Best Buy matching Apple's iPod give away *no rebate needed*

[Drag'nGT]

I wanted to share really good news with you guys.
Best Buy is matching Apple's offer of a free iPod (up to $229).
Why is this good/better than going through Apple? Because BB is going to just give it to you. No mail in rebate. They will adjust the price of both the iPod and the Mac to knock off the $229 as well as matching the student price. Accordingly they will do it on a "case-by-case basis".

Anyone out there near Atlanta looking to get a new Mac that wouldn't be able to get the college deal and feel like helping a college student out? (I have my college ID) You'd get the discount off the Mac too! :apple:

[iDAG]

If they are doing this then wouldn't Best Buy advertise it?

[dukebound85]

do you have to be a student?

[TwinCities Dan]

Sounds good.

Do you have a source? Or do we just tell the Drag'nGT sent us? :p

[Drag'nGT]

If they are doing this then wouldn't Best Buy advertise it?

No, it kills all profit. It is a move reserved for informed consumers that will walk if the deal isn't matched.

Mind you that 99% of stores don't match 'BOGO' styled sales.

do you have to be a student?

Yes, and you have to have a student ID. Without it, you won't get it.

Sounds good.

Do you have a source? Or do we just tell the Drag'nGT sent us? :p

You could. I'm big there. :D

Seriously, though. Tell them to look in their employee news in their system.

[aethelbert]

Is it really only for students? Or does it also apply to faculty as the apple one does?

[Drag'nGT]

Is it really only for students? Or does it also apply to faculty as the apple one does?

Faculty qualifies too. I forgot to mention that.

[kyleaa]

It's definitely a great deal if you can get it, but apple's rebate process is nothing to be ashamed of. I actually purchased two laptops under the Back to School deal last year and got both the iPod and printer rebate checks in under a week each time.

[karlo0929]

do you have to be a student?

What kind of student? College student or any?

[aethelbert]

What kind of student? College student or any?
If they're doing this to match the other promotion, then students of higher education institutions would be all that qualify.

[Unprocessed1]

Very smart move by Best Buy.

[thegoldenmackid]

My experience with Best Buy leads me to believe that it is going to be difficult
to convince the Best Buy employees to actually read their employee news wires. But, no disrespect to those that are good; my experiences have been far from it.

[Unprocessed1]

My experience with Best Buy leads me to believe that it is going to be difficult
to convince the Best Buy employees to actually read their employee news wires. But, no disrespect to those that are good; my experiences have been far from it.

Everyone craps over BB employees, but I think people hold them to higher standards then they deserve. It's basically a minimum wage job for a lot of the employees, but many times service is sub-par.

[thegoldenmackid]

Everyone craps over BB employees, but I think people hold them to higher standards then they deserve. It's basically a minimum wage job for a lot of the employees, but many times service is sub-par.

Yes... that's what I was getting at... I mean I understand why their attitude is sub-par and I also understand that Best Buy doesn't have a rigorous hiring process, but still...it's somewhat annoying.

[Unprocessed1]

Yes... that's what I was getting at... I mean I understand why their attitude is sub-par and I also understand that Best Buy doesn't have a rigorous hiring process, but still...it's somewhat annoying.

Apparently their hiring process is rigorous enough to not hire me for a summer job. :cool:

[evelasco]

anybody else able to get the price match at best buy?

[BigGroll]

Well I work at a Best Buy in Minnesota, and I was specifically told that we will not match the ipod deal. Not to mention, we dont even match the full student discount! They say that the "Reward Zone" program makes up the difference, in addition to our financing offers.

And they wonder why I bought my Imac from the Apple Store....

[dkh587]

Well I work at a Best Buy in Minnesota, and I was specifically told that we will not match the ipod deal. Not to mention, we dont even match the full student discount! They say that the "Reward Zone" program makes up the difference, in addition to our financing offers.

And they wonder why I bought my Imac from the Apple Store....

It depends on how you pay. If you have the full amount in cash, go to an Apple store and you'll end up about $50 cheaper(big whoop). But if you charge your Mac to your credit card(Not a best buy card) you're gonna build up in interest, whatever your discount was off that laptop, if not more than what you got off.

[MicahFreak82]

since we are talking about best buy. I had a question about price matching. Do you guys think that best buy would match the developers discount if you brought in a copy of the web page. Just a thought if you weren't necessarily a developer

[Porscheboy16]

Has this been confirmed at any Atlanta Best Buy locations?

[striatedglutes]

It depends on how you pay. If you have the full amount in cash, go to an Apple store and you'll end up about $50 cheaper(big whoop). But if you charge your Mac to your credit card(Not a best buy card) you're gonna build up in interest, whatever your discount was off that laptop, if not more than what you got off.

Unless you pay it off. :confused:

Many people have the cash, but choose to use CCs because of convenience, interest accruing in their savings, or rewards/cash back programs.

[macrumorsMaster]

It's definitely a great deal if you can get it, but apple's rebate process is nothing to be ashamed of.

True, but if they are taking it off right away, you're saving the tax you'd pay on the Touch!

[dkh587]

Unless you pay it off. :confused:

Many people have the cash, but choose to use CCs because of convenience, interest accruing in their savings, or rewards/cash back programs.

And that goes back to what I'm saying.. if you've got cash, then go for it.

However, most students can't pay off a $1,000+ purchase..

[bruinsrme]

Yes... that's what I was getting at... I mean I understand why their attitude is sub-par and I also understand that Best Buy doesn't have a rigorous hiring process, but still...it's somewhat annoying.

Would you be willing to do their job for their pay?

I ask myself that all the time about people woking in the service business and if I say no well I make an extra attempt not to be anything but cordial.

if best buy is offering this I will be making a mac purchase, it better be worth it LOL

[J&JPolangin]

...anyone confirm this yet?

[Bill Gates]

since we are talking about best buy. I had a question about price matching. Do you guys think that best buy would match the developers discount if you brought in a copy of the web page. Just a thought if you weren't necessarily a developer
No way.

[thegoldenmackid]

No way.

+1. Plus, there seems to be some mixed results to whether or not this actually is working...

[queshy]

yeah, this is just negotiating...I doubt everyone will have success with this at BB..it depends which salesperson you get.

[davidoseven]

wouldn't it still be cheaper to get it directly from apple? they give you student discount, a free printer and savings on iwork.

[J&JPolangin]

...without posted pics of the receipt, this never happened:p...

[dkh587]

...without posted pics of the receipt, this never happened:p...

I'm an employee, and with the employee news article I read today, stating that we(as a company) are matching Apple, it is happening everyday.:p

[BigGroll]

Well if you read the etk bulletin it states that we will only match the discount as a last resort and on a case by case basis.

And as far as the interest goes.... You won't pay any for 18 months. Its a pretty good deal

[.:Meh:.]

Any word on the Mac Mini qualifying? That would make my day.

[Sullycanpara]

I know someone that works at a BB up here in Canada, and I know for a fact BB is NOT honouring the student deal. Canadian BB employees are told that BB Canada will have a "back to school" special coming up soon, which will be something akin to what it available right now. There has been no official documentation addressing the deals out there either, so you're looking at a case-by-case basis.

Saying that, I also know that, if a customer comes in looking for a Mac, depending on what else they're looking to get when they get their Mac, there is a chance they can possibly work with staff to get a similar deal. Wouldn't probably be worth as much as a free Touch, but might not be too bad though.

Good luck to those who go in looking for a Mac!

Tim

[dkh587]

Well if you read the etk bulletin it states that we will only match the discount as a last resort and on a case by case basis.

I'm surprised there isn't a value package sku to zero the ipod out, or is there? I thought there wasn't.. and that would get a little messy with erosion..

[theARNSKI]

Whoa. This has got me awake this late night...

I just bought my white macbook this past Sunday, 2 days early of the promotion. Do you think they would still honor it in my case?

I'm probably gonna give them a call tomorrow morning to see and I'll report back.

[theARNSKI]

Alright so I called the Best Buy I purchased my macbook at and the rep I spoke with wasn't the Apple rep as he said the rep was coming in later in the day, but he said he could help me out. So I told him my deal, the promotion, and then he said to me that they'll only match Apple's student discount, but not any special promotion Apple has. Should I call back later and talk to the Apple rep? Or is it pretty much a done deal?

[dkh587]

Alright so I called the Best Buy I purchased my macbook at and the rep I spoke with wasn't the Apple rep as he said the rep was coming in later in the day, but he said he could help me out. So I told him my deal, the promotion, and then he said to me that they'll only match Apple's student discount, but not any special promotion Apple has. Should I call back later and talk to the Apple rep? Or is it pretty much a done deal?

Check your private messages!

[Drag'nGT]

Alright so I called the Best Buy I purchased my macbook at and the rep I spoke with wasn't the Apple rep as he said the rep was coming in later in the day, but he said he could help me out. So I told him my deal, the promotion, and then he said to me that they'll only match Apple's student discount, but not any special promotion Apple has. Should I call back later and talk to the Apple rep? Or is it pretty much a done deal?

Two options:

1) Take a print out of the Apple offer and walk into BB to buy the SAME laptop you already bought. Talk to a new rep and let them sell you on the computer. Agree to buy the laptop and tell them that a friend of yours just got this deal *pull out the Apple offer* and you'd like to get the same deal. Don't let them squirm on a "not at BB" thing. Tell them your friend got it here and that you know it's available to customers. If necessary, tell them to read Employee News.

Then, buy the laptop and walk out. The next day or a few hours later, walk in with the same laptop you just bought and haven't opened. Give them the receipt from your first purchase and get all your money back. As long as you haven't opened the computer, they cannot charge you a restocking fee.

You = :D


2) Go in. Calling does squat. Let them know that you "know they are allowed to give you the discount." You just had 2 or 3 BB employees confirm that this is in fact going on just as I said. Tell them that it's in their Employee News and that you want the same deal that Apple offers.

That should be all that's necessary. If the employee doesn't say "OK" and go get the over ride... ask for a manager.

The "case-by-case" crap just sounds like "only special people", and you are just as special as anyone else. Play that against them if things still aren't going your way and see how they squirm.

You have a 14 day window to get a price match to a competitor and Apple is a competitor with an actual store (they don't match .com's). You're entitled to ask for this.

Post back as I know this has worked at atleast one store around me. But they didn't have to go through all this to get the deal. Just brought in the print out from Apple and it was matched.

[Imola Ghost]

I'm calling the Manager at the Best Buy that I recently bought mine at 12 days ago and asking if we could do that deal?

[theARNSKI]

Hahah alright so I just got off the phone with the 3rd Best Buy in my area.

I took what you, Drag'nGT and dkh587, suggested and I got no luck.

With each store, I spoke with the supervisor of their computer department and each one seemed to have had tough skin and would not budge. I mentioned the Employer News thing, I told them I had a friend who goes to an out of state college who had the promotion work for them at their local Best Buy, and nothing. I got the same response each time about "We don't do what Apple does" blah blah blah. I even told them that "I'd hate to have to return the product and just spend my money elsewhere" and now I have to come up with 3 different macbooks to return. Haha.

Oh well. No harm. Thank you both though x]

[Vader]

I was just at a Best Buy in St. Louis, I and was told that they will match the education prices, but they were specifically told NOT to match rebates. I told him that he should check the employee news. He left for a while and came back to let me know that they were not offering a free iPod Touch with the iMac or other Apple computers and that they have a policy against matching rebates.

Could you please take a picture or make a copy of the employee news where it states that Best Buy is honoring the free iPod Touch with purchase of a mac offer? Thank you.

[dkh587]

I was just at a Best Buy in St. Louis, I and was told that they will match the education prices, but they were specifically told NOT to match rebates. I told him that he should check the employee news. He left for a while and came back to let me know that they were not offering a free iPod Touch with the iMac or other Apple computers and that they have a policy against matching rebates.

Could you please take a picture or make a copy of the employee news where it states that Best Buy is honoring the free iPod Touch with purchase of a mac offer? Thank you.

I reread the article today, and it stated at the end it should be on a case by case basis. Since the Computers supervisors at each store didn't budge, I'd just call back(but it'd be better to go to the store) and speak with the general manager about it. I mean, if you're threatening to return the laptop and buy elsewhere, and if that doesn't count, what the hell does, you know? Any smart GM would realize that $230 is chump change when one of their departments is about to get hit with a $1,000+ return..

[Drag'nGT]

Hahah alright so I just got off the phone with the 3rd Best Buy in my area.

I took what you, Drag'nGT and dkh587, suggested and I got no luck.

With each store, I spoke with the supervisor of their computer department and each one seemed to have had tough skin and would not budge. I mentioned the Employer News thing, I told them I had a friend who goes to an out of state college who had the promotion work for them at their local Best Buy, and nothing. I got the same response each time about "We don't do what Apple does" blah blah blah. I even told them that "I'd hate to have to return the product and just spend my money elsewhere" and now I have to come up with 3 different macbooks to return. Haha.

Oh well. No harm. Thank you both though x]

I told you not to call. :p Sorry though.

I was just at a Best Buy in St. Louis, I and was told that they will match the education prices, but they were specifically told NOT to match rebates. I told him that he should check the employee news. He left for a while and came back to let me know that they were not offering a free iPod Touch with the iMac or other Apple computers and that they have a policy against matching rebates.

Could you please take a picture or make a copy of the employee news where it states that Best Buy is honoring the free iPod Touch with purchase of a mac offer? Thank you.

My friend will not give me a printout to scan. He claims it's internal BB info and he doesn't want it all over the internet.

[Grimace]

Two options:

1) Take a print out of the Apple offer and walk into BB to buy the SAME laptop you already bought. Talk to a new rep and let them sell you on the computer. Agree to buy the laptop and tell them that a friend of yours just got this deal *pull out the Apple offer* and you'd like to get the same deal. Don't let them squirm on a "not at BB" thing. Tell them your friend got it here and that you know it's available to customers. If necessary, tell them to read Employee News.

Then, buy the laptop and walk out. The next day or a few hours later, walk in with the same laptop you just bought and haven't opened. Give them the receipt from your first purchase and get all your money back. As long as you haven't opened the computer, they cannot charge you a restocking fee.

You = :D



Aside from being dishonest, the serial numbers won't match, and they are on all Apple receipts -- presumably the Best Buy ones too.

[Unprocessed1]

Two options:

1) Take a print out of the Apple offer and walk into BB to buy the SAME laptop you already bought. Talk to a new rep and let them sell you on the computer. Agree to buy the laptop and tell them that a friend of yours just got this deal *pull out the Apple offer* and you'd like to get the same deal. Don't let them squirm on a "not at BB" thing. Tell them your friend got it here and that you know it's available to customers. If necessary, tell them to read Employee News.

Then, buy the laptop and walk out. The next day or a few hours later, walk in with the same laptop you just bought and haven't opened. Give them the receipt from your first purchase and get all your money back. As long as you haven't opened the computer, they cannot charge you a restocking fee.

You = :D




What on earth does this accomplish?

[thegoldenmackid]

What on earth does this accomplish?

You get to me knew friends, Best Buy Security.

[Unprocessed1]

You get to me knew friends, Best Buy Security.

I know but I didn't understand what the OP was saying, it was confusing. What was being done by buying and then returning the mac? How does that get you a free iPod?

[emaja]

Aside from being dishonest, the serial numbers won't match, and they are on all Apple receipts -- presumably the Best Buy ones too.

There are no serial numbers on BB computer purchases.

On the second point, how is it dishonest? You bought two Macs - one with an iPod and one without - and are returning one, unopened. No problem.

[J&JPolangin]

...how is it dishonest? You bought two Macs - one with an iPod and one without - and are returning one, unopened. No problem.

...um, you bought a computer from a different store and your trying to return it to another store knowingly = fraud...

[emaja]

...um, you bought a computer from a different store and your trying to return it to another store knowingly = fraud...

I took it to mean you bought 2 Macs from BB - and returned one. No fraud there. Typically you would not be able to return a computer to a store without a receipt, so no fraud could happen.

[BigGroll]

Most managers won't panic about a computer return simply because computers alone are such low margin. Its all about the warrants and accessories. Your chances if getting this from bb are pretty low

[Jolea]

Its completely true
! i called a best buy in my city and they will match apple's student discount and free ipod give away i also ask if every store does that and they said no only certain stores will do it.

[thegoldenmackid]

Had a random thought about the whole, buy a different one and return the other one to Best Buy...Doesn't Best Buy put those annoying yellow stickers about returning your products like they do on cameras and other stuff... There is no way you could replicate that without taking the %15 restocking fee...

[jtgotsjets]

I just want to let everyone know that this is definitely real.

Went to best buy yesterday (Wichita, ks) almost on a whim (mom and I were eating near it and I happened to remember this thread-- she of course was interested in the free iPod).
Walked in, asked the first associate I saw about iMacs, studen discounts, and free iPods. He left to check with his manager. When he returned, he said that I just had to log on to my school's website and show him a schedule to prove I was a current student. Did so.
Ended up with a 2.66 24" iMac--which was actually $1379 because best buy had them on sale cheaper than the student discount already--and a totally free iPod touch.

This is probably the best deal going right now (especially since the computer was actually less than what it costs in apples education store), I highly recommend you check this out

[evelasco]

trying to get this deal at best buy in socal area...anyone have any luck here?
i tried the best buy in torrance. the saleman seemed to know what was going on, had a chat with his manager and basically went back and forth with me and the manager with questions and answers. he asked me if i was planning to buy a warranty, and this was probably the turning point as he came back and said they couldnt do it.
i go to lawndale best buy and try it there. the salesman and manager seemed to know nothing of the deal
so if anyone has taken advantage of this deal in socal, please let me know which one

[gothamm]

I just want to let everyone know that this is definitely real.

Went to best buy yesterday (Wichita, ks) almost on a whim (mom and I were eating near it and I happened to remember this thread-- she of course was interested in the free iPod).
Walked in, asked the first associate I saw about iMacs, studen discounts, and free iPods. He left to check with his manager. When he returned, he said that I just had to log on to my school's website and show him a schedule to prove I was a current student. Did so.
Ended up with a 2.66 24" iMac--which was actually $1379 because best buy had them on sale cheaper than the student discount already--and a totally free iPod touch.

This is probably the best deal going right now (especially since the computer was actually less than what it costs in apples education store), I highly recommend you check this out


whoa whoa....you got the 32 gb model for free?

[jtgotsjets]

whoa whoa....you got the 32 gb model for free?

Sorry if that's confusing- I already owned the 32 gig, my mom (buying the computer for me as a grad present) kept the free 8 gig.
She doesn't even know how to put music on it yet. Have to help her next time I'm in town.

[ordo1980]

So wow does this suck. The 18 month 0 interest thing is gone, new macbooks are out, and neither bestbuy near me is doing the free ipod deals. Has BB yet formulated a uniform way to handle this? This apple promo has been going on for a while, one would think that BB would get with the program and have a policy. Also, back to school is coming up, so I don't know why BB chose to end the 0 interest deal when everyone and their kid is going to be looking for a new computer to go to school with... and macbooks sell well to the college crowd, surely the best buy execs understand that?

My local BBs are a joke. They're telling me they'll give me $50 off and a gift card blah blah, so in other words, they won't give me much of anything, barely enough to pay for tax, it's ridiculous. I'm tempted to just get it through Apple. I can pay it all off in time within 12 months with apple's 0 interest deal. So I'm not worried about not paying it off in time and incurring ugly finance charges, etc. I'll be a law student in the fall, so I can show it to my school and have no trouble getting aid for school-related expense, which it is, it'd probably be paid off within 6 months or so, but def a year. I just would miss the rewards points I'd get on such a big purchase at BB. It just seems ridiculous that BB isn't honoring this promo. Eeeeek!!

[Imola Ghost]

I was told this buy a Apple employee at the store the day the new Macbooks came out. She said that the free ipod was good even though you bought it at Best Buy. Basically you buy the ipod at the time of the sale and you send in your coupon or what ever to get reimbursed by Apple.

[chris7777]

Which stores in the Atlanta area have DONE this deal?

I saw how at least one store had their laptops on clearance, and If I could get the deal it might be worth it.

[emaja]

I was told this buy a Apple employee at the store the day the new Macbooks came out. She said that the free ipod was good even though you bought it at Best Buy. Basically you buy the ipod at the time of the sale and you send in your coupon or what ever to get reimbursed by Apple.

According to Apple's info online, that is not true.

It just seems ridiculous that BB isn't honoring this promo. Eeeeek!!

It seems like it is handled at the manager's discretion. Since they are not obligated by Apple to honor it, you should not expect them to.

[thegoldenmackid]

I was told this buy a Apple employee at the store the day the new Macbooks came out. She said that the free ipod was good even though you bought it at Best Buy. Basically you buy the ipod at the time of the sale and you send in your coupon or what ever to get reimbursed by Apple.

I also doubt this to be true

[bandit373]

To all those who don't beleive I can attest this IS TRUE!

Just purchased a 13" 2.26Ghz MacBookPro From my local Best Buy (Cranston RI) and they honored the Educational Discount in store and I received a FREE 8GB Ipod Touch with no rebate needed! The Rep initially said no then I asked (nicely) if the Department Manager was around and if we could ask them and he said sure. We walked over talked to the Computer Department Manager and she said yes they would honor it. I showed them my acceptance letter and they verified my liscense and $1099 for the 2.26 13" MacBook Pro and a free 8gb Ipod touch later I was on my way. All took less than 20 minutes. I even was given a $30 BB gift card for buying the Ipod Touch and same as cash for using my BB card. Best of all, I received a 9CBD Screen (one of the best)!! It looks amazing! This is my first mac and I am AMAZED! Also picking up my IPhone 3GS Friday. Preordered it Monday. You also get a $50 BB gift card when you pre-order :)

[brand]

You also get a $50 BB gift card when you pre-order :)

No you don't, that is intended to be used as the down payment for your pre-order. If you decide to not use the gift card then you will have to pay the full subsidized price for the iPhone.

[pinoyplaya]

Lame! I went to the one in my BestBuy Store in Spokane and nothing! I know one of the salesman there because I have worked with him before at CompUSA and he tried to ask the manager if I could get the MacBook Pro + free iPod and pay for the mac at the student price and the manger said that I could only get either the student discount or the free iPod, one or the other.

I guess it does depend on the manager on duty though.
But oh well, I ordered mine on Apple's website that day and should be arriving sometime today :)

[boston44]

I called 4 best buys in my area and all but one said the same thing, we'll give you $100 off OR the iTouch, but not both. The other one said they won't do anything at all. I hate rebates, but I guess apple is the way to go. The manager at best buy did however say the iTouch would be instant, I just have to pay full price...

[rinigado]

won't work in Glendale, CA BB store..tried yesterday but manager will not offer the rebate/edu deal

[MikeByMac]

For those who are interested, I was able to buy a 15" MBP at the student price, and received a free 8 GB iPod touch instantly at the Tampa (Dale Mabry) Best Buy. They had a sign in the Apple display area that stated they would do the deal.

[2056]

this is excellent seeing how the closest Apple store is a 2.5 hour drive away and i'd rather make the purchase in person. thanks.

[chippy chuke]

Not only do they give you the rebate, but you do not have to pay tax on the ipod like you need to through the apple stores.

[MikeByMac]

I snapped a picture of the sign at the Best Buy where I purchased my MBP. Receipt scan available, too.

http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/8295/img00062.jpg

[heesey1010]

If you look at Best buy's circular for the past week you'll be able to find it.

[betsbillabong]

This is great. Now I just need to see if faculty pricing is included.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=abcat0502000&type=category

[queshy]

This is great. Now I just need to see if faculty pricing is included.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=abcat0502000&type=category

NIce, much better than waiting over a month for the Apple rebate...

[iGEORGIAban]

this deal is in memphis, but they said it was either student discount or free ipod.

[JustLikeYou]

the store in Palm Beach Gardens, FL said the same thing - either the student discount, or the free ipod, but not both... however, they also said they weren't running that promo anymore, but would still honor it if asked for.

I'm going to try it at another local best buy, just for kicks and giggles. Hey, if I can get the free ipod now without waiting for a rebate, why not? Otherwise, I'll be getting a refurb.