APC Back-UPS 500 (500VA) $75 plus a $25 MIR at OD

[otl]

I haven't seen this posted, so...

My local Office Depot (Coral Springs, FL) has the APC Back-UPS 500 (500VA UPS) on sale. It is $75, with a $25 MIR. Their web site shows a price of $130 (same as APC's web site's suggested retail). The best price on Pricewatch is $100 (plus shipping).

I believe this is a previous generation UPS (still showing as current on APC's web site, but...) From the specs, it appears to be a solid unit,and it includes a phone line protection circuit. It's downsides are: only 3 outlets (2 backed up, 1 surge suppressed), RS232 rather than USB connection for monitoring (though USB isn't yet common on any UPSs), and (for some people) the "traditional" UPS form factor (rather than the "powerstrip" form factor that some of the newer SOHO UPSs use).

Don't know if this is national or local, though the rebate implies the former...

ted

 

[danii8]

Good deal
I hope this sale is national.

 

[Banana]

I found the same deal at an Orlando BM Office Depot. Also--I received a $15 off coupon from Office Depot in the mail, so final price is $35+tax+stamp!

The rebate form says purchases from Office Depot only, and is valid through 10/31/1.

This sale is particularly good in Florida because we get so many frickin' brownouts during the summer T-Storm season!

1YP

 

[GnatGoSplat]

Hmmm, I'd better check this out.
How'd you get the $15 coupon?

I live in a town with crappy power. There's probably a 5-10 minute power failure at least once a week.

 

[EffenFish]

Is the serial number on the outside of the box (like monitors)? The first digits indicate the year of manufacture, so you can tell if these are older units. APC said to expect 3-5 years service before needing to replace battery.

 

[Poochy]

How'd you get the $15 coupon?

This is probably the $15 off $50 coupon, which should be available online at the usual place (either the code or the printable copy). I would check for you but I'm on a dialup and they sent me the coupon already .

 

[Agamar]

The batteries to replace these units are cheap. I usually can get them at about $15 apiece

 

[unclebud]

where can you get the batteries for it at that cheap? i need to stock up on em, i bought this from od in january/febuary
tia

 

[Tacoma99]

I wish I waited to get the 500 instead of the 300 from Staples for $10 after MIR. The 300 only provides my Pent. 500, with 19" monitor 55 sec. of power.

 

[MamBo]

only 55 sec ?!? R U sure ?
I have 300'th unit and my 600@1050 durin with 17" monitor will work just fine for 2 min, and then automatick shut down about aproximately 1.5 - 2 minutes more...

 

[crosimoto]

I just tried this in OKC(Oklahoma City) and it didn't work. Is there
any way to get a scan of the reciept so I can PM at Staples?
Also, did the rebate come as a slip attached to the box or
linked from some site?

 

[STMandarin]

Just purchased one tonight in Jacksonville Fl. and the rebate was printed from cash register at time of purchase. The cable & software are included also.

 

[TheNextRealm]

Therebate is for OD only. Although for $70, no rebates or anything they have a newer version of the 500VA, which is nice cause it has an extra outlet on the backup, and two extra surge protector outlets.. and is lighter, and has some nice led's that give you some info about the unit... this is the Back-UPS ES 500. Black too. The one with the rebate is old, and the one surge protected outlet it has is really odd cause it hangs off a super short wire on the back of the unit. I have no idea why they didnt just build it in with the rest.

So, not a huge difference between the two, but for $20 more and no hassle it might be an option.

 

[unclebud]

thank you TheNextRealm. this explains why i've been seeing it on clearance everywhere--and this bit of news means it will go lower if it doesn't sell out

 

[TheNextRealm]

Are the batteries inside the old units the same as in the new? I'm wondering if I could get some of the cheaper ones and just take their battery and put it into the newer 500VA unit w/o problems?

 

[c3]

Don't bother with the APC ES series. The 500VA unit does not last as long as the APC 300VA one from the Staples free after rebate deal. BTW, just received the Staples $40 rebate check.

 

[danii8]

I went my local OD, they were out of stock.
Maybe try different store, tomorrow

 

[Seizure]

where's the Rebate located? Link?

 

[c3]

The rebate form is printed out at the register. Only the originals are accepted.

 

[Seizure]

does that mean I can't order it online?