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iPad Pro Clarification on education discount?
- Thread starter Deviram
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I am not sure what the online process is now, I did use the education discount to purchase the Final Cut bundle online and I was directed to some service (can't remember the name) to verify my student status, but all it did was send some verification link to my .edu email and I was verified. Not sure if something similar was added to the online purchase of other items. As for in person...sometime after the M1 MBP was released I wanted to upgrade to it in store as I had a trade-in and I wanted to use my student discount and I was asked for a student ID or my .edu account as proof this was at a location in Southern California
Apple uses the UNiDAYS service now for online purchases… I’d guess it’s the same in-store. One upon a time they’d take you at your word, but I think that got abused a bit too much.
Not that I can see. It's still available.
Education Pricing and Student Discounts
Receive a discount on a new Mac or iPad for your studies with Apple Education Pricing. Available for students, teachers and staff.
www.apple.com
And in-store, how would someone prove they're a parent? Show their keys to a minivan? Same thing with a Mormon home school teacher.
"My kid is out of state and he's just been accepted at the institution."
If you read the terms and conditions of eligibility, it's meant to cast a wide a net as possible. Asking for proof is near impossible which is why Apple doesn't.
"Can I use the education discount for this purchase." I said to the young Genius working at the Apple Store when buying a new iPad.
"Sure. We just need a school id or email address." He replied.
"No problem." I responded and then told him the email.
This was the dialogue I experienced at the Apple Store last year. So, unless Apple changed its policy or just selectively enforces it (which would be risky on their part but certainly possible), I would say you're wrong on both counts -- Apple does (at least sometimes) and it's certainly not "near impossible" to do so.
There is definitely selective enforcement. If you tell them you're a student, they'll ask further. If you say you're a parent or a home school teacher, there is nothing they can ask. The terms of sale don't state any identification is required. When you place an order online order for pickup, there is no reminder to bring an ID or email address.
Remember, there are hundreds or thousands of private higher education institutes, like University of Phoenix. There is no student ID or email for those students.
Different Apple Stores simply do things differently. I had iPhone XR with dual-SIM purchased in HK. One store said the battery couldn't be replaced because the "system" didn't allow the serial number to proceed. Manager couldn't do it either. Another store 15 minutes away didn't even question it and the battery was replaced and ready in 30 minutes.
In our Apple Store I was asked for any paperwork, envelope, letterhead, etc. that had the name of a school. However I had made a purchase through a university bookstore online ages ago which got processed by Apple. Ever since then, maybe 15+ years now I’ve been able to go to the Education online site and place orders there with no problem. Whether that’s because of that original transaction or just because I use the education link I don’t know. But in the physical stores they will want to see something. But 99.9% of my purchases from Apple are done online. The only thing I have to remember is if it’s an ipad or mac or an ipad keyboard to use Safari and not the Apple Store app as that doesn’t have a link to the education store. I do forget sometimes and cancel the app order and go back to use Safari.
They don't verify but take your word for it (online).
BTW at least where I live (Canada) the discount is negligible or non-existent on most things Apple.
BTW at least where I live (Canada) the discount is negligible or non-existent on most things Apple.
Rules and process might vary by country but I used to work at a university in the UK and I'm pretty sure I got the same discount as the students. To access the Apple online education store I had to go via the UniDays website which handles verification. University staff were able to sign up to UniDays using their university (work) email address.