Best Buy Secret Sale?

[bella92108]

Oh, I didn't know Acer laptops running Windows could run Final Cut Pro or Aperture, or any of the multitude of everyday applications people use to make a living that are OS specific. As I said, it is your opinion based on what you think without knowing any of the reasonings around the OPs intended purchase.

Grats on your zero debt, I have none either. I'm also not pretentious enough to tell people how to plan their purchases.

If someone is using a 1.4ghz 2gb ram, 64gb HDD 11" MacBook Air to make their living as a photo or video professional and can't afford a $900 replacement, maybe its time to re-think their career.

And you should try to enlighten others as to responsible use of credit, because ultimately those who don't use it properly cost everyone more $$. It's a big accomplishment to be debt free. You brag about the Mac computers you own in your signature, and you think it's pretentious to express opinion that it's better to save then buy rather than buy then figure out how to pay? LOL..... strange.

 

[Beaverman3001]

If someone is using a 1.4ghz 2gb ram, 64gb HDD 11" MacBook Air to make their living as a photo or video professional and can't afford a $900 replacement, maybe its time to re-think their career.

And you should try to enlighten others as to responsible use of credit, because ultimately those who don't use it properly cost everyone more $$. It's a big accomplishment to be debt free. You brag about the Mac computers you own in your signature, and you think it's pretentious to express opinion that it's better to save then buy rather than buy then figure out how to pay? LOL..... strange.

There are more applications besides the ones I listed that are OS specific that could be mission critical in importance to someones work flow.

I list my computers so if I talk in a thread about "my MBA..." people can see which model I am referring to, instead of me having to list it or them having to ask. I'm not "that guy" giving unasked for advice on a subject that tends to be personal and require full details to fully judge.

 

[bella92108]

I list my computers so if I talk in a thread about "my MBA..." people can see which model I am referring to, instead of me having to list it or them having to ask. I'm not "that guy" giving unasked for advice on a subject that tends to be personal and require full details to fully judge.

So it's okay to give advice to say he should buy refurb without knowing his full details, but not comment on those posting that he should "spend someone else's money" to buy it, lol.

I get it, so it's only okay to give opinions when it's an opinion you agree with. Got it.

 

[Beaverman3001]

So it's okay to give advice to say he should buy refurb without knowing his full details, but not comment on those posting that he should "spend someone else's money" to buy it, lol.

I get it, so it's only okay to give opinions when it's an opinion you agree with. Got it.

If you actually reread the thread, I never once gave advice on whether he should or shouldn't buy it. I just wanted to chime in on how you shouldn't be giving advice while being uninformed.

 

[bella92108]

If you actually reread the thread, I never once gave advice on whether he should or shouldn't buy it. I just wanted to chime in on how you shouldn't be giving advice while being uninformed.

Right, but you didn't criticize the person who recommended buying refurbished. Who knows, maybe he's buying it for work, and most large companies have IT Purchasing policies that prohibit the purchasing of refurbished assets. Guess we should require credit, criminal, and background check to be able to post opinions here, haha

 

[Beaverman3001]

Right, but you didn't criticize the person who recommended buying refurbished. Who knows, maybe he's buying it for work, and most large companies have IT Purchasing policies that prohibit the purchasing of refurbished assets. Guess we should require credit, criminal, and background check to be able to post opinions here, haha

Why would I criticize a recommendation to buy refurbished? Your logic really makes no sense. I'm only criticizing you for giving advice you shouldn't be giving.

 

[bella92108]

Why would I criticize a recommendation to buy refurbished? Your logic really makes no sense. I'm only criticizing you for giving advice you shouldn't be giving.

You said I was not qualified to make a judgement about his purchase because I didn't know his background and computing needs, but you expressed no issue with the response that someone said he should buy refurb. It's the same thing, giving an opinion based on the information available. You only were vocal against my opinion because you disagree.

 

[Beaverman3001]

You said I was not qualified to make a judgement about his purchase because I didn't know his background and computing needs, but you expressed no issue with the response that someone said he should buy refurb. It's the same thing, giving an opinion based on the information available. You only were vocal against my opinion because you disagree.

I don't disagree with your opinion. With every Apple product I've bought I've paid for it out right, I hate financing anything. But you trying to give advice on someones long term financial concerns is annoying and unneeded. People know their personal finances and needs better than you, or me. If someone wanted real financial advice they would ask someone who was qualified and had actual financial knowledge.

The OP just wanted to know about bestbuy sales. He wasn't looking for a lecture of posts from you about why he is in the wrong for financing something interest free over 18 months.

The difference between your "advice" and the advice to buy refurb is, one is a suggestion as to how to obtain the item in question at a price less than or equal to the bestbuy sale the OP was interested in. Your advice does nothing in helping the OP with his interest of the bestbuy sale or obtaining said item in the same or better manner.

 

[bella92108]

I don't disagree with your opinion. With every Apple product I've bought I've paid for it out right, I hate financing anything. But you trying to give advice on someones long term financial concerns is annoying and unneeded. People know their personal finances and needs better than you, or me. If someone wanted real financial advice they would ask someone who was qualified and had actual financial knowledge.

The OP just wanted to know about bestbuy sales. He wasn't looking for a lecture of posts from you about why he is in the wrong for financing something interest free over 18 months.

The difference between your "advice" and the advice to buy refurb is, one is a suggestion as to how to obtain the item in question at a price less than or equal to the bestbuy sale the OP was interested in. Your advice does nothing in helping the OP with his interest of the bestbuy sale or obtaining said item in the same or better manner.

Understood. Done with this thread. I'm a finance major and have my MBA in finance marketing, but yeah, maybe he's better asking someone more qualified LOL.

Anyhow, people in this country have such a sense of entitlement there's no point in reasoning, so naturally anything that is intended as helpful advice is going to be seen as confrontational because it might compromise that person's sense of entitlement. Whatever, UNSUBSCRIBED.

Thanks for the laughs, enjoy your (I mean your finance company's) laptop in 2013 when it's paid off.

 

[Beaverman3001]

Understood. Done with this thread. I'm a finance major and have my MBA in finance marketing, but yeah, maybe he's better asking someone more qualified LOL.

Anyhow, people in this country have such a sense of entitlement there's no point in reasoning, so naturally anything that is intended as helpful advice is going to be seen as confrontational because it might compromise that person's sense of entitlement. Whatever, UNSUBSCRIBED.

Thanks for the laughs, enjoy your (I mean your finance company's) laptop in 2013 when it's paid off.

Cool story bro.


@the OP, MacMall has the base model for $948.94.

http://www.macmall.com/p/Apple-MacBook-Air/product~dpno~8233497~pdp.gcgaeee

But I have on idea what kind, if any, financing they offer. But if you are outside of California you would be able to avoid sales tax.

 

[BIRDinho]

Bella, you either come off as paying cash for absolutely everything in your life, you are extremely wealthy, or you have saved every single penny for years and years.


I'm interested to know how you bought a house/car while having zero debt, or, if not yet, how do you plan to without credit?

 

[jb27]

So why not put the $60 a month into an interest-bearing CD\Money Market\Bank Account, and when you've saved enough to buy the computer, you'll likely be able to outright own a much better spec model since it'll take a year or two to save, and you'll have a couple bucks in interest.

I guess it makes sense that our government won't exercise fiscal discipline if those living in this country won't. lol

Please let me know what "interest bearing" account you are using where you think he would make a reasonable about of interest a year off $60 a month. I don't mean this in a sarcastic manner, but from everything I've seen, interest rates are at an all time low (well under 1% for the timeframe you're referring to).

 

[jns2001]

You guys should read the M3 forum on E90post.com, they were talking about the same thing on 70-80K cars, leave the OP with his 60 bucks a month. This is not what is taking the toll on the amount of debt of the average american, but financing a 100K car, a million dollar home is.

 

[Sdevante]

Wow...this thread is full of a bunch of little asshats.

 

[ender land]

I don't earn much more than $1,000 per week. So spending almost an entire week's worth of my wages is a bit steep to me. It's much more comfortable to pay the $60/month financing and just pay more when I can.

If you make 1k a week, this bella character has a valid point (well overall, his actual argument supporting it is terrible), you should not have to "save up" to buy it, with an income of 50k you had better have enough in savings to cover a comparatively small purchase. If not you really should not finance this laptop imo as well.

Now, if you could easily buy it outright, there really is not a lot of issue with financing it in my opinion if you are sure to avoid any sort of missed payments, late fees, etc.

Entitlement. Like I said. Has nothing to do with his credit history, nor his computing needs, etc. I'm just going to stop arguing, because the average american is more than $10k in debt, so naturally most people are defensive as it's the life they've learned to be stuck in. But I will say, having zero debt feels amazing.

I will also say that having no debt feels amazing. Well I guess I have a car loan. I could just pay that off right now if I wanted I guess. Wait, there are reasons to finance things? What? No way!

Understood. Done with this thread. I'm a finance major and have my MBA in finance marketing, but yeah, maybe he's better asking someone more qualified LOL.

Anyhow, people in this country have such a sense of entitlement there's no point in reasoning, so naturally anything that is intended as helpful advice is going to be seen as confrontational because it might compromise that person's sense of entitlement. Whatever, UNSUBSCRIBED.

Thanks for the laughs, enjoy your (I mean your finance company's) laptop in 2013 when it's paid off.

You are an idiot. Apparently a degree in finance and an MBA in finance marketing do not prepare you to actually interact in the world in any sort of meaningful fashion.

 

[christophermdia]

Amazon has it for $968 no tax, free shipping and 12 mo no interest financing...can't beat that deal...

 

[jdalbert]

Not to try to start a fight, but no, you're not using their money. You're prolonging the payment in exchange for collateral, this sort of misinformation is why we're in such trouble as a country. When you defer payments, you face devaluation of your collateral and inflation's devaluation of currency, so it's never smart to do. For years, we've been programmed to think using credit is okay... it used to be that credit was okay for buying a house, then it became a car is okay... now people think it's okay to finance a computer. That's one of the worst possible things you can finance.

Apparently that MBA wasn't so helpful for you... Inflation hurts the lender, not the borrower. In this case, assuming inflation occurs, borrowing at 0% for repayment later is technically beneficial, since you will be paying back an amount less than the true "inflated" future value of the money (due to the fixed interest rate on the loan vs. the "floating" rate of inflation). Basic time value of money .

I do however agree with you that borrowing to finance wants instead of needs is usually a bad thing. But given a fixed interest rate of 0%, using finance theory (time value of money) to argue against borrowing isn't really correct.

 

[fred_garvin]

You should not be getting an Air now, mainly because the Sandy Bridge/Thunderbolt models will be out probably in May. Yeah, you can always wait, but the refresh cycle is due and this is a substantial upgrade in power.

+1 on the Amazon mention, a great place to buy Macs I've found. Just don't go there for iPads. $968 and if you don't need the financing, you'd get an extra 3% back using their credit card, which I like.

If you live in a high sales tax state, the best buy route is nearly $1100, while Amazon could be as low as $940 (after 3% back).

The suggestions for a CD, their money, etc don't work so well when interest rates are sub 1%. Never get back the $160 spread in my example.

P.S. You'll want to wait till June anyways to get the Sandy Bridge model AND get Lion with it. (Ok, we don't know, Lion could take till August). If you get Lion included, theres another $129 savings.

 

[notjustjay]

Well, I'm not going to presume to tell anyone what to do, but I can tell you about what happened to me. I bought my 12" PowerBook back in 2003 when I was living on a very meager student budget. I thought I'd finance it using a "6 months interest free" deal that Apple was offering at the time. In fact it was the only way I could have afforded it (granted this was closer to $3000 when all was said and done).

Unfortunately the financing details got messed up, and instead of getting an interest-free loan on a $2800 laptop, I ended up getting an interest-free loan on a $150 copy of Final Cut Express (the "interest-free" part only applied to the FIRST charge that appeared on the account, and when you order a BTO laptop plus software on the side, guess which ships -- and gets charged -- first??) I had the privilege of paying something like 28.8% interest on the remaining $2800.

To make that long story short, that launched me into a cycle of credit card and loan debt that took me close to 3 years to pay off completely. I paid off the Mac loan by drawing from other credit cards, and wiped out a chunk of my savings and investments to pay those credit cards off. I never did the math to see just how much I paid in interest -- and I don't even want to know.

Finance if you must, but be very careful and disciplined, and be wary of the fine print!

 

[SidBala]

Yeah I am not a finance major or anything. I am just a lowly Engineering Physicist here

But I don't understand what the argument against financing the product at 0% is. Could someone explain in lay man's terms?

I always thought that deferred spending is a good thing(at least for the spender). That cash you will be paying off with can be used for other stuff - maybe even used for making more cash in the short term.

If inflation did devalue the currency during the term of the financing, how does that affect the buyer? The terms of the financing are still the same. The amount of total money you pay is the same. So I would rather pay it later than right now.

So my question is, why wouldn't you go in for the 0% financing option even if you had the cash to buy it right now?

 

[notjustjay]

But I don't understand what the argument against financing the product at 0% is. Could someone explain in lay man's terms?

So my question is, why wouldn't you go in for the 0% financing option even if you had the cash to buy it right now?

The way I see it, there's nothing wrong with this in principle (and you're right, it's a good thing), but you do have to watch out for any caveats. As I learned in my experience, failure to abide strictly to the contract -- even if it was an accident, like in my case -- can bring about harsh penalties. That might mean that if you fail to make one of the monthly payments, for example, that the full force of a high-interest penalty might come slamming down. If you were financing in the first place because you couldn't afford to pay any more than the interest-free payments, then there's a risk that something going wrong could cause you great harm.

 

[DaREdBaRoN]

Ignore this preaching jerk who thinks he's so much better than you cause he doesn't use credit. If you want to finance go head, I know I do cause I'm broke working for BB. As far as the sale goes, there may have been an online Easter sale yesterday. Corporate doesn't really tell us retail folks what deals we have online so the fact that I never heard anything about it doesn't mean much. You might be able to go into the store and ask complain enough to get a manager to override it for you since it was only like 60 bucks. Never hurts to ask man!

 

[RicoRich196]

Ignore this preaching jerk who thinks he's so much better than you cause he doesn't use credit. If you want to finance go head, I know I do cause I'm broke working for BB. As far as the sale goes, there may have been an online Easter sale yesterday. Corporate doesn't really tell us retail folks what deals we have online so the fact that I never heard anything about it doesn't mean much. You might be able to go into the store and ask complain enough to get a manager to override it for you since it was only like 60 bucks. Never hurts to ask man!

 

[AppleScruff1]

But as he said, he's "spending Best Buy's money" (which I think he means Citi or whoever does BBY's financial services).... but that's my point, people should spend THEIR money, not other peoples. Because TONS of people default on retail accounts (I've seen statistics as high as 50%). Who do you think pay for that? The rest of us because retail and creditors have to mark up products and services to cover the write-offs from people who say "I want it today because if I have to save up for it for 2 years I might as well just wait forever" ....

lol, but enough on my personal opinions. Fortunately creditors have tightened up and the low-lifes have a slightly harder time getting credit now.

The US government spends other countries money. And a lot of the business world runs on financing, both short and long term.

 

[TheMacBookPro]

Image

Unnecessary post is unnecessary. Who are you to judge people based on how broke they are/where they work?