Tips for the iPod Holiday Gift Shopper: Where to Buy, How to Pay, etc.
| by Joe Leo, Columnist |
continued... from: previous page
Retailers will try to sell you third party warranties to go with your product. Ultimately, the choice is up to you. Some are great, some are not needed. Every place from Best Buy to even eBay sellers, will try to sell you that "protection plan" or extended service warranty.
If you want it, take it. But be sure to read the fine print carefully. A lot of retailers tell you on the spot that all you have to do if your item breaks? Bring it in and you automatically get a full refund, or a new one to replace the old. Not really.
The best recommendation, of course (five pages later, and three different stories rolled into one), is to go to your retail Apple Store or the Apple Store online for your iPod purchase. Like their slogan, "The Apple Store. Included with every Mac" (something like that), you'll have support when you need it, especially if you bought it from there.
If you need assistance, walk over to the Genius Bar and get help. If you need warranty service, whether its under limited warranty or if you bought AppleCare (Apple's extended warranty which also falls under that fine line above... though--and you can decide if this is biased or not--with AppleCare, it's from Apple themselves, so you're fully covered), help is on the way.
And from Apple technicians. Who will work on it in-store, or if sent out for service, by real Apple technicians at an off location, but Apple site.
As opposed to third party warranties where the retailer that sold you the warranty isn't really in charge of the services. They will send it out somewhere to get fixed. Or, sorry, regular guys with tech knowledge who may or may not fix your iPod in the back room.
We hope that today's guide--a companion piece, really--assists you in your holiday shopping and getting your rock on with a new iPod this holiday season. (Of course, the ultimate shopping guide is to check out MacPrices' iPod price tracker for the latest and lowest prices for such!)
Just make sure you don't literally buy a box of rocks labeled "iPod" this Christmas.
. . .
The original part two of the "iPod Holiday Shopping Guide '07" where we were to publish our findings and compare and contrast each new iPod model, from the new nano, the classic, and the new touch, will now be scheduled for next week.
In the meantime, do your research (read the first part of the story from last week if you haven't already), test out them iPods in-store, and remember the tips provided to you today in preparation for going out to buy yours and the others to be gifted, after you decide what to get based on our findings coming next week!
Enjoy your holiday shopping! Extended hours are in effect, so take your time. Breathe! (Just don't wait until the last minute, because before you know it, it will be 5:00p on December 24th, the final shopping hour before stores close for Christmas!!).
Find the lowest price on a new or refurbished Mac at MacPrices.