Deal Prerequisites
- Store pick-up only
- Student, teacher, parent, homeschool teacher, etc. (YMMV, see FAQ below)
- Only applies to MacBook Air/Pro, iPad Air/Pro
- Only stock configurations recommended (YMMV, see FAQ below)
Background
The Apple BTS deal we all care about is finally here (loophole method, of course)! Veterans of this deal from 2021 know when Apple bundles AirPods, it’s the best deal because we’re getting a real discount instead a post-tax gift card (yuck).
Fundamentally, this deal is almost identical to the one from 2021. But how do we refuse the accessory and get a refund? For MacBook, we simply choose an accessory that Apple Stores don’t have in stock. This is any non-US English Magic Keyboard with black keys ($249). For iPad, this is also the Magic Keyboard ($159). I’ll use MacBook Air 15 in the example below.
Steps
1. Add MacBook Air 15 with Magic Keyboard (Pinyin, black keys) to your cart. This will maximize your discount ($249).
2. Check out and choose a pickup date. Your date will be before the Magic Keyboard becomes available.
3. Complete the purchase and you will be charged. You will notice there are two separate charges on your credit card. This is beneficial for us.
4. Pickup your MacBook as scheduled. You will of course leave the keyboard at Apple Store and never pick it up.
5. Wait for the keyboard to arrive (July 31 in this example). Then wait another 7 days for the pickup to expire. You will receive a cancellation email and full refund.
6. Your credit card will show the refund 24-72 hours after the refund has been processed.
What you’ll pay (excluding taxes) after the dust has settled:
- 13-inch MacBook Air M4 – $1,000
- 15-inch MacBook Air M4 – $1,300
- 14-inch MacBook Pro M4 – $1,720
- 16-inch MacBook Pro M4 Pro – $2,800
- 11-inch iPad Air M3 – $570
- 13-inch iPad Air M3 – $870
- 11-inch iPad Pro M4 – $1,020
- 13-inch iPad Pro M4 – $1,490
FAQs
Does Apple check education ID on pickup?
Almost never based on my experience. I’ve made a few loophole purchases on behalf of friends and family over the past month. But YMMV. Note that the T&C allows “homeschool teachers.” This means if you are asked for proof of eligibility and you claim homeschool teacher, there is no proof required as no official form exists.
Why does Apple charge two amounts on my credit card?
Apple needs to charge separately for the MacBook and accessory (keyboard in this case) to prevent customers from returning the MacBook and keeping the accessory for free. But this is to our advantage because the discount ($249) applies to the order total. This means we can keep the discount even if the accessory is somehow returned.
Can’t I just purchase normally and then return the accessory for a full refund?
No, Apple prevents this from happening on a system level. It is technically possible, but requires a lot of rapport/rizz with the reps at the Apple Store.
Can I do this with a non-stock config?
YMMV because the non-stock config MacBook or iPad may arrive after the keyboard becomes available. At the Apple Store, the rep has the ability to let you selectively pickup the individual items. They can technically tap to let you pick up only the MacBook or iPad but not the accessory. This requires rapport/rizz with the reps at the Apple Store.
I’m really impatient. I want my refund sooner. Is it possible?
Yes, but YMMV. If you place your order immediately before the daily 2:00 p.m. cut-off time (e.g. 1:58 p.m.), the Apple Online Store provides a very aggressive estimated delivery date of 1-3 business days. Within 24 hours, the warehouse or system will likely recognize it cannot deliver that quickly and revert back to a later estimate. You will receive an email notification advising you of a “delay” with the option to cancel the keyboard order. You can phone Apple Store based on this email to request a manual cancellation. This cuts the entire purchase and refund process down to about 48-72 hours.
Statistics: Posted by Spinner — Jul 23rd, 2025 7:32 pm
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National Chicken Wings Day is coming in HOT! 
Choose up to 5 flavours | Max 5 lbs per person! ALL LOCATIONS!!
Dine-in or Takeout (tax not included)