Price Matching at Apple Retail Stores?

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/11/25/price-matching-at-apple-retail-stores/)

ifoAppleStore claims (http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2008/11/25/apple-store-will-now-match-competitors-prices/) that Apple retail employees have the authority to match prices of other authorized retailers. Apple has apparently fired the first shot in the holiday shopping battle, by announcing internally that retail store employees have the authority to match the prices of other authorized retailers.Based on the site's comments, there is some debate about whether this is a new ability. Regardless, the issue is typically moot as retailers generally only offer Apple's products at the recommended retail price. The notable exception to this, however, has been sales surrounding Black Friday in which retailers offer instant discounts on Apple products.

BestBuy is already offering discounts up to $150 off (http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-462641-10607181) on current Macs. If this policy is true, then similar discounts may be achievable at Apple's own retail stores.

iPhone app developers appear to be getting in on Black Friday discounts with numerous app sales tracked on AppShopper.com (http://appshopper.com/prices). Notable titles on sale include Spore Origins (http://appshopper.com/games/spore-origins) and Tetris (http://appshopper.com/games/tetris), both 40% off.

Article Link: Price Matching at Apple Retail Stores? (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/11/25/price-matching-at-apple-retail-stores/)

[LillieDesigns]

I wish I was in the market for an Apple product. It's a weird feeling when you have 'everything.'

[samstod]

Microcenter currently has early 2008 2.4 ghz MBPs for 1399. Seems like a sweet deal to pricematch.

[theheadguy]

Only instant? No mail-in rebate matches?

Nah, that would be too good to be true.

[arn]

Microcenter currently has early 2008 2.4 ghz MBPs for 1399. Seems like a sweet deal to pricematch.

well, I don't think Apple retail sells discontinued models, so I don't think you'll be able to price match on that.

arn

[rehingd]

there is some debate about whether or not this is a new ability or not.

Pet peeve. :)

[stephengiem]

way to boost the economy

[portent]

Considering how closely Apple regulates its resellers' advertised pricing, (MAP) this is not really a story. Maybe you can get your Mac for $1295 instead of $1299.

[Tallest Skil]

Considering how closely Apple regulates its resellers' advertised pricing, (MAP) this is not really a story. Maybe you can get your Mac for $1295 instead of $1299.

I see you missed the part about "$150 off".

[schneb]

Apple Stores should have had this policy in place all the time. It promotes shelf circulation and activity. You want to promote the attitude among consumers to say to one another, "Just buy it at the Apple Store, you will get a better deal." rather than the opposite.

[Bentov]

Hmmm, and to think that I was just telling the gf that I was going to buy all of my xmas gifts before I bought anything for myself...

[portent]

I see you missed the part about "$150 off".

I see you missed the part about "advertised price."

"Instant rebates" don't count.

[swissmann]

From personal experience this is not new. However it couldn't include rebates or bundles that Apple couldn't provide. For example bundling a free printer that Apple didn't have. Or free RAM because the RAM is generic instead of Apple branded. Or Costco prices because Costco has a membership fee and Apple doesn't. Or a mail in rebate because Apple didn't have the same mail in rebate. If a computer is selling straight up for $1,295 that would be matched.

[Mindflux]

I see you missed the part about "advertised price."

"Instant rebates" don't count.

You missed the part about how Best Buy's isn't an instant rebate.

[Tallest Skil]

I see you missed the part about "advertised price."

"Instant rebates" don't count.

Did you read the article? "...similar discounts should be achievable at Apple's own retail stores."

[currentinterest]

A discount often overlooked for buying online is sales tax. At around 9% in many places, its absence provides a built-in discount the Apple store will not match.

[portent]

You missed the part about how Best Buy's isn't an instant rebate.
Apparently, so did Best Buy. Sometimes, manufacturers require that products be advertised at their suggested price. When we choose to sell these items for less, we display the sale price only in the cart.
Did you read the article? "...similar discounts should be achievable at Apple's own retail stores."
I read it; it's speculation, and I am confident that it will turn out to be wrong. No way will Apple match unadvertised discounts. Nobody matches unadvertised pricing.

[Mindflux]

Apparently, so did Best Buy.




Nowhere in the article did it say it had to be the advertised price. It can be in the in cart price, the online price, the price is right, etc.

[midniteriver]

This is not a new program. It has been in place since at least 2005.

[portent]

Nowhere in the article did it say it had to be the advertised price. It can be in the in cart price, the online price, the price is right, etc.

Hate to break it to you, but the article is not Gospel. It's speculation about a rumored policy. I think the rumor of price-matching is likely true, but no way will Apple be matching unadvertised prices.

It woud be quite a retail innovation for Apple to match unadvertised pricing. Retailers that do price matching won't match anything that's not on paper. As in, a newspaper or retail flyer, professionally printed.

Nobody matches internet prices; there are to many shady internet shops out there selling stripped/unboxed/ merchandise.

[DaveTheGrey]

Cro-Mag Ralley and Nanosaur 2 for 0,99$
wohoo thanks MacRumors :D

[twoodcc]

should be interesting to see this happen. i wonder if the economy is having an impact on this decision, or is apple just trying to get more macs out there? either way, i'm excited to see that apple marketshare go up

[arn]

It woud be quite a retail innovation for Apple to match unadvertised pricing. Retailers that do price matching won't match anything that's not on paper. As in, a newspaper or retail flyer, professionally printed.

Nobody matches internet prices; there are to many shady internet shops out there selling stripped/unboxed/ merchandise.

Portent may be right, there may be a lot of conditions to these policies... though the question is if this counts as specific enough advertising:

http://images.appleinsider.com/bestbuy081124-1.jpg

arn

[freeny]

Any one find a discount on a 20" cinema display? :)

[kimsharma]

I am not sure why this is news - I have price matched two items over the past 4 years in the Apple stores
1. iPod (60 GB iPod in Costco was cheaper, this was in 2004 )
2. MacbookPro - I think BB was cheaper by $100 or something.


They are quite OK with that from what I understand as long as it is a physical store + authorized dealer - you just need to ask. They will keep your printout though... happened on both occasions.

Hope this helps.

[Doctor Q]

From a circular I saw, Best Buy will be selling a three-pack of $10 iTunes gift cards for $25 (that's $5 off), in limited quantities and with a limit of one three-pack per customer.

[Icaras]

Wow that is such a good price on Apple TV...oh wait, its always been 229. Its 99 cents more expensive too in fact. Clever, clever Best Buy. Almost made me think about picking up an overpriced Apple TV along with a Mac computer on sale! :eek:

[gkarris]

Portent may be right, there may be a lot of conditions to these policies... though the question is if this counts as specific enough advertising:

http://images.appleinsider.com/bestbuy081124-1.jpg

arn

hmmm, I'm not quite up on the argument here...

I was just at BestBuy at lunch and there was a guy purchasing their last 2.4 GHz MacBook for $1449...

Wow, they are getting people in earlier than Black Friday...

[alphaod]

From past experiences, wouldn't price machine require purchases that can made at physical stores? In other words clearance, sales, etc., are not eligible prices for price matching.

[Palliser]

Probably because electronics (especially computers) are as cheap as it is probably going to get... margins are so thin now-a-days as it is.

[months]

Does apple also have sales on mac accessories like time capsule? Or is black friday only for ipod, iphone, and macs?

[SimonTheSoundMa]

Apple Stores in the UK have always price matched up to 10%.

The price match has to be from a physical store. I got 17% (as a student back when I bought) plus £20 off a MacBook and free Apple Care.

You can save 10% by taking in an old computer (doesn't have to be an Apple) for a computer, or 10% if you take in an old iPod or any make phone if you want an iPod/iPhone.


If it is more, they sometimes offer vouchers, or once a friend of mine got a free Firewire external hard drive.

[MacAddict2000]

Yes, Apple Retail Stores are doing price matching as of last week.

However, the customer must bring physical proof (advertisement, etc.) of the product that is on sale at a competing RETAIL sore. The price match does not apply to online discounts and advertisements.

[gkarris]

Yes, Apple Retail Stores are doing price matching as of last week.

However, the customer must bring physical proof (advertisement, etc.) of the product that is on sale at a competing RETAIL sore. The price match does not apply to online discounts and advertisements.

Here's the kicker/loophole:

The ad says $100 - $150 off. It doesn't say, "2.4 GHz MacBook $1449". :eek:

So, the question is, how can they price match something as vague as "$100 - $150 off" - which models, which ones?

[bjornolsson]

Used to work as a Mac Specialist, we matched prices all the time.

[jplevine]

I went into BB's site and added to my cart the MacBook that shows the sale price and printed that page along with the BB ad. I would think that would do the trick.

My question though is that BB shows the revision A model while Apple Stores are technically selling revision B I believe (at least that is what the online store says). Can they say that is a distinction and refuse to match the price?

[puttputt]

speaking of closeout models that have little to do with this Apple Store price-matching thread...

MacConnection has a "deal of the day":
MacBook Pro 15" 2.4Ghz 2GB 200GB SuperDrive
Matte Screen; MB133LL/A
$1449 - $150 rebate = $1299

"good thru 12/1"

I'm guessing MacMall will have this price on Friday?

[RTiii320]

Smart move if you ask me, it is going to draw more visitors to their retail stores, which are just short of amazing. Getting more people into their unique stores will allow them to sell more

[miamialley]

I went into BB's site and added to my cart the MacBook that shows the sale price and printed that page along with the BB ad. I would think that would do the trick.

My question though is that BB shows the revision A model while Apple Stores are technically selling revision B I believe (at least that is what the online store says). Can they say that is a distinction and refuse to match the price?

Where does the online store say they are selling rev B?

[froaddindude]

Does anybody know if apple would still apply a student discount on top of the advertised adds..... say from BB with the 2.4 macbook going for 1449.99, would they still apply another $100 off bringing it to 1349.99??

Thanks guys

[bretm]

Microcenter currently has early 2008 2.4 ghz MBPs for 1399. Seems like a sweet deal to pricematch.

So buy it before it's gone. Apple didn't say they'd give an additional discount.

[oacory]

Microcenter currently has early 2008 2.4 ghz MBPs for 1399. Seems like a sweet deal to pricematch.

Well I got a refurb with the same 2.4 ghz for 1349 from apple. You should go that root if you want one

[xrayzed]

I don't see what's so exciting about price matching:

"I can get a 24-inch 2.8GHz iMac form Next Byte for A$2,399.00. But if I go to the Apple Store I can get the same computer for the same price!"

So instead of giving my money to the retailer with aggressive pricing I reward the Apple for trying to keep their pricing uncompetitive.

As I missing something?

[3baller4]

if this is true, could u also get the student or military discounts on top of that? that'd be oh so great!

2.0 Macbook $1299 to $1199 with matching of prices, then $1199 to $1099 for student discount!

:eek:

[coryjb]

Any idea what Best Buy profits for every Apple product sold?

[jplevine]

On the issue of version A vs B, big mistake on my part. I thought the item number I saw had a B at the end, bit it did have an A. Sorry about that.

An advantage of Apple Store price matching is that Best Buy cannot upgrade the RAM (they don't have it yet) while the Apple Store can.

I called the local store here in central CT and they will price match for this week anyway.

[ivinho]

Wouldn't it also be better to buy directly from the Apple store to avoid complications if you need to return something to Best Buy? I am looking to buy a MBP before the end of the month and I would rather get it from the Apple store than have to deal with Best Buy for returns which haven't been that great in the past.

[Object-X]

I just bought a new MBP today at an Apple Store. They told me to come back Friday and get back any discount. Me so happy! :)

This is thing is sweet btw. Amazing piece of engineering. Screen looks stunningly beautiful in low light.

[kayle12]

You missed the part about how Best Buy's isn't an instant rebate.

Best Buy doesn't do mail-in rebates. It's instant!!

[koobcamuk]

Shame this isn't available internationally... i.e. use current exchange rates ;)

[Mindflux]

Best Buy doesn't do mail-in rebates. It's instant!!

There's a difference between DISCOUNT and INSTANT REBATE.

[charlituna]

Microcenter currently has early 2008 2.4 ghz MBPs for 1399. Seems like a sweet deal to pricematch.

early 2008??? you mean as in the old black one. if so then you can forget a price match. i will give you odds that it has to be exact item matching. so you'd have to match the black macbook with the black macbook which you can't at apple stores cause they don't sell them anymore.

and online at apple that model is listed at a clearance price of $1199

[charlituna]

Hate to break it to you, but the article is not Gospel. It's speculation about a rumored policy. I think the rumor of price-matching is likely true, but no way will Apple be matching unadvertised prices.




it's not a rumor, it does happen. Apple within their rights doesn't advertise it but they will do it if nicely asked.

I saw it attempted 3 times yesterday. 2 worked, 1 didn't.

1 was a guy that pulled up an online store and showed them that the laptop he wanted was $150 off instead of the $101 instore. they gave him the extra $49 off.

1 was a guy that brought in a printout dated 2 weeks ago about a discount but the dates of purchase were over and the discount was gone from the site.

1 was a girl that had a current ad about a free itunes card with the purchase of an ipod but they couldn't discount the card or that would make it worthless so they discounted the ipod for that amount so the math worked out the same.

[charlituna]

Nobody matches internet prices; there are to many shady internet shops out there selling stripped/unboxed/ merchandise.


they will match internet prices but it is possible that the source might have to be an apple authorized reseller or big box company. the 3 times I saw it happen when I was in a store yesterday a manager was involved so there are definitely rules and it's not just telling a sales person you saw something 50% off somewhere and you get the money

[MidgetMariachi]

I wouldn't have thought they did that. Seems like some Froogle searching is ahead of me for the lowest price displayed online and some printing! haha There's an apple store here in Miami Beach on Lincoln Road and it's ALWAYS packed...especially on the weekends.

Midget Mariachi http://photo-shack.com/img/6d3a1e06d6a06349436bc054313b648c.gif

[charliemcarter]

I asked several employees at the Apple Store at the Ala Moana Mall here in Honolulu, Hawaii, if indeed they were authorized to match prices from other authorized apple sellers. All of them said "no, that is just a rumor that somebody started on the internet". Anyone find out different?

[charlituna]

I asked several employees at the Apple Store at the Ala Moana Mall here in Honolulu, Hawaii, if indeed they were authorized to match prices from other authorized apple sellers. All of them said "no, that is just a rumor that somebody started on the internet". Anyone find out different?

I asked at two different stores here in LA and they both said yes. One said they even just got an internal memo reminding them that if asked by a customer who has proof of the discount a manager can approve a price match and that there are rules but only the managers know them all cause the manager has to be involved.

perhaps in Hawaii there is a law that means they don't have to do it, but it does sound like it is a company policy.

[charliemcarter]

Among the benefits of living here in Hawaii is the case of watching all of the advertised specials on TV, whether they be for Jack in the Box or whatever, only to find out the the local places are not offering the advertised prices. I can only suppose it is due to the fact that almost all of out "stuff" has to be shipped or flown in at greater cost. In the mean time, I will be stopping in Portland, OR over the holidays and will check in at an Apple store there.
PS: No sales tax there.