MacBook Return - Possible?

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gehenna

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#176954 17-Jul-2015 09:41

This isn't specifically a Mac or Apple issue, but since it's about a MacBook I've put it in the Mac OS forum.

My wife recently blew up her 11" MacBook Air with liquid so we decided to buy her a 12" MacBook about 3 weeks ago. We're putting the MBA through the insurance process and getting it repaired, with the idea being to sell it and put the $ into the MacBook which we paid cash for.

Having used it for a couple of weeks my wife finds that the MacBook isn't up to the job for her. It doesn't perform well with browser services like Google Apps - which she needs to use for her school as she's a teacher. There's a number of other examples of poor performance which is likely down to the Core M processor.

I'm curious if we have any return rights here? It was bought from JB HiFi, it's in as-new condition, all the boxes and paperwork are stored away nicely because I'm anal like that. The justification for return being it's not up to the task for her use case - a bit of a stretch to say it's not fit for purpose though.

Any ideas? Are we better to just try and on-sell it?

Thanks!

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#1346339 17-Jul-2015 15:52

Using the CGA - If you said to the salesman " i would like this computer to do this and that ........' and he recommended the macbook then you are able to claim back. If you went into a shop and bought one off the rack without talking to the salesman then you have to find another way.

Tip - if you ever buying something expensive but not sure, play dumb with the salesman, even if your the biggest geek and have done all the research possible. what you want is for them to recommend the item to you or say that this item will be 'fit for purpose' then if it doesn't live up to expectation you have the right to redress.

gehenna

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#1346344 17-Jul-2015 15:58

Yeah nah I didn't deal with a sales person, just walked in and asked for it then walked out. Problem was at the time there were almost none in Wellington and I had to jump on this one as it was the only one I could find in the colour my wife wanted. I need to have a proper look at it over the weekend and make sure that it is actually under performing, or if she just needs to modify her workflow slightly to deal with the hardware compromises. Certainly nothing I'm reading says it should be performing as poorly as she is experiencing. It's mainly with Google Apps via the browser. I've got her to try a few different browsers in the meantime to see how that looks. Also seems that the trackpad is locking up regularly in Google Apps, so I've asked her to disable Force Touch and Haptic Feedback in the meantime to see if that also helps.

By all accounts it's actually a more powerful device than her previous 11" Air - the storage and RAM are both faster. The processor is low power but the sort of issues she's having just seem odd. It could also be that she's not using the recommended scaled display settings, but rather the More Space scaling setting. There's a lot more pixels to drive on this device than the Air, but can that really make such a huge difference to its performance?

bazzer

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#1346347 17-Jul-2015 16:01

I think you'll find it's under the FTA rather than the CGA. The CGA states the goods must be fit for their particular purpose, not fit for your specific purpose. The laptop is functioning fine, it's just not up to the tasks you want it for.

You're going to try to argue that the salesperson misled you to believe that that laptop would be sufficient for the tasks you told him you needed it for. That comes under the FTA.

MikeB4

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#1346349 17-Jul-2015 16:02

You have used it for " couple of weeks " so I doubt that a retailer would accept it back as it is now a second hand device.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

gehenna

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#1346350 17-Jul-2015 16:03

Yeah in my case i'm not specifically arguing a point with anyone in particular, just that the laptop doesn't perform well enough for our requirements. I guess it depends on the good will of the retailer on the day, and how many times I turn anticlockwise on one leg?

It's no like I'm looking for a refund. Just a return the MacBook and pay the difference on a MacBook Air.

gehenna

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#1346370 17-Jul-2015 16:05

MikeB4: You have used it for " couple of weeks " so I doubt that a retailer would accept it back as it is now a second hand device.

Yep I suspect you're quite right there.

I mean if I have to on-sell it that's fine too, just looking at my options really.

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MikeB4

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#1346373 17-Jul-2015 16:12

gehenna:
MikeB4: You have used it for " couple of weeks " so I doubt that a retailer would accept it back as it is now a second hand device.

Yep I suspect you're quite right there.

I mean if I have to on-sell it that's fine too, just looking at my options really.

If you have a long term relationship with the seller and you were buying a different device that better suits you they maybe open to negotiate.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

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#1346385 17-Jul-2015 16:32

Change of mind is not covered - you're at the mercy of goodwill.
If I was in your shoes, I'd sell it and move on.

nathan

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#1346400 17-Jul-2015 16:56

someone buying a $2000+ premium Apple branded laptop wouldn't be expecting to get a weak CPU with the equivalent of a 5 year old Intel i7 IMHO

dwknight

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#1346403 17-Jul-2015 17:02

If you're heavily using Google Apps, I assume you're using Google Chrome as your browser? I expect Google will have optimised it's apps to the max for it's own browser.

Also, consider waiting until the free OS X El Capitan update comes out in a couple of months. It offers a noticeable variety of speed improvements.

gzt

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#1346407 17-Jul-2015 17:21

Usually I would approach the store and explain that it is just not up to expectations and see if a return can be organised. If you are buying a replacement machine they may be very helpful and you may not lose much if anything. But yeah if the discount was good in the first place just sell on and lose a bit. Imho just comes down to the relationship with the store.

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macuser

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#1346408 17-Jul-2015 17:26

Yea I would just go back and say that it really sucks, and for $2000 you expected a lot better. Tell them your wife can barely get any work done on it, that you don't want your money back you just want a laptop that's faster.

gzt

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#1346410 17-Jul-2015 17:27

dwknight: If you're heavily using Google Apps, I assume you're using Google Chrome as your browser? I expect Google will have optimised it's apps to the max for it's own browser.

Also, consider waiting until the free OS X El Capitan update comes out in a couple of months. It offers a noticeable variety of speed improvements.

Yep. Must use Chrome. Likewise I'm a bit surprised its so bad at Google stuff. Optionally check/adjust the processor power management. It does advertise a long battery life so maybe the defaul proc power settings are just too aggressive for the JS engine.

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#1346442 17-Jul-2015 18:21

How is a MBP under performing, you're coming from a MBA. It just doesn't make sense.

Surely it must be down to the way it is being used/configured.

blakamin

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#1346448 17-Jul-2015 18:31

andrewNZ: How is a MBP under performing, you're coming from a MBA. It just doesn't make sense.

Surely it must be down to the way it is being used/configured.

Not a pro from what I'm reading... it's the new macbook... the under-performing one.

I think your best bet would to take a bit of a loss and sell ASAP.

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