Apple Education store requires literally zero verification for discounted prices.

[wolverine104]

This might be an open secret, but I figured I would let the people know in case they wanted to add some fruit company equipment to their life. 

 

Both my SO and I needed new Laptops in our life and we're both affiliated with higher education institutions, so we were technically eligible for the education discount thanks to Apple's intentionally vague wording. We both decided on the base spec'd M1 Macbook air that we ordered through the apple education site to be picked up at the apple store a few minutes away from our place with the assumption we'd have to provide them with verification - a name badge/work ID for her, and a class schedule for myself - in order to be handed over the computer for pickup. 

 

When we went to pick them up, we had our QR codes scanned and....that was it. 

 

No verification required for a discount that ranges from $50 for a new iMac, to $200 off a brand new mac studio. Research has also shown that you can order online for shipping and it's the same situation. Some products don't have a discount, but you'd still be eligible for a discount on software, some accessories, or AppleCare coverage on the devices. The devices are limited to the entire Mac lineup and the entire iPad lineup, but that's still a decent discount. 

[Lightwreather]

btw, that's technically in north america only, in the uk they require it.

Fun fact: They were going to add it but then back tracked on it, in the US atleast.

https://www.theverge.com/2022/1/21/22894665/apple-education-discount-unidays-verification

[Zomeguy]

You're still buying their stuff, still getting into their ecosystem. Apple is still making money. If there were a large amount of fraud Apple would fix it asap as it's Apple and Apple likes to make money.

 

The fact that they don't means they aren't losing enough money to bother to do anything about it.

[DANK_AS_gay]

29 minutes ago, Zomeguy said:

You're still buying their stuff, still getting into their ecosystem. Apple is still making money. If there were a large amount of fraud Apple would fix it asap as it's Apple and Apple likes to make money.

 

The fact that they don't means they aren't losing enough money to bother to do anything about it.

They often have on campus stores or repair shops in the schools that they have made a deal with to sell Apple products there. At colleges it is a lot easier to keep track of this stuff, and I imagine that is where the majority of their money comes from.

[RoseLuck462]

I never thought the discount was significant enough for them to closely police the rules.

[crazzp]

The same happened to me here in Singapore last year when I bought the M1 Macbook Air. No checks. But they have since rolled out with Unidays to verify your work email. I'm guessing they will roll it out soon in other parts of the world.

[Arika]

Could have gotten lucky with a lazy employee. 

[wolverine104]

3 hours ago, Arika S said:

Could have gotten lucky with a lazy employee.

I omitted it from the original post because it was easier to not include it, but my SO an I went to pick up on 2 consecutive days, and the exchange was handled by 2 different employees.

[BondiBlue]

Yes, this is a very well known aspect of the education discount that Apple offers. A friend of mine always purchases new Apple products from the Apple Education store, and he's never had to verify his eligibility. 

4 hours ago, Arika S said:

Could have gotten lucky with a lazy employee. 

Nope, it's how Apple handles their education discount, at least here in the US anyways.