To upgrade to new MacBook Pro or not?

Question

We bought the previous version of the MacBook Pro literally just days before the new one was made available. We specifically asked at the store "Is there anything new coming out soon?" because we knew Apple is always putting out new stuff. They told us no, so we went ahead and purchased the MacBook. After we heard of the new one being available, we called support and the store both said "Sure, no problem, just bring it in and we can exchange it". When we got to the store, awaiting was a $300 restocking fee! After being blatantly lied to at the store and then being slapped with this fee, we just decided to walk out of the store.
However, is the new MacBook worth this ridiculous fee?

Answer 1

Apple Store employees aren't allowed to give out information about updates to the product line, and often don't even have that information until the day of the announcement -- the salesperson you dealt with may not have known. Some will say that they've heard rumors and advise you to Google for information. Some won't. If they do, they're brushing up against violation of the policy of their employer. I'm not now, nor have I ever been, and Apple employee, but I imagine it's something that, if the store manager's a hardliner, an employee could be fired for.
The restocking fee is disclosed when you buy the computer -- it's on the receipt. It *****, but they do disclose it and it's not as though they try to keep it secret. What's more, Apple's 10% restocking fee is less than most other retailers. Best Buy charges 15% and some places won't accept returns at all.
All that having been said, it does suck, especially when you thought you were making an effort to be a well-informed consumer. Given that you were given information that led you to believe you wouldn't be hit with the restocking fee, however, I'd ask to speak with the store manager and explain the situation -- complete with the erroneous information re: exchange. Also, Apple sent out invitations to the media 5 or 6 days before the announcement, and if you bought the older generation computer after that went out, bring that up too: If that's the case, you were directly lied to (as opposed to an employee simply not winking at the rules and moving on), and that's something the manager needs to be made aware of.
Also, a lot of the stores are being pretty flexible with the return rules right now, and if you have no luck at the store where you made the original purchase and it's even remotely feasible to go to another one, call ahead, get the name of the person you speak to, and go there.
(Example of the flexibility thing: My old MBP lost a fight against a cup of hot tea two weeks ago. It was declared more expensive to replace than to fix, and I carry a computer rider on my renter's insurance policy. I was aware of a possible update in the near future, and I didn't want to shell out any more than I had to before I knew my insurance claim would be approved. I bought a bottom-of-the-line MacBook with the full intention of returning it because I can't be without a computer. My new computer hasn't arrived yet, and the end of my return period was yesterday. I went in and asked if I could return it then immediately repurchase it so I could avoid having to wipe it, transfer files to another baseline MB, then wipe that one when my MBP finally shows up. They said that, given the new release, they were authorized to offer a bit of leeway on the return rules. The person I spoke to [a floor manager, I think] gave me his card and told me that if anyone had a question about it or he wasn't there to let them know I'd spoken to him and he'd given me the okay to go beyond the 14 days. I didn't ask about waiving the restocking fee, in part because insurance is covering it and in part because it never occurred to me that they would. I wasn't at all surprised by the return-extension, because in my experience every Apple Store I've been to has always been really good at customer service. My point is that if yours isn't, you should speak up.)
If you don't have any luck getting them to waive or reduce the fee, the question of whether it's "worth" the $300 depends on your computer needs and your budget. If you can afford it and feel that the upgrades are worth $300, then it's worth it. On the other hand, the older model met your needs well enough that you were comfortable making the purchase. Unless your needs have changed, you still have a **** good machine that will hold up well and hold its value well. (Which is another option for you if you're determined to get the newer model: try to sell the machine you currently have for either what you paid for it or slightly less -- though not more than $300 less. You may get lucky.)
Whatever you do, good luck!