You knew that you didn't have to use Apple's DotMac auto-renew feature, right? You don't, and knowing this little tidbit can save you 20-30% or more over Apple's $99/year subscription fee. These savings are good for renewals and for first-time signups, so send this page to your friends.

Apple sells boxed editions of DotMac. The list price is set at the same price Apple charges for DotMac, or $99, but you don't have to pay list price. Saving 20% is easy. Saving more just takes a few minutes.

Make sure you read this entire post. I saved 50% and so can you. $50 for a year of DotMac is hard for even the DotMac-haters to argue with.

Search Froogle, for example, and prices dip down to about $75 for that same 1-year DotMac subscription Apple will charge you almost $100 for. If you're in a hurry, Amazon.com has DotMac retail kits at $80, link in sidebar.

These boxed DotMac retail kits come with an Activation Key. You can use this Key to renew or to sign up for the first time. That's a quick 25% savings.

You can also find even better deals on eBay. I've seen prices range from a very attractive $49.99 shipped (the best price I've seen in a long time, and the last copy I grabbed this week) to a fairly absurd $89 plus $14.95 shipping; that's more than Apple's charging for DotMac, but then it is eBay isn't it, so read the entire item description to determine the total price including shipping if that applies.

See what's available on eBay now. Search for MA361Z/A, the Individual DotMac subscription). Search for MA362Z/A, the DotMac Family Pack.

Sellers on eBay often offer to ship the original box or email the buyer with the Authorization Key. Receiving the code via email isn't a bad way to go, as that's all you really need from the box and you'll get the Key a lot faster.

Once you have your DotMac renewal code in hand you'll need to log into your DotMac account. Click "Log In" in the navigation bar (far right):



Next, Click the button at the far right with your DotMac login name on it (right next to where you just clicked on Log In).

Now you'll see your DotMac Account Settings page. You'll see a link reading "Choose your renewal settings" right below your name. Click on it:



At the bottom of the Renewal Settings page you'll find a section called "Activation Key." It's here that you'll enter the code:




Note that if you have upgraded storage or additional email accounts you can (1) proceed leaving the settings the same, or (2) change your settings. In either case, you'll pay for these upgrades in the next step separately.

That's all it takes to save $25, even $35 or more on your annual DotMac fees.

If you found this Apple How-To helpful, please send the URL to a friend.

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Don't forget How to Buy a Mac. Save money on your next Apple Computer purchase.

http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=kkamVIAoNIM&offerid=78941.10000092&type=3&subid=0" >Sample and subscribe to thousands of free podcasts at the iTunes Music Store.
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