WARM: Small iPod mini discount

[anxman69]

I searched and didn't see this mentioned specifically. People have already mentioned that if you order a mini through Apple's educational site, you can get it for $229.99. If you place an order now, it says it will ship around 8/2/04. My order info was:

iPod: $229.99
Tax: $18.99
Shipping: Free

If you wait a few days and call to cancel the order, they will ask you why. Say that you are sick of waiting and it isn't worth the price for it. They will offer to knock down the price a little more ($10.00 - $11.50). It's not much, but it does give you a chance at getting the mini at virtually the earliest time and definitely the best price (which was $236 for me).

It's not a great deal, but it's something.

Good luck.

-Anx

 

[Kipper]

This doesn't seem much like a deal to me.

Edit: Let me rephrase that. It sounds more like a "how can I abuse CS to get a discount on the Mini?"

 

[anxman69]

I hardly consider this "abusing customer service". Penny pinchers have been using customer-retention programs to save a few bucks on cable, wireless, and phone bills for ages. This isn't much difference.

A $10 discount isn't much, I agree, but it's something.

-Anx

 

[esquared]

I agree with Mad Cow Disease. Threatening cancellation in order to get a discount isn't a hot deal IMO. It does border on abuse. People should save their abuse of the CSRs for when they really deserve it.

 

[usernamemax20charact]

How is calling to get your order cancelled abuse? All you would be doing is calling in and saying, "Um... Hi. Yeah, I'd like to cancel my order for the iPod mini." At which point they'd ask why. Then you'd say something like "Well, I ordered it a while back and have been waiting and waiting and it still hasn't shipped. So I want to get a refund so I can get something else instead. Maybe one of them nice Dell Jukeboxes or something."

How's that abuse? You don't have to call up yelling and swearing at the CSR. And if they decide to offer you a discount, then all the better.

 

[jdogg707]

Originally posted by: usernamemax20charact
How is calling to get your order cancelled abuse? All you would be doing is calling in and saying, "Um... Hi. Yeah, I'd like to cancel my order for the iPod mini." At which point they'd ask why. Then you'd say something like "Well, I ordered it a while back and have been waiting and waiting and it still hasn't shipped. So I want to get a refund so I can get something else instead. Maybe one of them nice Dell Jukeboxes or something."

How's that abuse? You don't have to call up yelling and swearing at the CSR. And if they decide to offer you a discount, then all the better.

It's abuse of the system because you are ordering the product with the intentions of canceling it and hoping they offer a discount to you. I do not find this warm or hot at all, rather, I find it a pretty lousy thing to do.

 

[cmv]

It also makes you look bad if they say, "okay, thanks for calling and we'll cancel your order right away!."

Suddenly you changed your mind? And what's this, 200 people in a row with the same concern? Wow! This job rocks...

Hehe

 

[Kipper]

Originally posted by: usernamemax20charact
How is calling to get your order cancelled abuse? All you would be doing is calling in and saying, "Um... Hi. Yeah, I'd like to cancel my order for the iPod mini." At which point they'd ask why. Then you'd say something like "Well, I ordered it a while back and have been waiting and waiting and it still hasn't shipped. So I want to get a refund so I can get something else instead. Maybe one of them nice Dell Jukeboxes or something."

How's that abuse? You don't have to call up yelling and swearing at the CSR. And if they decide to offer you a discount, then all the better.

"A while back" does not equal a "few days" in the OP's post.

Besides, the Amazon buy $250 in electronics/get $50 GC is potentially hotter.

 

[cushionedchair]

This sounds like fraud to me. Mods, go ahead and lock this.

 

[UsandThem]

One word.............Pathetic

 

[loukey]

Originally posted by: cushionedchair
This sounds like fraud to me. Mods, go ahead and lock this.

I am sure they will appriciate your permission.

 

[robie]

Originally posted by: loukey

Originally posted by: cushionedchair
This sounds like fraud to me. Mods, go ahead and lock this.

I am sure they will appriciate your permission.

The $10 savings on an IPOD isn't going to make or break a deal.

And I love it that every time there is a dumb post someone has to tell the mods to lock it up, I am sure they wait for someone to say it before they do it. I am new at this but seriously.

 

[mscdex0]

Originally posted by: robie

Originally posted by: loukey

Originally posted by: cushionedchair
This sounds like fraud to me. Mods, go ahead and lock this.

I am sure they will appriciate your permission.

The $10 savings on an IPOD isn't going to make or break a deal.

And I love it that every time there is a dumb post someone has to tell the mods to lock it up, I am sure they wait for someone to say it before they do it. I am new at this but seriously.

You're exactly right. They need MY permission as well. Mods, please lock this thread

 

[anxman69]

I can't believe you folks have gotten so antsy over this. Frankly, I'm a little disappointed by the lack of frugality.

Anyone making an intelligent purchase will negotiate for the best price first. In fact, the first chapter of any negotiation book is to be willing to walk out on a deal to gain leverage.

Getting the best deal by going straight to account retention is a great way to get the best deal on wireless, cable, satellite, etc.

Furthermore, there is no "abuse" of a CSR taking place here. If the CSR does not give you the $10 off, then simply say, "I reconsidered and I'll keep the order". No harm done.

If the mods feel that this should be locked, then so be it. This was my two cents, and it was a way for anyone with an existing order at Apple to save an additional $10.

I'm sorry if this was not well received.

-Anx