Dilemma: Tax Free Aug 4-6, WWDC Aug 7

[Bill Gates]

I'm not sure what I should do. NC's tax free weekend is the 4th through the 6th, yet WWDC begins on the 7th. I'm in the market for a MacBook Pro but I would be upset if I were to buy it on the 4th if a new revision is announced on the 7th. I need a computer for college, which begins on the 18th, but there are computers available in the library. Should I buy on the 4th saving a few dollars or should I stick it out and wait for Merom?

 

[FredAkbar]

I'd wait till the 7th, or till the MBP is updated, if you feel like it. Tax-free saves you 1 to 2 hundred dollars, but updated MBPs are worth that, especially if there's a new processor like Merom.

 

[it5five]

Would it be possible to buy it during the tax free weekend, not open the MBP until after the 7th, and go do an even trade if there is an update on the 7th? I don't know if they would then charge you the difference that the taxes made up or what though, so I don't know.

 

[DMPDX]

I'm not sure what I should do. NC's tax free weekend is the 4th through the 6th, yet WWDC begins on the 7th. I'm in the market for a MacBook Pro but I would be upset if I were to buy it on the 4th if a new revision is announced on the 7th. I need a computer for college, which begins on the 18th, but there are computers available in the library. Should I buy on the 4th saving a few dollars or should I stick it out and wait for Merom?

Buy what you want ont he tax free day/s. DO NOT OPEN WHAT YOU BOUGHT. Then after WWDC, if something is released, take the computer back for a full refund, and place an order for the new model, or open the computer you bought on the tax free day. Sounds good to me.
-dsm

EDIT: Did not see the post above me

 

[Abstract]

Well if a new update was made on August 7th, and you ordered your computer on the 6th or 7th, you'd get the new model anyway. They'd ship you your computer after the 8th for sure. This is how Apple has worked in the past. They will not ship you a 2 GHz MBP if the new models are 2.16 GHz and 2.33 GHz or whatever.

 

[brisully]

Does the tax free work on gift cards? What if you bought enough to make a purchase, then went back the next day?

 

[dmw007]

I'd wait till the 7th, or till the MBP is updated, if you feel like it. Tax-free saves you 1 to 2 hundred dollars, but updated MBPs are worth that, especially if there's a new processor like Merom.

I agree, wait until after WWDC.

Buy what you want ont he tax free day/s. DO NOT OPEN WHAT YOU BOUGHT. Then after WWDC, if something is released, take the computer back for a full refund, and place an order for the new model, or open the computer you bought on the tax free day. Sounds good to me.
-dsm

You could also do this- I am pretty sure that Apple will only charge a fee for an exchange/return if you open the box. So as long as you keep the box sealed, you should be okay

 

[Mac Rules]

Buy what you want ont he tax free day/s. DO NOT OPEN WHAT YOU BOUGHT. Then after WWDC, if something is released, take the computer back for a full refund, and place an order for the new model, or open the computer you bought on the tax free day. Sounds good to me.
-dsm

I agree with that, Apple must be a obliged to follow a 14-day no quibble returns policy, so I'm sure that would work...

Cheers

 

[tobefirst ⚽️]

Does the tax free work on gift cards? What if you bought enough to make a purchase, then went back the next day?

You don't pay tax on gift cards anyways. Tax is assigned when you use the gift cards to purchase real equipment.

 

[Lorelai]

How much is your tax rate? I would wait just in case there is an update.

 

[QCassidy352]

Well if a new update was made on August 7th, and you ordered your computer on the 6th or 7th, you'd get the new model anyway. They'd ship you your computer after the 8th for sure. This is how Apple has worked in the past. They will not ship you a 2 GHz MBP if the new models are 2.16 GHz and 2.33 GHz or whatever.

yep, this is the way to go.

 

[Bill Gates]

The only thing that may complicate this further is that I'll be purchasing the laptop in one of two ways: Either A) I'll be getting a friends and family discount thanks to a friend of mine, or B) I'll purchase it online through the ADC program. If Apple announces an update on the 7th, won't they still continue to ship out the old models until Merom is ready? (Presumably late August/Early September)

 

[lcseds]

State and local tax adds up to 7% in NC. That is a significant savings for something like a MBP. Less so for a pair of jeans. I will be purchasing a Macbook that weekend. Although I will keep it "unopened" for returns sake, I don't anticipate any announcement on the MB that will warrant a return.
Also, Apple has extended the $100 printer rebate through October. That, coupled with the $179 rebate for iPod for edu, as well as the edu discount and no sales tax makes it a VERY good time to buy. So, for $1150 or so, I get a 1.83 Macbook, a 30GB iPod and a Canon ip4200 printer. What's not to like.

Also, the sales tax break is for Computers themselves (plus schhol supplies and clothing), no giftcards, iPods, stereos, televisions, etc.