8 Hacks to Save on Apple Products
Credit: Apple
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Here are a few ways to save on Apple products. Some require a little more work and patience than others. Is the juice worth the squeeze? That’s up to you to decide. Remember, summer is the time of state tax holidays. If you’re in the market for a device, particularly a computer, these holidays (and sometimes holiday weeks or weekends) are your best bets. Happy shopping!
Apple Education
College students, teachers, and staff can shop at Apple’s Education Store for discounted products. Parents of students in higher education qualify, as do K-12 employees, including homeschool teachers, elected or appointed school board members, and elected or appointed PTA or PTO executives.
Discounts are available on iPads, MacBooks, and Macs. The price varies based on each model and typically ranges from $50 to $200. For example, a new 13.6-inch MacBook Air, M3 is $999 with a student discount versus $1,099 without. Be careful! Apple reserves the right to audit each purchase and charge you the difference if you’re unable to prove you qualify.
Quantities are limited as per below:
- Desktop: One (1) may be purchased per year
- Mac mini: One (1) may be purchased per year
- Notebook: One (1) may be purchased per year
- iPad: Two (2) may be purchased per year
Certified Refurbished
Consumers can save up to 15% when buying a Certified Refurbished product from Apple. All certified refurbished products come with a 1-year warranty as well as the following:
- Full functional testing
- Genuine Apple part replacements if necessary
- iOS devices come with a new battery and outer shell
- Cleaning
- Original Operating system or more recent version
- Repacked in a brand new box with all accessories and cables
- Free shipping
Apple Trade In Program
Apple Trade In is available both online and in Apple Stores. Your device must be in great overall condition to receive the top end of the listed trade-in value. If it isn’t eligible for a credit (or Apple gift card), Apple will recycle it for free. You can even trade in some Android phones.
Once you get a quote online, you have 14 days to return your old device once you receive your new one. You can track the status of your trade with Apple’s tracking tool. It usually takes 2-3 weeks to process a trade. Apple will credit your original payment method (or monthly bill) after they receive your device and verify the condition.
Third-Party Retailers
Occasionally, third-party retailers like Amazon, Costco, and Best Buy offer discounts on Apple products. If you’re in the market for a new Apple device or accessory, keep an eye on their sales. For example, Best Buy is currently selling the M2 MacBook Air 13.6-inch, 8GB memory, 256GB SSD for $849, as opposed to $999 at Apple.
Carrier Deals
You can also check out carrier deals for iPhones, Apple Watches, and sometimes even iPads. Mobile carriers often offer promotions, especially if you’re willing to sign up for a new plan. Sometimes trading in a new device will qualify you for a promotion, too.
For example, T-Mobile is currently offering four new iPhone 15s with a $35 connection charge per device and $25/line when you switch with four new qualifying lines and trade in four eligible devices. Verizon and AT&T are each running their own various promotions as well.
Employee Purchase Programs
If you go to a US retail store, they keep a list of all current employers that have signed up with Apple to offer discounts to their employees. You’ll likely need to show some proof of employment, so be prepared. You can also check if your employer has an EPP with Apple by calling 1-800-MY-APPLE.
Tax-Free Holidays
Some states have tax-free holidays. They are usually in the summer and sometimes last 2-3 days. For example, Florida allows sales tax exemption on computers up to $1,500 (6% or $90) from September 2 through September 8, 2024. New Jersey offers a sales tax exemption on computers up to $3,000 (6.625% or $198.75) from August 24 through September 2, 2024.
Check here to check upcoming sales tax holidays in your state or states nearby.
Used Marketplace
Sites like Gazelle, Swappa, and Black Market sell both used and refurbished Apple products. The hot products often go fast, so give yourself some time to search across sites once you’ve decided on a specific device. Remember, you can usually trade in or sell your device on sites like these. It likely won’t be as easy as Apple makes it, but it could be worth the extra effort.
Let us know if we missed anything. We’re always looking for different ways to save on Apple products, services, and accessories. While you’re at it, remember to check out our Giveaways page for a chance to win new active products with $0 entry fees. Good luck!
