Cheapest way to buy directly from Apple?

[mcgroarty]

Any tips on the cheapest way to buy directly from Apple? Let's assume most of us aren't Apple employees or students, and we want to do everything above board.

So far the best I've found is using a credit card that gives 6% cash back at grocery stores, and buying Apple Store (not iTunes/App Store!) gift cards with that. Safeway also gives double points for a discount at their gas station with gift card purchases, and I confirmed the Apple Store gift cards are eligible. That gives me a net cost of $455 for each $500 gift card. This is with a 6% cash-back grocery card ($30 back) and then using the Safeway gas discount on a 15 gallon tank ($15 off). The net savings is then 9% for the portion paid for with Apple Store gift cards.

 

[pjfan]

If your company is registered with Apple, there is usually some type of discount.

Just ask and show your card... Or if it's your business, register it.

 

[JoeSixPack]

If your company is registered with Apple, there is usually some type of discount.

Just ask and show your card... Or if it's your business, register it.

Or find a friend or relative who works at such a company.

 

[hallux]

Buy a refurbished Mac from Apple, save 15% but you can't BTO. Combine that with 5% CashBack bonus from Discover (where you also get double manufacturer warranty)

 

[Spink10]

iTunes/Mac App Store GC will not work for purchasing from Apple store or apple.com

 

[CoMoMacUser]

Buy a refurbished Mac from Apple, save 15% but you can't BTO.

Yup. I've bought a refurb Mac and Time Capsule and wouldn't hesitate to do so again. Regarding BTO, you can sort of get that if you visit the site frequently because something close or spot on is bound to pop up. But you have to be ready buy as soon as you see it because inventory turns over really fast.

 

[dogslobber]

Buy a refurbished Mac from Apple, save 15% but you can't BTO. Combine that with 5% CashBack bonus from Discover (where you also get double manufacturer warranty)

Buy a refurb online then get it shipped to a store in a no sales tax state. Then you don't get charged sales tax if you come from a sales tax state.

 

[savoirfaire]

If you sign up for a Discover It card before the end of September, they will double your cash back during your first year of membership (1% x 2). They also have a promotion through the end of 2015 where they will give a 10% cashback bonus on in-store purchases made with your Discover card using Apple Pay. That ends up being 22% cash back. There's also a $50 referral bonus if you sign up for the Discover It card through a friend, but that's just icing on the cake (I can send you a referral link if you like). I am waiting for my card and plan to buy a 6S after I get it...

 

[hallux]

If you sign up for a Discover It card before the end of September, they will double your cash back during your first year of membership (1% x 2). They also have a promotion through the end of 2015 where they will give a 10% cashback bonus on in-store purchases made with your Discover card using Apple Pay. That ends up being 22% cash back. There's also a $50 referral bonus if you sign up for the Discover It card through a friend, but that's just icing on the cake (I can send you a referral link if you like). I am waiting for my card and plan to buy a 6S after I get it...

I don't think it works quite that way. I don't think the 10% is on top of the regular cashback bonus. I'd have to look at the terms of the double cashback for new IT card members to say if it allows you to double the 10% also.

 

[savoirfaire]

I don't think it works quite that way. I don't think the 10% is on top of the regular cashback bonus. I'd have to look at the terms of the double cashback for new IT card members to say if it allows you to double the 10% also.

The 10% bonus on top of the usual 1% is according to the Discover customer service reps. The double cash back comes at the end of the first year at which point the total cash back for the entire year including bonus categories is doubled. Again according to discover customer service. But if you hear otherwise certainly let us know.

 

[savoirfaire]

Also it looks like the double cash back in the first year promotion is still good as of today so people can still sign up for that.