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My experience buying a Mac mini


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My experience buying a Mac mini
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NaplesX
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Seventh Ring of Hell
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2005-12-17, 12:11

So, I've been waiting a bit to buy a mini, to see if apple would officially update the specs on it. But impatience got the better of me. So I decided at 6:30 PM to head up to my local BestBuy and pick up a new mini and a flat-panel monitor. I chose BB because only a month or two ago I was there demoing a sparkly new mini they had on display.

Upon arrival, I went about looking at their wall of flat-panel monitors and picked out a nice 19" Veiwsonic. With monitor in hand, I proceed to the area where I last observed the mini, and it was gone - moved, I figured. I walked up and down looking for the display where the mini was. Figuring it might be hard to spot right away, since it's kinda small and a misplaced piece of paper could easily block it from view. No luck after 10 minutes of that. A helpful looking BB employee came to view so I asked if they had any Mac minis. He didn't think so, but would check. Soon, a manager came out and asked what exactly I was looking for and exclaimed that I could order one online!

My frustration at this point was clearly evident by my vocal tone. "You mean to tell me it's 2 weeks before Christmas and you have no minis, let alone iMacs? These are two of the most talked about computer items right now. Will you be getting any of them?" I asked. "No, I don't think so. It's really up to each store to stock them. But you can order them online sir." he said in an attempt to appease me.

I walked up to him and handed him the box with the monitor. "You not only lost a sale of a Mac mini but the sale of this monitor, a new iPod for my wife, some video games for my kids, and whatever other spur of the moment purchase I might have made. A lot of people will be looking to come to this store and purchase a Mac mini, because this is the only store in the area that SUPPOSEDLY carries it. I was really looking forward to getting my hands on one today. Shame."

My son was a bit disappointed, because I made him give the manager his video games, but he got over it.

Realize now, I'd travelled about 12 miles to get to the BB and was leaving without what I set out for. This was not acceptable, to me. So, I made the trek to Fort Myers, about 30 miles from where I was standing. I decided to see if the CompUSA there would be any more helpful.

I arrived at about 8:10 PM with no mac in sight. I was a bit disappointed until I moseyed unto the computer section. This was more like it. A section as big as the PC section dedicated just to Macs. They had everything from the 17" iMac to the Dual G5 towers. But... I did not spot any display for the mini. I eventually found a end-cap display with a special for a $399 1.25 mini, which I was prepared to purchase if that was all they had. I took the special tag and found a salesman who promptly told me that he didn't think they had any in stock.

Well, I once again went into a mild rant about it being Chrismas and how could a retail store that sells Apple products not have any minis in stock. I think I scared him, because he quickly offered to check the stockroom. Once again a manager greeted me, with a secondary "What exactly are you looking for?" Just as i was about to tell him the original sales-dude found a whole mess of minis locked in the security case not 10 feet from where I originally approached him. Relieved, everyone promptly gathered around the case. I picked the one I wanted and all was good.

I searched for a monitor and found another 19" Viewsonic and had an attendant retrieve one for me. He reminded me about my wireless networking at home, which forced a quick spec check on the internet. As an aside, the only computers that had internet access there were the Macs. I upgraded to the one with a Superdrive and Airport and Bluetooth and headed for the register.

To my surprise, when I got home, I was greeted with the newest 1.5 GHZ model, instead of the 1.42 printed on the box. It really is a great little computer and it is as silent as you would ever want a computer to be. You really don't know it's on, if you didn't have that little light in the front.

In conclusion, unless you know that your local BestBuy has these in stock, go to CompUSA if you have one in your area. Perhaps a call to the store would be in order.

You see Bob, it's not that I'm lazy, it's that I just don't care. - Peter Gibbons
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Wickers
is not a kind of basket
 
Join Date: May 2004
 
2005-12-17, 14:11

Congrats on getting the 1.5!



Taking a gamble like that looks to have paid off, I'm a bit too white knuckled myself to take that chance.

Enjoy the new Mac!

no sig, how's that for being a rebel!
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rasmits
rams it
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Seattle
 
2005-12-17, 15:05

I noticed our Best Buy doesn't keep any Mac Minis on display anymore either.
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FFL
Fishhead Family Reunited
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Slightly Off Center
 
2005-12-17, 15:08

ah, life in the Mac Desert that is SW FL. Pretty sad when CompUseless is the best alternative available!

congratulations on managing to make a good purchase against all obsticles
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Lyngo
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
 
2005-12-17, 17:25

Quote:
Originally Posted by NaplesX

In conclusion, unless you know that your local BestBuy has these in stock, go to CompUSA if you have one in your area. Perhaps a call to the store would be in order.
In our area of upstate NY, Best Buy is a better option for customer satisfaction that CompCRAP. Glad things worked out for your purchase there, but I know that I will never walk into a CompCRAP store again after my experiences. Enjoy your purchase.

- Jay
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Quagmire
meh
 
Join Date: May 2004
 
2005-12-17, 17:41

This thread has made me appreciate the 4 Apple Stores I have in my area! I will never try to buy from BB since the iPod fiasco with my Bro and a salesmen cluelessness. Compushit is okay, but no one is there to help you. Will only buy my Apple stuff from Apple store online, or the Apple Stores. But, congrats on the new Mini.

giggity
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Wickers
is not a kind of basket
 
Join Date: May 2004
 
2005-12-17, 22:31

UnderQuaggie,

Lucky little...
In Toronto before the Apple store opened we had to put up with some... less then pleasing, resellers. (And I worked for one, so trust me with the less then pleasing comment )

At one point I remember ranting quite a bit on this forum and another *cough* older forum about the lack of Apple branded retail in Toronto. All the while places in the states, like your area, were seeing stores opening left and right.

Mind you, now with the Apple store in Toronto open (and 'roumors' of a second on the way in a few years) I'm still not as impressed as I hoped. The workers there left something to be desired, retail sales workers that actually know Apple product line, *rollseyes*.

Anyhow...

no sig, how's that for being a rebel!
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SonOfSylvanus
Fro Productions(tm)
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: London Town
 
2005-12-18, 13:26

Why didn't you just buy online?
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mrmister
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Join Date: May 2004
 
2005-12-18, 21:30

Or call ahead--save yourself all that aggravation!
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tacvbo83
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Join Date: Dec 2005
 
2005-12-19, 00:41

I started getting into macs early this year and would occasionally go to Best Buy and check them out. When the mini came out, I would go and use Garaband for awhile, which is what made me want a mac mini. After a month when I wanted to buy one, a friend told me he went to check for them and was told that they were taken off from the store. (i dont know why) So now Best Buy do not have them, only compusa which I dont like because of the poor service. I am waiting for the mactel thing to happen for my iMac instead.
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arnoct
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Join Date: Oct 2005
 
2005-12-19, 12:07

The store has no obligation to keep things that you want in stock. Clearly macs aren't in as high a demand in your area as you think if they aren't stocking them. BB is in the business of making money so they won't buy a certain product if nobody's going to buy them.

And what's wrong with ordering online?
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PB PM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
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2005-12-19, 13:31

Personally I stay away from places that sell anything other than Macs. Although we do not have an Apple Store where I live, we do have some Mac only dealers, which are a lot nicer than going to Best Buy.
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wecallitfall
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
 
2005-12-19, 14:04

you should all consider yourselves lucky, here in (semi)rural England, the nearest Apple store (which has only been open for 1 month) is 40 miles away.

but by god is it good!
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Miko
Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
 
2005-12-23, 09:20

Congrats! and hold on to that receipt so you can swap minis when the new one come out in Jan.
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ast3r3x
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2005-12-23, 09:34

NaplesX, you sound like an asshole. With the way you acted, I am glad you had to drive an extra 30 miles to buy a computer, I wish you would have gotten there and them not have a computer.

They did nothing other than try and be helpful because they aren't stocking an unpopular (I'm sure) item, and you get upset with them? Not cool.
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Krientle
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Join Date: Feb 2005
 
2005-12-23, 11:43

Quote:
Originally Posted by ast3r3x
NaplesX, you sound like an asshole. With the way you acted, I am glad you had to drive an extra 30 miles to buy a computer, I wish you would have gotten there and them not have a computer.

They did nothing other than try and be helpful because they aren't stocking an unpopular (I'm sure) item, and you get upset with them? Not cool.
Agreed, NaplesX the people at Best Buy were out of stock, deal with it and don't be a douche to a manager and sales rep that were just trying to help you out.

~ K
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Lyngo
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
 
2005-12-24, 10:32

Quote:
Originally Posted by ast3r3x
NaplesX, you sound like an asshole. With the way you acted, I am glad you had to drive an extra 30 miles to buy a computer, I wish you would have gotten there and them not have a computer.

They did nothing other than try and be helpful because they aren't stocking an unpopular (I'm sure) item, and you get upset with them? Not cool.
You know I was thinking the same thing when I originally posted. But since I am fairly new around here, I didn't want to get flamed for being a n00b and some saying "what do you know, you're just the new one!"

- Jay
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PB PM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
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2005-12-24, 12:14

Hmm yes, it is amazing how people treat others who are just trying to do their job. As if it is the staffs fault there were no Mac Minis.
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JK47
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
 
2005-12-24, 13:24

Quote:
Originally Posted by PB PM
Hmm yes, it is amazing how people treat others who are just trying to do their job. As if it is the staffs fault there were no Mac Minis.
The sales staff's fault, no, however the manager is responsible for filling out the inventories and restocking products. Best Buy has a terrible history of dealing with quality computer companies. Several years ago they 'stocked' Alienwares. By 'stocked' I mean that they had one or two on display and none in store for purchase, they had to be ordered. Alienware and BB chose not to renew the contract because of BB's negligence, and if history is any indication Apple may do the same...

Last edited by JK47 : 2005-12-24 at 13:46.
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ast3r3x
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2005-12-24, 14:27

Quote:
Originally Posted by JK47
The sales staff's fault, no, however the manager is responsible for filling out the inventories and restocking products. Best Buy has a terrible history of dealing with quality computer companies. Several years ago they 'stocked' Alienwares. By 'stocked' I mean that they had one or two on display and none in store for purchase, they had to be ordered. Alienware and BB chose not to renew the contract because of BB's negligence, and if history is any indication Apple may do the same...
I really doubt it's just negligence. BB is in the market to make money, if Alienware sold well...or had as high of profit margins as other computers, you can be sure they'd have been stocking them over any other computer. The same goes for Apple.
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JK47
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
 
2005-12-24, 14:53

Quote:
Originally Posted by ast3r3x
I really doubt it's just negligence. BB is in the market to make money, if Alienware sold well...or had as high of profit margins as other computers, you can be sure they'd have been stocking them over any other computer. The same goes for Apple.
Agreed, the theme of my post was supposed to be if you want a quality computer, don't buy it from BB. I seem to have rambled a bit...
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PB PM
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2005-12-24, 14:57

Thats a given jk47. If you want something good, don't go where the bargain hunters go.
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evil_robot_ted
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Join Date: Oct 2005
 
2005-12-28, 20:30

Quote:
Originally Posted by NaplesX


My frustration at this point was clearly evident by my vocal tone. "You mean to tell me it's 2 weeks before Christmas and you have no minis, let alone iMacs? These are two of the most talked about computer items right now. Will you be getting any of them?" I asked. "No, I don't think so. It's really up to each store to stock them. But you can order them online sir." he said in an attempt to appease me.

I walked up to him and handed him the box with the monitor. "You not only lost a sale of a Mac mini but the sale of this monitor, a new iPod for my wife, some video games for my kids, and whatever other spur of the moment purchase I might have made. A lot of people will be looking to come to this store and purchase a Mac mini, because this is the only store in the area that SUPPOSEDLY carries it. I was really looking forward to getting my hands on one today. Shame."

HOLY CRAP, man. Get outside. Take a day off from work. Play baseball with your kid. Do SOMETHING to rewire your brain. You could snap at any minute with the asscracking attitude you dish out like it's legitimate sophistication.

HAHA, and do you REALLY think those 17 year-old Best Buy employees gave a damn whether or not you bought that junk? It's just one less trip to your yuppie car as you nag at them about scratching the boxes or something.

You, sir, are one of the biggest MacSnobs i've ever encountered. Shame.
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ronmexico
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
 
2005-12-29, 01:30

Quote:
Originally Posted by evil_robot_ted
HOLY CRAP, man. Get outside. Take a day off from work. Play baseball with your kid. Do SOMETHING to rewire your brain. You could snap at any minute with the asscracking attitude you dish out like it's legitimate sophistication.

HAHA, and do you REALLY think those 17 year-old Best Buy employees gave a damn whether or not you bought that junk? It's just one less trip to your yuppie car as you nag at them about scratching the boxes or something.

You, sir, are one of the biggest MacSnobs i've ever encountered. Shame.
Grow up
  quote
dfiler
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: Pittsburgh
 
2005-12-29, 16:07

Sorry, but I'm gonna side with the "brain needs rewiring camp". The guy tried to get even with a store because they didn't have an item in stock? Ooo... the nerve of that store. Where do they get off being so evil?

And... Growing up isn't neccessarily a good thing. Seeing someone told to "grow up" always makes me chuckle. If anything, I think today's adults need to grow down. Society would be much healthier. (But of course, growing down shouldn't include the seeking of retribution when a product is out of stock.)
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NaplesX
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2005-12-29, 16:44

dfiler and evil_robot_ted,

evil_robot_ted
Quote:
asscracking attitude you dish out like it's legitimate sophistication


I think I made it pretty clear why I was upset. It's not like they had any other macs in stock as an alternative purchase. In fact, they had no plans of stocking them. As I also made clear.

dfiler
Quote:
HAHA, and do you REALLY think those 17 year-old Best Buy employees gave a damn whether or not you bought that junk?
No, I don't, that's why I talked to the manager. He might since his bonus depends on sales.

dfiler
Quote:
The guy tried to get even with a store because they didn't have an item in stock?
There was no getting even, my friend. I chose to shop at another store - a perfectly legit thing to do in this capitalist society.

It would appear you guys have spent too much time over at AI, the way you read into a post like that.

You see Bob, it's not that I'm lazy, it's that I just don't care. - Peter Gibbons

Last edited by NaplesX : 2005-12-29 at 16:51.
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jevau
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
 
2005-12-29, 18:23

this same thing happened to me when i went to buy my 5G iPod a week after they were released. i withdrew $300 from the bank and drove down to Best Buy because i figured that would be easy enough and no sense driving the extra 45 minutes to the nearest Apple Store. when i got there, the "sales staff" looked definately below the legal working age of 16 and were, in general, not that helpful as salespeople, but that was ok, i knew what i wanted. when i asked for a 30GB 5G iPod, the kid said they were currently sold out and only had the 60GB. so yeah, i was defiantely disappointed, but whatever, what was i gonna do. so i hopped in my car and drove a few miles down the street to a CompUSA, walked in, told the guy behind the counter i wanted to buy a 30GB white 5G iPod, and he promptly retrieved one from storage and sold it to me... applecare too.

i can understand your frustration NaplesX. most of us have been in similar situations where we have our eyes on a product and run to our nearest store to pick it up only to find out it's not stocked or is sold out or whatever. it can be very disappointing especially if you have to drive a long distance to actually find a place that has it. maybe next time you should either try to find an Apple Store, order online, or maybe just calm yourself more in the store. but yeah, i feel what you went through and it definately can suck!
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NaplesX
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2005-12-29, 19:26

I feel like Adam Sandler in "Anger Management" in this post.

Everyone keeps telling me to calm down... anger building... I am calm... head pounding....

I did not get irate or disrespectful toward anyone while in their store(s). I respectfully projected my frustration. That's it. No 'getting even', 'asscracking attitude', loud outbursts or anything of the sort.

Besides, am I the only one that remembers all the hype about BB carrying Apple products. maybe it was just the mini, but there was a big hoopla about it. It was one of the reasons I even ventured into their store in the first place. Previous to that, I really had no reason to go there and not CC.

When I did go there the first time, I talked to a manager and he said they planned on stocking them for the foreseeable future... AND their website says they stock them. I had every reason to believe they would have them in stock for Christmas. Why would they not? At least that's what I was going on. It's not like I went into a 7/11 and demanded a shiny new mini.

On a side note though, I HAVE seen iPod accessories showing up at 7/11. Like a whole end-cap at one store! And of course you see some of those iTunes gift cards. I wonder when we see iPods there also. Strange...

...and stop telling me to calm down!

You see Bob, it's not that I'm lazy, it's that I just don't care. - Peter Gibbons
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709
¡Damned!
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Purgatory
 
2005-12-29, 19:29

Quote:
Originally Posted by NaplesX
It would appear you guys have spent too much time over at AI, the way you read into a post like that.


This made me chuckle.
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