Filed under: Apple Corporate, Software, Apple
What are these coupons for, anyway?
I have
been buying Apple software for years and years now. As a result, I have a stack of these proof-of-purchase coupons. I
don't know what they're for, because I've never, ever used them for anything. The coupons themselves say, "To
get software updates and other special offers from Apple, you'll need to use the coupons below as your proof of
purchase."I got four of them just with my copy of iLife '06, which suggests that I'll have several opportunities to take advantage of "special offers from Apple" that require these coupons. It hasn't happened yet.
There's more. The card of coupons also warns, "Important: Do not discard these coupons. Only original coupons can be used as proof of purchase. Copies will not be accepted." Wow, "Do not discard" in bold type. Like I said, I've got a stack of these, from various pieces of software. Just waiting for a special offer. Anytime now, Apple. I'm ready. With my coupons.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
chief said 8:19AM on 1-22-2006
I was once told that you can use the software coupons that come with the OS to get an update Disk from Apple (like 10.4.3 --> 10.4.4) to service those without an internet connection. I guess these are just relics from the past...
Maybe the ones that come with iLife are also for update (not upgrade!) disks.
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amnesiak said 8:20AM on 1-22-2006
Actually, I used one of them once: to get a free upgrade to Mac OS X v10.1 in a retail store, with the proof of purchase of Mac OS X v10.0...
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umijin said 8:45AM on 1-22-2006
Maybe I can get iLife06 by using such coupons that came with my G5 iMac I bought just before Xmas. :-P
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Buthidae said 9:03AM on 1-22-2006
8.5, 9.1, 10.3, 10.4, iLife '04, iLife '05
Can I use them all to do a combo upgrade? Please? :-)
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Maeve Thompson said 9:28AM on 1-22-2006
I think you should be able to use them for an upgrade to iLife and .Mac, I for one am peeved at having to pay full price if I want the latest version, even though I paid for the last one less than a year ago...
Come on Apple, let's have a program where we can use our coupons for discounts!!!
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penguin said 9:44AM on 1-22-2006
You needed them to exchange your Tiger DVD for a bunch of CDs.
Even though you sent them the actual DVD.
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xrissley said 9:44AM on 1-22-2006
I guess these are linked to some legal requirements (like the proof of purchase coupons on the side of DVD jackets)
I doubt Apple would go all the troubles of printing and packaging these if they were not required by some arcane consumers' rights protection law...
I have been told that these are often miscontrued as entitlement for an upgrade, people bring them to Apple stores hoping to get Tiger after having bought a Mac with 10.3... The disappointment on their face is another reason why these coupons should clearly be better labeled and explained.
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Miikka Luotio said 9:53AM on 1-22-2006
I bet these coupons are most commonly used in situations where a customer has lost his CD for lets say iLife 05 and his machine needs an OS reinstall, you can prove the Apple Care Center that you have the software thus they will be allowed to install it, not sure about the details but i have done this in the past.
I think Apple should introduce a campaing where in you can buy software upgrades cheaper with them, for real. They got nothing to lose, i think 79e is too much just to get your iApps to look like iTunes ;D
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Thomas said 10:24AM on 1-22-2006
I used one once back in OS 9 land I think. :) To bad Apple doesn't use them for a discount for upgrades.
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gob said 10:25AM on 1-22-2006
I believe you can use them if, say, you bought iLife '05 a couple weeks before iLife '06 came out. You'd send them one of those coupons, along with your receipt, and they'd upgrade you for free.
At least, that's what I've heard. I've never called Apple to find out.
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Henry said 11:15AM on 1-22-2006
When Steve Jobs takes over the Earth, your status in his new world order will be determined by how many of these you have.
But I've said too much.
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Mac Diva said 11:56AM on 1-22-2006
I have used them years ago, for upgrades. If a product came out within maybe three months after you bought the earlier version, you could use the coupon to get the newer version free or at a reduced price. That was back when software companies were kinder about upgrades and lots of programs came preloaded on Macs. I still will not pay for Now-Up-to-Date because I was spoiled by getting it free for so long.
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Twist said 11:57AM on 1-22-2006
My understanding is that if a new major version of the software is released within 90 days from when you bought yours you can use the coupons to get a major discount on the new version (think it will cost you $20 to cover manufacturing and shipping costs).
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Dan said 1:04PM on 1-22-2006
A lot of people are misinformed about software updates based on purchase within 90 days. Apple doesn't do this. Up-To-Date is available for you to read on Apple's web site. An example follows:
http://www.apple.com/ilife/uptodate/
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Veronica said 2:03PM on 1-22-2006
and here i've been using them to wallpaper my living room all this time! who knew they were actually GOOD for something!
learn something new every day.
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Thomas Swift said 2:44PM on 1-22-2006
>>When Steve Jobs takes over the Earth, your status in his new world order will be determined by how many of these you have.
They will be used as currency too....
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Felix said 2:46PM on 1-22-2006
"a qualifying Macintosh computer purchased on or after 10 january"
that's pretty weak for an upgrade option..
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Robert Knight said 3:58PM on 1-22-2006
#10 Henry
Please give the man a star! Milk nearly erupted from my nose! Give the man a star.
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Greenline said 4:21PM on 1-22-2006
I agree. . . #10 Henry needs a star.
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Jason said 5:18PM on 1-22-2006
My Girlfriend and I were discussing this last night as we were searching through her original box in order to do a re-install. Perfect timing!
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