Hi guys, just sharing my experience of buying a new iPad last Sunday.

When I bought my iPad 2 last year, I bought it off a small time mobile shop in Melaka for the usual price. When I did my payment, the sales guy took out a new, unopened box. Similar to this picture, with the cling wrap all over the box.


It helps to ease the risk of opened box or demo set when buying an expensive item doesn't it? I'm sure everyone would feel safer around a shop when they bring a box in such a way, knowing that you will be the first to look inside the box straight from Apple's factory.

Move forward a year later, my wife decided to get a new iPad for herself after a year of envy by my iPad 2. Since she is looking for an Easy Payment Plan, the only viable option for her is to buy at SENHENG.

Both my wife and I have been buying lots of our household appliances at SENHENG and have been very satisfied with their service, but the latest procurement of the new iPad made us aware of the risk involve. So here is the story:

Last week, my wife and I went to SENQ in Dataran Pahlawan and inquired about the new iPad 32gb Wifi only white availability. They said its out of stock and that the stock only arrive 2 -3 weeks. Fair enough, so we called in advance to the other branches in Melaka. We found out the branch in Bkt Piatu has the model requested available.

Upon arriving and requesting for the said model, I confirmed with the sales guy that I wanted to get the new iPad. So then he went back to the stores and brought out a white box. To my utter dismay, the box didn't come wrapped with any secured cling wrap. Instead, I saw two banded red tape on both sides of the box which has ALREADY been opened. I immediately requested an unopened box. Here is what the sales guy replied
"Err, all our stocks are opened like this. We need to open and check if everything is there inside."
Utter bullshyt from him, but I played along. I requested to test the iPad first and ask him to turn it on. To his surprise, the iPad couldn't turn ON. 5 minutes he fiddled with the power buttons and the home buttons, until he eventually tried asking his colleague for help. Her is what her colleague said:
"Check battery dalam kotak"
What the fish? Did they really think the battery came differently? Still playing along and somewhat entertained by their lack of product knowledge, I suggested the sales guy to try and charge the iPad.
NOTE: A new iPad will always come FULLY CHARGE or almost full charge straight from the box. If the iPad lose its battery juice or couldn't be turned on, chances are, that iPad has been tampered with prior to unboxing in front of you

Heeding to my suggestion, this dumb sales guy immediately tried to take out the iPad charger from the box. Almost speechless, I instructed them to use a different charger instead of using the new one. I even showed them the charger available on the demo table. By now, I was 100% sure I won't buy the iPad, but figured I should teach this guy something about product knowledge.

Now if you guys still remember your iPad, the iPad itself is protected in a plastic sheet like this:

You need to open the whole plastic to access the charger port. And this sales guy did JUST THAT. Seriously the plastic is totally ruined just because he is trying to charge the thing. I can't imagine who would want to buy that iPad anymore. Hell, he even trying to force the d@mn charge port when it doesn't fit because he couldn't tell which side is up. I figured if he had used the new charge, the inside pin would've probably broke.

not surprising, the iPad still couldn't be turned on despite plugged to a charger. Its a gone case right in front of my eyes. Imagine how scary is that?

So he tried bringing in a new iPad for my testing purpose and just like before, the box isn't secured and the red tapes have been tampered. Only this time, this iPad works when turned on. Of course it requires the standard setting up of date, time, location, etc. Now comes the weird part.

The iPad requires a working internet connection to activate. I couldn't connect to the store's wifi so I passed the iPAd back to him. Another 15 minutes of watching this guy fumbling and trying all codes prove too much for me and my wife. I'm just afraid he might try to destroy another iPad in front of me. I bid him farewell and comfort my wife because she was hoping to hold the new iPad in her hands at that time.

During my ordeal (or is it the sales guy?), the stores were empty and there were 4 other sales person around and NONE of them tried to assist their colleague with the iPad. I got the answer in my next visit to another SenHeng store. This time, another Melaka branch in Taman Cheng. My wife called in advance to confirm their stocks and they said they have the said model available.

Another funny thing happened. They politely refuse to sell us the model UNLESS we purchase an accessory, either a cover or a screen protector. I know its somewhat against the rule to force consumers to buy items, what more coming from a 'reputable' store such as SENHENG. But since I was already tired of driving to so many places and hate seeing more iPads being destroyed in my wake, I decided to purchase the screen protector for $99. Macron brand I think. This time, the box came with the same red tape, but secured and not tampered.

When I ask the sales guy to why the service I receive buying an Apple product has been less-than-nice, he duly answered that its because Apple give very small commision for sales. While other products can earn them 3% or more, Apple products only gives 0.25%. I can imagine how a $1900, product can only earn you a meagre $5 commision.

So in the end, I did buy a new iPad for my wife. She is happy and I am happy. The experience does teach me a lot about purchasing anything off any stores. Hopefully, others can learn from my story and always be careful when making purchases. NEVER sign off your credit card or handing of your cash BEFORE checking your goods.

Cheers!

i but at machine.. they don't give me open @ try it unless i pay first..

bring it home, luckly it still ok up until now

I guess Machine should be better la since it is directly under Apple.

I plan to buy from Switch, is it a safer option?
Can they help to activate it?

I am an ipad noob.

They can easily replace your iPad one-on-one if any problem arise. Unlike Machines, second rate distributors are relieved of that responsibility once they receive your payment. Plus, the stocks that they receive are very limited. Most shops I go only have the 64gb models available.

The more you have to be careful buying from authorised dealers because in any case of claims, refunds or damaged goods just after purchase, you need to direct your claims at Apple stores instead of from the stores you bought. Moral of the story, it is always best to buy directly from Apple. Only reason why people like me opting for other outlets is because Machines doesn't offer any EPP plans.

Haha, I bought my new iPad at SenHeng as well. And for your information, they did ask me to buy those bundled accessories. Luckily I did research before and I tells them I had already asked SenHeng Malaysia and they confirmed with me they did not force sell together with those accessories.

So at the end, I just paid rm2199 for my iPad

P/s my iPad is completely sealed in box! Just like what u get from order online where there's a brown box to cover the whole iPad

Dem, I feel jelly already. Feel like a kid comparing our stuffs.

Well, so far the new iPad works well, so I can't ask for more. The box only prove to be useful if I decide to sell it off as second hand. As for the accessories, I was infact looking for a screen protector, but I knew SenHeng is selling at a premium price compared to other SP. The sales guy offered the branded SP for $99 which he claim contains two SP. So I got one for my old iPad 2 and the other for my wife. I'd say thats $50 for each SP which I don't mind to pay extra. Probably after meeting up too many failed sales guy, this guy got to my good side and I figured the extra accessories is my tip for him being honest about the commission.

You really went the extra mile calling SenHeng up? Wow, I wondered how much you got your SP for.

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Added on September 4, 2012, 4:19 pmBe a smart consumer. You don't need to know about the product much, only know your rights. What ever the sales person shove to you about a certain service, don't believe it. Its better to do your own research and study. I am not familiar with Switch, but any stores selling Apple devices should sell them at a standard price similar to any Machines store.

The activation itself is a very simple process, only thing needed is an internet connection.

This post has been edited by funnyTONE: Sep 4 2012, 04:19 PM

thanks for the reply.

I think I need to do some more research before buying an ipad.
anyone know where can I get some knowledge on ipad,
something like 'Ipad for Dummies' or 'Ipad 101'.

I just googled and found out that some1 complaint in SenHeng Malaysia fb main page and their staff clarified that they don force customer to buy those accessories. To add on, they ask us to give the name of the dealer if they do so

By the way, I think I bought my sp at rm59

Switch is also same as Machines, Switch is also an Apple Authorized Premium Reseller. They are good reputable Apple reseller in Penang and bought several time from Switch don't have any issue with them

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Added on September 5, 2012, 1:26 amI bought my screen protector only at RM40+ for clear type on my new iPad at Switch

This post has been edited by JaysonGoh: Sep 5 2012, 01:26 AM

99 bucks for screen protector?

I paid less than 5 bucks for one...

cheers

5 bucks for 5 bucks quality

Show me 99 bucks quality... I would like to spend my money on it if it worths the money

You should buy and try, there is actually quality different. I tried very very cheap screen protector and medium price screen protector on my iPhone and I feel the difference, you never try you will never know the quality different

Its $99 for two pcs SP. So its worth $50 for each SP. Personally, I don't mind paying a little extra for a decent SP. To each his own.

for sp, i dont see a difference between branded rm50+ and rm10 normal one, unless u r going for steinheil oleophobic version which by far i think is the best i ever used

Care to point out the differences, as I tried several screen protectors and never found any difference yet

Yea, got try SGP Ultra Oleophobic then you will know. I'm using it on my iPhone too, I bought many screen protector before but actually if you are applying yourself then you will already feel the different. Even when installing the expensive sp is more easier to apply already

i like to purchase new ipad. would you tell me specifically the place where u bought your iPad 2??

Just to share with all of you, if you were to buy Iphone/Ipad from Senheng or SenQ, getting PWP screen protector RM99 or Casing with SP bla bla RM2xx-4xx is NOT a MUST.

Please refer to the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/dialog/oauth?clien...&type=3&theater

Look for comment from Mr Lawrence Ee (DD 30/12/12, 16.56pm) and replies from Senheng.

Happy shopping!