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Cyber Monday is all about saving money right now. Not later, when you’ve saved up again to spend on holiday gifts. That’s why I’m not a big fan of Apple’s penchant for offering Apple Gift Cards instead of discounts. Even more frustrating is that Apple is further muddying the waters by offering free engravings. If you ask me, it’s not worth it either.
To be clear, Apple’s Cyber Monday Deals gift cards, which range from $50/£50 to a whopping $250/£250 for a Macbook Pro, are nothing to sneeze at. Yet friends and family have been asking me the same question that’s been nagging me since Black Friday: “Why not a real discount?”
I explain that Apple is so keen on you buying more Apple products that it’s happy to extend the odds in its favor by handing you a gift card that can only be used with Apple.
Today, however, someone pointed out that not only is Apple offering a $50 gift card for its excellent AirPods Pro 2, “but they also include a free engraving!”
I stared back at them with hard eyes and a frown. “And what good is that to you in the end?”
My point was, what is that engraving really worth? Yes, there is a moment of joy when someone looks down at their personalized Apple gift and sees letters etched just for them. Now instead of just words we can add emojis. Doesn’t that sound fun?
It does, but I don’t think the engravings make it worth skipping out on any of the $199 genuine AirPods Pro 2 deals you can get at Amazon, Walmart, or Best Buy.
Wasted effort
Why don’t engravings excite me?
The very first iPad I gave my wife, almost a decade ago, was engraved in her with something silly: “Mama’s iPad. No, you touchy.” I know, I’m so funny 🤦♂
Where is that iPad today? I have no idea. She has since moved on to her second and is likely due for another iPad upgrade soon.
My kids’ broken and long-discarded iPods also had their names engraved on them.
My point is that you’re giving up cash discounts for personalization that won’t matter much in the long run. AirPods Pro 2 will eventually stop accepting a charge, or in a few years you’ll upgrade to AirPods Pro 3. Do you recycle the personalized AirPods case? Do you repeat the engraving when you buy a new one?
Overall, I think Apple doesn’t quite get the spirit of Cyber Monday, Black Friday, and the whole Christmas shopping experience. It’s not just about getting and giving the gifts, it’s about the game skill of saving money. Who doesn’t like telling people how much they saved on a PS5, an iPhone 14, Sonos Beam or AirPods Pro 2? No one talks into gift cards and even fewer add, “But at least I engraved it.”
Check out the Cyber Monday deals below:
More US Cyber Monday deals
- Amazon: 50% off TVs, Apple Watch, clothing, vacuum cleaners and toys (opens in new tab)
- Apple AirPods 2: on sale for $234 at Amazon (opens in new tab)
- Best Buy: up to $700 off TVs, laptops, appliances and more (opens in new tab)
- Cheap TVs: $79.99 Smart TVs from Best Buy (opens in new tab)
- Christmas Decor: up to 54% discount on trees, garlands and wreaths (opens in new tab)
- Dell: laptops from $299.99 (opens in new tab)
- Gift Ideas: 40% off Christmas gifts for the family from Amazon (opens in new tab)
- DIY store: 50% off tools, major appliances and holiday decorations (opens in new tab)
- Lowe’s: up to $750 off appliances, holiday decor, and tools (opens in new tab)
- Overstock: 70% discount on Christmas decorations, furniture and Christmas trees (opens in new tab)
- Nectar: save up to $500 on mattresses, plus $499 in free gifts (opens in new tab)
- Nordstrom: up to 50% off UGG, makeup, Nike, jewelry and more (opens in new tab)
- Samsung: up to $2,500 TVs, major appliances and smartwatches (opens in new tab)
- Target: 45% off toys, Christmas decor, coffee makers and more (opens in new tab)
- toys: up to 50% off best-selling toys at Walmart (opens in new tab)
- Verizon: get the iPhone 14 Pro for free with trade-in (opens in new tab)
- walmart: toys, TVs, vacuum cleaners and laptops from $19.99 (opens in new tab)
- wayfair: up to 80% off sofas, rugs and more, plus free shipping (opens in new tab)
More UK Cyber Monday deals
- Amazon: up to 60% off TVs, laptops and more (opens in new tab)
- Adidas: up to 50% discount on sneakers and clothing (opens in new tab)
- AO: deals on devices, headphones and TVs (opens in new tab)
- Argos: up to 1/3 off toys (opens in new tab)
- B&Q: 25% of Christmas decorations and tools (opens in new tab)
- Boots: half price fragrances and makeup (opens in new tab)
- Box: up to £1,000 off TVs, laptops and PCs (opens in new tab)
- Curries: 40% discount on TVs, laptops and vacuum cleaners (opens in new tab)
- Dell: up to 45% off laptops and desktops (opens in new tab)
- disney: 30% off Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar (opens in new tab)
- Dyson: best price guarantee on vacuum cleaners and hair care (opens in new tab)
- EE: unlimited data SIM cards from £14 per month (opens in new tab)
- Game: consoles, games and accessories from £4.99 (opens in new tab)
- ikea: Christmas tree + £10 voucher for £25
- John Lewis: up to 40% discount on tech, fashion and home (opens in new tab)
- Lego: popular sets under £10 – plus free gifts (opens in new tab)
- Ninja: save up to €90 on air fryers and pans (opens in new tab)
- Platoon: up to £500 off
- Reebok: up to 50% off sitewide (opens in new tab)
- Samsung: up to £250 off phones and tablets (opens in new tab)
- Shark: up to £220 off cordless vacuum cleaners (opens in new tab)
- Sonos: 20% off portable speakers and soundbars (opens in new tab)
- Terribly: offers on TVs, Lego and fashion (opens in new tab)
- Virgin: broadband deals from £25 per month (opens in new tab)
- wayfair: deals on furniture, lighting and mattresses (opens in new tab)