How to make the most of Apple’s Black Friday
Apple’s official discounts for Black Friday are milder than some analysts’ forecasts. However, shoppers who find it easier to get to an Apple store may be able to get a more impressive deal.
There had been speculation Apple would bring in major price cuts for the one-day sale, which joins the rest of the US retail industry in kicking off the unofficial Christmas shopping season. One analyst said he expected “œthe company to be more aggressive than usual in its one-day sale” and there was even some hope that a 33 percent price cut for iPhones in France might make its way across the Atlantic.
Instead, Apple has opted for cuts in line with its usual Black Friday deals. There’s $51 to $101 off various Macs and MacBooks, $11 off the nano, and $21 off most other iPods. These cuts, which all represent less than 10 percent off, are obviously welcome but hardly a bargain, and the iPhone remains at full price. (These prices all apply to Apple stores and websites rather than independent retailers.)
However, there’s an unadvertised bonus on offer: Apple store staff have apparently been told they can reduce prices further if customers bring details of a lower price offered by another retailer. It’s even reported this can apply to online retailers such as Amazon.
Given that many stores offer knock-down prices on Apple goods to attract customers during sale periods (in the hope of then selling them other more profitable goods and accessories), this could be worth exploring if you are looking to buy an Apple product and either find an Apple store easier to get to, or want to avoid the crowds at larger retailers.
Apple has also extended its Black Friday sale to the United Kingdom, possibly through fears it will be hit hard by that country’s financial troubles. The discounts there are around the same 5 percent or so level as in the US.
November 29th, 2008
Any discount is a good discount.