PSA: Best Buy’s Upgrade+ program didn’t even last long enough for users to get a single upgrade, but Upgraded is another option
Back in October 2022, I linked to a MacRumors post about Best Buy’s new Upgrade+ program, saying that it sounded like an awesome deal to make a low monthly payment for three years and — having paid less than the retail price of a MacBook — be given the option to upgrade to a latest-and-greatest version.
Well, I guess it wasn’t working out for Best Buy because they’ve unceremoniously dropped the Upgrade+ program altogether and removed its informational page from their retail site and even its announcement post from their corporate site. (Shame on them for contributing to link rot. 👎)
I find it funny (in a morbid sort of way) when large enterprises, despite all their vast resources, can’t keep their promises long enough for anyone to actually reap the benefits of their promotional programs. It’s been 26 months since Best Buy introduced Upgrade+, but even if someone bought a laptop with it on day one, they’d still have had to make 10 more monthly payments before they’d be eligible for an upgrade. Google did a similar bait-and-switch with their Pixel Pass upgrade program, which likewise ended before upgrading anyone’s phone.
I get the feeling that these massive companies roll out such programs with fanfare, and then promptly forget all about it. Then they only remember it exists when it comes time to check the balance sheet. If the program is in the red, it gets axed — no matter the damage to customer trust. That’s my theory, anyway.
An exception, Apple has stuck by their iPhone Upgrade Program for — gosh — over nine years now. It’s not without its own issues, but they haven’t reneged on upgrading anyone’s iPhone. In fact, I can’t think of any examples where Apple ended a program before someone could enjoy the promised benefits. However, they haven’t, as I wrongly predicted they would, started up a similar upgrade program for the MacBook (or any other Apple product). And it sounds like they’re shying away from further hardware subscription programs, despite their many tendrils into the world of financing.
However, there are other options for financing a laptop with early upgrade options. I was alerted to the news of Best Buy’s cancelation of Upgrade+ by John Erik Metcalf, CEO and cofounder of Upgraded. Upgraded offers their own monthly payment and early upgrade program for MacBooks, financed through Citizens Bank (who also underwrite Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program and had done Best Buy’s Upgrade+, too), and fulfilled by Apple Premier Partner stores. Their program had Upgrade+ beat in financing terms, as you can get a new laptop after 24 months or just continue to pay off and keep the MacBook after 36 months. With good credit, you get 0% APR, so there’s no up-charge beyond the included AppleCare+.
Surely, John was hoping that I would write a post like this one about their own program, but had class enough not to ask for it. I’m not getting any benefit by writing about them, I just looked through their website and think it looks like a solid option, with good reviews. I don’t have any personal experience with it, so I can’t vouch for Upgraded, but as I told John in an email, it looks like a good deal, and I’m going to consider it when it comes time for me to purchase a new laptop. Spreading out the cost of a major investment like a new computer would be really helpful for me while my business (and therefore finances) get off the ground.
The M4 MacBook Air can’t come quickly enough!