Cyber Monday is all about saving money right now. Not later when you've saved up again to splurge 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 frustratingly, Apple is further muddying the waters by offering free engraving. 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 $250/$250 for a Macbook Pro, shouldn't be overlooked. Through it all, my friends and family asked me the same question that has been nagging me since Black Friday: "Why not a real discount?"
I explain that Apple is so interested in you buying more Apple products that they like to put the odds in your favor by giving you a gift card that can only be used with Apple.
Today, however, someone pointed out that Apple isn't just offering a $50 gift card on its excellent AirPods Pro 2, "they also offer free engraving!"
I looked at them with hard eyes and a frown. "And what's the point at the end, really?"
My point was, how much is this print really worth? Yes, there is a moment of joy when someone looks at your personalized Apple gift and sees letters carefully engraved just for them. Now instead of just words we can add emojis. Doesn't that sound like fun?
It does, but I don't think it's worth skipping out on any of the genuine $2 AirPods Pro 199 deals you can get at Amazon, Walmart, or Best Buy.
wasted effort
Why am I not moved by engravings?
The first iPad I gave my wife almost ten years ago had a stupid inscription on it: "Mom's iPad." No, you are susceptible. I know, I'm so funny 🤦♂
Where is this iPad today? I have no idea. It has since moved on to its second and should get another iPad update soon.
My kids' broken and discarded iPods also had their names etched on them.
What I mean is that you're giving up the cash back for the customization, which won't matter much in the long run. AirPods Pro 2 will eventually stop accepting a charge or in a few years upgrade to AirPods Pro 3. Do you recycle custom AirPods case? When you buy a new one, do you repeat the engraving?
All things considered, I think Apple doesn't quite capture the spirit of Cyber Monday, Black Friday, and the whole holiday shopping experience. It's not just about receiving and giving gifts, it's about saving money. Who doesn't love telling people how much they saved on a PS5, iPhone 14, Sonos Beam, or AirPods Pro 2? Nobody talks about gift cards, let alone add: "But at least I had it engraved."
Check out the Cyber Monday deals below:
More Cyber Monday deals in the US
- Amazonas: 50% off TVs, Apple Watch, clothing, vacuums, and toys (opens in a new tab)
- Apple AirPods 2: on sale for €234 at Amazon (opens in a new tab)
- Best Buy: up to €700 off TVs, laptops, appliances and more (opens in a new tab)
- Cheap TVs: €79.99 Smart TV from Best Buy(Opens in a new tab)
- Christmas decoration: up to 54% off trees, wreaths and wreaths (opens in a new tab)
- dell: laptops starting at €299.99 (opens in a new tab)
- Gift ideas : 40% off Amazon family holiday gifts- opens in a new tab
- Home deposit: 50% off Tools, Major Appliances & Holiday Décor(Opens in a new tab)
- low: up to €750 off appliances, holiday decorations and tools (opens in a new tab)
- Cramming: 70% discount on decoration, furniture and Christmas trees (opens in a new tab)
- Nectar: save up to €500 on mattresses, plus €499 on gifts (opens in a new tab)
- Nordstrom: up to 50% off UGG, makeup, Nike, jewelry and more. (opens in a new tab)
- Samsung: up to €2,500 for TVs, major appliances and smart watches (opens in a new tab)
- Objective: 45% off toys, holiday decorations, coffee makers and more (opens in a new tab)
- Toys: Up to 50% off Best Selling Toys at Walmart(Opens in a new tab)
- Verizon: get free iPhone 14 Pro with trade-in(opens in a new tab)
- Walmart: toys, TVs, vacuum cleaners and laptops from €19.99 (opens in a new tab)
- fair way: up to 80% off sofas, rugs and more, plus free shipping (opens in a new tab)
More UK Cyber Monday deals
- Amazon- Up to 60% off TVs, Laptops & More(Opens in a new tab)
- Adidas- Up to 50% off Shoes and Clothing(Opens in a new tab)
- OA- Deals on Appliances, Headphones, and TVs(Opens in a new tab)
- Argus- Up to 1/3 off Toys(Opens in a new tab)
- B&Q: 25% Holiday Decorations and Tools(Opens in a new tab)
- Boots: half price perfume and makeup (opens in a new tab)
- Case- Up to €1,000 off TVs, laptops and PCs (opens in a new tab)
- curry: 40% off TVs, laptops and vacuum cleaners (opens in a new tab)
- dell- Up to 45% Off Laptops and Desktops(Opens in a new tab)
- Disney: 30% off Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar(Opens in a new tab)
- Dyson: Best Price Guarantee on Vacuums and Hair Care Products (Opens in a new tab)
- AND IS: Unlimited data SIM from €14 per month (opens in a new tab)
- Game: consoles, games and accessories starting at €4.99 (opens in a new tab)
- Ikea: Christmas tree + voucher of €10 for €25
- john lewis- Up to 40% off Tech, Fashion & Home(Opens in a new tab)
- Lego- Popular sets starting under $10, plus freebies(opens in a new tab)
- ninja- Save up to €90 on Deep Fryers and Deep Fryers (Opens in a new tab)
- Platoon: up to €500 discount
- reebok: up to 50% off sitewide(opens in a new tab)
- Samsung- Up to €250 off phones and tablets(Opens in a new tab)
- Shark- Up to €220 off Cordless Vacuums(Opens in a new tab)
- His bone: 20% off portable speakers and sound bars(opens in a new tab)
- Very: offers on televisions, Lego and fashion (opens in a new tab)
- Virgin: Broadband offers from €25 per month (opens in a new tab)
- fair way: offers on furniture, lighting and mattresses (opens in a new tab)
Today's best Apple AirPods deals