B&H Photo and Amazon Discount Base iMac Pro by $500

[scotttnz]

This doesn’t really make sense. Does it not suggest the iMac Pro isn’t selling very well? Anyway I hope it is selling well because I’m going to need a modular Mac Pro at some point, and if Apple has bad sales on pro computers they’ll stop producing them altogether.

I went to a iMac Pro event at Apple NZ last night. The feedback from everyone (Apple Resellers) was that the iMac Pro is an awesome machine, but most of their customers were waiting to see what the new modular Mac Pro brings before they make decision which way to go. It guess that is why apple doesn't usually reveal what they are working on before it is released, and could explain the discounts.

 

[BurgDog]

Has it been tested at the US Supreme Court? Or have companies just gone along with it due to the states pressuring them? I would think that a US consumer would have to fight it in court (the retailers may just acquiesce to the state pressure) but it is unlikely that would happen because as a practical matter it is easier to just ignore. And still the federal government could take the matter to court because those tax revenues on interstate sales rightfully per US Constitution should only go to the US Treasury.

Edit:

Just saw this

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...internet-sales-tax-gets-u-s-high-court-review

The constitutional issue is forcing out of state vendors to collect sales tax. There is no issue about requiring the buyer to pay it other then finding out what the buyer actually bought. Most people don't declare their out of state purchases like they are supposed to do by their state law so the tax doesn't get paid. That is why they want the vendors to be forced to collect it instead.

 

[44267547]

They are good. However, they don't have the kind of return policy Apple.

Apple has an estimable return policy, but you have to consider Apple doesn’t discount their products. (Aside from the iPhones primarily). Which is the point of the article with the actual discount, in which it’s $500.00 saved none the less.

This deal is pale in comparison to MicroCenter.

Not sure how your Quote above is relevant to an online vendor/article. You have to consider MicroCenter are few and far between for many, where their discounted offer for an iMac Pro is only available in store. B&H Photo Online will obviously range to a much broader audience, likely having more units available.

 

[fastlanephil]

These are more like refurbished discounts not the usual $50 to $100 off that some online retailers like Mac Mall will offer. This tells me that Apple is probably working deals with these retailers to boost sales. It dosen’t mean that sales are paticulary slow but obviously they are not a hot item.

 

[Rockadile]

Well they are only discounting the base model, which implies it's more of a "loss leader" item to get folks into the site to shop. I also would expect B&H to be suggesting plenty of high-margin ancillaries (cables, adapters, etc.) to help offset that discount.

You should read it again. There is an upgraded model on sale too

 

[fathergll]

Just remember that Amazon will helpfully collect the use tax due to your locality on most stuff it sells now and send it in to the proper places. B&H leaves that legal obligation up to the buyer to send checks for the tax due to those same proper places (which I know all law abiding people are happy to do, tax evasion is a bad bad thing). Might factor into your decision of how you want to pay your taxes.

How does this work though? Are the other 49 states doing an audit on a NY based business and then tracking down the customers origins and collecting?

 

[Arthur123]

Interesting.

Total bull crap faux information!!

 

[BurgDog]

How does this work though? Are the other 49 states doing an audit on a NY based business and then tracking down the customers origins and collecting?

The other states ask you nicely on your state income tax form to tell them about your out-of-state purchases that weren't taxed at the time of purchase and to send in the tax due along with your tax form filing. Most people seem to ignore this part of filling in their state income tax forms based on widespread lack of awareness about this issue. I'm sure if people were aware then they'd do the right thing as nobody wants to break the law and evade taxes. State tax agencies have no authority to get that info from out-of-state merchants or force them to collect taxes for them so depend on buyers' self-reporting.

 

[Appurushido]

Get a family member who's a student to purchase it for you. Student discount is nearly 50%.

Hurt to burst your bubble, but it's not even close to 50% off. I am an educator that purchased a 2017 MacBook Pro TB w/AppleCare (student/educator discount is the same) recently. Discount was only about $20 off the retail price.

Standard: $269
Student/Educator: $249

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

Hurt to burst your bubble, but it's not even close to 50% off. I am an educator that purchased a 2017 MacBook Pro TB w/AppleCare (student/educator discount is the same) recently. Discount was only about $20 off the retail price.

Standard: $269
Student/Educator: $249

It use to be 50% off. Some discounts also differ by institution. Purchased many times through the Harvard discount. I've used Apple employee discounts for years, so I have no idea if it's changed now.

Edit: Here are the current prices. It's $199 for AppleCare to be added to the 13" MBP TB.

 

[Appurushido]

It use to be 50% off. Some discounts also differ by institution. Purchased many times through the Harvard discount. I've used Apple employee discounts for years, so I have no idea if it's changed now.

Edit: Here are the current prices. It's $199 for AppleCare to be added to the 13" MBP TB.

Probably in the past, but not today, or even last year when I purchased it. At least directly from Apple. Re-sellers/retail stores can set their own prices but rarely do they veer away from Apple MSRP.

Also, those MacBook Pros are non TB versions due to the model numbers. TB models come in at 2.9GHz 2016/3.1GHz 2017, but the bundled MacBook Pro with Applecare is a good deal for only $199.

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

Probably in the past, but not today, or even last year when I purchased it. At least directly from Apple. Re-sellers/retail stores can set their own prices but rarely do they veer away from Apple MSRP.

Also, those MacBook Pros are non TB versions due to the model numbers. TB models come in at 2.9GHz 2016/3.1GHz 2017, but the bundled MacBook Pro with Applecare is a good deal for only $199.

Here are the Apple education discount prices for the MBP with TB. AppleCare is $199. This price sheet is directly from Apple.

 

[Appurushido]

Here are the Apple education discount prices for the MBP with TB. AppleCare is $199. This price sheet is directly from Apple.

Awesome. How did you find the prices bundled? I can't replicate that on the online Applestore. For those looking at MacBook Pros w/ and w/out TB BestBuy has been having deals of up to $200-$250 off 2017 models. Cheaper (by up to $150) than having the student discount. Also, if you join their free reward program, that's an automatic $20-$30 in store credit that could be used for accessories.

 

[urbanman2004]

For $4K I rather buy a car

 

[fathergll]

I'm sure if people were aware then they'd do the right thing as nobody wants to break the law and evade taxes.

Most likely you've done it yourself one way or another. Ever play poker at a buddies house?

 

[qawes]

For $4K I rather buy a car

And I'd rather buy an iMac which I can work on to afford a 2018 model car.

Meanwhile, in some parts of the EU, the base model starts at 7k USD. Let that sink in.

 

[ahappy_customer]

This tells me that Apple is probably working deals with these retailers to boost sales. It dosesn’t mean that sales are particularly slow but obviously they are not a hot item.

TYhis is correct BH confirmed this is a manufacturers discount. It's not just the base model. There were 5 or 6 configurations. None of which included the Trackpad. The bad news is these machines are not in-stock even the ones listed as in stock. Instead, they are all backorder from the manufacturer with an estimated ship date of Mark 14th

 

[urbanman2004]

And I'd rather buy an iMac which I can work on to afford a 2018 model car.

Meanwhile, in some parts of the EU, the base model starts at 7k USD. Let that sink in.

Lucky you

 

[roland.g]

To be fair, it's a $30k discount on a $150k car.

We can split the difference but I’m a bit closer actually. A $500 discount $4,499 down from $4,999, is $4,500 on $5,000 essentially. That is 10% off. I said $10k on $150k which was 6.67% off. You said $30k on $150k. That would be 20%, which is significantly higher.
[doublepost=1519918907][/doublepost]

And your point is?

Lost on you.

 

[neoelectronaut]

Get a family member who's a student to purchase it for you. Student discount is nearly 50%.

****, wish I had known this last year. I bought my wife a Macbook + Applecare for college.