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Multiple Apple Stores in the United States have started price matching the iPhone 5c and the iPad Air, reports 9to5Mac. On those particular devices, some Apple Stores will match the prices of brick and mortar retailers that have been selling the products below retail price.
Walmart, for example, sells the entry-level 16 GB iPad Air for $479, a $20 discount off of the standard retail price Apple offers. MacRumors heard conflicting reports of Apple Stores price matching discounts over Black Friday, but following the major shopping holiday, it appears retail employees may have been given more flexibility when it comes to price matching options.
Released in September and October respectively, both the iPhone 5c and the iPad Air have been widely available since the launch, while supplies of the iPhone 5s and the Retina iPad mini have been far more constrained, which explains why Apple is not offering price matching on those particular products at this time.
Apple's price matching policies vary from store to store, and some stores may opt out of price matching all together. Price matching only applies to physical stores and is limited to a 10 percent total discount, which means customers can still find a better deal elsewhere in some cases, especially when it comes to the deep discounts offered on the iPhone 5c.
Update: According to a retail employee, Apple now has an official policy on price matching, which allows specialists to price match iPhones, iPads, and Macs, giving up to 10 percent off on products without authorization. Specialists are also allowed to give business customers up to 20% off a non-Apple accessory when purchased with an Apple product via special order.
Currently, the iPhone 5s and the Retina iPad mini are excluded from price matching.
Top Rated Comments
According to an ex Apple employee, they never use the phrase "discount" as it cheapens the brand. For example, it's not an education discount, it's special education pricing.
Not sure if "special education pricing" is the best way to put it... ;)
Looks like they're trying to get those stock to move.
I always said the iPad Air is not light enough. Definitely not worthy of the Air name.
You do realize it's almost as light as the iPad mini with retina?
When I was at the Apple Store the other day, I overheard a specialist saying to a customer that "this is Apple, we don't do discounts".
According to an ex Apple employee, they never use the phrase "discount" as it cheapens the brand. For example, it's not an education discount, it's special education pricing.
Some Apple Magic is gone. Now their products have to compete with other brands and other retailers. It is good to see that happening.
Bit of a stretch. If a the Apple magic was no more the stores would not still be the busiest place in any mall. By comparison, Microsoft and Sony stores in the same malls at the same time are often ghost towns. Don't conflate having to compete with having a less desirable product.