20% off Macs! Amazon KSO, no tax

Cross post from techbargains.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/not...notebooks-including-macs-kso.html#post7783220

That'd be $1600 for a brand new high end 15.

 

Doesn't this require that you buy a Kindle? If so, it's not a good deal then.

 

How do you reckon? A kindle is $115.

You're saving at the very least, $400 assuming you're a student that lives in Oregon/Delaware/Alaska/Montana on the 15 inch. It'd generally cost $2400 with tax... that's an $800 difference.

And you get... a kindle? Not exactly toilet paper.

If you want to be sleezy, you can always return the Kindle.

Except you'd save even more.

 

I saw that same link on Macrumors. From most of the responses people were saying you were required to buy a Kindle in order to get the 20%. I'm lost how you say it's $400 savings and then saying an $800 difference? I'm just trying to understand how the whole deal works.
I'll check the whole thing out.

 

How much is a 2.2 17"? $2499. Tax? $2700.

How much would it be if you purchased it off Amazon with this promotion? $2278 * .8 = $1820.

Factor in the cost of the Kindle $1820+$140 = $1960.

What's the savings? $2700 - $1960=$740. And a Kindle. Which you can return if you hate America, for close to $900 in savings.

 

Okay, took a look at how the deal works. Yeah, looks to be good, however I did see a few quirks. One, Amazon set this up in a very good way to protect themselves. Not saying this is how it is for everyone but one poster on MR showed his receipt and the shipping was from Aug 31st-Sept 16th. This might be to prevent scamming so you can't return the Kindle on time after you get the 20% discount code.
Also you can't BTO so you're stuck with their selected models. This is certainly a good deal for anyone who wants a stock model.

Personally I'm not crazy about dealing with Amazon if I have an issue with the MBA and need to get an exchange. They take far too long. In the end you do get what you pay for.

 

^ That's because a lot of computers are out of stock. I ordered an HP DV6 for a buddy about a week back and it still hasn't shipped (and won't for another 2 weeks). It depends on the laptop in question. Amazon doesn't manufacturer their own computer after all, they just place orders, hence the next part.

Yes, you can't BTO outside of Apple. That's a real shame for people wanting the hi-res screen.

Amazon's return policy is pretty great.

 

Although don't taxes still apply if you live in a state with an Amazon distribution facility as they always have or this a special no tax promotion? That is one reason why I stopped shopping on Amazon as I moved to Kentucky and have to pay taxes on anything I order from them.

 

Yes that's correct. That's why Amazon cut ties with many CA vendors. Still much better than what Apple has to offer though ($100 mac store gift card).

 

everyone that has local sales taxes is supposed to pay their taxes when they buy anything, even from Amazon. That is very complicated when every city, state, and county has their own tax rates... so Amazon just charges in the places they are, where they are legally required to. Purchasers in other areas are supposed to pay their taxes when the report their income tax... pure honor system. I doubt even 0.001% of people who buy stuff online volunteer this info and pay tax.

 

Dang it! This is one of the reasons that I wanted for amazon to ship to brazil, I even wanted the kindle

 

didn't realize you were even supposed to do this.

 

You're "technically" suppose to report everything in your tax return.

I'm sure Amazon would lose a lot of business if they went ahead and charged everyone tax though (albeit somethings would still be cheaper, a la subscribe and save [and cancel]).

 

The whole tax thing is interesting but I barely shop through Amazon anymore simply because Best Buy will often have Blu-ray movies at the same price as Amazon during their release week. I used to buy stuff through Amazon all the time back when I lived in the desert as the nearest Best Buy was an hour away. I also actually paid for Prime shipping though I never reported any sale on my income tax form. Now Amazon has lost its appeal to me as I live 7 minutes from a Best Buy. The only time I buy anything on Amazon is when I choose release day delivery for a video game or movie when I know I won't be able to drive down to Best Buy that Tuesday and pick it up. The funny thing is I could move across the river and I wouldn't be charged taxes. It is also ironic that I live out in the desert, pay for Amazon prime, move to Kentucky, start going to school, get one year of Amazon Prime free, and I rarely use it.

Still, this is a nice deal for people who live in areas where they aren't charged Amazon tax.

 

You only need the Kindle with Special Offer, to get the coupon. The coupon is just like any other coupon, you can give it to anyone else to use it (one time use only, though). The coupon can be found on eBay for around $40-50 right now.

Note that, however, Aug 8th is the last day to obtain the coupon from the Kindle with Special Offer, but the coupon is valid til Sept 8th though. So don't try to order a KSO online hoping to get the coupon, it won't arrive before the coupon goes away. If you don't want to buy the coupon on eBay, try getting a KSO from a local retailer.

 

you can buy the coupon from ebay for 49 bucks. theres about 40 people selling em. some as expensive as 89. but mostly around 50 bucks.

*edit did see last poster had posted that. oh well.