With the iPod being such a big hit, so appealing, so cool, everyone wants one. But iPods aren’t exactly cheap - and you can certainly buy an MP3 player for another company for less.
But that wouldn’t be an iPod, would it? It would be missing something intangible, but important.
So, for those on a budget, the search for a cheap iPods is eternal.
It’s also likely to be fruitless, unfortunately, as iPods almost never go on sale or get discounted.
This is because Apple tightly controls the distribution of iPods and what stores get to sell them. A component of this control is that Apple sets the price for iPods, too, which is why you’ll almost never find a new iPod selling for more than a few dollars less than Apple sells it for.
As a result, you’re not very likely be find a really cheap iPod, but there are some strategies you can employ to find cheap iPods and save yourself some money.
Buy A Generation Behind
One sure way to get cheap iPods is to not buy the latest models. If you know you’re going to be in the market for an iPod soon, check the rumor sites online and wait a little while. If you time your purchase just after new models are announced, you can often get a deal.
Wait for new iPod models to be announced and, instead of buying the latest and greatest, buy the models that just got replaced. Retailers will still have inventory of them for a while and will discount the price to move the inventory to make space for the new models.
So, while you may not get the latest model, you’ll still get a good, cheap iPod.
Buy Refurbished
If you absolutely have to have the latest model, there’s still a way to get a discount and come away with a cheap iPod: buy refurbished. Refurbished models carry warranties from Apple and are generally as reliable as new ones (though you may want to buy an extended warranty). The discount you’ll get for buying refurbished may or may not be enough for you to judge the iPod as cheap, but you’ll save some cash. Check Apple’s online store for refurbished offerings.
Buy Used
One sure way to track down cheap iPods is to buy through non-Apple channels. Craigslist, eBay, and companies that specialize in used iPods are chock full of discounted iPods. The drawback is that they’re used, don’t carry warranties, and you might not always get what you think you’re buying. Be sure you know what you’re buying, have researched the seller’s other transactions (where possible), and have driven a good bargain. If you’re willing to take a little more risk, though, buying used is your surest bet for cheap iPods.
Don’t Wait for Sales
Remember at the beginning of the article when I mentioned that Apple tightly controls the price of iPods? Because of this, and the popularity of iPods, you’ll almost never see iPods go on sale, so don’t expect to find cheap iPods that way. Apple will occasionally put iPods on sale around the holiday season, but you’ll be lucky to save 20%. Given this, if you’re in the market for discounted iPods, use the other techniques listed in this article rather than waiting for a sale.
