Apple Price Matching Not News

Considering we're the only major Apple blog created by former Apple retail employees, I figured we should set the record straight on reports of price matching at the Apple Retail stores.

1. Price Matching is Not New
Managers have always had some flexibility with judgement calls on price matches. Truth be told, you were far more likely to get a price match four or five years ago, when there was a slower pace to the stores, and CPUs made up a larger portion of the business. That said, generally price matching only applied to the system/Apple products. I remember a gentleman wanted to purchase $700 in iPod accessories once upon a time, and was shocked he couldn't get a discount. Let's face it, even though he had a high item count, $700 is small potatoes in Apple retail. Which brings me to:

2. Price Matching is Not The Same as Cutting a Deal
You should not expect now to get any more of a deal for being a frequent customer than ever before. Don't confuse someone else selling an item for less, with wishing Apple would sell you something for less.

3. Price Matching isn't the Same As Rebate Matching
Macmall, and other online businesses do a good job of offering Apple bundles: Perhaps a free printer, mouse, software, and case, all AFTER rebates. Don't expect Apple to match the after-rebate price.

4. Apple Can't Break The Law
I wouldn't expect Apple to do anything to the price to get it to equal a sales tax-free purchase. It might seem trivial, but I recall many times when people threatened to go to a tax-free store (in tax free Delaware) rather than buy from us due to tax. Apple is not the tax man, and they won't be cutting into their profits to even out the tax burden of buying in-store.

So while it's great to get a better deal, don't read too much into this retail "change." It's a bit of a non-story as price matching as always existed to some extent.