Well, after chatting with an Apple rep online for the past half-hour I just pulled the trigger on a new 27" iMac. Here are some highlights of our conversation. Farther down are some chat transcripts.
1. Lion won't be released until late summer.
2. Traditionally, you don't get a discount on a new OS if it comes out within 14 days of your purchase.
2. If you buy now and the BTS promotion begins within 14 days of when you receive your computer, all you have to do is call Apple and tell them your situation. You'll get in on the deal.
3. He wasn't sure if an iPad discount would be available or not.
Here are some segments of our conversation:
Me: I'm looking at buying a 27" iMac from the online store. If Lion comes out in the next few weeks, will I be eligible for a discount on it?
Dave: While I don't have information on upcoming products and their pricing (or discount/upgrade options), I can tell you that historically, we've not really offered a discount on our OS upgrades like that.
Me: So you probably can't tell me if it would behoove me to wait until, say, tomorrow, to make my purchase? (I was talking about the BTS here, he was talking about Lion).
Dave: Lion's not set to come out until the late Summer, so I wouldn't wait for that.
Dave: When were you planning on ordering your new iMac?
Me: Well, I've been waiting for the Back to School sale if there is one. So as soon as possible.
Dave: Ah, understood. While we haven't announced that promotion for this year yet, keep in mind that you would have a 14 day return policy on your order.
Dave: With that in mind, you could conceivably place your order today to have the benefits of receiving your order sooner, rather than later.
Dave: And, if the promotion occurred within the 14 days of receiving your system, you could utilize that return policy to retroactively take advantage of the promotion.
Me: I understand that. If I knew the sale would occur within 14 days I'd place my order right now. I really don't want to have to deal with returning stuff to you, etc. Isn't that what I'd have to do? Package up my computer, return it to them, then order again?
Dave: No, it would just be a quick call to customer service to electronically (and retroactively) process the transaction.
You: I realize you can't actually tell me that/or if the promotion is going to take place but I've waited eight years to upgrade I suppose I can wait a few more hours/days. Regarding what you just told me...say I order it now and the promotion comes out tomorrow or during WWDC. I could just call up Apple, explain my situation and they'd allow me in on the deal?
Dave: Exactly.
Dave: I've seen it happen before, and we absolutely are able to work with you in those situations
You: Hmm. So it's a bit of a gamble for me. Traditionally, the sale, when it does happen, falls within the last week of May/early June...usually on a Tuesday. So if it IS going to happen, it sounds like today would fall within the 14 days. Is that a gamble YOU would take?
Dave: If it were me, I'd weigh what was most important to me:
Dave: A potential iPod rebate (historically, that's what the promotion has been), or the benefit of receiving your new computer that much sooner.
Dave: Although I can't speculate on the timing of the promotion, or whether it's happening...
Dave: ...if I *had* to, and I were a betting man, I'd wager it's more likely that it'll appear within your 14 day window.
Me: Okay, one more question. Any chance, if there was a sale, that an iPad discount would be an option?
Dave: That's something that I've been wondering, myself, but really wouldn't want to speculate on.
Dave: Now, let me set you up with some information that you would need if, hypothetically, some sort of promotion drops on us in the next 14 days.
(or, rather 14 days of receiving your order)
Dave: If that were to happen, the number for Customer Service and Sales Support is 1-800-676-2775. Give them a call, and they'll be happy to help get you taken care of.
That's pretty much the story. Maybe, after eight years of waiting, I have buck fever and was reading too much into what he was saying. I guess my thinking was is that if the BTS sale IS going to happen it will be within 14 days and I'll not only get the iPod discount but get my computer sooner. Then again, I could get stung. I guess that's what I get for getting the holiday off and dabbling with an Apple rep with my free time;-)
