It’s important to remember that online support communities like this one are global, and the contributors are users just like you, offering peer-to-peer technical assistance. We are not Apple employees and do not speak for Apple.
Let’s clarify Apple’s Back to School promotion, which includes a Free Gift Card with qualifying purchases. The terms and conditions of Apple’s Back to School offer are clearly outlined:
“Qualified Purchasers receive an Apple Gift Card when they purchase an eligible Mac or iPad at a Qualifying Location. Only one Apple Gift Card per eligible Mac or iPad per Qualified Purchaser. Offer subject to availability. While supplies last. Qualified Purchasers shall receive a discount equal to the value of the Apple Gift Card off the price of the eligible Mac or iPad, but will be charged for all items in their cart, including the Apple Gift Card. This offer cannot be combined with the Apple Employee Purchase Plan or business loyalty pricing. Availability of in-store promotion offerings may be limited by Apple Store location closures as a result of COVID-19. Additional restrictions apply.”
You can find the full details of the offer on Apple’s website, for example, the Canadian version: Offers – Apple (CA).
If you arrived at the Back to School offer page, such as this Canadian link: https://www.apple.com/ca_edu_93120/shop/back-to-school, the prices displayed already reflect the educational discount for eligible purchasers. These are the discounted prices, before adding AppleCare+ or sales tax.
Misunderstandings often arise from two points:
a) Expecting an additional discount on top of the already reduced educational pricing.
b) Not fully understanding how the free gift card promotion works, as explained in the offer’s terms.
Remember, the prices you see are already discounted for education. The free gift card essentially returns its value to you. This free gift card doesn’t expire and can be used for future Apple purchases, whether by you or as a gift.
Hopefully, this explanation clarifies Apple’s pricing and the structure of their offer. While the discount might not be as large as initially hoped, you are still benefiting from a significant saving through the educational discount and the free gift card.
If you are still unsatisfied, Apple allows returns of undamaged purchases within 14 days for a full refund or exchange. Returning both the purchased item and the unused free gift card will ensure a complete refund of the purchase price.
