The Best Apple Certified Refurbished Deals and Rakuten

Finding the best deals on Apple products is easy when you shop the Apple Certified Refurbished store and use Rakuten to get cash back.

Apple is a brand that loves to market premium products at a premium price. Often times iPhones, Macbooks, and iPads sell at full price and rarely get discounted until a newer version comes out. So how can you get your hands on some Apple products without breaking the bank?

By shopping the Apple Certified Refurbished store! Apple will take defective devices that customers have returned and put them through a rigorous refurbishment process. For each device, you receive a brand new battery and outer shell after inspection and cleaning. Plus, you have peace of mind knowing that everything is replaced with genuine Apple parts. So essentially it’s purchasing a device that’s “like new”.

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links that provide a kickback. This helps to support the blog so I can continue bringing valuable content to you.

Perks To Shopping The Apple Certified Refurbished Store

The discounts are the biggest perk when it comes to shopping at the Apple Certified Refurbished store. You get a 15% special savings on most of the devices available throughout the refurbished store. For example, an unlocked 256GB iPhone 11 would normally cost you $749 but with the 15% off it now comes to $639. That’s a savings of $110, which is substantial for a premium product. You can take this savings and use it towards getting Apple Care or a new case for your device.

Another perk with shopping through the Apple Certified Refurbished store is getting an Apple product that is practically brand new. When I purchased my pre-owned iPhone 11, it came in a brand new package along with a new USB-C charging cable and documentation. Also, each device comes with a brand new battery and outer shell. Plus, my pre-owned iPhone 11 is backed by Apple’s one-year limited warranty and comes with 90 days of complimentary technical support. So if you have any issues with the hardware or software Apple can help to troubleshoot the issue.

Buying Hacks To Save More Money

There are 4 ways to save and get the best deals on Apple products.

Trading In Your Device For A New Apple Refurbished Device

Buying Hack #1 -The Trade-In: If you already own an iPhone, Macbook, Android, or iPad you can turn it into Apple where they determine the value of the device. Once the value is determined, they will give you an Apple gift card via email to use later. Complete this step first, then go online and apply the Apple gift card amount towards the device you’re looking to purchase. This is a great way to cut down on the total cost of the device.

The Military Discount

Buying Hack #2 – Military Discount: You can receive a 10% discount if you’re a veteran or current member of the US Military, National Guard, and National Reserve. Family members who live with these veterans or current members also receive the discount. The best part with using the Military discount is that the 10% is added on top of the 15% discount you receive by purchasing an Apple Certified Refurbished device.

Using The Apple Credit Card

Buying Hack #3 – Apple Credit Card: The biggest benefit of the Apple credit card is the 3% Daily Cash Back you receive on Apple purchases. This includes devices from the Apple Certified Refurbished store. For example, my pre-owned iPhone 11 in total cost me $683.73, using the Apple card I would receive $20.51 in cash back. This is a great way for you to get a nice discount on your device and save the cash back for other things.

Rakuten‘s Cash Back

Buying Hack #4 – Rakuten Cash Back: Rakuten is another great option to use to get cash back on all your Apple and Beats By Dre. purchases. You receive 2% cash back on all Apple Certified Refurbished products. This cash back rate is pretty competitive with Apple’s cash back. Plus, Rakuten searches for discounts to get you the best deals on Apple products.

The Buying Process: Purchasing My Apple Certified Pre-Owned iPhone 11

For the longest, I had an iPhone 8 plus and just recently, the battery was starting to go bad. Plus, I cracked it on both sides so I knew it was time for a replacement. I looked into buying a phone through a carrier like AT&T, but I ultimately decided that I wanted a new unlocked iPhone. I knew I needed an iPhone that was affordable and within my budget. So, I began doing my research and looked into pricing on Apple’s website. I saw how all the devices were full price and knowing me I always try to get a deal on anything that I purchase. That’s when I asked myself how can I get the best deals on Apple products? It was at this moment that I discovered the Apple Certified Refurbished store.

When it comes to Apple’s Certified Refurbished store, inventory is always changing. Many items go quickly so checking back frequently is best. The discounts can range depending on the products available, so see which price fits your budget. Plus, you get free shipping, free returns, and a 14-day return policy.

Making My Purchase

After doing my research I decided that I wanted to purchase the iPhone 11. The Apple Certified Refurbished store had a great deal on this black 256GB iPhone 11 which was retailing at $749 and with the 15% discount came to $639. I compared this to the 128GB iPhone 11 that retails at full price for $649 and realized that I was getting more storage and paying less money ($10.70 less) for the black iPhone 11. I finally found the device that was right for me and knew I needed to move quickly with purchasing it.

Once I added my iPhone 11 to the cart, Apple then gave me two shipping options. The first option was next-day shipping for $8.00 or free 3-5 day shipping. I selected free shipping and then filled in my Apple ID information for a secure checkout. After taxes were added, my total came to be $683.73. I clicked pay now and Apple quickly sent me an email confirming my order with my tracking information.

What Comes Inside

A few days pass and my iPhone 11 finally arrives. I peel back the plastic covering and open the white box. The device looks brand new with a film covering the front of the phone. I power on the iPhone to check the battery health and sure enough, it’s at 100% maximum capacity. So Apple delivers on its promise of putting in a brand new battery for its refurbished products.

Apple Accessories

Along with the phone, I received the USB-C to lightning charging cable and a sim card eject pin. The cable allows me to charge my iPhone almost three times faster. This is a huge benefit because I spend less time charging my device and more time using it. Inside, Apple also provides their famous stickers and documents explaining the limited warranty.

The USB-C Power Adapter Sold Separately

The only item you must purchase separately is the USB-C Power Adapter. I purchased the 20Watt Power Adapter for $19 online through Apple. When I purchased my accessory I also used Rakuten to get cash back on the charging adapter. Buying the adapter and using it with the USB-C cable allows me to properly charge my iPhone 11.

What is Rakuten & How Does It Work?

Rakuten is a cash back program you can use when shopping at some of your favorite stores. It’s free to sign up and become a member. They partner with hundreds of retailers like Apple, Adidas, and Nike where they reward you for shopping with them. The stores pay Rakuten a commission when you purchase an item from a retailer and in return, Rakuten shares a piece of that commission with you in the form of cash back. Every quarter (3 months) Rakuten will send you a “Big Fat Check” via mail or Paypal as long as you have $5 or more accumulated in cash back.

Use Rakuten To Get 2% Cash Back At The Apple Certified Refurbished Store

The best part with using Rakuten is getting cash back for shopping at the Apple Certified Refurbished Store. Rakuten offers 2% cash back on Apple Certified Refurbished devices, Apple Care, Beats By Dr.Dre, and Accessories. Plus you get 1% cash back when you purchase an iPod. My Apple Certified Refurbished iPhone 11 was priced at $639 and Rakuten gave me 2% cash back on that amount which ended up being $12.78. That’s a huge savings when you get 15% off for shopping at the Apple Certified Refurbished store and combine it with the 2% cash back from Rakuten.

Overall, there are several ways to get the best deals on Apple products. It just takes a little bit of time and research to find the perfect Apple device at just the right price.