Best Buy?

[The Catalyst]

Reading through this thread, I wonder if I should go back to the store and talk to a manager. You guys are being given the gift card AND the discount. No fair.

Local BB offered to give me both the discount & gift card, but they didn't have the 13's in stock. So no sale for them, I just ended up buying at an Apple store.

Went to the store that had one and they offered only educational discount. I didn't buy. But on the way home, stopped by another store and they give out the GC, but they didn't have it in stock.

Can I buy from the first store and ask the later to adjust me with the GC? Has anyone done this before? Thanks.

I wouldn't recommend trying a two part sale. BB seem like sticklers on things like this, making you return something just to re-buy it in the system again. I'd try to get one store take care of everything for you in the door.

 

[Bach2011]

I wouldn't recommend trying a two part sale. BB seem like sticklers on things like this, making you return something just to re-buy it in the system again. I'd try to get one store take care of everything for you in the door.

How about ask the first store to call the later store? Do you think it's possible? Thanks.

 

[The Catalyst]

If it was me, I'd just call the store that had them in stock and ask for the manager. When you get him on the phone get his name first (very important), and just be straight up honest with him. Tell him that you'd like to purchase a MBA with the student discount offer, and the $100 gift card. Tell him it's a basic price match of what Apple's currently offering, and then let him look up the info if needed. Once he gives you the okay to go down and purchase one, all the hard work's already done before you even get there.

Then, just tell the person who helps you that you've already talked to Manager _______ and he's already approved the sale/discount/gift card offer.

e: spellin'

 

[PharmDoc]

The gift card is only with a student ID right?

You can say that you are buying it for a student...younger sibling/nephew/niece.... that's what I did..

 

[Bach2011]

If it was me, I'd just call the store that had them in stock and ask for the manager. When you get him on the phone get his name first (very important), and just be straight up honest with him. Tell him that you'd like to purchase a MBA with the student discount offer, and the $100 gift card. Tell him it's a basic price match of what Apple's currently offering, and then let him look up the info if needed. Once he gives you the okay to go down and purchase one, all the hard work's already done before you even get there.

Then, just tell the person who helps you that you've already talked to Manager _______ and he's already approved the sale/discount/gift card offer.

e: spellin'

Thanks The Catalyst. I called BB and after waiting for over 15 minutes, I transferred to another store. The CS was nice as he offered me to get MBA from other store delivered to their store which is nearby my house. The guy just called and said it will be avail after 11 am tomorrow. When I asked about $100 GC, he went to ask someone and then said yes, we will. Not sure about the student discount (I did mention but he was not sure). Will see when I pick it up tomorrow. Thanks a lot!

 

[AppleTech22]

Thanks The Catalyst. I called BB and after waiting for over 15 minutes, I transferred to another store. The CS was nice as he offered me to get MBA from other store delivered to their store which is nearby my house. The guy just called and said it will be avail after 11 am tomorrow. When I asked about $100 GC, he went to ask someone and then said yes, we will. Not sure about the student discount (I did mention but he was not sure). Will see when I pick it up tomorrow. Thanks a lot!

I don't really buy computers from Best Buy, but is the $100 gift card a part of that student discount? Or is that something separate?

 

[Jaro65]

The Best Buy at Northgate Mall gave me $100 off. I just asked if they could price match Apple's education discount and they asked for my school ID. My friend got a $100 gift card at the Best Buy in Everett, WA. Don't think you would want to drive all the way down there though.

I went to Best Buy in Everett today. They had no issues offering a $100 gift card with an MBA.

 

[The Catalyst]

I don't really buy computers from Best Buy, but is the $100 gift card a part of that student discount? Or is that something separate?

BB is matching the $100 'Back to School' GC that Apple's giving away.

In some ways, the BB is a better one since they're giving you a GC that you can use for anything in the store (you can get cases, cables, anything you want). Where Apple's GC is only good for digital content through their itunes/ ibooks/ or app store.

 

[Built]

Best Buy does not appear to be carrying the 2011 MBA 256 any longer. It has disappeared from the website, and when I called Bestbuy.com to see if any stores in my area still had it, they said it was no longer in the system.

I already have the 2011 MBA 128 and was thinking about upgrading within my 45-day return window (45 days for Reward Zone Premier Silver members). I still have a ways to go before I hit the 45 days but I am wondering if they will just not carry it again, or if it is simply sold out.

If it were simply sold out, I believe it would still show on the site but show as "sold out."

 

[denver133]

Best Buy does not appear to be carrying the 2011 MBA 256 any longer. It has disappeared from the website, and when I called Bestbuy.com to see if any stores in my area still had it, they said it was no longer in the system.

I already have the 2011 MBA 128 and was thinking about upgrading within my 45-day return window (45 days for Reward Zone Premier Silver members). I still have a ways to go before I hit the 45 days but I am wondering if they will just not carry it again, or if it is simply sold out.

If it were simply sold out, I believe it would still show on the site but show as "sold out."

Interesting. I have been waiting two weeks now for my MBA 256 that I ordered which is still showing back ordered. Im in no rush, however now you have me thinking they will cancel my order. Seems like all other vendors other then apple are out of stock.

 

[The Catalyst]

Smart move by Apple - Limited supplies to outside stores drives up demand and want. Then, if said consumer gives in and go to purchase their new mac at an Apple store, they hold a much better chance of making more profit by selling you additional accessorizes too.

 

[lovelaptops]

Smart move by Apple - Limited supplies to outside stores drives up demand and want. Then, if said consumer gives in and go to purchase their new mac at an Apple store, they hold a much better chance of making more profit by selling you additional accessorizes too.

Not to mention more than doubling their margin by eliminating the middle man

 

[The Catalyst]

Exactly.

Clever, clever.

 

[yep]

BestBuy now has Airs instock at the stores. If you have an order from online call customer service and they will have it ready to be picked up at a local store within an hour if they have stock.

 

[Built]

BestBuy now has Airs instock at the stores. If you have an order from online call customer service and they will have it ready to be picked up at a local store within an hour if they have stock.

Not the MBA 13 256. No longer carried by Best Buy..at least for now.

 

[yep]

If you are only checking the website it still says that they do not do instore pickup for any of the NEW Airs, but I have picked up my 13/128 a couple days ago. So I do know that they do have some in stock, whether they have 13/256 I do not know.

 

[Built]

If you are only checking the website it still says that they do not do instore pickup for any of the NEW Airs, but I have picked up my 13/128 a couple days ago. So I do know that they do have some in stock, whether they have 13/256 I do not know.

We already knew that. Best Buy has carried the 13" 128 and 256 in store since launch day. The website has ALWAYS stated not available for store pick up. We were discussing the 13" 256 which is no longer carried by Best Buy....at least for now.

The majority of posts in this thread are by consumers who purchased their 2011 MBAs IN STORE.

 

[yep]

Well I am sorry that I didn't read the entire thread. From what I was told by a regional B2B manager they were not going to have them in stores for awhile, this was said a few weeks ago. Therefore I assumed that they were not available at stores till just recently. Actually, a matter of fact when I was at the store picking it up, it seemed like they had just got them in.

 

[ScottBx]

Details on Back to School Mac offer upgrade

I was down in Seattle the other day and stopped at a few Best Buy stores on the way north... The Everett store had the base 13 MBA in stock and they matched the Apple promotion. While checking out, I had the opportunity to talk with the manager about matching the Apple promotion. Apparently, the official BestBuy policy is that they will match the Apple promotion of there is an Apple brick and mortar store within 25 miles of the BestBuy store... otherwise, it is at the discretion of the local BestBuy store manager.

So, if the BestBuy is close to an Apple store, they will probably match without question, if not... the manager may match.

Hope this is helpful.

Enjoying the new MBA!

Scott B.

 

[Built]

Score!

Managed to snag the very last 2011 MBA 13" 256 this evening in-store...probably the last one in my area...I checked other stores and decided t just try this one last store before I gave up.

I was happy with my 2011 MBA 13" 128 but decided that I wanted 256 instead...but apparently too late as all local stores were out of stock and it was no longer listed on the website.

Persistence pays off.

Oh...and this replacement has a Samsung Drive with a Samsung screen.

 

[tmud13]

Promo over?

This may have been covered in the weeks past, but just wondering if the $100 is officially over?

 

[denver133]

Score!

Managed to snag the very last 2011 MBA 13" 256 this evening in-store...probably the last one in my area...I checked other stores and decided t just try this one last store before I gave up.

I was happy with my 2011 MBA 13" 128 but decided that I wanted 256 instead...but apparently too late as all local stores were out of stock and it was no longer listed on the website.

Persistence pays off.

Oh...and this replacement has a Samsung Drive with a Samsung screen.

Which store did you go to? I went to three around me and they were all out. Nice find!

 

[Hieu]

I was able to get a 13" inch 128gb one. Best Buy had it for $1234.99 and for some reason the manager gave me an additional $35 off AND he matched the Apple promo. So I bought it for $1199.99 and got the $100 Best Buy giftcard. I am extremely happy!

 

[Built]

Which store did you go to? I went to three around me and they were all out. Nice find!

Hi, denver....I went to the Culver City store...the one that is off Venice Boulevard (not the Culver City-Westfield Mall store). I really had given up all hope of finding one before the expiration of the return period for my 128 but was passing the store on my way to Westwood and decided to stop in on my way back. They were awesome. Evidently, this unit had been ordered by a customer and was never claimed. I guess I lucked out. The gentleman who brought it out was a really nice guy and was happy to help.

Did you try asking at one of the stores for them to pull up inventory in other stores? There are probably stray units still out there. Best of luck.

You probably checked Sepulveda and Rosecrans since you are in Manhattan Beach...I called them last week and they couldn't find the 256 in the system.

 

[denver133]

Anyone else get the following email today from BB? I've already been waiting 3 weeks. Total bummer.

"Thank you for your recent Apple® MacBook® Air (model# MC966LL/A) order on BestBuy.com. Previous emails you received indicated the item you ordered was on backorder. We would like to inform you that we are expecting to receive inventory within the next 4 to 5 weeks. Please note this is our best estimate. "