Is it worth saving $$ at Mac Connection VS Apple store?

I'm buying a base 13" MBP.
Mac Connection is $1049 after their rebate, no sales tax and free shipping.
Apple direct and apple store would be $1199 + sales tax = $1271.
That's about a $220 difference.
Do I lose anything else besides exchanging a defective one in person?

 

I think that's all you really lose. Don't forget the online retailers return and exchange policy, also check Amazon.com as well as you'll get free shipping and no tax.

Recently I purchased a monitor from Amazom.com and when I received it I noticed an area of stuck 'blue' pixels. I emailed them and within 30 minutes they emailed me back, issued a UPS call tag (UPS came the next day to pick it up) and they sent me a brand new monitor the same day. Very impressed with Amazon.com

The moral to the story is check with the retailer and ask what if? If in fact you have a bad unit it wouldn't surprise me that they'll send you a new unit.

edit: I remember buying a ThinkPad back in the late 90's from Insight.com, not sure if they're still around. I got a defective laptop, I called them and they issued an RMA and sent me a new one.

 

i thought u can get ur apple product serviced at the apple store regardless of where it was bought?

as long as its within warranty, no?

 

You thought right.

I purchased a MB at Mac Connection, which later (2 mos later) turned out to have a bad motherboard. I went to a Genius Bar in an Apple store and they traded for a new one. I was bummed that I was going to lose all my installed apps with a fresh HDD, so they even swapped the drives for me. Awesome Apple service.

I was less impressed with the Rebate procedure of Mac Connection. Like pulling teeth getting them to honor the rebate.

Good luck, dloreski

I'm ready to pull the trigger again, but I hesitate to go back to the Mac Connection if I have to go through it all over again (which I think will) with their rebate rigmarole.