Hi all, I’m looking to purchase iPad this Boxing Day sale (unsure which model yet depends on sale amount).
What’s the best way to buy it?
I purchased $300 ultimate gift cards at 15% sale but not enough to cover iPad so happy to try CR or SB or where there is sale.
I’d appreciate your input! Cheers
Controversial take!
Here’s some tips that are hopefully actually helpful.
A cursory look across websites indicates that there are not really any sales specifically for iPads for Boxing Day.
If you are looking for a base model 10th Gen iPad, you will be struggling to find stock at authorised resellers (e.g. JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys, David Jones).
Cashback via CR or SB will only help if you are purchasing an iPad directly from Apple, and I see there is currently an 8% cashback offer at Apple (capped at $100) via CR. If you want to use your Ultimate gift cards to help pay for an iPad at Apple and take advantage of the cashback offer, you will need to “convert” your Ultimate gift cards into Apple gift cards at JB Hi-Fi or Officeworks (assuming those are participating retailers for the Ultimate gift cards you purchased), but this is dependent on whether staff will let you do this. If you are going to try this, add the Ultimate gift cards to your mobile wallet of choice, then when you get to the store, tell staff you want to pay by card (or Visa if the staff member needs further clarity).
Don’t forget you can purchase through the Apple Education Store website and can still earn cashback from CR or SB, even if you are technically not eligible. Apple rarely checks for eligibility for purchasing from the Apple Education Store, even if you do click and collect. With regards to the AOC Education Stores, I’m not entirely sure whether that can still be stacked with cashback from CR or SB, so someone will have to confirm. Apple generally give out free or discounted AirPods with some iPads during their Back to School campaign (which usually starts in early January), but this usually excludes the cheaper iPads.
If you are going to purchase an iPad from a retailer that will price match or price beat (e.g. Officeworks, JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys), make sure to check stock at a competing authorised reseller and get the store to price match (or price beat) that cheapest store. Officeworks is a good indicator of what is probably the cheapest retailer for iPads, but it is never 100% always going to have the lowest prices. You could check Umart or Amazon and see whether they are cheaper. Depending on the types of Ultimate gift cards you have, you could then do split payments instore to partially pay for the iPad.
I would love to give you more specific advice on the “best” way to purchase an iPad, but the issue is that you have not indicated which iPad model you are actually interested in. My recommendations for a 10th Gen iPad would be different to a 9th Gen iPad or an iPad Pro.
AOC Education Stores can still be stacked with cashback from CR or SB
No can do
Thanks so much for your input! It helps a lot.
I’m considering to go for the 10th gen or iPad Pro 2021 model at this stage.
iPad gets longer use hence may even consider new iPad Pro if there’s a good deal
Think Amazon had the 2021 model 1TB 12.9” iPad Pro for around $2,100.
IMO the best way to purchase one is on a $20 data plan with Optus or Voda. That way you spread the price over 12, 24 or 36 months.
Having done a more specific check - and I have assumed you are looking for the 64GB Wi-Fi Silver model - and taking into consideration your apparent location:
JB Hi-Fi is not expecting stock of the 64GB Wi-Fi model until February… unless you go to the JB Hi-Fi international airport store at OOL. However, I think that store is after security and the passport checks, so that's not a practical option.
The Good Guys has stock of the 64GB Wi-Fi model at a number of stores around Brisbane. The Good Guys is also offering $50 bonus StoreCash on the purchase of an iPad.
A number of Apple stores around Brisbane have the base model iPad 10th Gen in stock now, so click and collect today is definitely a possibility.
Officeworks has next-to-no stock of the 64GB Wi-Fi model at most stores around Brisbane, although the Milton store shows Limited Stock In Store.
I have two suggestions:
Go instore to The Good Guys and ask them to price match either Officeworks or Amazon for $719. Use the Ultimate gift cards you have to partially pay for the iPad (assuming you have Ultimate gift cards that are redeemable at The Good Guys). Claim the $50 in StoreCash and figure out what you want to spend it on, especially with its limited expiry.
Click through CR for 8% cashback to the Apple Education Store and then purchase the iPad for $699. To sweeten the deal, go to Officeworks or JB Hi-Fi before you do this and use your discounted Ultimate gift cards to purchase Apple gift cards (assuming staff will let you do this). Apple lets you earn cashback via CR (and probably SB) on any amount paid for with Apple gift cards.
If you are set on an iPad Pro 2021:
Apple does not sell it new, and it is not currently on the Refurbished section.
I can see JB Hi-Fi stocks it, but stock seems to be limited.
I cannot see stock at Officeworks.
I can see that The Good Guys stocks it at some of their stores (e.g. Carseldine) for $1199, and you should be able to get $80 in StoreCash as well.
Is there a particular reason you're looking for the iPad Pro 2021 and not the iPad Pro 2022? The 128GB Wi-Fi iPad Pro 2022 is only $1297 at Officeworks and Amazon, and you should be able to get JB Hi-Fi or The Good Guys to price match if required. The Apple Education Store is also selling it for $1309, and you can stack that with the CR cashback offer (and don't forget you could "convert" your Ultimate gift cards into Apple gift cards via Officeworks or JB Hi-Fi first).
You were spot on what I was looking for!
Thanks for your unbelievably generous explanation.
I’ll visit local OW to try and price match, otherwise will purchase via CR at Apple edu store. Cheers!
Just picked up a 9th gen 64gb for $485 from jbhifi, down to $519 with education discount and a further 6.5% digital gift card discount.
nice you just bought a upgraded iPad 1
found one at Centercom for $689 in stock online, tossing up if it's worth the trip down to OfficeWorks and see if they will price match CenterCom and beat it by 5% and then use Ultimate Gift Cards to buy.
Centercom : https://www.centrecom.com.au/apple-ipad-10th-gen-109-wifi-64…
Add to cart, click checkout, enter personal details, select payment method. Click complete order. Wait.