Saving 10% on iPad Purchase with USPS Coupon.

[durvivor]

In the past five days I think I've learned a pretty good lesson about the cost of impatience.

Friday

As soon as I heard Best Buy would be carrying iPads I went into my file cabinet and found the 10% off anything coupon I received from the USPS after my recent move. The coupon is good until June 1st, 2010!

Saturday

I heard that Best Buy locations would only have 15 units, 5 of each model. Being "cheap" I am only in the market for the $499 16gb unit. So, only 5 units at my local best buy. No problem I thought, most people will be at apple stores & I still have a chance.

Sunday

On Sunday the news was out that Pre-orders were only for April 12th delivery & reserve for pickup had been shut down. In my mind this means people who still wanted iPads would now be shifting to Best Buy to get them. Any hopes of showing up at 8:45 to get 10% off my iPad have diminished.

Monday

One last shot... If I could just find some sort of documented Apple Retail policy that says they accept competitors coupons, I can take my Best Buy coupon to the Apple store & still get an iPad for 10% off. Sadly, I learn that Apple Retail does have written policies, but include nothing regarding price matches or coupon matching. (Though, I found evidence they have a secret price match policy)

Tuesday

So, I have two options left. 1) Goto the Apple Store on April 3rd to get my reserved iPad & ask them to match the coupon price. Accept that they most likely will choose NOT to match the price as this decision is at the managers discretion. 2) Wait... buy an iPad at Best Buy sometime between now and June 1st (my coupons expiration date) and save 10%.

So, the cost of impatience is $49.99 for me.

10% for you @ eBay

Any of you who are considering waiting in line at Best Buy please consider a quick eBay purchase of a "Best Buy 10%" coupon. I'm seeing coupons available for $1 - $3 dollars. Shop smart!

 

[durvivor]

Of course Best Buy isn't going to want to give anybody a 10% discount. But I feel the language on the coupon is on our side.

MP3 PLAYERS & CAR ELECTRONICS: Apple Ipod and MP3 devices, MP3 accessories, GPS hardware, car audio, satellite radio hardware & CD/DVD storage.


I'd argue, and would be willing to hold up the Best Buy line that the iPad is CLEARLY an "Apple MP3 device.

I bet you Best Buy meant to put a comma in there... Apple iPod, MP3 Devices. If they had a comma, the could say the iPad isn't an iPod. I'd allow that argument, but, since the comma is missing. I feel the coupon is good, the iPad is CLEARLY an Apple MP3 device.

 

[samcraig]

And I'm guessing the coupon won't be valid because it was created before the iPad was a viable purchase. I'm not saying it's right or wrong. I'm saying that the odds in using a coupon to purchase an iPad - and on launch day no less - is pretty non-existant.

 

[jedolley]

Just go to your local Post Office and get a mover's guide/packet and the Best Buy coupon is inside.

 

[Maximillian]

Apple products are usually exempt from discounts and coupons.