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Why does microcenter sell new MBP so cheap?
- Thread starter nyc999
- Start date
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There isn't a catch. It's the same thing they sell in the apple store. Sometimes the Apple store will price match if the microcenter store is close enough, but I'd rather buy from microcenter anyway, as Apple is already getting too much money for every computer they sell.
No catch. My last mac purchase was a white unibody macbook core2duo 2.26 for $799 two years ago when they first came out. The seller even gave me an awesome deal on an SSD. $100 less than the usual $450. My next macbook air or pro will be from them.
Uhm...what?
They sell 1 laptop at, lets say $900. And they lose $100 on that sale. By your logic, they make up for it in quantity - So they sell 100 laptops, again at a $100 loss. They just lost $10,000. I don't understand your logic....
Uhm...what?
They sell 1 laptop at, lets say $900. And they lose $100 on that sale. By your logic, they make up for it in quantity - So they sell 100 laptops, again at a $100 loss. They just lost $10,000. I don't understand your logic....
LOL..... This is an old saying.... Tongue in cheek.
Uhm...what?
They sell 1 laptop at, lets say $900. And they lose $100 on that sale. By your logic, they make up for it in quantity - So they sell 100 laptops, again at a $100 loss. They just lost $10,000. I don't understand your logic....
I think what he was saying was that they don't lose money but rather a small portion of profit. Say Apple sells these things out to resellers at $700. They could sell it for Apple price at $1200 and make $500, or sell for $1000 and only make $300, but sell twice as many laptops, effectively making more money.
i believe you are from nyc by looking at your username. if you go to the one in westbury can you please check whether they have base model 13" mackbook air instock or not... because i dont see it online.
Thanks
that's what i want to know also.. i don't think they are on sale like macbook pro.. i think they are regular price.. nyc999.. can you please check the price of macbook air also when you are there tomorrow.
Thank s
I'm sorry but you are very misinformed on Apple pricing. I'm not picking on you but using this opportunity to explain the way Apple does things.
I know for a fact that back when the first couple of generations of iMacs came out, the $999 iMac cost the retailers, independent resellers and CompUSA $949. Apple sold Keyboards and mice much cheaper to them, so that retailers could make some cash selling accessories.
Apple does NOT sell $1200 retail price laptops to Microcenter or BestBuy for anywhere near $700. I would estimate that $1000 - $1100 at the cheapest. The goal of Microcenter and BestBuy selling Macs for below Apple Retail is to encourage people to come to their stores, then buy additional accessories. Printers usually have 100+% markup and laptop cases have even more of a markup.
There's a reason that Macs aren't sold everywhere, Target, RadioShack, etc...
The only people who really make profits by selling Macs is Apple, hence their giant cash reserve of about $80 Billion. (of course a lot of that is from iDevices, but the same business principles exist.)
Also look at Apple's profit margins. For sake of an example., let's estimate Apple makes 30% margin on the $1200 MBP.
Is that a 30% margin in regards to the $1200 retail price or the $1000 price of selling to Microcenter, BestBuy, etc.....? Or an Average of both?
Is it a gross margin or profit margin %
If it's on the sales to resellers for $1000, then that means that it costs Apple $700 to make each $1200 MBP. Regardless of which margin % scenario and which sales price scenario, these $1200 MBP cost Apple $700 at the very least, maybe up to $200 more.
Remember that these are not the plastic Dell and HP laptops with 2009 and 2010 processors that sell for $500. Nothing against those companies, they just have a different business model, targeting price sensitive consumers, both individuals and business. As we have recently seen, HP wants to get out of that business because the 10% or less profit margin. Especially since the PC industry is not growing at the rate is was for the past 15 years.
Sorry for the rant
so I went there today. only 13 inch and one of the 15 inch latest MBP are on sale, and have been on sale for a couple of months - $200 off the apple store price. the guy i spoke to doesn't anticipate the airs going on sale anytime soon. good luck!
Stores like Best Buy make very little money off of computers, especially Apple computers. They make their living on customers buying accessories, services (like computer/network set-up, warranty plans, tech support), and store credit card payments. Also stores like Best Buy (or GameStop, as an another example) use customer loyalty systems as regular customers tend to spend more money when they take advantage of such systems. I have a relative that works at Best Buy and his employee discount gets him zilch off of computers because the store buys them essentially at the price they sell them at.
Also, MicroCenter is just price-matching the Apple Store/Best Buy student discount. If the 13 inch base MBP is $1199 - $100 off the regular price for the student discount - $100 gift card, the price is effectively $999. With that 'big' discount, stores like Microcenter anticipate the customer to spend more money on accessories, replacement plans, protection plans, services, etc., which is where they make the real money.
Also, MicroCenter is just price-matching the Apple Store/Best Buy student discount. If the 13 inch base MBP is $1199 - $100 off the regular price for the student discount - $100 gift card, the price is effectively $999. With that 'big' discount, stores like Microcenter anticipate the customer to spend more money on accessories, replacement plans, protection plans, services, etc., which is where they make the real money.
I'm seeing the cheapest 13" MBP at $1199 on the Apple website and on Best Buy's. Cheapest is $1099 for students before adding the App Store gift card. I guess I'm missing something...?
I buy all my apple items at microcenter , wait for the specials and I usually save from 50 to 100
. Plus their guarantee is great . I got mi kids two I pods two years ago for $. 700 each that's icluiding. The $99 dollars guarantee . About a week before the guarantee expired we wher having issues . The told me to live them
There for abouth a week . After that weeks they call me and told me the repairs will cost more than the iPads . So they dicide to give me store credit for $1200
I was able to buy two iPods airs in especial new for $900 plus the warranty $200 and covers . Microcenters is the best place to get your electronics make sure you get the two years warranty .
. Plus their guarantee is great . I got mi kids two I pods two years ago for $. 700 each that's icluiding. The $99 dollars guarantee . About a week before the guarantee expired we wher having issues . The told me to live them
There for abouth a week . After that weeks they call me and told me the repairs will cost more than the iPads . So they dicide to give me store credit for $1200
I was able to buy two iPods airs in especial new for $900 plus the warranty $200 and covers . Microcenters is the best place to get your electronics make sure you get the two years warranty .