Mikey Campbell
In a change to its promotion information webpage on Tuesday, Apple announced that the long-standing printer rebate program has been cancelled, leaving the company without any rebates or incentives for new computer buyers.
The Cupertino, Calif., company has traditionally offered some sort of incentive when customers buy a new Mac, such as the $100 instant rebate when purchasing a computer and printer. While the programs were usually "limited time only" affairs, Apple's latest printer rebate was a perpetual offer that stipulated the company could end it at any time.
Apple has advertised a $100 printer rebate sporadically from 2001 alongside numerous other discounts and promotions for both hardware and software.
The company is also known for its educational rebates and discounts, including the annual back-to-school promotion which has offered free iPods to gift cards.
Current printer rebate promotion webpage | Source: Apple
Currently, Apple offers discounts for students and teachers through its Education Store or at Apple Store locations and campuses though the program is more of an institution rather than form of incentive.
It is unclear whether Apple is slowly phasing out incentives as the company's online store usually has some type of discount.
Currently, the promotion page displays a lone advertisement of the just-cancelled printer rebate.
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10 Comments
Apple has advertised a $100 printer rebate sporadically from 2001 alongside numerous other discounts and promotions for both hardware and software.
"Sporadically"? It has been a year-round thing for at least the last seven years.
I imagine they weren't selling many computers solely because of this promotion, so they canceled it as a cost move. Shame, as I have received a couple of printers over the years, including the one shown on Apple's promo page (even though I'm not a fan of ink jets preferring the lower cost of laser, I do like this particular one).
Time for printer manufacturers to offer $100 towards an Apple computer if you buy their product, given how the milk the cost of freaking ink!
(disclosure, I refill my ink cartridges myself - $25 ink pack = about $500 worth of manufacturer's cartridges)
TBH rebates suck. Perhaps because we don't really do them in the UK so I'm not used to them but why make me jump through hoops like cutting part of my box off and writing it. Just give me the discount up front or I'll disregard the offer.
Took me months to work through getting an iPod touch out of Apple in 2007 when they finally admitted I had paid for it and the iMac and done all the proof of purchase (they knew I'd bought both - they had it on the online system).
I far prefer the offer up front such as in 2002 when they simply said pay £21 now and we'll double your RAM. Even on the 512MB Powerbook model I was buying it meant I've never had to upgrade (and using it here and now!).
Printers are cheap, we've all got one, and not very sexy.
They'd be better looking at hooking different customers to the other ecosystems. i.e. buy an iMac and get an AppleTV half price or some such.
TBH rebates suck. Perhaps because we don't really do them in the UK so I'm not used to them but why make me jump through hoops like cutting part of my box off and writing it.
Because from aught six on, you didn't have to do that anymore.