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Education Discount

S

ScarlettN

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 5, 2010
2
0
Hi all,

My old Macbook that I used through college finally has died and I am looking at replacing it with the base iMac 27". I want to use the education discount to get the free iPod touch but since I graduated a bit more than a year ago, was wondering how does Apple verify if you're a student or not. If I go through their online site. I still have my old school ID which has no dates on it. I am sure a few people have bought from Apple through their education site and was wondering what their experience was like and if they check or not.

Thank you
Scarlett N
 
Aside from your moral compass being broken, providing you have a valid student ID you can purchase.

You can purchase without that but you run the risk of them verifying. I have been verified about 50% of the time (made 90% of my purchases using said student discount). YMMV.

Bottom line, you and everyone else who does it eventually ruins it for legitimate buyers.
 
All you need is your student ID card. To be honest, I don't think Apple really cares if you're really a student or not. When I purchased my MacBook Pro, they just asked if I was a student and didn't even ask for proof (had student ID ready if they really checked). At the end of the day, it's another sale for Apple but if you have a student ID, show it to them and done.
 
you know how it's 1 computer per year per student discount. Do they actually physically record your student ID info so you can't get a education discount else where?
 
I've always bought from the online education store; they never ask for any sort of ID (haven't been in school for ages).
 
GyroFX said:
Does that mean the 1 computer per year for education discount does not apply if they never check?
Click to expand...

I imagine its per account (though they may see the same shipping address on a different account and call you out on it); I was specifically referring to the Edu Discount itself, I've never been asked for a student ID for any purchase made through the online store.
 
DesmoPilot said:
I imagine its per account (though they may see the same shipping address on a different account and call you out on it); I was specifically referring to the Edu Discount itself, I've never been asked for a student ID for any purchase made through the online store.
Click to expand...

gotcha, even though I guess people could use a different credit card and an alternate address for buying another one.
 
DesmoPilot said:
I imagine its per account (though they may see the same shipping address on a different account and call you out on it); I was specifically referring to the Edu Discount itself, I've never been asked for a student ID for any purchase made through the online store.
Click to expand...

Do you just buy the computer alone or actually do the mail-in-rebates as well?
 
living in Thailand

Can I use the government store since I work at the US Embassy to buy an iMac but have it shipped to the Apple Store here in Bangkok? Or does ordering online never allow in-store pickup?
 
AK10R said:
I know I could just ask Apple when I order, but does anyone know if we may use the education discount if we home school our two kids?
Click to expand...

Apple Online Store for Homeschoolers

Apple understands education and knows which products are most relevant to teaching and learning. Education pricing is available to homeschool teachers.

I lost the link to this. Call Apple
 
most schools will give online access and emails to alumni as well. just log on to the alumni site and use the school's email
 
I am a legit education buyer (I have two kids in college) and I have purchased 3 Macs in the last two years. I've just told them what college my kid goes to and that's it. In fact, I just entered it online, i.e. "University of Southern California," (not their real college, I couldn't afford that!) That was all the online order form asked for, to the best of my recollection. Now they seem to have it on file or something, as I just got (but had to return :( - yellow screen, bad -) a REFURB i7 27" and I just said "I qualify for the education discount, my kid goes to college." Then I used my personal email account, my personal address, etc.

The only time I've been told I would need my kid to email something from their college (with the .edu) or that I needed proof was when I was considering buying a new imac from Best Buy. They'll give you the education discount OR the itouch offer as of a week ago, if you provide some sort of proof.

Apple doesn't seem to care or check, at all... But I have a long buying history with them...

I'd try it! Also, if you can afford it up front but don't want it, buy the 8G itouch and sell it on Craigs List. They go quickly and close to retail price if it's BRAND NEW. Then, you've saved $100 for the edu discount and say you sell the itouch for $150, you've recouped $250 of the purchase price.

Don't know that this would work any different for my "global" brothers and sisters, but it has worked this way 4 times for me in the U.S. (total.)

Hope this helps!
 
I buy all my Macs via the apple on campus site of my University. Never had to provide any proof that I am actually a member of University at all.
 
My wife is a teacher. Seems like the last time we bought something with the education discount it didn't amount to much. It won't make you rich. You're still spending money.
 
Agreed with the previous posters. I am an educator so I qualify for the education discount and I have ordered from the on-line apple education store and they never actually ask for any direct proof at all.

I also have gone into Best-buy or Future shop and asked them to match the Apple education discount and they have on all occasions without question.

I don't know why anyone would buy without getting the discount.
 
jessica. said:
Aside from your moral compass being broken, providing you have a valid student ID you can purchase.

You can purchase without that but you run the risk of them verifying. I have been verified about 50% of the time (made 90% of my purchases using said student discount). YMMV.

Bottom line, you and everyone else who does it eventually ruins it for legitimate buyers.
Click to expand...

Jessica, the rotation is brilliant, but can you please explain to me as to why everyone on these forums seem to be using that old avatar that a certain someone on these forums used to use?
 
i think if you really want to save some money, retailers are always an option. amazon, macmall or mac connection provide cheaper macs as they typically don't collect taxes:p
 
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