The absolute cheapest way is to
1.)
a.) Buy from Apple Online Education Store. You might not be taking a student, but chances are you might know someone.
b.) There is extra discounts on Built-to-Order, take Advantage of that
c.) Ship it to one of the 5 US states with no sales tax, you might have a friend who lives there.
http://www.kiplinger.com/tools/retiree_map/index.html?map=2#anchor
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sales_taxes_in_the_United_States
d.)Pay with the Discover More Card and you'll get 5% off on the Apple online store. You can also use Bank of America American Express or Bank of America Visa Signature , that give 2% cash back (Add it Up program) + 2 points/ per 1 dollar spend (100 points = 1 dollar , in there program) , so thats virtually like 4% off.
If you have American Express Gold, Platinum, Green or other cards, I am sure Amex might have between 3-5% off if you use there cards online.
Don't know about other cards.
The numbers add up and for example that
$1099 MBA air 11" 1.4 Ghz, 4Gb, 64 Gb SSD, might now cost you $987.05
$1039 education price - 51.95 (5% Cash Back) - We saved $10 dollars upgrading to 4Gb
via Discover Card
or a
$999 MBA air 11" 1.4 Ghz, 2Gb, 64 Gb SSD might now cost you $901.55
*Discover may offer additional benefits of being able to purchase cheap gift cards. So the savings could be more.
2.)MacMall is a great deal as well, the deal won't be as great as the Apple Store. It's less of a hassle for most people b/c you don't have to ship the computer to someone else. They also don't charge a sales tax. More people might go with this option since it's easier that Opton 1, and you don't much more money and in some cases MacMall might have better deals.
b.) Discover Card , doesn't seem to have a partnership with MacMall, that I am aware of. But Bank Of America American Express and Visa Signature Cards do, so with there great Add it Up program you can save ( 3% cash back via Add it Up and 2 points / 1 dollar spend), so its virtually like a 5% discount, since you can redeem the points on the card for cash.
In this case
$1099 MBA air 11" 1.4 Ghz, 4Gb, 64 Gb SSD, might now cost you $994.13 and the
(MacMall Price) 1046.43 - (BOA cash back + points) 52.3 = $994.13
$999 MBA air 11" 1.4 Ghz, 2Gb, 64 Gb SSD might now cost you $902.1 (the same as the Apple Store)
$949.63 - 47.48 = $902.1
So the MacMall savings is very good and competitive and the savings is maximized when used with great credit card with a exceptional points/cash back program.
I personally went with MacMall cause I just don't want to in-convince people and ship it to sales tax free state.
So there are times the Apple Store will be way better and the best choice is to ship it to a friend in a tax free state, or if you live in one, lucky you.
Cards like Discover More, BOA Amex and BOA visa signature, do require somewhat good credit, if you have it, then just maximize it. As long as you pay your cards on time each month and pay in full, your actually making money off your credit cards.
Btw if you bought impulsively like me via retail store, you can always return within 14 days. Also if they want to charge you a restocking fee, just speak to the manager. I told them that I thought the MBA air was upgradable in terms of memory. Anyway you can think of many things to say.
Also if you wait for the summer, you can get a free iPod as well (hopefully the don't change the programs) , and sell it via CL for an extra 200 dollar savings.
Thanks All.
1.)
a.) Buy from Apple Online Education Store. You might not be taking a student, but chances are you might know someone.
b.) There is extra discounts on Built-to-Order, take Advantage of that
c.) Ship it to one of the 5 US states with no sales tax, you might have a friend who lives there.
http://www.kiplinger.com/tools/retiree_map/index.html?map=2#anchor
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sales_taxes_in_the_United_States
d.)Pay with the Discover More Card and you'll get 5% off on the Apple online store. You can also use Bank of America American Express or Bank of America Visa Signature , that give 2% cash back (Add it Up program) + 2 points/ per 1 dollar spend (100 points = 1 dollar , in there program) , so thats virtually like 4% off.
If you have American Express Gold, Platinum, Green or other cards, I am sure Amex might have between 3-5% off if you use there cards online.
Don't know about other cards.
The numbers add up and for example that
$1099 MBA air 11" 1.4 Ghz, 4Gb, 64 Gb SSD, might now cost you $987.05
$1039 education price - 51.95 (5% Cash Back) - We saved $10 dollars upgrading to 4Gb
via Discover Card
or a
$999 MBA air 11" 1.4 Ghz, 2Gb, 64 Gb SSD might now cost you $901.55
*Discover may offer additional benefits of being able to purchase cheap gift cards. So the savings could be more.
2.)MacMall is a great deal as well, the deal won't be as great as the Apple Store. It's less of a hassle for most people b/c you don't have to ship the computer to someone else. They also don't charge a sales tax. More people might go with this option since it's easier that Opton 1, and you don't much more money and in some cases MacMall might have better deals.
b.) Discover Card , doesn't seem to have a partnership with MacMall, that I am aware of. But Bank Of America American Express and Visa Signature Cards do, so with there great Add it Up program you can save ( 3% cash back via Add it Up and 2 points / 1 dollar spend), so its virtually like a 5% discount, since you can redeem the points on the card for cash.
In this case
$1099 MBA air 11" 1.4 Ghz, 4Gb, 64 Gb SSD, might now cost you $994.13 and the
(MacMall Price) 1046.43 - (BOA cash back + points) 52.3 = $994.13
$999 MBA air 11" 1.4 Ghz, 2Gb, 64 Gb SSD might now cost you $902.1 (the same as the Apple Store)
$949.63 - 47.48 = $902.1
So the MacMall savings is very good and competitive and the savings is maximized when used with great credit card with a exceptional points/cash back program.
I personally went with MacMall cause I just don't want to in-convince people and ship it to sales tax free state.
So there are times the Apple Store will be way better and the best choice is to ship it to a friend in a tax free state, or if you live in one, lucky you.
Cards like Discover More, BOA Amex and BOA visa signature, do require somewhat good credit, if you have it, then just maximize it. As long as you pay your cards on time each month and pay in full, your actually making money off your credit cards.
Btw if you bought impulsively like me via retail store, you can always return within 14 days. Also if they want to charge you a restocking fee, just speak to the manager. I told them that I thought the MBA air was upgradable in terms of memory. Anyway you can think of many things to say.
Also if you wait for the summer, you can get a free iPod as well (hopefully the don't change the programs) , and sell it via CL for an extra 200 dollar savings.
Thanks All.
