I'm a long-time Windows or Android user, but I'm thinking of trying Apple this Xmas. At the moment I'm considering a wi-fi 32 GB iPad Air. The question is where to buy one from.
I've always understood that Apple keep a tight control on prices and a quick search seems to confirm this. The big retailers such as Argos, Tesco, John Lewis, PC World all charge the same price as the Apple Store, that is £359.
However, go on to Amazon and you see third party sellers offering them for about £300 - £320. The question is how much support, if any, would you get if things went wrong. For example, with the £300 one, you find if you dig down that the supplier has a UK address but the business is actually based in Hong Kong. I have seen warnings in customer reviews that if the device comes from Hong Kong, then any guarantee is unenforceable and essentially worthless and Amazon are likely to leave you to your own devices. Plus you've got the added complication that some third party sales come as "Fulfilled by Amazon". As far as I understand it this means that Amazon accept some customer responsibility, but I'm not sure sure how much.
I suspect that the answer is "How lucky do you feel?"; are you willing to take a chance on an expensive item to save a not insignificant sum. Are there any comments, or experience, on this and what sort of quality are the iPads offered.
One way that may be worthwhile is to buy it from John Lewis. They normally give a "free" guarantee and in this case it is a 2 year one.
I've always understood that Apple keep a tight control on prices and a quick search seems to confirm this. The big retailers such as Argos, Tesco, John Lewis, PC World all charge the same price as the Apple Store, that is £359.
However, go on to Amazon and you see third party sellers offering them for about £300 - £320. The question is how much support, if any, would you get if things went wrong. For example, with the £300 one, you find if you dig down that the supplier has a UK address but the business is actually based in Hong Kong. I have seen warnings in customer reviews that if the device comes from Hong Kong, then any guarantee is unenforceable and essentially worthless and Amazon are likely to leave you to your own devices. Plus you've got the added complication that some third party sales come as "Fulfilled by Amazon". As far as I understand it this means that Amazon accept some customer responsibility, but I'm not sure sure how much.
I suspect that the answer is "How lucky do you feel?"; are you willing to take a chance on an expensive item to save a not insignificant sum. Are there any comments, or experience, on this and what sort of quality are the iPads offered.
One way that may be worthwhile is to buy it from John Lewis. They normally give a "free" guarantee and in this case it is a 2 year one.