Not sure if this is the right (or best) place to post this. But at one time, I think Apple was price matching other retailers - perhaps with some limitations. I'm wondering if they still do this, and if so, what limitations they have. Specifically, I'm looking at a base model MBP (no touch bar). The price for a new one at Micro Center is $1,099, which is great. But I've got some Apple gift cards I'd like to use, so I'd prefer going to the Apple store. Any input is appreciated.
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Price Matching?
- Thread starter Boatboy24
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Why? What purpose does it serve them to price match? Basically they're just competing against themselves, and why short themselves out of money.
Take MicroCenter, they bought iMac Pros from apple at a set price. They then turn around and sell them for less, maybe at a loss or at the very least on a razor thin margin. Yet apple enjoys a nice sale. Apple isn't losing a sale when MicroCenter sells a computer, so why reduce the price.
Take MicroCenter, they bought iMac Pros from apple at a set price. They then turn around and sell them for less, maybe at a loss or at the very least on a razor thin margin. Yet apple enjoys a nice sale. Apple isn't losing a sale when MicroCenter sells a computer, so why reduce the price.
But not if they price match - again they are competing against themselves which is always a bad move.
I think it is up to the store manager case by case. I recently helped a friend choose a MacBook and a few days later it went on sale for $100 less at Best Buy. She took the Best Buy ad to the Apple Store with her receipt and the manager credited her the $100 with no argument at all.
So I guess it would not hurt to ask.
I would have to see the numbers to be sure, but I doubt that MicroCenter is selling Apple products below *Apple's* cost. Below their own, possibly. But below Apple's? I find that hard to believe.
So if Apple makes widget A for $250 and sells it wholesale for $500 and retail for $1000, if MicroCenter is selling it for $900, Apple makes more if they price match and sell it themselves. Of course, I'd need to know the numbers to be sure. The example numbers are/were retail standards. I know that retailers margins are less on Apple products, so the numbers might not work out.
I've talked to them in the past about their sizable discounts and they told me, they use this as a loss-leader. Whether the salesman was trueful or not, I cannot say but regardless. This was related a significant MBP sale they had, not the iMac Pro. My point however is that Apple has a sale in hand, why purposely reduce the price when they don't have too.
To make more money. Maybe I'm not explaining how that happens well enough?
Also, because individual Apple Stores likely have sales goals to meet and the people working there will presumably do what they can to make that happen. That is, if they are allowed to price match, they will because it makes their store's sales numbers look better.
At this point I think we're talking past each other and its probably not worth beating a dead horse.
I'm of the opinion they'll not make money by competing with a retailer on their very own product, i.e., they sold Microcenter the iMac why price match them when they may very well be selling it at or even below cost.
Regardless, Apple doesn't price match, as they don't need too. its not like they're losing a sale because they did not price match Mircocenter, since its their own product
Because Microcenter's cost ≠ Apple's cost. Dell and HP both price match, as a couple of examples.
Your colleague's experience says otherwise.
But yes, I'll agree to stop beating the horse if you will.
