Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

What's the biggest discount possible ?

Perfectionist

Perfectionist

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 27, 2006
139
0
London - UK
Buying through Apple Store for Education or Higher Education or Further Education ?

Buying through a University as an Employee or a Student ?

Buying through a Business ?

Negotiating and paying cash at a Retail Store ?

etc etc ? :confused:
 
Educational institutions get the best discounts only because they purchase in quantity.

As a personal purchase, the student discount is the best you'll get. Apple products are unilaterally priced, so good luck trying to talk them down at a retail store. It doesn't work that way.
 
BigPrince said:
Become a student Apple Developer
Click to expand...

I second this one. If you qualify it is a great deal. One time only savings on hardware...in a quick check: stock MB was ~$100 off and MBP was $400 off (both CAD). For comparison with Higher education discount: MB a little less than $100 off and MBP was $200 off,
 
if you're going for a PRO machine (ie MacBookPro or Mac Pro) go for the Student Developer Hardware discount. $100 for membership, and I believe its a 20% discount on their PRO systems, but only 10% on others like macbook or imac if I recall correctly.

Another suggestion is going refurb, they are going on ridiculous sales lately and there has been tons of positive reviews of the refurbs, even some people getting lucky and receiving free upgrades.
 
For me my corporate discount is the biggest on the machines, but the education discount is bigger on accessories .

This is all thru the Apple Store,
 
Am I right in thinking the discount for university students is 20% ?
Could be wrong....
Click to expand...

Their educational discounts never have a consistent percentage. For example, a entry-level stock MBP 15" is $1,999 US list and students get it for $1,799. So, that's 10% off. However, a stock 8-core MP is $2,799 list and $2,599 for students. Only a 7% difference there. A MBA is $1,799 list/$1,699 student. 5%. The new entry-level iMac is the worst of all. A whole $50 off (4% off)! 9% discount on the entry-level MB.

Makes it seem like their MBP's carry the largest profit margin... 20% off Apple hardware would sure be nice!
 
You could try getting an extra 2.5% off (well, as a rebate in 3 months time)by linking to the Apple store from www.quidco.com (in the UK). Other cashback sites are available but this is the highest % I found.

Forgot to say, this also works with the online Edu store. I have been credited £34 earnings rebate for my top of the line iMac order.
 
In order of awesomeness:

1. 5-finger discount
2. Bulk purchasing for educational institution or business.
3. Student Apple developer
4. Ebay
5. Education Discount.
6. Discounted ticket to America, stay 1 or 2 nights, and fly home. Depending on what you buy, you may still save money.
 
education discount bought through someone who owns a business ... then you can ask them to claim back the VAT as well as receiving the edu' discount ;)
 
#6 Isnt as absurd as it might sound. I live in KY and FL was having a tax amnesty weekend, so I hopped a jet to Ft. Lauderdale since I was planning a fly away that weekend anyways. Grabbed a hotel on the beach. Went and got a few high dollar items I had been shopping for and FedEx'd them back to myself using our Corp. number. Saved about 400.00 after I took off the 250.00 it cost me to fly down and the hotel.


Abstract said:
In order of awesomeness:

1. 5-finger discount
2. Bulk purchasing for educational institution or business.
3. Student Apple developer
4. Ebay
5. Education Discount.
6. Discounted ticket to America, stay 1 or 2 nights, and fly home. Depending on what you buy, you may still save money.
Click to expand...
 
Abstract said:
In order of awesomeness:

1. 5-finger discount
2. Bulk purchasing for educational institution or business.
3. Student Apple developer
4. Ebay
5. Education Discount.
6. Discounted ticket to America, stay 1 or 2 nights, and fly home. Depending on what you buy, you may still save money.
Click to expand...

You missed one! Refurbished, which I would rank between the student ADC and eBay.
From what I've seen, for single/personal purchases, the Student ADC offers the best discount, and refurb prices are always better than educational discounts.

I qualify for ed discounts, but my last few purchases have been refurbs. In the past I qualified for staff rates on hardware through my university, but the savings were insignificant. Possible because my institution is not as Mac-friendly as I would hope.
 
Here in Holland we had 14% discount in the month April..
We have this website where students can log in with their student id codes and they offered 14% off on apple products, except ipods..
It was great.. Now its back to 8 or something.. Apple gives 5-6% discount..

Still the best option is to buy in the US if you from europe.. My friend in Canada bought me a MBP and it saved me 600euros on the 17" machine at that time.. Ridicilous.. I bought another one when i was in the states and sold it here for 400euro profit.. :D.. I love the dollar.. I got caught at customs and they asked for a receipt cos i had 2 MBP with me.. So i convinced the guy i was a DJ and needed those machines.. I stuffed both of the MBPs full of music and they let me pass.. :D..

Make up something good and you will have el cheapo Apple..
 
marbles said:
education discount bought through someone who owns a business ... then you can ask them to claim back the VAT as well as receiving the edu' discount ;)
Click to expand...

In the UK there's a legal problem with that. VAT can only be claimed back on items to be used by the business. Plus, a business can't buy a Mac on an EDU discount as it's obviously not a student.

FAIL.
 
CaptainChunk said:
Their educational discounts never have a consistent percentage. For example, a entry-level stock MBP 15" is $1,999 US list and students get it for $1,799. So, that's 10% off. However, a stock 8-core MP is $2,799 list and $2,599 for students.
Click to expand...
That's because US educational discounts are dollar based, not percentage based. Pro machines get a $200 discount. Most consumer machines get a $100 discount (the base iMac gets a $50 discount).

Large corp/Gov't gets a 8% discount on Pro machines and 6% on consumer.
 
bigandy said:
In the UK there's a legal problem with that. VAT can only be claimed back on items to be used by the business. Plus, a business can't buy a Mac on an EDU discount as it's obviously not a student.

FAIL.
Click to expand...
Actually yes they can in some circumstances, eg. in a school. My teacher used the discount, and then on top of that got the VAT back.
 
bigandy said:
In the UK there's a legal problem with that. VAT can only be claimed back on items to be used by the business. Plus, a business can't buy a Mac on an EDU discount as it's obviously not a student.

FAIL.
Click to expand...

see post no 20 .. also what if one has a business and also in higher education

fail ... me thinks not :)
 
Abstract said:
In order of awesomeness:
1. 5-finger discount
2. Bulk purchasing for educational institution or business.
3. Student Apple developer
4. Ebay
5. Education Discount.
6. Discounted ticket to America
7. Refurbs
Click to expand...
Thanks dudes !! :D

1. What is, and how do you get a 5-finger discount ? :confused: (sounds pornographic! :p)
2. Anybody wanna do a "group buy" with me ? ;)
3. Do you have to be an Apple Employee for this ? :apple:
4. I'm looking for the new iMac with 8800 ! :)
5. Would save me only £124 quid :(
6. Are US machines exactly the same as UK models ? :eek:
7. Where do I find these Refurbs and is there any risk in buying them ? :eek:
 
Perfectionist said:
Thanks dudes !! :D

1. What is, and how do you get a 5-finger discount ? :confused: (sounds pornographic! :p)

7. Where do I find these Refurbs and is there any risk in buying them ? :eek:
Click to expand...

1. 5-finger discount = Steal one.

7. There's a refurb store on Apple, which sells "used" computers, but just barely. When a customer returns a computer for whatever reason, Apple can't sell them as new computers again. Instead of just throwing them away, which would be completely retarded, they check them thoroughly, and sell them again in the refurb store. If a computer is very "faulty", and a customer is given a new replacement unit, the old unit is fixed (or completely gutted), tested thoroughly, and resold in the refurb store.

Either way, you're getting a fantastic, (essentially) new machine at a huge discount. In fact, my next machine will definitely be a refurb rather than a student discount. A good refurb is far too good a deal to pass up.

To find it, go to your UK Apple store online, go to the STORE, then click on REFURBISHED MAC. There's a link down near the bottom of the screen, on the very right side.
 
I just couldn't wait any more after reading this thread again .... click , bought one ... get it next week :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back