14 DAY TRIAL // Three other Asian Apple stores are now online, celebrating their Grand Opening, just like the Malaysian one we talked about earlier. Residents of any of the four territories can buy a Mac or an iPod during a predetermined period of time to also get a free, celebratory T-shirt.
As reported earlier, Apple is giving away free T-shirts to anyone who buys a Mac or an iPod from 8 a.m. November 11, 2008, until 11.59 p.m. November 24, 2008, from any of the four stores.
ifoAppleStore notes that they offer Apple’s products directly to residents of the four territories, while the stores themselves are in English. Some say Apple is planning to bring its iTunes Music Store to the four countries as well. Except for the currencies and, quite understandably, the “Welcome” banner, there is no observable difference between the three stores. Even the artwork is exactly the same.
When we first learned of the Malaysian Grand Opening, we were pretty surprised that, by purchasing a 300 dollar Apple TV, the customer was not eligible to get a free T-shirt, whereas buyers of a cheap iPod shuffle were. The same holds true with the Thailand, Vietnam and Philippines online Apple Stores.
The company has even deployed its iPhone 3G in the Philippines, while Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam customers could not order one from their stores. You'd think Apple had considered changing its Grand Opening Celebration message for the residents of the Philippines, to mention the eligibility for iPhone buyers. The thing is that buying an iPhone just doesn't cut it. iPods and Macs! – these two alone can net you the freebie.
The promotion is open to all residents of Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. Only one T-shirt per customer will be sent, regardless of the amount of products or orders placed within the promotional period. T-shirts are available in large size only, and they are not transferable or exchangeable for any other product or for cash. Additionally, your giveaway doesn't arrive boxed with the iPod or Mac you ordered. It will be delivered to you separately, as soon as the promotion ends. T-shirts are the same for all four territories.