How to Save Some Money on Apple Products? (Negotiation Strategy Suggestions)

MatteCar on 06/03/2025 - 11:09
Last edited 06/03/2025 - 11:18 by 1 other user

I'm going to leave Australia next Tuesday. As I can take advantage of the TRS, I was thinking to buy some new toys before leaving. Mainly I need a new Mac Mini and I'll definitely go with the new M4, then my iPhone XR is still working great but it's getting time to look for a new one and this could be a good chance, finally I might try some new gadgets (AirPods maybe?).

It's a couple of weeks I'm checking these things but not much is coming out so I was wondering: may I just step in a shop and try to negotiate a discount? For instance, I come from Europe and there I'd never step into an Apple Store and ask for a discount for a new iPhone but, here, apparently, it works!

So what are the best strategies?

For instance, right now I'm in a little town with only one Officeworks and a Good Guys maybe but Monday I'll be in Sydney, where do I have more chance to get a good discount? Saying that I'm thinking to buy more than one thing can help me? Like now, I'd step into Officeworks. They're already selling Mac Mini M4 at the lower price ($947). Do I have some chance to have it for less? Or iPhone 16, right now there're not many deals going on but the new model just came out, do I have any chance they'll match the price of an imported one?

Basically, what are the strategies to get better prices??

Find Me A Bargain Apple

Comments

  • Yttrium on 06/03/2025 - 11:31
    +22

    Buy an android phone and a windows laptop

    • MatteCar on 06/03/2025 - 13:28
      -7

      Then it cost me more in headache tablets!
      Hell, a friend of mine asked to work on a Powerpoint on his laptop after long time just on Mac and I even more surprise on how ca people still fund Microsoft…

      • AustriaBargain on 06/03/2025 - 17:21
        +3

        IBM started using Macs internally when they found that it saves them money, because they need to devote fewer man hours to supporting them. People forget that their time isn't free… https://www.jamf.com/resources/press-releases/ibm-announces-…

        • thrillhouse on 07/03/2025 - 08:16

          Didn’t think I’d see Jamf mentioned on OzBargain but here we are 😊

          Good case study that one.

        • SlickMick on 07/03/2025 - 10:46

          Yep, limit what a person can do and they shouldn't have any trouble.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 06/03/2025 - 11:35
    +3

    Just ask for a deal and reference any researched prices from comparable competition, and say you are ready to buy TODAY.

    • MatteCar on 06/03/2025 - 13:29

      I'm checking every day but not much interesting is coming out these days…

    • DoctorCalculon on 07/03/2025 - 00:28
      +2

      Apple stores don't do deals. They will price match up to 10% on certain products (at their discretion).

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 07/03/2025 - 07:40

        The way I read the op I had assumed it that op is going to officeworks or good guys to bargain

      • Dr Phil on 07/03/2025 - 08:32
        +2

        However Apple 100% supports all products they sell.
        That comfort factor is worth a lot!

        • DoctorCalculon on 07/03/2025 - 12:17

          However Apple 100% supports all products they sell.

          As do many other companies.

    • Nillionaire on 08/03/2025 - 01:30

      ready to buy TODAY

      🤣

  • 87percent on 06/03/2025 - 11:35

    If you’re actually leaving permanently , go the TRS route… but just make sure the devices will work wherever you’re going

    • MatteCar on 06/03/2025 - 13:32

      That's a good point but it's also pretty hard to make sure of this nowadays.
      I'm sure the Mac have no problems, about the iPhone should be the same we have in Europe. China and US might have some issues but it also depending on the carrier if I'm not wrong.
      Iphone 16 should be ok, I was thinking also at the 16e with the first Apple built-in modem but might be a big incognita…

  • Hemesh91 on 06/03/2025 - 11:47
    +1

    Mate the best way is to buy gift cards which sell for 10% discount for a shop that sells apple products like JBHIFI, Officeworks and Good guys. There is a sale at coles for TCN gift cards, its in 6 days https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/896254

    Last week they had Ultimate gift cards for 10% off and I also got 5% price beat at Officeworks and then you can utilise the TRS getting you around 20 - 25% off.

    • MatteCar on 06/03/2025 - 13:33

      Doesn't work, I'm leaving Tuesday.
      Plus, I don't think I can use the TRS on gift cards…

      • overthinking on 06/03/2025 - 14:42

        Funny you mention this, my partner bought an iPhone 15 Pro on release with TCN gift cards and she used TRS at the airport when leaving Australia.

        • MatteCar on 06/03/2025 - 17:08

          Cool! I thought was just for hard stuff, not giftcards.
          (For instance food doesn't work, nowadays you can buy everything with gift card: food, fuel, ecc. Is kinda crazy for me that it works but good to know!)

          • petestrash on 07/03/2025 - 09:53
            +2

            @MatteCar: It's not the gift cards that get TRS refund, it was the phone they bought with gift cards that got the refund.

  • Wiadro on 06/03/2025 - 12:13
    +6

    How to Save Some Money on Apple Products?

    don't buy them

  • coffeeinmyveins on 06/03/2025 - 13:03
    +2

    'm going to leave Australia next Tuesday.

    Are you coming back?

    So what are the best strategies?

    Yeah, don't spend the money. Unless you need something, you're wasting money. Do you really need a mac mini or are you just thinking "heck i might as well because I'm practically mAkInG MoNeY" like most people do when they realise they can write things off on tax.

    • MatteCar on 06/03/2025 - 13:38

      That's a good point. I don't need anything urgently BUT I can still sell my Mac mini M1 at 250/300€ and the M4 is much cheaper here, is a good value update. About the iPhone, mine still working but need a new screen and probably a battery soon.
      So ye, I'd say 50% good chance, 50% FOMO!

      I'll be back in a couple of year as a tourist again, shouldn't be an issue for the TRS…

  • Rob-4x4 on 06/03/2025 - 13:21

    Refurbished if you are lucky, I picked up a refurbished Iphone 15 Pro shortly before they were superseded by the 16 for around $700 less that retail at the time.

    That was on Ebay from one of the refurbished shops and stacked it with an Ebay 15 percent off at the time.

    It was so new it still has Apple warranty etc on it

    So you can get apple stuff at saneish prices if you look for these sorts of deals.

    • MatteCar on 06/03/2025 - 13:39

      Too late to buy online, plus I won't be in Australia for a while = no warranty, on a refurbished is NONO for me.

  • LanceVance on 06/03/2025 - 14:28

    I'm curious to hear about this negotiating at Apple stores.. I thought they said the price is the price and if you want to save $50 go to JB.

  • SydStrand on 06/03/2025 - 16:20

    may I just step in a shop and try to negotiate a discount? For instance, I come from Europe and there I'd never step into an Apple Store and ask for a discount for a new iPhone but, here, apparently, it works!

    Who told you this? Unless you're entitled to some corporate or education discount and they're running a promotion, they're not a bazaar.

  • Myone888 on 07/03/2025 - 08:33
    -1

    Apple shop provide very poor service. Waited 20 mins and no service. I am wanting to buy iPhone 16 pro max

  • cnrmlj on 07/03/2025 - 14:09
    1. Get Apple gift cards from Woolworths with 20* points (currently happening).
    2. Buy the product through the education portal and pay with the gift cards
    3. Redeem the Woolworths points for Qantas points or spend in store

    Requires little effort and provides a good saving.

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