06-12-2008, 11:00 PM

I have a question. My girlfriend recently bought a new macbook off apple.com. Then, after the ordered the computer she found out that she could get a 10% student discount (as she is a college student) and receive a free iPod touch. She recently lost her iPod and that thing was practically attached to her at all times. She received the computer 2 days ago, well within the 14 day return policy.

So, what I said to her was this. Take the computer back to our local Apple Store. Return the computer. Then, right afterwards, purchase a new MacBook and use your student ID to get the 10% off as well as receive the rebate for the free iPod touch.

Now some may think that this is dishonest. I personally do not. This is why. Apple made this discount for many reasons, one reason I believe is that they want our generation to love apple products as much as possible. They want us as customers for life. If a someone accidentally orders something and 2-3 days realizes that they could have got a free iPod with their purchase I think they should be able to get that iPod. To me thats good business and good customer service. There are many companies out there that absolutely do not care about the customer. As long as they get their money ONCE they are happy, and do not care if that customer never comes back. In my opinion Apple is not one of those companies. And thats why I have so much respect for them.

Now, obviously returning the item for whatever reason is not illegal. But my question is this. Would we be able to be honest with the Apple Store when we went in? Tell them exactly what we were doing. Would they have a problem with that? Or should we keep it to ourselves?

She should have gotten the deal. She is a student. She deserves it. She was just unaware. I wish I was there when she bought it. But unfortunately I was not.

06-12-2008, 11:30 PM

I worked at the Apple Store on Michigan Ave for 2 1/2 years. Here's what I can tell you:

First of all...which computer did you buy and did you customize it?

The reason I ask this is because the Apple Store (brick and mortar) can not actually take back a customized computer into their system. All computers have SKUs and the SKU is different than the SKU of the computers you buy in the store IF YOU CUSTOMIZE it. So if you added RAM, changed the hard drive size or whatever, they won't physically be able to take it back into their system. This way you would HAVE to return it to .com.

Second...if you did not customize it, you can take it back to the Apple Store with your .com receipt, and ask them to exchange it for you with the iPod rebate for students. You don't have to try to trick them. Just ask them to return the computer, and then on the same receipt, ring it up again, put the iPod on there, give them your student id AND driver's license and they will give you the discount and the rebate form. The student must pay for the item (her name on the check, credit card, etc). No cash.

Here's what I suggest...reply with the SKU of the computer on your receipt and I'll let you know if you can exchange it.

Hope this helps! The Specialists at the Apple Store will be happy to help if they can, but the rules are pretty strict.

What I would suggest if the computer is customized, since you won't be able to return it to the store, sell it on Craigslist or eBay or something, and then go back to the Apple Store and get the promo, starting empty handed.

-RaeAnn

PS: Actual Apple employees can and will be fired for any participation on Mac Rumor sites or forums. FYI, pretty sure no Apple employee is here/and or will respond. But since I don't work for Apple anymore...

06-13-2008, 12:21 AM

Well RaeAnn, your input is greatly appreciated. This info is gold.

So apple has a problem with employees participating on Mac forums? In any way shape or form? That seems odd to me.

06-13-2008, 12:26 AM

We're not allowed to represent Apple outside of the store. Also not supposed to participate in any speculation of new products.

06-13-2008, 12:30 AM

This is not so different from other manufacturers. I'd lose my job if I were to 'leak' information about unannounced product.

06-16-2008, 05:21 PM

Does anyone know how old you have to be to work at an apple store?

06-16-2008, 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by al3x_j

Does anyone know how old you have to be to work at an apple store?

Just whatever your local laws say I presume. I don't know what it's like in the US, but here it's illegal to discriminate based on age (I.E. Advertising a Job being available for people aged 21-30 ONLY is like saying ONLY white people may apply), unless it's an acting role or there's some other legitimate reason (I.E. you may need a licence in that job that you can only get when you reach a certain age).

06-16-2008, 05:45 PM

I work at apple and I use this site all the time. Actually right now I could care less if I get fired. I got my laptop a week ago for that reason. HAHA. I am just tired of the retail thing and I have a real job already so I did it for fun, and it was at first but not anymore. But as for your situation...You can only get one discounted machine per person per year. But any way you do it you are only getting one rebate. So your paying for a new one even if you get a rebate on one of the iPods.

06-17-2008, 10:57 PM

Originally Posted by fyrman22

I work at apple and I use this site all the time. Actually right now I could care less if I get fired. I got my laptop a week ago for that reason. HAHA. I am just tired of the retail thing and I have a real job already so I did it for fun, and it was at first but not anymore. But as for your situation...You can only get one discounted machine per person per year. But any way you do it you are only getting one rebate. So your paying for a new one even if you get a rebate on one of the iPods.

Yeah, you're limited to one discount per year, but he hasn't used the discount yet. He'll get the discount on the computer and the ipod and then get a mail in rebate for the ipod. At least that's how it used to work.