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magicschoolbus

macrumors 68030
Original poster
May 27, 2014
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Hey everyone,

was browsing Best Buy’s website today and you can get a stainless steel s5 for only 449 today.
seriously amazing price considering it has cellular as well and you get the stainless case.
figured I’d give y’all the heads up.

 
Awesome price! Also many good deals here in Denmark with previous S4+S5 models. Tempts me to get another model for the collection but I'll resist :)
 
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That’s a great deal! The Series 6 was such a small upgrade this year that I think I’d recommend the Stainless Steel Series 5 over an aluminum Series 6 at that price. It’s tough to beat that sapphire screen.
 
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I usually wait for sales in Canada as well for stainless steel models. The new price is very difficult to justify (>1000$) but the sale prices on the prior models a year or so later are palatable

the SS models get massive discounts here too, whereas the aluminum ones don’t so it makes it “better value”
I ended up getting a space black S5 and the AoD is very nice
 
I usually wait for sales in Canada as well for stainless steel models. The new price is very difficult to justify (>1000$) but the sale prices on the prior models a year or so later are palatable

the SS models get massive discounts here too, whereas the aluminum ones don’t so it makes it “better value”
I ended up getting a space black S5 and the AoD is very nice
What do you mean? I am also in Canada and I just bought the aluminum S5 cellular for 36% off retail price at Staples. What kind of discounts were you getting on the stainless steel?
 
I usually wait for sales in Canada as well for stainless steel models. The new price is very difficult to justify (>1000$) but the sale prices on the prior models a year or so later are palatable

the SS models get massive discounts here too, whereas the aluminum ones don’t so it makes it “better value”
I ended up getting a space black S5 and the AoD is very nice

If somebody really wants a stainless steel model, you can literally find those used in mint condition, even on this very own site. The resale value is atrocious on the stainless (Yes, I can attest, as I’ve owned over 6 stainless Apple watches), where even the aluminum can fetch nearly as much as the stainless. I’d prefer not to purchase used watches, but if somebody really wanted a stainless model, you literally can find them in new condition on Swappa, Facebook marketplace, marketplace forum on this site, etc.
 
If somebody really wants a stainless steel model, you can literally find those used in mint condition, even on this very own site. The resale value is atrocious on the stainless (Yes, I can attest, as I’ve owned over 6 stainless Apple watches), where even the aluminum can fetch nearly as much as the stainless. I’d prefer not to purchase used watches, but if somebody really wanted a stainless model, you literally can find them in new condition on Swappa, Facebook marketplace, marketplace forum on this site, etc.

It is all about relative resale. Sure, if you buy a SS model at full price it might be an atrocious experience in reselling.

But in Canada, at least where I have lived, it has had pretty good resale value vs what I have paid. I have made 80-90% of my money back from both SS and Aluminum reselling here. The last SS model I sold, I actually made a profit from what I paid (not much, but 75$ more than what I paid), which I cannot say for any aluminum model I have owned...so it is relative to what one pays in the first place.

Personal preference, but I like getting items unused and unworn - I like them brand new and sealed out of the package for myself. I am ok waiting a year for some sweet black friday/boxing day/summer blowout deals on the watches to save several hundred dollars. Some people have different purchasing habits, but those are mine with the watches, and has worked well for me so far.

I do find the Stainless models to be superior aesthetically, but not so much so that I would purchase one at launch Given how they are almost double the price of the aluminum models. I have learned over the years from the sales that several stores do like clockwork here to wait: Aluminum model discounts tend to be 100-220$ whereas Stainless models tend to be 300$ to 500$ discounted; at those prices, the stainless models are the better value.

The downside with this method is of course, one has to be comfortable and willing to not own the latest and greatest Apple Watch.
 
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What do you mean? I am also in Canada and I just bought the aluminum S5 cellular for 36% off retail price at Staples. What kind of discounts were you getting on the stainless steel?

I picked up my 44mm silver stainless steel model w milanese loop S4 for $570 with tax (AB). It is all about keeping a pulse on the sales and timing your purchases!

That Staples sale you referred to is an example where the aluminum models were discounted nicely but the SS models were relatively discounted more (1050 to 680 vs 700 to 480). It is still 200$ more, but for me that is worth the difference. It is not worth the original retail difference though.
 
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I picked up my 44mm silver stainless steel model w milanese loop S4 for $570 with tax (AB). It is all about keeping a pulse on the sales and timing your purchases!

That Staples sale you referred to is an example where the aluminum models were discounted nicely but the SS models were relatively discounted more (1050 to 680 vs 700 to 480). It is still 200$ more, but for me that is worth the difference. It is not worth the original retail difference though.
I paid $425 (US$330) for 40 mm S5 cellular, with the extra $25 off promotion. That’s a 35.6% discount from $660.

For the stainless steel 44 mm it would have been $655 (US$509) with that extra $25 off promo, discounted from $1050, a discount of $37.6%.

So, pretty close in terms of percentage discount. I realize the stainless is only $200ish more but as a percentage of the aluminum S5 that’s a significant amount, and at this point I’d rather keep pricing down until we better understand what we want in these watches. My wife and I are both Apple Watch virgins.
 
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I paid $425 (US$330) for 40 mm S5 cellular, with the extra $25 off promotion. That’s a 35.6% discount from $660.

For the stainless steel 44 mm it would have been $655 (US$509) with that extra $25 off promo, discounted from $1050, a discount of $37.6%.

So, pretty close in terms of percentage discount. I realize the stainless is only $200ish more but as a percentage of the aluminum S5 that’s a significant amount, and at this point I’d rather keep pricing down until we better understand what we want in these watches. My wife and I are both Apple Watch virgins.

that’s fair. My first AW was aluminum too. If losing Apple Watch virginity, aluminum is a safe bet and it’s good to experience the latest watch to get an accurate feel for the most up to date user experience

to be fair, I do purchase my steel watches to keep for several years. If I know I willl be upgrading before then, I’ll get an aluminum because of better relative resale to mrsp

my steel watches tend to be a generation older, whereas my aluminum (Nike typically) are latest gen. Overall now I’d rather have a steel watch but that’s an individual conclusion I reached after a few buy/sells and trying out various models since launch
 
that’s fair. My first AW was aluminum too. If losing Apple Watch virginity, aluminum is a safe bet and it’s good to experience the latest watch to get an accurate feel for the most up to date user experience

to be fair, I do purchase my steel watches to keep for several years. If I know I willl be upgrading before then, I’ll get an aluminum because of better relative resale to mrsp

my steel watches tend to be a generation older, whereas my aluminum (Nike typically) are latest gen. Overall now I’d rather have a steel watch but that’s an individual conclusion I reached after a few buy/sells and trying out various models since launch
Well, I ordered the SS Series 5 today. :D Staples now has another killer sale at almost 50% off SS Milanese. Great discounts on other models too.

44 mm SS Milanese S5 CAD$1049.99 --> $549.99 (US$431)
40 mm SS Milanese S5 CAD$989.99 --> $499.99 (US$391)
 
I bought my SS6 44mm @ Bestbuy $629 plus tax in Ca... did a pricematch with Amazon three weeks ago (The Gold & Green Sportband), received an extra watchband (pink grapefruit) and 6 months of Fitness + service.
 
I bought my SS6 44mm @ Bestbuy $629 plus tax in Ca... did a pricematch with Amazon three weeks ago (The Gold & Green Sportband), received an extra watchband (pink grapefruit) and 6 months of Fitness + service.
Is this in Canada?
Because I can’t find any sales for new Apple Watches in Canada.
 
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Is this in Canada?
Because I can’t find any sales for new Apple Watches in Canada.
You missed three huge sales in the past two weeks (excluding Québec):

Black Friday - SportChek Series 3, Series 6, and SE full retail price but you get 20-24% back in Canadian Tire Money, plus a $30 discount code for a future SportChek purchase. (The drawback was that shipping was very slow, and the CT Money is locked to Canadian Tire of course.)

Cyber Monday - Staples 30-35% off Series 5, plus additional discounts from Staples coupons (The drawback was that people randomly got orders cancelled.)

Last Friday - Staples 40-50% off Series 5, plus additional discounts from Staples coupons (The drawback was that people randomly got orders cancelled.)
 
You missed three huge sales in the past two weeks (excluding Québec):

Black Friday - SportChek Series 3, Series 6, and SE full retail price but you get 20-24% back in Canadian Tire Money, plus a $30 discount code for a future SportChek purchase. (The drawback was that shipping was very slow, and the CT Money is locked to Canadian Tire of course.)

Cyber Monday - Staples 30-35% off Series 5, plus additional discounts from Staples coupons (The drawback was that people randomly got orders cancelled.)

Last Friday - Staples 40-50% off Series 5, plus additional discounts from Staples coupons (The drawback was that people randomly got orders cancelled.)
Well Fuddle Duddle.


That’s a Canadiana reference, BTW
 
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Well Fuddle Duddle.


That’s a Canadiana reference, BTW
I think SportChek is totally sold out of Series 5, but Staples still has some left. The Staples Series 5 stock is now back up at full retail price, but I suspect they will put them on sale again for Boxing Day, or perhaps earlier.
 
Awesome price! Also many good deals here in Denmark with previous S4+S5 models. Tempts me to get another model for the collection but I'll resist :)
Where have you seen these deals. Just curious as a fellow Dane 😀
Considering an upgrade from S4 aluminum to S5 SS.
 
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Where have you seen these deals. Just curious as a fellow Dane 😀
Considering an upgrade from S4 aluminum to S5 SS.
Telenor has the 44mm sg ss (5th gen) for about 3400 DK. And power has some models for about 2200 - that was 4th gen 🙂
 
The Staples.ca Apple Watch sale on Series 5 is back on. Limited selection now though.
Thank you for the heads up. Unfortunately the Aluminum 40mm Gold that my wife wants were sold out. Maybe the SE will go on sale.
But I did pickup a SS with Milanese Loop strap for myself.
 
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Telenor has the 44mm sg ss (5th gen) for about 3400 DK. And power has some models for about 2200 - that was 4th gen 🙂
Thanks again for the tip. I decided to order the SS series 5 from Telenor. It was a tough decision between that and a series 6 aluminum. Almost the same price.
I’ve always wanted to try the SS, so I figured this was a good opportunity. Even though I could have had newer tech for the same price. I can’t wait for it to arrive.

currently using a Series 4 in space grey aluminum. Still works perfectly and it will probably be given to a family member.
 
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I’m in the UK and have just picked up a new 44mm Series 5 Space Black Stainless Steel cellular with black Sport Band for £349 (RRP listed as £749 I think) with two year warranty.

Was torn between that and a Series 6 Aluminium non-cellular but I’ve admired the Space Black for a long time so I think I’ll be happy with finally getting one compared to losing out on the newer feature set of the Series 6.

Should be a nice upgrade from my ageing Series 3.
 
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