Better buy from Apple Online Store, you can get cheaper pricing with edu price and also, support is really better.

If you complain bad enough, they can 1 to 1 replacement with you.

My friends case, he bought a MBP 15" 2010 model last year with snow leo. There was a minor 'flicker' when shutting down. He noticed it and was not satisfied as he bought the model at 5k. He reformatted the unit just to make sure it wasn't a software glitch. After confirming it's not software, we looked for the service centre.

We went to Machines to service, everything was so professional, technician was out on leave. Have to wait for him to come back. So my friend waited patiently. When he received a call from Machines. The technician said there is nothing wrong with the unit. 

After taking the unit back, he complained head over heels over that issue and Machines is unable to find the issue. Apple then made a deal, 1 to 1 exchange. He waited for the new unit to come and DHL guy came deliver the new one, my friend passed back the old one. Everything was fine. He got everything new.... even the box.

So purely saying that I find if buy Apple Premium Products, it's best to buy from Apple Online Store. Don't sulk to the 'freebies' and stuff. Those freebies are cheap china things. What they care is only sales.

Also same cases with iPhones. Refurbed and old users information still inside! I bet highly that the resellers here also adopt the same thing. Check everything, bring a friend who knows a mac to the store. Study the product well before buying and find feedbacks first. We consumers now have to be smart because retailers are getting smarter to cheat people on closing the deal.

@ cheetoh Machines is in the sales business. they don't care about after-sales service, as we can see. Good luck convincing the directors to improve the after-sales service. I tried, they are just not bothered.
what group power? Mac Owner's club? the fact is that most of Machines' customers are walk-in retail ... that's why they are like that. they're tumpang glamor on the Apple brand name. just like some infamous car dealers

You can't blame them. Your board might ship with other claim parts/ product that very likely to get held up by customs. Unless Apple ship your board separately.

my personal solution has been
1. buy from Apple online store. support Apple directly.
2. support local specialists (like wei, crxr et.al) who deliver a high-quality service at a reasonable rate.
3. educate fellow Mac users on where and how to get a good deal
4. blacklist bad service shops. I've stopped buying ANYTHING from local Mac shops. as long as they hire from the bargain bin, I will not support their business.

@niclas yes, you should call Apple 1800 80 6419 and ask for an explanation...

Hmmm.... yet to try & call them, as I think most of the case are beyond of their control (Customs / Courier issue most possibly). Will only try to contact Apple care if there is still no news until next monday

Last time ordered iPhone 4 @Apple Online Store Singapore. The delivery process were very smooth without any delay (I think the main reason is Apple use Singapore as a hub and distribute their item through other nearby country.)

The only difference is that my iPhone 4 no need to go through clearance because it was delivered at Singapore address while my MBA have to pending for clearance 

Your MBA is considered as an import.
That's why they need custom clearance.

Yes~ That's the issue ~
But it take 3 days (might more than 3) to clearance... a bit slow lor 
July 26,27,28,29,.....  

Yes~ That's the issue ~
But it take 3 days (might more than 3) to clearance... a bit slow lor 
July 26,27,28,29,..... 

You can't blame DHL for this, our Malaysian custom are not efficient.
My last purchase from apple store, an iPod nano.
It took 5 days for them to deliver.
3 days stuck at subang

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Added on July 29, 2011, 10:02 pm

You can't blame DHL for this, our Malaysian custom are not efficient.
My last purchase from apple store, an iPod nano.
It took 5 days for them to deliver.
3 days stuck at subang

This is main point. So I'll be patient.Unless I can't see any movement from them, I won't call Apple to pressure them 

i'd like to get the forumers opinion on something and i hope i'm posting this query in the right "section"

i've two 15" mbps currently, the first gen mbp and a mid '10 mbp. both has acpp and the one i'd like your opinions on is the former.

as you know it's been 3 years since it's release hence my acpp on that unit ends this november. i had no issues with it for the first two years? (except when i was still in states and i had to get the battery light indicator on the side changed) but ever since last year it started overheating regularly and up to date i've had 3 logic board changed and a bloated battery among other things.

and just today i've sent it in yet again for again overheating issues, screen flickers and what i suspect to be a bloated battery again.

so what i'd like to ask is, is there anything i could really do other than what i'm currently doing now? since the unit is old and my acpp ends this nov.
ninja edit*

thanks in advance