A Question About Apple Employee Discounts

[John Brunn]

I've purchased a laptop for my sister through the apple employee discount 
program... and the apple employee was a friend of mine.  Here is what i 
know.

1) they get a few different discounts per year, some at 15%, some at 25%, 
etc.  These are probably harder to obtain becuase they are in high demand.

2) Employees get 'quarterly promo' emails each quarter, basically 
equipment (brand new) that they're 
trying to move with certain setups at a great price.  This is open to 
(basically) all;  if 
i remember correctly, she filled out some form and sent me an email.  I 
went online and purchased, using MY credit card, sent to MY address. 
There was no 'funny business' on apple's side;  it was a completely 
legitamate purchase.  I got a great deal on a 12" powerbook (came to 
around 19% off if i remember correctly).  Note:  This 
was 2 quarters ago;  last quarter there was no promo sent out (probably 
because of all the new merch they were introducing).

I'm not quite sure how the yearly purchases work;  my friend told me that 
i could check with her and if she or someone in her family wasn't using 
it in a given year, I could use it.  I'm pretty sure that it is the same 
deal (I get to buy it in my name, no issues with apple), but i can't verify.

So, what i would say is:  it doesn't hurt to ask.  Your acquaintance knows 
the deal.  Plus, i would think apple would encourage this.. it really is 
the best way to get more market share.  I would approach this person and 
say "Hey, i really want to purchase XXX, if you don't think you're going 
to use all of your discounts this year, it could really help me out".  No 
harm / no foul.  Or, just ask them about the quarterly promos and maybe 
they'll offer the 15% to you.

On a side note.. I do know that gap employees get a 10% discount at the 
apple store in SF (its possible that only SF employees get this, but my 
wife gets it).. and i also just got a $100 off gift cert(purchases over 
$1k) from citibank in the mail.  So I think apple is really pushing
their products.

Hope this helps (I'm trying to get a G5 myself..)
-John Brunn

On Thu, 5 May 2005, Roy S. Rapoport wrote:

> How big of a deal is it to ask an acquaintance to use their Apple Employee
> Discount for your purchase of a computer? Is it a case of "you're mortally
> insulting them unless you've known them for 20 years and was the godfather
> of their child," or more of a "well, as long as they don't respond 'roy
> who?' it's OK"?
>
> -roy
>