I'm guessing it's partly due to supply constraints, a gift card would be nice though assuming it's $100 (or more) since the AirPod discount was $129.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Said to Launch 2022 Back to School Promotion on Friday, Might Offer Gift Cards Instead of Free AirPods
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
In previous years, you could choose to have your MacBook delivered and free AirPods picked up at the Store. But if you chose to not pick up your AirPods, you would get an automatic full refund of $159. The M1 MBA would end up being $740.
How would you upgrade your SSD with a gift card? Or are you talking an external SSD? Internally you need to do that at the time of buying, so you are not going to have your gift card yet to put towards that.
I'm not sure what you're trying to say. If they offer a gift card, then you can just keep it and save it for the iPhone or something you buy later. For a lot of people that's way more useful than free iPods.We are taking about Back to School promotion if you buy an Apple product that offers this bonus. Gift Cards is an easy way to reduce the bonus value.
Apple's BTS promotions used to start in August, way back when I was a campus rep. I actually suggested that they move it earlier in the year (one of hundreds of voices) - a lot of people start looking for computers and supplies a) shortly after they're accepted in April, or b) before they have to print out statements for financial aid. In other words, if people are spending money in spring, try sweetening the pot then rather than later in the summer.
Sure, there are people who bought computers later in the summer, but relatively few - everyone I knew had their college gear practically by the time they graduated high school.
Sure, there are people who bought computers later in the summer, but relatively few - everyone I knew had their college gear practically by the time they graduated high school.
I wonder if this would be possible...
Buy Mac and get gift card. Buy custom built Mac and use gift card to cover upgraded SSD. When you get 2nd Mac and 2nd gift card, return 1st Mac and 2nd gift card.
Not only is that ethically dubious, it wouldn't work anyway, since gift cards have serial numbers.I wonder if this would be possible...
Buy Mac and get gift card. Buy custom built Mac and use gift card to cover upgraded SSD. When you get 2nd Mac and 2nd gift card, return 1st Mac and 2nd gift card.
I wonder if this would be possible...
Buy Mac and get gift card. Buy custom built Mac and use gift card to cover upgraded SSD. When you get 2nd Mac and 2nd gift card, return 1st Mac and 2nd gift card.
Nah, Apple checks the value of the gift card when you return the MacBook. If it's anything less than full value, you get that amount deducted from your return.
The only loophole so far is the AirPods one.
I'd be fine if it's only $100, at least I get to choose instead of being stuck with Airpods.
The free Airpods are nice, but I already have a pair so I have no use for it so I might as well give it away to someone.
This isn't 2017, AirPods are everywhere and in-stock at all Apple Stores. It comes down to inflation.
AirPods were worth $159 last year. This year, they're $129. It looks like Apple doesn't feel MacBook or iPad deserves a $129 discount.
AirPods 2nd Gen with standard charging case were $129 last year and still are $129. You are thinking of 2 years ago when they were $159.
And I'd say they are in stock because everyone already owns them, they aren't producing them at the same level so if they gave a bunch away that could be a dramatic dent in their current supply and they know people are just going to be dumping them on eBay now more than ever (since they own them) which will reduce their value.
A $100 gift card can still get you AirPods for $29, but it allows people to buy something they might want more so the added flexibility definitely has some appeal.
Look at all these people complaining about FREE stuff.
I mean... seriously?!
Edu users already get a discount to begin with. Greed isn't sexy.
They were $159 on this exact day in 2021.
Shop AirPods
Shop AirPods with Wireless Charging Case and AirPods with Charging Case. And add a free engraving. Buy now and get fast, free shipping on apple.com.
web.archive.org
Think about it, AirPods 3rd Gen wasn't introduced until October 2021. Why would they be $129?
Apple sold 90 million AirPods in 2021. Even if they gave one with every edu purchase between June-Sept, it wouldn't make much of a dent. A pair of AirPods can be sold for $100 day of the week, but a $100 gift card is probably worth $80 or less street value.
As long as those gift cards are good at Bob's Big Boy — I'm in!
I know in the past that hasn't been the case, but i think for 2022 we are good. They just announced their new offerings recently & i don't think any is coming for the fall? So this should be good for anyone who wants to upgrade/buy and not be worried about a newer model releasing right after.
Sometimes people just need to be comfortable with their purchase too.
I just did ATT's trade in deal for the iPhone 13 knowing the 14 is coming in Sept. It's not going to be much different, so I couldn't risk the trade deal not being as good then & going 3 more months with my old iPhone 8.
This is a commercial promotion, there's absolutely no "FREE stuff" here.
And how moronic is it to accuse consumers of being greedy? Go tell that the richest and therefore greediest company on this planet.
Hmm I think Apple must have retroactively changed the price on this page I was using (which would be weird to update after the deal ended) unless you got an education discount that made them $129, but I don't think they do discounts on them: https://www.apple.com/shop/browse/home/back_to_school/terms_conditionsThey were $159 on this exact day in 2021.
Shop AirPods
Shop AirPods with Wireless Charging Case and AirPods with Charging Case. And add a free engraving. Buy now and get fast, free shipping on apple.com.web.archive.org
Think about it, AirPods 3rd Gen wasn't introduced until October 2021. Why would they be $129?
Apple sold 90 million AirPods in 2021. Even if they gave one with every edu purchase between June-Sept, it wouldn't make much of a dent. A pair of AirPods can be sold for $100 day of the week, but a $100 gift card is probably worth $80 or less street value.
And still I rather get a gift card I would use than have to do the leg work to sell something I don't need for the same price.
Last edited:
Yes, Apple changed that page after the introduction of AirPods 3rd Gen and Wayback Machine proves it.
But you can still see reference to $159 because they forgot to change it for Apple Card Monthly Installments.