Best Deals on the 160GB iPod Classic?

[ArkiStan]

Amazon, MacMall and MacConnection all have it for $329 (tax-free and free shipping). Anybody know any better deals for the 160GB iPod classic?

Thanks
Stan

[Cubsfan]

Looks like you can save around 5% on them at Amazon, and 17% or so on a refurbished one at the Apple store. I think 5% is about the best discount you'll find for a new one.

[ArkiStan]

That's a decent discount for the refurbs. I wonder how reliable apple's refurbished units are.

[ArkiStan]

I've been reading some discussions about the reliability of refurbished ipods over at ilounge and it seems like quality-wise they are perfectly fine. However, after tax the 160GB model came out to 324 while a new one at amazon is 329. For 5 extra bucks I'm just gonna get a new one.

[ArkiStan]

update:
After a lot of research it seems like the best deal as of now (other than landing some ridiculous deal on a used item off craigslist) are the refurbished models sold by amazon. They're about $270-280, both tax and shipping is free. The best part is that it is covered by Amazon's standard 30-day guarantee.

[ArkiStan]

update 2:
okay, i'm not doing that again. the refurb i got from amazon was defective: only static from the headphones.

back to looking/waiting for a deal on a cheap new item.

[mojo]

the best i see is $320 at one call

there's a pre-owned one at target for $299

update: if you go to 3gplaza and use the coupon code "APPLYER" (without quotes) you should be able to get it for $267. says full manf warranty, so i dunno if it's new or what. but i used the code just now and it gave that price.

[ArkiStan]

That sounds very tempting, but a quick google search for the website gives me some links to pages where people are complaining about possible rebate scams with 3gplaza. I'm gonna have to pass on that deal. A little too risky. Thanks though mojo. I really appreciate the tip.

For now I'm using my usual "hard way" of getting bargains. I'm scrounging up cheap amazon.com gift certificates on ebay and craigslist. So far I've managed to get enough for about $30 off a new ipod at amazon, which comes to $299. Good enough a deal for me.

update:
A little bonus: While I was rummaging around for amazon gift codes, amazon lowered their price for the ipod $15. With those unexpected savings, I think i'll go with a faster shipping option. sweet.

[ArkiStan]

So finally got a working 160GB iPod today. Here has been the results so far of my journey for a "good deal."

$270 - Refurbished iPod. Was defective. Still awaiting for Amazon to process my return.
$180 - money i got scammed trying to buy a cheap amazon gift certificate off eBay. Still awaiting PayPal to process my fraud claim.
$315 - cost for new, working iPod, received today.
-----------------------------------
$765 spent as of today for an iPod Classic 160GB

How's that for a killer deal?

[mojo]

well, congrats on the killer ipod

and i hope you track down and kill the ebay scammer. that might be worth the $180

[ArkiStan]

So finally got a working 160GB iPod today. Here has been the results so far of my journey for a "good deal."

$270 - Refurbished iPod. Was defective. Still awaiting for Amazon to process my return.
$180 - money i got scammed trying to buy a cheap amazon gift certificate off eBay. Still awaiting PayPal to process my fraud claim.
$315 - cost for new, working iPod, received today.
-----------------------------------
$765 spent as of today for an iPod Classic 160GB

How's that for a killer deal?

As I said in this thread, my case with Paypal was resolved, so I got the $180 back. Until the amazon refund (which should simply be a matter of time) is processed, the updated cost of my iPod: $585.