.com/au/shop/refurbished

    • sam buster on 26/11/2024 - 12:05

      Thanks for the link - they don't have either of the products available yet, but a nice price on the iPad Pro.

      • try2bhelpful on 26/11/2024 - 12:06

        I thought so as well. However, I like the form factor of the 11”. It fits nicely in my Crumpler bag.

  • apple2016 on 26/11/2024 - 11:42

    Apple store does price match with JBHiFi etc.

    • sam buster on 26/11/2024 - 11:54

      The whole difference, or just to 10%?

  • mskeggs on 26/11/2024 - 12:13

    You can use discount apple gift cards at apple education or AOC storefronts.

  • AustriaBargain on 26/11/2024 - 12:35

    Apple can price match in person. And benefit is you can return it for a full refund within 2 weeks no questions asked, even if you used it on the toilet. Even longer at the moment for the xmas shopping period:

    Eligible products at the Apple Store Online that are received between 8 November 2024 and 25 December 2024 may be returned until 8 January 2025. https://www.apple.com/au/shop/help/returns_refund

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