Apple Launches 2017 Back to School Promotion: Free Beats With Select Mac or iPad Pro Models

[vistokid]

Depends on the person you get in chat or at the store to help you. Sometimes they will, sometimes not. If it was in the 14 day return period I’d say 100% yes

Just called Apple. I've had my iPad Pro for about 2 weeks and it's still eligible for a return. They said if I want the education discount I need to return my iPad and reorder again.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

This promotion is beyond laughable now. Nobody wants Beats headphones. They'd be better off temporarily having deeper discounts on the education store, it would be a far better promotion.

For example, 30% off all Macs and iPad Pros. Think regular education discount is about 15%, although that sounds too high.

30% off would be way more than the $150 value of the Beats. That's not happening b/c that would be most of Apple's profit margin. But I agree it would be a "nice touch" for truly loyal Apple buyers that may already have a pair of AirPods or Beats, or just happy with their wired EarPods, to allow the $150... or even just $100, as I'm sure there is more margin in Beats than Macs and iPads, to be credited to the iPad or Mac in lieu of the Beats.

 

[Joe Rossignol]

Anyone see where this is? All I see on the Apple site is the info in this summary. There;s little asterisks all over the Apple page and when I click the terms of the asterisk it only talks about the 3 month Apple music trial as the only current offer.

I don't even see where it says which beats are offered much less what you need to buy to get it.

Ugh no UK...

Anyone have any ideas when they might include France?

Historically, UK/France/Germany have happened at the same time as the US, give or take a few hours. We'll have to see.

In the previous years when the promotion started in Europe?

EDIT: I have not seen somebody already asked this question, sorry.

How long do these back to school promotions usually last?

Yay! How long will promo last?

Apple didn't provide the full terms and conditions until several minutes afterwards. The MacRumors article is now fully updated.

- The promotion usually launches in Europe no more than 2 weeks later

- The promotion ends September 25, 2017 in the United States and Canada

 

[CmdrLaForge]

To me not the greatest promotion but better than nothing. I remember when I got a free iPod !

 

[JeffyTheQuik]

This promotion is beyond laughable now. Nobody wants Beats headphones. They'd be better off temporarily having deeper discounts on the education store, it would be a far better promotion.

For example, 30% off all Macs and iPad Pros. Think regular education discount is about 15%, although that sounds too high.

I like the Beats, mainly because I can pair them with 10 devices (iOS10+/MacOS Sierra+ (I think)), and it's easy-peasy. As far as sound quality, they've taken a bit of a dip since I lost one of the rubber in the ear thingys.

 

[Aathroser]

You obviously don't understand marketing.

If I give you a $100 item for free for buying something, I'm NOT out $100. I'm only out what it costs to make that item, like $50. Your perceived value is $100, but my cost is $50.

If I gave you a price reduction of $100, then my cost is $100. Not as good for me.

Additionally, Apple gets more people using Beats and can talk about those increased numbers. They can't do that if they just give cash back. And giving $50 off sounds worse than 'free $100 beats'.

This is why so many stores, like Target, want to give away $25 gift cards with $100 purchase instead of just $25 off. First, it encourages people to come back to Target, second that $25 really doesn't cost their bottom line $25.

Not to mention that getting college students to own Beats will get them using them on campus. If a large portion of freshman coming in have Beats, there is social pressure for the rest to buy them.

 

[ctnguye3]

On chat with Apple right now, placed an order last week, I should receive it tomorrow so I'm hoping I dont have to return my BTO iMac to get these headphones.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Just called Apple. I've had my iPad Pro for about 2 weeks and it's still eligible for a return. They said if I want the education discount I need to return my iPad and reorder again.

Bass Ackwards. I get they need to do proper accounting and both items need to be on the same invoice but they should have a way to do a "virtual" return and rebuy. They already have your serial#. Saves Apple money and also prevents waisted resources like boxes and other packaging. No too savvy of management who deems themselves the savviest ever.

 

[euvnairb]

Whatever anyone does, don't select the powerbeats3 if you intend to use them and workout with them! The solo's will probably be the best value. I own a pair of powerbeats3 that I use for running and I've already gone through 3 sets because they're just not good at handling sweat like advertised. I won't buy another pair until apple makes them waterproof. Dealing with Apple support/store is just too big a hassle every other month so I've given up and bought a cheap pair off amazon for prime day. Don't make my mistake!

 

[HoosBruce]

Of course... the week after I ordered my new iMac.

Call them. They may help you out

 

[sam2428]

Yeah, just have to wait for your device to be almost a year old and soon to be replaced by a newer, faster one.

Like buying the 2016 model car in 2017.

I agree that the waiting part sucks...but just because new ones might be released 4-5 months later doesn't make the 2017 IPP obsolete. I prefer to the save the money and put that towards higher capacity storage, smart keyboard, etc.

Also...the last car i purchased was a 2015 model at a heavy discounted price when the 2016s had just hit the showrooms. The differences between the two models were negligible for me.

 

[xgman]

I think if you are within the 14 day thing you might be able convince customer service not to have to return and re-buy. maybe. Apple seems more strict than they used to be lately though with stuff like this.

 

[vistokid]

Bass Ackwards. I get they need to do proper accounting and both items need to be on the same invoice but they should have a way to do a "virtual" return and rebuy. They already have your serial#. Saves Apple money and also prevents waisted resources like boxes and other packaging. No too savvy of management who deems themselves the savviest ever.

I think they're just hoping customers won't go through the hassle of doing it. Might be right for me. I waited 2 weeks to get the 256, I don't feel like returning and going through the process.
[doublepost=1499872121][/doublepost]

I think if you are within the 14 day thing you might be able convince customer service not to have to return and re-buy. maybe. Apple seems more strict than they used to be lately though with stuff like this.

I am within the 2 weeks and the rep I got this morning said no dice.

 

[nope7308]

You obviously don't understand marketing.

If I give you a $100 item for free for buying something, I'm NOT out $100. I'm only out what it costs to make that item, like $50. Your perceived value is $100, but my cost is $50.

If I gave you a price reduction of $100, then my cost is $100. Not as good for me.

Additionally, Apple gets more people using Beats and can talk about those increased numbers. They can't do that if they just give cash back. And giving $50 off sounds worse than 'free $100 beats'.

This is why so many stores, like Target, want to give away $25 gift cards with $100 purchase instead of just $25 off. First, it encourages people to come back to Target, second that $25 really doesn't cost their bottom line $25.

I understand how it works, I just don't like it.

I'm the guy that would decline the free headphones simply because I don't want them. I have better things to do with my time than peddle free junk. YMMV.

 

[recoil80]

Why not a price reduction equal in value? At least make that an option!

Beats is the new bloatware.

Because the Beats headphones cost a few $ so they give you a product you could buy for $150 and that seems a good deal, but you still pay the full price for the iPad.
You can always sell the headphones on eBay and make some money.

 

[urungus]

Not to mention that getting college students to own Beats will get them using them on campus. If a large portion of freshman coming in have Beats, there is social pressure for the rest to buy them.

Freshman noobs are the very definition of uncool (think Flounder asking "you guys playing cards" near the start of "Animal House".) Upperclassmen do not model their choices on what lowly freshmen are up to.

 

[Porco]

Free stuff is free stuff. Apart from people who only just missed out, I don't really see a downside to this. Use the beats or sell the beats or give them away, it's all good.

I think this is the purrfect deal. I am going to get this fur sure and tail all my friends.

Unfortunately I am ineligible for this deal, so if I wanted to take part in it I'd have to ask myself: Me? How?

 

[Ghost31]

I wish I could get this just so I can sell them on Craigslist brand new and recoup some of the money from buying my iPad. I'd call that a good deal

 

[Karma*Police]

Want an iPad Pro...but I think I'll wait for better discounts near black friday. ~$150 off based on last year.

You can get it now if you qualify... get the educational discount + headphones which you can sell and it may be comparable to a Black Friday deal. Considering you'd get it months earlier, that's worth something as well.

 

[Ghost31]

I really worry about my generation when you're given free fairly expensive headphones just because you purchased something at the right time and people still find a reason to complain

 

[Patdt13]

I really worry about my generation when you're given free fairly expensive headphones just because you purchased something at the right time and people still find a reason to complain

This. Apple owes you nothing

 

[ctnguye3]

On chat with Apple right now, placed an order last week, I should receive it tomorrow so I'm hoping I dont have to return my BTO iMac to get these headphones.

Just talked to Apple chat, they were able to update my order and include the Beats Solo3 headphones, I haven't receive the iMac yet but it was shipped (delivers tomorrow).

 

[DoctorTech]

https://www.statista.com/chart/7993/headphone-market-share/
Beats is still popular. Especially with their target demographic.

Thank you for posting that link. I knew Beats were still popular (in spite of the comments being made here) but I didn't realize they were 25% of the wireless market and 46% of the wireless revenue. The statement that "in December Apple pocketed 49 cents for every dollar spent on wireless headphones in the United States" really sums up their market position.

 

[JPSaltzman]

Big whoop /s I'm suprised they didn't give our a free month of HBO Now so everyone can watch the "Lifetime movie" about Dr Dre and Jimmy Iovinne. I'm sure that will be as glossy as the back of a glass-mirrored iPhone 8.

 

[GOAT4521]

Whatever anyone does, don't select the powerbeats3 if you intend to use them and workout with them! The solo's will probably be the best value. I own a pair of powerbeats3 that I use for running and I've already gone through 3 sets because they're just not good at handling sweat like advertised. I won't buy another pair until apple makes them waterproof. Dealing with Apple support/store is just too big a hassle every other month so I've given up and bought a cheap pair off amazon for prime day. Don't make my mistake!

I use my Airpods for working out and running. Don't think I could use anything else now.