Wasted "student discount" gift card. Can't use it for AppleCare

Question

Wasted "student discount" gift card. Can't use it for AppleCare

why can't I use my student discount gift card to apply to the apple care ? Also why show a discount price on it for 20% off but NOT say that's only at time of purchase? I figured I'd use my gift card for that but it's impossible? Chat and phone support both said they can't help and don't know why that's not spelled out. Figured I'd use the $150 gift card to apply to the $319 total but not only can I not get that discount I cannot use a partial payment to apply it either

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 13.5

Posted on Oct 4, 2023 11:40 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Oct 4, 2023 4:57 PM in response to steelandchrome

If you don't want the card, use it as a gift or tear it up.

Apple wants you to become a repeat customer. To that end, they give you that "free" card, and specifically preclude you from using it on items on your initial invoice or AppleCare. They are hoping you will make FUTURE purchases of other items (at substantial discount because you have that card) NOT on your original invoice.

This is not a bait and switch or any sort of deceptive business practice. This is not outrageous in any way. This is "business as usual".

Maybe you should consider taking a Marketing class, so techniques like this will not be such a surprise for you.

Reply

Answer 2

Johnb-one

Level 6

9,180 points

Oct 4, 2023 1:13 PM in response to steelandchrome

Hi, steelandchrome, you are talking to fellow Mac users here, NOT Apple, Inc ( the company) I’d suggest you reach out to /contact Apple support at their 1-800 number, Apple Financing ( another 1-800 number) ( I think they both have email and chat options) . I ( and we) cannot help you with ( fix) your problem, as we’re just Mac users here

John B

Reply

Answer 3

Oct 4, 2023 1:37 PM in response to ku4hx

We have different opinions on that. Why advertise a 20% discount on the AppleCare but then not say that is only valid at time of purchase and not later. Then why give a gift card that has to be used to purchase items and not say it's not valid to be used on the AppleCare either? I just spent $2600 on a laptop and don't think it is unreasonable to expect that I would be able to use the gift card as half the AppleCare purchase and not have to buy something I don't want or need otherwise. In that sense it is wasted.

Reply

Answer 4

Oct 4, 2023 1:39 PM in response to Johnb-one

I understand that, more posting as something so others may see this in the future prior to purchasing and know some of the terms that are not shown at purchase such as the discount on AppleCare is only at time of purchase and not available later, and that the gift card they give you in the form of the student discount cannot be used to pay for that AppleCare either. I chatted and called support and they were not able to offer help.

Reply

Answer 5

ku4hx

Level 7

23,688 points

Oct 4, 2023 1:29 PM in response to steelandchrome

It's not wasted, you can still "spend" it.

Official Apple Support

Reply

Wasted "student discount" gift card. Can't use it for AppleCare

Similar questions