Apple's Black Friday Sales Begin Around the World

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/11/27/apples-black-friday-sales-begin-around-the-world/)


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2008/11/27/105655-one.png

Apple's Black Friday sales have begun around the world in their New Zealand store (http://store.apple.com/nz/browse/campaigns/black_friday?mco=Mjg0MzQ0OQ) and Australia stores (http://store.apple.com/au/browse/campaigns/black_friday?mco=Mjg0MzQ0OQ). The sales show modest discounts similar to previous years.

The only Macs that are on sale include the iMac and the MacBook. When translated to U.S. dollars, the discounts appear to be about $100 for mid-to-high end MacBooks and iMacs and about $50 for the entry level models. These discounts are consistent with last year's Black Friday sale (http://guides.macrumors.com/Black_Friday) and also consistent with whispers we've heard. If it holds true for U.S. pricing, it also dashes unfounded analyst predictions (http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE4AP74C20081126) that Apple would offer 15% discounts.

Apple is also providing discounts on the iPod nano, iPod classic and iPod touch as well as discounts on a number of accessories.

We previously detailed sales (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/11/26/black-friday-discounts-on-macs/) at online retailers on Macs, and will post an update with more Black Friday deals tonight.

Article Link: Apple's Black Friday Sales Begin Around the World (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/11/27/apples-black-friday-sales-begin-around-the-world/)

[arn]

seriously, these analysts bug me.

"Apple's stocking up on Macs, so we think they are going to discount more than usual... um, let's say 15%". An out of nowhere guess, which is (apparently) wrong.

arn

[bryan1884]

anybody know if they will let you combine this sale with the education discount as well?

[Auzburner]

Why do the analysts make all these crazy predictions? What rewards do they receive? What they really need is a little more punishment and embarrassment when they make a false prediction so they aren't just throwing numbers out there anymore...

These deals are not good enough to get me to buy this generation of iMac's. I will be waiting for the next generation and hopefully the Nvidia chipsets.

[goulwen]

stupid analysts.. yes it works on the EDU store but calm down U're ****ed: price with discount remains the same exact price as the normal store :(
how mean is that?

[Mykbibby]

Lame. At least the stores are going to price match! :D

[svndmvn]

why the negative ratings? do people not like discounts? :)

[dannyboxer]

anybody know if they will let you combine this sale with the education discount as well?

I hope so, I asked an Apple Genius and she said yes, but other people are telling me that she was misinformed and that in the past they was not able to stack the discounts. So, I don't really know, but I hope so, that would bring the price of a 2.8Ghz iMac down to below £1000 :eek:

[ditzy]

why the negative ratings? do people not like discounts? :)

I think people just don't think that they are high enough.
When will they understand apple just don't do cheap :rolleyes:

[Foxglove9]

I didn't think they would offer discounts any different than last year or the year before. Apple is pretty content on their current business model and whatever state the economy is in, is not effecting their business.

[ditzy]

I hope so, I asked an Apple Genius and she said yes, but other people are telling me that she was misinformed and that in the past they was not able to stack the discounts. So, I don't really know, but I hope so, that would bring the price of a 2.8Ghz iMac down to below £1000 :eek:

You still wouldn't be under £1000. The discount is going to be less than £70.

[Philsy]

What is Black Friday?

[bryan1884]

if they can price match best buys sale and then do the discount your looking at around 1550 for the 2.8 24" imac

[ditzy]

What is Black Friday?

The day after Thanksgiving.

[Mac Brown]

[QUOTE=bryan1884;6675349]anybody know if they will let you combine this sale with the education discount as well?[/QUOTE

Nope, at least not through the online store. Already asked one of the salespeople.

[bradleyjx]

What is Black Friday?

It's the day after the American Thanksgiving holiday that is traditionally the beginning of the holiday shopping "season". In the US, many stores give steep discounts on items to get people into their stores to buy their holiday gifts at their store. Because of these discounts, many people crowd stores, to the point where this day is almost always the day where profits at large stores move from the red (losing money) to the black (gaining money). Since it always falls on a Friday, there's where the name Black Friday comes from as well.

PS: I changed "Christmas" to "holiday", not because of being PC, but because it just fit better here :)

[Mac Brown]

if they can price match best buys sale and then do the discount your looking at around 1550 for the 2.8 24" imac

Online store will match Best Buy's price. Just have to call and ask them.

[Philsy]

It's the day after the American Thanksgiving holiday that is traditionally the beginning of the holiday shopping "season". In the US, many stores give steep discounts on items to get people into their stores to buy their holiday gifts at their store. Because of these discounts, many people crowd stores, to the point where this day is almost always the day where profits at large stores move from the red (losing money) to the black (gaining money). Since it always falls on a Friday, there's where the name Black Friday comes from as well.

PS: I changed "Christmas" to "holiday", not because of being PC, but because it just fit better here :)

Ah, interesting, thanks. Do they celebrate thanksgiving in NZ and Oz, too?

Gloomy name - sounds like a stock exchange crash! :)

[jfanning]

Ah, interesting, thanks. Do they celebrate thanksgiving in NZ and Oz, too?

No

[Poncho]

Two years ago I bought a Mac on this sale day using the discount I get at work and got a double discount, but only after asking on the phone.

This I was going to buy an iMac with my work discount on this day, but infortunately I got made redundent two weeks ago!!

[o0samotech0o]

No

Some people in the UK do.

-Sam:apple:

[notjustjay]

Ah, interesting, thanks. Do they celebrate thanksgiving in NZ and Oz, too?


Probably it's just easier for Apple to update all of its stores at the same time, and have a worldwide sale.

In Canada, we don't have Black Friday, and indeed, we celebrated Thanksgiving a month ago :) Our big holiday shopping day is called Boxing Day, December 26, the day after Christmas.

[mhnajjar]

Online store will match Best Buy's price. Just have to call and ask them.

I called yesterday and I got rejected :confused:

BTW, BB pulled their discounts!!!

[Philsy]

Probably it's just easier for Apple to update all of its stores at the same time, and have a worldwide sale.

In Canada, we don't have Black Friday, and indeed, we celebrated Thanksgiving a month ago :) Our big holiday shopping day is called Boxing Day, December 26, the day after Christmas.

Boxing Day's become a big shopping day in the UK, too, which is a shame because I still think of it as time to spend with family and friends.

[jfanning]

Some people in the UK do.

-Sam:apple:

Would those be Americans?

[DipDog3]

I told you that there were not going to be any big sales or new iPhones!

I guess I was proved right.

[lord_flash]

Some people in the UK do.


Who? What British person would celebrate? I mean we don't get the day off work or anything.

Are we just grateful that some folk preferred chasing turkeys around the "new world" than staying around here preaching about their religion, or is it just that age old British thing: "any excuse for a pi5s up"*.

*Note for Americans and other aliens: Pi5s Up means drinking session, rather than, well, I don't know, what would Americans think this meant - a social gathering where everyone was angry with each other?

[ChazDaSpaz]

Do these discounts apply in the UK? If they do then they haven't made any mention of it in UK Apple Store website...

[jfanning]

Do these discounts apply in the UK? If they do then they haven't made any mention of it in UK Apple Store website...

That is due to the fact that it is still today in the UK, in Aus/NZ it is tomorrow

[jwtseng]

Well, I guess these modest discounts from Apple may send a "healthy" signal to wallstreet that all is well with Apple retail sales. The situation is probably not as desperate as the analysts have envisioned for Apple.

I'll be ordering my MacBook 2.4gHz through MacConnection then...

$1499 MacBook 2.4gHz (MacConnection on sale through 12/1/08)
- $100 mail in rebate
- 2.7% cashback rebate via BigCrumbs (http://www.bigcrumbs.com/crumbs/landing.do?r=katiekate&s=29408)
- 1.0% cashback rebate via my Amex card

The total is somewhere around $1343.53, with no tax and free shipping!

[vfrancisco]

I ordered my MacBook 13.3" 2.0 Ghz. online yesterday for best buy store pick up. the total came to 1,266- that was after taxes and all that good stuff.
I guess the savings weren't all that spectacular (exactly 110.94 in savings).
The way I look at it, yea, apple isn't offering their computers for the 200 some that ACER is at walmart for blackfriday, but at least I have the peace of mind knowing this machine is going to last me awhile. in the past few years, I've been through 6+ Windows based computers, from the high end Hp Media Center PC's, down to an Acer laptop, and everything in between. All of them have failed me in one way or another.
So yes, I'm picking up the MacBook Saterday. Lets hope I'm as happy with it as I've been with iPods and iPhones!

[knightlie]

Would those be Americans?

Not necessarily. The UK equivalent of Harvest Festival has gone by the wayside it seems, but we used to celebrate the same kind of thing when I was a nipper. I remember bringing food into school which was distributed to the local elderly population.


With apologies to the anti-capitalists, I'm looking to pick up a discounted iPod Touch tomorrow. A 15% discount - if that's accurate - will make it irresistible.

[CoreyMac]

im terribly disappointed that they dont have a discount on their most expensive products instead of their cheaper ones (MBA/MBP)

[Philsy]

Not necessarily. The UK equivalent of Harvest Festival has gone by the wayside it seems, but we used to celebrate the same kind of thing when I was a nipper. I remember bringing food into school which was distributed to the local elderly population.


With apologies to the anti-capitalists, I'm looking to pick up a discounted iPod Touch tomorrow. A 15% discount - if that's accurate - will make it irresistible.

Harvest Festival still happens.

Shame the sale isn't next week, then there'd be less VAT to pay, too...

[jfanning]

With apologies to the anti-capitalists, I'm looking to pick up a discounted iPod Touch tomorrow. A 15% discount - if that's accurate - will make it irresistible.

I assume that is not Apple offering 15%? In NZ it is only 7% max on the iPod touch 8GB, and only 4% on the 32GB one

[winmacguy]

What is Black Friday?

Its called Black Friday because it is the busiest day in the US retail calendar that is supposed to put ALL shops into the Black (in credit for the year) as opposed to in the RED or in debt for the run up to Christmas. It has been going since the 1960s.

[iliketomac]

Apple black friday prices are nothing to get excited about anyway... they try to hype it but it's all marketing ploy... over-exaggerated, under-delivered. :rolleyes:

[Marx55]

THE KEY FIGURE IS: what percentage of discount? For instance, $100 off says nothing. 25% off says it all.

[HiRez]

Anyone who expects Apple to offer 15% discounts is a fool. They've never done that AFAICR, like...ever. It's always maybe a couple percent, that's it.

[wetrix]

I bought an Air and the LED cinema display on Monday and neither are discounted today...whew!

[thejakill]

their black friday sales are always a huge letdown.

they're only good if you were already planning to buy something that happens to be on sale, so you can save the sales tax.

[jwtseng]

THE KEY FIGURE IS: what percentage of discount? For instance, $100 off says nothing. 25% off says it all.

If you take the retail price of the MacBook 2.4ghz of $1599 and add CA state tax back on to it, the total comes to $1730.92.

My purchase at MacConnection will finally (after rebates...see my post above) total $1343.53, which would be a whopping 22% off the direct from Apple cost.:p

[MacGohil]

Just ordered a 16gb iPod Touch to gift my younger brother, he's been waiting for one for a long time now. Well saved $31.

Wish it was a bit more discounted. Well its :apple:.... and what you pay is what you get.

If we keep delivering great products people will alwz keep opening their wallets for us... Steve Jobs!

[Bregalad]

Most of the so-called sale items on the Australian store are a "whopping" 4% off. MacBooks are 7% off. Call all your friends immediately, there's bargains to be had ;)

Seriously the hype over this sale is way out of touch with reality. If you were going to buy a product anyway then enjoy your 4% savings, everyone else should focus their attention on products and companies with real savings. Go get a new TV and you'll probably save 20-30%. Then buy a couch for watching that TV and you'll save 40-60%.

Apple could afford to offer 20% off everything in the store, but they don't need to.

[grumps]

That is due to the fact that it is still today in the UK, in Aus/NZ it is tomorrow

It is indeed tomorrow...here...today...or maybe it's today...

Anyway it's $161 off a MacBook which is looking like US$106 and £69

[grumps]

Most of the so-called sale items on the Australian store are a "whopping" 4% off. MacBooks are 7% off. Call all your friends immediately, there's bargains to be had ;)

Seriously the hype over this sale is way out of touch with reality. If you were going to buy a product anyway then enjoy your 4% savings, everyone else should focus their attention on products and companies with real savings. Go get a new TV and you'll probably save 20-30%. Then buy a couch for watching that TV and you'll save 40-60%.

Apple could afford to offer 20% off everything in the store, but they don't need to.

Sure, if you want a couch don't go and buy a MacBook, you'll be really uncomfortable when you sit on it. But then if you want a MacBook today isn't a bad day because they're cheaper than usual.

This discussion is ridiculous.

If you went to work this morning and your boss gave you a 4% payrise for no reason what would you do...Tell him/her to stuff it I guess.

[coogee]

Stuff it boss, this isn't stacked with EDU discount so nothing here for me. A whopping $11 off an entry-level iMac, keep it Apple, spend it on a fancy dress or something, or maybe some cushions for this MacCouch.

[amac4me]

I'd like to see a discount on Apple TV.

[synth3tik]

anybody know if they will let you combine this sale with the education discount as well?

They never have done anything similar before.

Also I would not be surprised if their new "price matching" does not apply to Black Friday discounts.

Price matching, yeah pretty awesome when Apple has price controls on everything.:rolleyes:

[synth3tik]

And the jobs of the people who make, distribute and sell those things ? Will they share in your contentment in their unemployment ? :rolleyes:


I would highly doubt that (even in this economy) that companies would find themselves in bankruptcy because a few people decided they did not want to give money to large corporations one day out of the year. Really.

The only thing I really plan on doing tomorrow is to spend some time in my friend's coffee shop, supporting her. I would have no reason to want to go out and spend money. Mainly because I am currently living off my severance from work. Also because I really don't want all this crap stores try pushing off on people.

[Bregalad]

Sure, if you want a couch don't go and buy a MacBook, you'll be really uncomfortable when you sit on it. But then if you want a MacBook today isn't a bad day because they're cheaper than usual.

This discussion is ridiculous.

If you went to work this morning and your boss gave you a 4% payrise for no reason what would you do...Tell him/her to stuff it I guess.

You should learn to read.

I say it again slowly so maybe you'll get it this time. If you're looking for a Mac, enjoy your "wonderful" 4% off. If you're looking for a Black Friday deal, go somewhere else where you'll actually get a bargain.

[iOrlando]

seriously, these analysts bug me.

"Apple's stocking up on Macs, so we think they are going to discount more than usual... um, let's say 15%". An out of nowhere guess, which is (apparently) wrong.

arn

yeah but the way they are looking at it is 1) apple's input costs have fallen off a cliff (aluminum) and why else would they being building up so much inventory.

Lets wait to see more countries pricing before drawing a conclusion. I wouldnt put New Zeland up there as being a litmus test for how apple will price its sales in the US haha... I still expect a pretty good sale in U.S. only. black friday means more to US then Europe or New Zeland and apple knows this.

[Stuipdboy1000]

Apple store UK is down. I reckon it's just for updating the product prices and stuff for tomorrows event. Although I'm hoping we see the new In-Ear Headphones (I can dream, can't I?).

[Stuart in Oz]

Most of the so-called sale items on the Australian store are a "whopping" 4% off. MacBooks are 7% off. Call all your friends immediately, there's bargains to be had ;)

Yeah, not exactly stunning discounts for a one-day sale on a Friday... which is just a regular Friday in November here in Aus. It's not really going to make anyone take a day off work!

In Canada, we don't have Black Friday, and indeed, we celebrated Thanksgiving a month ago :) Our big holiday shopping day is called Boxing Day, December 26, the day after Christmas.

Likewise, the big sale in Australia is between Christmas and New Year.

Keep in mind it's high summer here, so a typical Christmas day is 40C (100F) in the shade. The schools are on their 6 week summer holidays, most offices and manufacturers are in summer shutdown... so shopping keeps the kids happy, you in pleasant air-conditioning and is something to do! It's either that or (yet another) kids movie at the multiplex....

[sgntscrawn]

We don't celebrate thanksgiving in Australia - being in the southern hemisphere our harvests would be completely different (opposite, even), which is what thanksgiving is all about. Thanksgiving is more of a US holiday. We don't even have turkeys here! :D

In terms of shopping, the big holiday shopping event is the day after christmas, boxing day, when all the stock take sales start.

Most of the so-called sale items on the Australian store are a "whopping" 4% off. MacBooks are 7% off. Call all your friends immediately, there's bargains to be had ;)

Seriously the hype over this sale is way out of touch with reality. If you were going to buy a product anyway then enjoy your 4% savings, everyone else should focus their attention on products and companies with real savings. Go get a new TV and you'll probably save 20-30%. Then buy a couch for watching that TV and you'll save 40-60%.

Apple could afford to offer 20% off everything in the store, but they don't need to.

I don't know what Apple's margins are but, working in an Apple reseller, our margins would only allow us to give about that much off. As many people have already said - Apple don't do cheap. And the fact remains, Apple's market share is growing regardless. Probably because people want quality, and don't mind paying a little extra for that.

[sgntscrawn]

Keep in mind it's high summer here, so a typical Christmas day is 40C (100F) in the shade. The schools are on their 6 week summer holidays, most offices and manufacturers are in summer shutdown... so shopping keeps the kids happy, you in pleasant air-conditioning and is something to do! It's either that or (yet another) kids movie at the multiplex....

Heh, unless you're shopping in Myer Adelaide (where I work) when the air-conditioners go down... then its far from pleasant ! :)

[Loge]

What is Black Friday?

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=14182215&id=14182213&s=143444

OK not really the same thing. :p

[marbles]

I'm sorry if this has been covered elsewhere ...but , are these discounts available in the physical Apple shops ? , like the one down in my local shopping center ?




cheers


rj

[japanime]

Apple is pretty content on their current business model and whatever state the economy is in, is not effecting their business.

The state of the economy is affecting everyone's business. Apple is not immune to this crisis.

[ditzy]

I'm sorry if this has been covered elsewhere ...but , are these discounts available in the physical Apple shops ? , like the one down in my local shopping center ?




cheers


rj

Yes they are.

[garan]

If you're going to buy through the online UK Apple Store, register for the cashback site http://quidco.com/ to get 5% cashback off your purchase (before VAT and shipping costs).

Cheers,

Garan.

Changed the % rate..

[xrayzed]

Is today Black Friday or April 1st?

Most of the "big event one day savings" are joke. Well, not quite. Jokes normally have a point.

I can buy a 20-inch iMac for A$1538 instead of A$1599, a saving of 4%. Alternatively I could walk a block away to an Apple reseller who is discounting $150 off all iMacs and save 9% (A$1449).

However if you don't want to buy Apple products from the Apple shop there are some decent bargains in software, bags, and other stuff.

[swingerofbirch]

Is today Black Friday or April 1st?

Most of the "big event one day savings" are joke. Well, not quite. Jokes normally have a point.



I believe Tim Cook--the COO of Apple--recently said something to the effect that to increase profit you can increase the price of your products or decrease the cost of the making the products and that Apple is unique in that it does both!

I have to agree that the discounts look pretty silly, but I think it's because the starting prices were pretty silly to begin with (and I know Apple has to spend more on R&D, but I still think they could lower prices....)

[ditzy]

A grand total of £61 off macbooks. Oh well macs aren't ever going to be cheap.

[futuremac]

Why is this on the home page? The discounts are a joke, borderline insulting. Put it on "Page 2".

[Rot'nApple]

*Note for Americans and other aliens: Pi5s Up means... a social gathering where everyone was angry with each other?

Here in America, we just call it the Presidential elections! :D

[chas0001]

I don't understand why they are not discounting the Macbook Pro. Even Macmall is offering a $129 discount. Apple's decisions bewilder me sometimes.

[ditzy]

I don't understand why they are not discounting the Macbook Pro. Even Macmall is offering a $129 discount. Apple's decisions bewilder me sometimes.

There not consumer products.

[garan]

Macs appear to be excluded on the UK educational website (uk-edu).

So with 5% quidco and the 'one day only price' a 13" Macbook 2.4GHz comes in at 1088-((977.87-51.91)*0.05)=£1041.71

Alternatively, buying from the uk-edu website (if you qualify!) is 1079.83-(919*0.05)=£1033.88 (taking into account the 45.95 back through quidco).

Or, wait until Monday and see if the 2.5% drop in VAT is applied to the site giving you (919*1.15)-(919*0.05)=£1010.90

Hope my maths are right ;)

Garan.

[ruinfx]

There not consumer products.

*they're

and yes, they are consumer products.

[ditzy]

*they're

and yes, they are consumer products.

Sorry I stayed up to see sale prices on the apple store. My grammar isn't to good this time of night.
However as far as apple are concerned they aren't consumer products that's why they put the word pro at the end. :rolleyes:
Personally I think that is a ridicules stand but it is the stand that they take.

[G4DP]

£31 off of a 20 inch iMac, that'll get people flooding in to the shops.

Or better yet, £5 off an iPod nano.

Woohoo, I think not Mr Jobs.

[heisetax]

anybody know if they will let you combine this sale with the education discount as well?

Generally they do not.

[Ryox]

Well I just bought an incase slider case and a screen protector, cost me £8.90 Less than what it usually would. Thats not too bad.

[heisetax]

why the negative ratings? do people not like discounts? :)

these discounts are not really very big. Not even as big as the lowered education store discount. MacMall, Amazon, BestBuy & others already do better. That means that this is a non-event for anyone that can use a student-teacher discount or those that choose to use non Apple-direct sources. This can be a very big percentage of the total. Others in the US see that their federal income taxes will go up, thus there will be less money to spend, that is if their job does not get killed to meet the tax, tax,tax, spend, stax & spend of the newly elected socialists group. Anyway these Macs are all made in China & would help their economy more than ours anyway.

[zerogate]

It's free right now through Monday. MeterRead. "Go Green, Save Green!" Please leave a review!

Happy Holidays!

[umijin]

There are really no such deals in Japan. They have some 'holiday specials' but they are limited to accessories and software - all third party. The only Apple thing on sale is the Airport Express.

Lame!

[DYER]

Im sorry guys but this has got to be the woerst sale ever... I own a MBP and I do understand why apple products cost more (BECAUSE THEY ARE WORTH IT) however this is just a joke...
£5 off ipods isnt exactly huge is it... I don;t know why but I just expect a company to either have a decent sale or no sale at all then again i guess for those of you that are buying it is £5-£60 saved so who am i to talk:confused:

[spencerwatts]

I don't know if the Educational Discount is in the same category as the Military/US Gov't discount.

Can the Military/US Gov't discount be stacked on top of these sale prices? That'd be a huge breath of fresh air if so.

[cameronjpu]

its not really done in the spirit of black friday deals, which are commonly anywhere from 25-75% off

Is that like the spirit of Christmas?

What has become of the world when a company is greedy for trying to make money, but an individual doesn't see himself as greedy for expecting the company to accept less money for their product?

[Duke2]

What has become of the world when a company is greedy for trying to make money, but an individual doesn't see himself as greedy for expecting the company to accept less money for their product?

No, no no- that's not what's going on here...

I do feel this is kind of a kick in the head. I think it's less about a company's perceived obligation to provide discounts because it's sitting on gabillions in cash (I agree that's a dumb argument), but more about them doing an inane head-fake pretending to jump on the bandwagon of other retailers positioning themselves for a serious attempt at gaining sales in one of the most challenged retail environments anyone has seen in years. AAPL certainly has the prerogative to not participate in the BF deep discount game and rely on the fact that they can and will do well selling upscale products to upscale folks, but this crap about them sending me all kinds of advertisements and teasers stating jargon like "Our biggest sale of the entire year" is just that a headfake- empty and at the very least disingenuous.

I am at the ready to pull the trigger on a MBP, but will tell you as sold as I am on the product, even I simply cannot place an order when comparing comparable prices on similarly speced lappies. And before y'all jump on the "Oh you cannot compare a $600 Dell Latitude with same HDD, dedicated GPU, memory etc to everything that is a MBP- DON'T. I understand and agree with all those arguments- the OS, hardware integrity, etc being the very reasons why I go Apple. But there are orders of magnitude with everything and there is a *massive* price point disparity when you look at what you can get sub $1K versus a $2600 MBP.

All that said, it may be wishful thinking on my part, but those drawing comps to Australia's Black Friday promo (they don't even have a BF) to what's anticipated for the US may be jumping the gun. On the investment side of things, AAPL has really been quite deliberate giving a heads-up to us stockholders that they plan on being particularly aggressive this season which will hurt margins year over year but with the goal of blowing away revenues. So, I think something may still be in the wind which will make us smile.

But unless they come out with a 'get a free 32 GB iPod Touch with the purchase of any MBP' (i claim no personal knowledge should this happen between 12/15 and 12/28 :) then I agree people should be thoroughly annoyed by a company whose playing the BF discount game touting their biggest sale ever with nada backing it up.

[The Toddfather]

Let's all remember this is a company that has an obligation to make money for it's shareholders. If you don't like the product, don't buy it, but don't complain if a discount isn't to your liking. All this whining is truly silly.

[majordude]

seriously, these analysts bug me... An out of nowhere guess, which is (apparently) wrong.

Everyone has an opinion... stupidly, some companies making waaay too much money pay for them. :mad:

[kas23]

Let's all remember this is a company that has an obligation to make money for it's shareholders...

...which they haven't been doing in the last few months...just like every other cooperation in America. But, that's a different story. :confused:

[ChrisA]

why the negative ratings? do people not like discounts? :)

Ii's Apple's right to not discount, heck they couldrise the price if they want but when they make a stament like "Special one day shopping event" and then take a wopping $50 off all they are doing is making a joke of them selves.

Some people feel they are insulting their customers, do they think we are so dumb that $50 discount would make us buy a $2,000 computer?

My opinion is that this kind of non-discount could cost them more in good will then they will make in extra sales and is just a bad business decision.

[The Toddfather]

...My opinion is that this kind of non-discount could cost them more in good will then they will make in extra sales and is just a bad business decision.

Giving a discount will make people mad, good point.

If you don't like it, don't buy it.

Waaaaaaah.

[CashGap]

Reading the Black Friday threads from prior years, folks complain about the same thing EVERY YEAR...

Apple doesn't NEED to discount to move ever-increasing quantities. We've been numbed by DellHPetc. who need to hack prices to keep the masses from scrutinizing the product too closely.

[Eric S.]

Looking forward to visiting the Apple store tomorrow, hoping for a 10% discount on the MB. I like my Blackbook but it has to go to my wife. I'm pretty much ready to spring for the aluminum one, despite the lack of Firewire, less than optimal screen, and reported trackpad problems with Windows.

[tsice19]

Five minutes past the hour... where are my discounts?

[hijofrizbe]

Five minutes past the hour... where are my discounts?
seriously!!!!!!!! I just wanna see if I'll be able to ask Santa for a Mac or if i actually am going to have to break down to buy a PC. (dear apple gods, save me from the world of vista via a decent discount)

[cameronjpu]

...which they haven't been doing in the last few months...just like every other cooperation in America. But, that's a different story. :confused:

I don't see why you would think they haven't been doing that? Apple has been doing just fine, do you realize they're going to earn about as much profit in this quarter as they EVER have? Plus or minus a few percentage points. Too many people out there are spending way too much time watching the news and panicking. The vast majority of the world continues to operate as it always has, only a small percentage of people are not able to buy the things they could last quarter/year.

You do realize that even the most pessimistic analysis expects the US economy to contract by less than 1% this year, right? That means of all the money changing hands last year, 99% of that amount will happen again this year. This is not the end of the world people! Please, for your own good, so you don't sound so clueless, check out a chart of economic activity over the last 50 years. Check out unemployment rates over that period too.

You'll quickly see that what's happening now happens every 7-8 years on average. This one may or may not be worse than many, but right now the situation is far from the worst most of us have lived through. There were periods in both the 70s and 80s that were far worse that our current predicament.

Sheesh!

[macdealz]

Do deals for US online apple store start at 12 am eastern or 3 am eastern??

[gcmexico]

new 3g iphone gift card?? what the?

[Lancetx]

Do deals for US online apple store start at 12 am eastern or 3 am eastern??

I'd look for them to start at midnight PT, which is of course 3AM ET.

[duckkg5]

I called yesterday and I got rejected :confused:

BTW, BB pulled their discounts!!!

wow best buy is just terrible at so many things

[adamk77]

Do deals for US online apple store start at 12 am eastern or 3 am eastern??

i'd like to know as well.

is it midnight eastern or pacific?

[CashGap]

wonder how long its going to be down for ?

I'm giving it to the top of the hour, then it will have to wait until tomorrow.

Seriously, how long can it take? Wouldn't they have a single db update to set the store prices.

:eek:IT'S BACK:eek:

No notebook discounts but
:eek:FREE 24" CINEMA DISPLAY WITH ANY MACBOOK PRO!!!:eek:

:Dkidding, sorry:D

[SWLinPHX]

I am at the ready to pull the trigger on a MBP, but will tell you as sold as I am on the product, even I simply cannot place an order when comparing comparable prices on similarly speced lappies. And before y'all jump on the "Oh you cannot compare a $600 Dell Latitude with same HDD, dedicated GPU, memory etc to everything that is a MBP- DON'T. I understand and agree with all those arguments- the OS, hardware integrity, etc being the very reasons why I go Apple. But there are orders of magnitude with everything and there is a *massive* price point disparity when you look at what you can get sub $1K versus a $2600 MBP.


seriously!!!!!!!! I just wanna see if I'll be able to ask Santa for a Mac or if i actually am going to have to break down to buy a PC. (dear apple gods, save me from the world of vista via a decent discount)


:confused: Huh? I don't get it. So if some of the Mac models or lines are more than your budget (which they often are) you are going to just turn to PC? I would never do that. That's like saying if the filet mignon is too expensive you have to become a vegetarian. I' rather have the Mac OS and quality any day, even if it meant getting a sub-$1000 white MacBook or Mac Mini.

[BrownManUPS]

Can I expect a discount on cables or wireless keyboard and mouse?

[jsands92]

hmm too weird. A few mintues ago the store was locked for me. Now, It is opened. I clicked the macbook, store locked again. Reloaded back to homepage of store, clicked Ipod and normal page is up.
Just error or no discounts on ipods this year?
I hope just an error.

[xrayzed]

Giving a discount will make people mad, good point.

If you don't like it, don't buy it.

Waaaaaaah.

1) I'm not mad, I'm embarrassed for them. If Apple and their fanbois think 4% is something to get excited about, great. I personally think anyone who figures 4% is exciting is an idiot, but YMMV.

2) I didn't.

3) Brilliant contribution. Did you make that up yourself, or was it a committee effort?

[sushi]

Well, I contributed to the economy with my Black Friday purchases. :)

Although, this time none were from Apple -- don't need anything right now.

[zer0tails]

Apple store in Australia is already up

http://store.apple.com/au/browse/campaigns/black_friday?mco=Mjg0MzQ0OQ

It gives us a rough idea of what we here in North America can expect.

I leave it to you guys and girls to decide if its pass or fail ;)

[pimentoLoaf]

I BF'ed via OWC: a full retail media edition of Office 2008.

:cool:

$99.

:eek:

[hijofrizbe]

:confused: Huh? I don't get it. So if some of the Mac models or lines are more than your budget (which they often are) you are going to just turn to PC? I would never do that. That's like saying if the filet mignon is too expensive you have to become a vegetarian. I' rather have the Mac OS and quality any day, even if it meant getting a sub-$1000 white MacBook or Mac Mini.

While I completely respect your opinion, the basic moral of my story is that it comes down to having a computer or not having a computer. I am currently using a PC laptop I stole out of the tech trash pile at work that is missing keys (the space bar for example) and has a 2gb harddrive. I'm lucky that there was a network card, since the factory installed modem is about as useful as an antenna for a tv.

So with that said, I'm willing to put my pretentious WILL DIE WITH OUT APPLE in my life attitude aside and drop a measly $400 (tops with tax and delivery) on a PC laptop that will hold me over until the holiday season is over, since the holiday season IS about giving to OTHERS.

[side note: a mac mini base price is 599, add a non-apple LCD screen, an apple keyboard and mighty mouse - you want to keep it streamline as possible - costs almost as much as a base macbook]

And for the record, it is not about choosing the filet mignon over being a vegetarian. Its more like a filet mignon wrapped in bacon smothered in warm blue cheese vs a bacon cheese burger from McDonalds.

[SWLinPHX]

Can I expect a discount on cables or wireless keyboard and mouse?

Yeah, that's what I am looking for. The two Apple video adapters for the new MBP are pricey (just under $30 each) but the 10' single-link, DVI-D, male to male cable I got was a great deal. Some of the local retail stores charge way more for cables.

Now I just need 2 10-ft. gigabit ethernet cables and 1 10-ft USB A to USB mini-B cable for my new AirPort Extreme system.

[SWLinPHX]

a mac mini base price is 599, add a non-apple LCD screen, an apple keyboard and mighty mouse - you want to keep it streamline as possible - costs almost as much as a base macbook

Well, I know what you are saying if you just need a computer and are fine with PC's, but I'm not in that situation, and I have two Macs. However, my point was there are sub-$1000 Mac alternatives and you can even buy some nice used ones at a good price (I'm selling my iBook G4 soon). So whatever you decide, it's not like people have to switch to PC.

And the Mac Mini was aimed at people switching over from PC desktops, assuming they already have the keyboard, mouse & display.

[networkr]

Just came back from the store on 5th ave and bought a mac.

Discounts are only on the mb not the pros.
Prices are from $948 to $1498

[Eric S.]

Apple store in Australia is already up

http://store.apple.com/au/browse/campaigns/black_friday?mco=Mjg0MzQ0OQ

It gives us a rough idea of what we here in North America can expect.

I leave it to you guys and girls to decide if its pass or fail ;)

6% to 7% on Macbooks, disappointing.

[zer0tails]

6% to 7% on Macbooks, disappointing.

Indeed. :( I was hoping to get a 32GB ipod touch too.

[hijofrizbe]

Just came back from the store on 5th ave and bought a mac.

Discounts are only on the mb not the pros.
Prices are from $948 to $1498

That's an educational discount right there... speaking of... their educational site went down, and is still down.

[kafs0]

Just had a look at the UK apple store sales. around 4-5% off imacs and macbooks only... pathetic.

I am increasingly annoyed with apple, their poor showing with hardware and hereby renounce my fanboy status. I was ready to by a macbook air (or even a macbook) last month. except they can't seem to fix the air's screen, and the quality of the LCD on the macbooc is very poor (even the high end one). And whats the deal, with not changing the air's trackpad to button-less?

I need a couple of minis for work, but they haven't updated them for so long, and of course no drop in price (even though the processor is outdated).

I am seriously considering buying a pc laptop and turning it into a hackintosh. Until apple get their ***** together and start making good hardware again, that seems to be the only option.

[hijofrizbe]

Well, I know what you are saying if you just need a computer and are fine with PC's, but I'm not in that situation, and I have two Macs. However, my point was there are sub-$1000 Mac alternatives and you can even buy some nice used ones at a good price (I'm selling my iBook G4 soon). So whatever you decide, it's not like people have to switch to PC.

And the Mac Mini was aimed at people switching over from PC desktops, assuming they already have the keyboard, mouse & display.

I agree - if it were about having a choice without a budget, I'd be all over a new anything that would be extremely pricey and highly sexy. If I could even stay with in a $600 budget for a brand spankin' new low end apple, I'd do that, as I don't trust others getting rid of their old macs since I clung to mine until it took its last breath.

But a 4-6% discount is 9-11% off of the projected analysis. And still doesn't put the mac (anything) within MY reach.

[archurban]

what do you guys expect from Apple, huh? seriously. they don't usually discount product for big. 6-7% is just like what apple did before. if you expect something like 30-50%, you are wrong. you'd better go with bestbuy or other. that's why I don't expect anything, and am not surprised at all.

[knightlie]

But unless they come out with a 'get a free 32 GB iPod Touch with the purchase of any MBP' (i claim no personal knowledge should this happen between 12/15 and 12/28 :) then I agree people should be thoroughly annoyed by a company whose playing the BF discount game touting their biggest sale ever with nada backing it up.

Link? You'll have to point out exactly where Apple claim this is "their biggest sale ever," because as far as the Apple UK website is concerned, they do not say that. In fact the site makes no claims as to the size of the discounts offered or even the term "Black Friday."

People complaining because Apple are not offering enough discount: they are not obliged to do what you want. The discount is not enough for me to buy the Touch I wanted, but I'm sure not throwing my toys around because of it. Too expensive without the discount? Then don't buy. Not enough discount? Then don't buy.

Just had a look at the UK apple store sales. around 4-5% off imacs and macbooks only... pathetic.

So what discount would you consider "not pathetic?"

[aznkid25]

store is up

[Eric S.]

The US store is up - $51 off the white Macbook, $101 off aluminum models.

[yamaha106]

store is up

no it's not, at least in the US it isn't

[rogXue]

store is up. Sales are a slap in the face. Can't believe I set my alarm for such a crappy sale. Sorry Apple, lost another customer. Call me when you cut the price of your macbook pro.

[maladroit]

Macbook 2.4 -- Educational store + Black Friday Sales = $1499 ... boo :mad:

[yamaha106]

Educational store + Black Friday Sales = $1499 ... boo :mad:

It's actually a 1 dollar more expensive to buy it with the educational discount rather than buying it with the Black Friday deal. :confused::confused::confused:

[djellison]

There not consumer products.

They're sure as hell not Pro products.


£31 of the iMac is LESS than the 2.5% drop in VAT they should be offering from Monday onwards here in the UK.

KRCS in the UK, an Apple retailer, prices until Dec 21st

8Gb Nano - £99 Apple BF £104, usually £109
20" iMac - £739. Apple BF £768, usually £799
2.4G MB - £1079. Apple BF £1088, usually £1149

Once again, Apple fail to deliver.

[SWLinPHX]

It's actually a 1 dollar more expensive to buy it with the educational discount rather than buying it with the Black Friday deal. :confused::confused::confused:

How do you figure that? Everyone just said their current discount is less than their 10% educational discount.

[yamaha106]

How do you figure that? Everyone just said their current discount is less than their 10% educational discount.

2.4ghz Aluminum Macbook

Black Friday Deal: $1498.00
Educational Discount: $1499.00

Go see for yourself :eek:

[MacHiavelli]

5 quid off an ipod - what a load of rubbish.

[hijofrizbe]

Link? You'll have to point out exactly where Apple claim this is "their biggest sale ever," because as far as the Apple UK website is concerned, they do not say that. In fact the site makes no claims as to the size of the discounts offered or even the term "Black Friday."

People complaining because Apple are not offering enough discount: they are not obliged to do what you want. The discount is not enough for me to buy the Touch I wanted, but I'm sure not throwing my toys around because of it. Too expensive without the discount? Then don't buy. Not enough discount? Then don't buy.



So what discount would you consider "not pathetic?"

What I consider pathetic is that the student discount has a tag that says "save today" when infact it is the same exact price as it was before. The irony of this is that the sale - without the discount is a single dollar less.

I think that I'm more pissed off that the analysts are so far out of touch with EVERYTHING. We really shouldn't even wonder why the economy has taken a dump; these great analysts can't even predict a simple (almost predictable by historical trends) Black Friday sale.

Because I can't afford the product I want, I too, won't buy. Am I going to banish apple forever or throw my toys? No, most of my "toys" are apple branded, but I'm gonna go call dell from my iphone and confirm my purchase and delivery date for a $349 for an interim. At least I'll have the mild satisfaction of knowing I bought a dell from an apple product I guess.

[Cole Slaw]

I was really expecting more, given the economic times we're in.
These "discounts" are somehow insulting.
Insulting in the same way as a waitress would be miffed if you left her a few pennies as a tip.

[toontra]

£60 reduction on a Macbook - that's 5%. Well done Apple, the most pathetic "sale" yet. While every other high street chain is slashing prices, Apple carries on as if they hadn't heard there was an economic crisis.

[scott523]

Lols wow, no In-Ear headphones in sight. This basically means they're 2 months behind Job's original claim. Apple's going to be losing $80 for Bose's $90 headphones today.

The iPod discounts from Apple aren't that impressive compared to what Amazon offers. In fact, those discounts would only cover the tax for me. The Macs are SO tempting but my white MacBook is only into its 3rd year... :/

[MacHiavelli]

The drop in VAT (in the UK) next week is virtually the same as 'sale' prices today.

This has to be the world's biggest load of pooh ever.

[4armshiver]

I think its these analyst that get use hyped up and get our hopes up that there are going to be these huge savings. I think if someone was on the fence on buying a computer from apple, $100 or so bucks would not be enough to sway them considering the original prices. And the lower the original price the lower the savings. I'm not suggesting they drop the prices for their computers to be that of a price of a candy bar but considering that all I heard was analyst saying they were going to be more competitive than usual, this is a slight disappoint.

[Scottsdale]

Since Apple only discounted "consumer" lines why the heck couldn't they discount the new LED 24" Cinema Display?

Seriously, it goes with the MacBook and first display Apple made specifically for MacBook. And, specs are totally consumer line.

I wanted a $100 discount to help justify the purchase. I mean at $899 even with the iSight and speakers it is really overpriced... especially since we know it is not an IPS display.

I know, I am a sucker and will buy it anyways, but it sure would have been nice. Especially since I had intended to buy it the day it was available to purchase. Unlucky me...

[toontra]

It will be interesting to see if Apple start losing market share in the UK over the next couple of years. Their pricing is starting to look almost obscene in the current crisis.

[vermonter16]

The federal government discount in the U.S. is also allowing me to include the sale. It's still not fabulous but here is some of the pricing for those Federal Government workers:

Ipod classics - $213.00
Ipod Nanos - $129.00
Ipod Touch - $194.00
Imacs w/20" screen - $1076
Imacs w/24" screen - $1590
Macbooks - $939
Macbook Airs - $1691
Macbook Pros - $1839.00

I guess I'll be order my imac today because that's the best pricing I've seen for it....and a nano for my husband...and a classic for me...

[vermonter16]

Hey - does anyone know if I can go to the store to get the Fed Gov. discount or do I have to buy it online... If I could do it in the store I would buy the upgraded 24" Imac so I could walk out with it.... Thinking about upgrading to the larger hard drive, video card.... What would you guys do - I'm buying it this morning even if I have to do it online!!!

[kwfl]

5 quid off an ipod - what a load of rubbish.

Yeah,

anyway i bought it as a gift.

[kwfl]

a nano for my husband...and a classic for me...

Shouldnt it be the other way round?!

[hubble1990]

I've been waiting all week for this 'One day event' and found that they are only offering a pathetic £10.99 off the 32gb iPod Touch?? :rolleyes:

I think Apple need to go back and sharpen their pencils.

Very disappointing

[vermonter16]

Shouldnt it be the other way round?!
Nope :) I have probably 6 - 700 CDs alone to copy....he has probably less than 40 CDs... He wants the bigger nano though which he probably doesn't need... But, I'll get it for him anyway. This is how backwards we are - he likes to shop...I don't. The only time I like to shop is at Christmas!

[Oh-es-Ten]

For anyone wondering whether to buy today or not in the UK - note this..

http://www.macworld.co.uk/business/news/index.cfm?RSS&NewsID=23728

These prices (although displayed at 17.5 VAT are going to be charged at 15 VAT), so buying today (with the one day saving) is going to be better than waiting longer.

I don't need to buy today but this now seems a little more tempting. Especially as it is unlikely that Apple is going to have the post-Christmas crazy prices that most other retailers have.

Some food for thought here (for the next 11 hours or so..)

[cameronjpu]

:mad:

[kwfl]

For anyone wondering whether to buy today or not in the UK - note this..

http://www.macworld.co.uk/business/news/index.cfm?RSS&NewsID=23728

These prices (although displayed at 17.5 VAT are going to be charged at 15 VAT), so buying today (with the one day saving) is going to be better than waiting longer.

I don't need to buy today but this now seems a little more tempting. Especially as it is unlikely that Apple is going to have the post-Christmas crazy prices that most other retailers have.

Some food for thought here (for the next 11 hours or so..)

I ordered a nano last night and it was shipped this morning. It was so quick given that i opted to engrave it.

Anyway, if they dont give me the £2.5, i am not bothered.

[adamk77]

You don't have to buy it from apple.

You can get a 2.53 ghz macbook pro for $2,288.98 on amazon.com right now.

even with the student discount, it's around $100 cheaper on amazon.com than on apple due to sales tax.

[therealdt]

Reading the Black Friday threads from prior years, folks complain about the same thing EVERY YEAR...

Apple doesn't NEED to discount to move ever-increasing quantities. We've been numbed by DellHPetc. who need to hack prices to keep the masses from scrutinizing the product too closely.


I agree.

Steve Jobs himself was on the call, a rarity, and he crowed about how Apple sold more handsets than RIM did. He also mentioned Apple's significant cash reserves of $25 billion and lack of debt.

Apple is already in the black, they don't need a BF to put them their.


http://www.tuaw.com/2008/10/21/apple-up-11-after-q4-conference-call/

[Toe]

I was really expecting more, given the economic times we're in.

Apple is in the same "economic times" as anyone else.

How about: "Given these hard economic times, I think you should give me half your money." After all, that would make it easier on me, so... why not?

[The Toddfather]

1) I'm not mad, I'm embarrassed for them. If Apple and their fanbois think 4% is something to get excited about, great. I personally think anyone who figures 4% is exciting is an idiot, but YMMV.

2) I didn't.

3) Brilliant contribution. Did you make that up yourself, or was it a committee effort?

1) Whining about discounts is silly, especially before anyone knew what the discounts were.

2) Your prerogative.

3) Everyone on my small yellow bus were in on it.

[xrayzed]

1) Whining about discounts is silly, especially before anyone knew what the discounts were.

2) Your prerogative.

3) Everyone on my small yellow bus were in on it.
Did you actually read my original post?

I can buy a 20-inch iMac for A$1538 instead of A$1599, a saving of 4%. Alternatively I could walk a block away to an Apple reseller who is discounting $150 off all iMacs and save 9% (A$1449).

In what way is pointing out that a 4% discount is inferior to a 9% discount "whining"?

(BTW, love the yellow bus line. That's gold.)