u/jarjareen

I wanted to share my experience so that anyone in Gaya planning to buy a from croma or Reliance digital can make an informed decision. After what I went through, I'd honestly recommend avoiding both Croma and Reliance Digital.

I was planning to buy the Mac Mini M5 this year(stopped because of youtuber siggesting to wait for rumored mac mini m5 instead of mac mini m4). Around June 25, Apple increased the price, but before that none of the local stores had any stock. I visited both Croma and Reliance Digital multiple times, and every time I was told the Mac Mini wasn't available.

Since I urgently needed a Mac, I started looking at the MacBook air M5 instead. That's when things went downhill.

Both Croma and Reliance Digital had old stock that they had purchased before the price increase, but they refused to sell it at the printed MRP. On top of that, I wasn't given the education discount or any card discount.

The worst part was that I was told I had to purchase AppleCare+ along with the MacBook. I was clearly told that without AppleCare+, they wouldn't sell me the laptop. Because I needed it urgently, I had no choice but to go ahead with the purchase from Reliance Digital, even though it pushed me well beyond my budget.

It's now been 3–4 days since I bought it, and although my invoice includes AppleCare+, it still hasn't been activated on Apple's side. I've been told it's pending with their backend team.

The most frustrating part is that AppleCare+ wasn't even something I wanted. I understand it's a useful protection plan, but forcing customers to buy it while denying every possible discount just feels like a sales tactic rather than giving customers a choice.

I'm not posting this because of AppleCare+ itself. I'm posting this because of the way the entire purchase was handled. If you're in Gaya and planning to buy a Mac, I'd strongly suggest checking the Apple Online Store or an Apple Premium Reseller before walking into Croma or Reliance Digital.

Has anyone else in Gaya faced something similar with these stores? I'd be interested to know if this is a common practice or if I was just unlucky.

ps: the two year apple care plan costed me 15k from reliance digital (which was forced upon me) while on apple website if i will go buy myself it will cost me 6.8k per year

i had to pay 1.35 lakh for the macbook air m5 i regret buying this at this price but also i needed a pc urgently for my work anyway

Edit1: i raised it to reliance for full return for my device but they settled on refunding my apple care plus amount. I feel cheated and misleaded so i dont want to keep the product at all but whatever

So the 256GB base Mac mini M4 was out of stock before the June 25 price increase, while the higher-capacity models were available.

The moment the price goes up? Suddenly the 256GB model is back in stock.

I have no issue with the price increase itself. AI and data center demand has driven up memory and storage costs, so higher prices are understandable.

What I do have a problem with is restocking the cheapest model only after increasing its price.

Whether it was intentional or not, that's exactly how it looks from a customer's perspective. People waiting for the entry-level Mac never even got the chance to buy it at the old price.

Then Apple turns around and markets the Mac mini as the "best value" Mac for students. That's hard to take seriously when the budget model conveniently reappears only after it becomes more expensive.

I'm not saying this proves Apple manipulated stock. I'm saying the optics are awful, and as a customer, I feel cheated.

So the 256GB base Mac mini M4 was out of stock before the June 25 price increase, while the higher-capacity models were available.

The moment the price goes up? Suddenly the 256GB model is back in stock.

I have no issue with the price increase itself. AI and data center demand has driven up memory and storage costs, so higher prices are understandable.

What I do have a problem with is restocking the cheapest model only after increasing its price.

Whether it was intentional or not, that's exactly how it looks from a customer's perspective. People waiting for the entry-level Mac never even got the chance to buy it at the old price.

Then Apple turns around and markets the Mac mini as the "best value" Mac for students. That's hard to take seriously when the budget model conveniently reappears only after it becomes more expensive.

I'm not saying this proves Apple manipulated stock. I'm saying the optics are awful, and as a customer, I feel cheated.

https://preview.redd.it/wb4ocdw4zz2h1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fa95dc1cb712b5990388c5f612c557c99a6d19d7