Poll: iPhone price drop blues
By Ryan Block 
posted September 5th 2007 8:41PM
posted September 5th 2007 8:41PM
P.S. -Apple offers a 10 day price guarantee -- you knew that right? If you snagged an iPhone in the past ten days (we've also heard two weeks), get some of that money back!
| $200 off? So soon? Man, I am PISSED. | |
|---|---|
| Paying $599 just proved I'm a true Apple fan. Obviously. | |
| Man, they must really want to sell some iPhones. Alt: Time to buy! | |
| Duuuuude, I just got one 11 days ago. I hate my life. | |
| Eh, it was bound to happen. $200 is a small price to pay for two months of smugness. | |
| Never cared about the iPhone; still don't. And after all this Apple news I'm drinking myself to sleep tonight. |
I just called and got a credit for the price difference. But they didn't give me a reference number like most transaction of this kind do. Did this happened to others who called for credit?
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/iphonecompensation/index.html
Fine - RETURN FIRE! Here's a lil' tip. Telco's hate the idea they "might" lose customers. They stand to lose far more than 200 bucks in cancelation fees if people start bailing on their 2 year contracts. So, do what I did. Call AT&T and ask for a credit to your account. I got 75.00 in instant credit PLUS 500 rollover minutes. About 100 bucks worth of gracis from Apple's partner's pockets (depending on how you want to dice and slice the value of minutes - but at 450 minutes at peak-rate being the standard plan - 500's not bad). Now this isn't an official deal and it's on an individual basis so you have to take your chances. Still I'm sure AT&T is going to be sending some love letters to Cuppertino soon. Of course many decent credit cards also offer 90 days buyer protection. Oops - was that iPhone only 66 days old? Oh NOSIES! Looks like Visa / Amex / MC / Discover might have some feedback coming Apple's way too. And lastly even if the Apple store wants to hit you with a restocking fee, making them squirm in person within 14 days for mucho more bucks is also fun. And if it's an AT&T store - even better! In most states 30 days return for cell-phones are standard. Lastly, once you unlock your iPhone with not one but TWO software solutions - you can always recoup those losses auctioning your "myPhone" on eBay. Naturally, Apple AND AT&T would love you to pieces if you did that. Because if it's marketshare for dollars Apple is playing for on subscription revenue - those dollars heading to T-Mobile will certainly make their day. Have fun!
I got mine on Aug 22. I got $213 bucks back at the Apple store last night.
Just sent this thru the apple website. Going to send it to Apple corp also.
I love my iPhone. It does almost everything I need in a phone, but I am having concerns.
Two months, still no flash support - developers were told that flash was coming soon. Define soon.
No Bluetooth music ability - You can trick it into working, but this is a crude workaround.
Lastly, the 200$ price drop. This hurts me. The iPhone was my first Apple purchase, and I stood in line for it. I love it, but now I look at it with apprehension. This makes me very sad, my investment of $599, which is a lot for a military man, was undercut with no consideration to me or the 700K plus apple buyers that blew the doors off the stores on opening day. A 33% price drop tell me one thing, Apple took advantage of me. Steve said in the iPhone keynote that at 599, the iPhone was a bargain, a great deal, and I believed him. Now i feel foolish. I think Apple should make it up to the early buyers. If you purchased within 30 days of release day, you should get a 100$ iTunes giftcard. Apple, you have wronged us. Make it right.
Muharhar... I laugh at you iPod/Phone buyers. Suckers. Two months ago I said you guys were dummies for paying for $2,000 (contract!) for a fancy iPod with near-unusable phone (can you dial a number without looking? Then don't drive with this iPOS).
Now I think you're suckers for buying so soon. Once Apple brings the iPod/Phone close to it's actual value (say, $200-$250) it may find buyers, but only if you're not locked in to the US's worst cellular provider.
If you are an Apple Iphone early adopter and are upset with this sudden price drop, call the corporate office and lodge an official complaint. 408-974-2042, press "0" for the Operator and ask for Corporate Customer Service.
Apple Sets iPhone Price at $399 for this Holiday Season
SAN FRANCISCO—September 5, 2007—Apple® today announced that it is on track to sell its one millionth iPhone™ before the end of September, and to make iPhone affordable for even more customers this holiday season, it is lowering the price of the most popular iPhone model with 8GB of storage from $599 to just $399.
“The surveys are in and iPhone customer satisfaction scores are higher than we’ve ever seen for any Apple product,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We’ve clearly got a breakthrough product and we want to make it affordable for even more customers as we enter this holiday season.”
The 8GB iPhone is available immediately for $399 in the US through Apple’s retail and online stores and AT&T retail stores. The iPhone 4GB model will be sold while supplies last.
This press release contains a forward-looking statement about the Company’s expected iPhone sales that involves risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ. These risks and uncertainties include those found in the Company’s public reports filed with the SEC, including the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006, and its Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended December 30, 2006, March 31, 2007 and June 30, 2007. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or information, which speak as of their respective dates.
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market this year with its revolutionary iPhone.
Press Contacts:
Natalie Kerris
Apple
(408) 974-6877
nat@apple.com
Steve Dowling
Apple
(408) 974-1896
dowling@apple.com
Hey, I own Apple Stock so it's all gravy to me. Couldn't be happier about yesterdays news, kind of weird how the stock reacted though.
I was able to get $200 back for the iPhone and $50 back for the Nano that I both purchased a week ago. Apple is willing to do a price adjust as long as its within the 14-day return period policy...Chi-Ching!
Bad luck for those who bought 3 weeks ago. :(
I amazed at the number of whiners about this price change. The people that bought the product early made an exchange of money for a product that delivered a certain set of functions and features. They apparently thought that exchange was an acceptable deal or they wouldn't have done it. No one forced anyone to buy one. They still have the deal they bargained for - they have the product that still delivers the features and functions they bought and they don't have their money. In some ways, they got a better deal than they bargained for because there are some new features, like wireless iTunes, that have been announced as being provided to them and it does not seem like they are being asked to pay for them. YOu can decide on your own whether the new functions are actually worth anything but there is no question they were not part of your original bargain. You got the deal you wanted, so stop whining about it.
Another group of whiners seem to suggest that the price drop is only a problem because of its size, i.e. everyone knows the price of a given technology item tends to decline over time, they apparently think this was just too much of a decline. This seems somewhat ridiculous. If they haven't bought the product yet, they could offer to voluntarily pay extra to make the price they pay when purchasing more "fair" to the people that already have. If they have already bought the product at the higher price, see paragraph one above, and stop whining about it.
Well, like many others I say bfd. I couldn't afford it at $600, but then again I'm still too poor to afford it at $400. Once I get out of dental school and make more than 50k a year you can bet your ass I'd buy something like this, and not give a damn if the price dropped 33%... or even 50% two months later. Seriously, early adopters always get screwed but if they've got the money to spend then good for them. Its not like they don't ALWAYS get to play with the hottest toys around FIRST.
If nobody says anything, then they will keep doing this to people. Everybody needs to complain if they feel slighted. And then complain with their wallet. I don't want to have to go through inflated prices on the first two months on the release of everything electronic. Everybody whining might have an effect on other companies. Microsoft had a Christmas release of the 360, a short supply, they could have very easily charged 200 or 300 more, but they didn't. They kept the same price for a year. They didn't screw over the x-bots or whatever you call them for buying early. When they very easily could have..
in NYS atleast, there is a 14day trial period by law.
You can also return it within 30 days for a refund, and then buy it again. (AT&T Policy)
To all iPhone customers:
I have received hundreds of emails from iPhone customers who are upset about Apple dropping the price of iPhone by $200 two months after it went on sale. After reading every one of these emails, I have some observations and conclusions.
First, I am sure that we are making the correct decision to lower the price of the 8GB iPhone from $599 to $399, and that now is the right time to do it. iPhone is a breakthrough product, and we have the chance to 'go for it' this holiday season. iPhone is so far ahead of the competition, and now it will be affordable by even more customers. It benefits both Apple and every iPhone user to get as many new customers as possible in the iPhone 'tent'. We strongly believe the $399 price will help us do just that this holiday season.
Second, being in technology for 30+ years I can attest to the fact that the technology road is bumpy. There is always change and improvement, and there is always someone who bought a product before a particular cutoff date and misses the new price or the new operating system or the new whatever. This is life in the technology lane. If you always wait for the next price cut or to buy the new improved model, you'll never buy any technology product because there is always something better and less expensive on the horizon. The good news is that if you buy products from companies that support them well, like Apple tries to do, you will receive years of useful and satisfying service from them even as newer models are introduced.
Third, even though we are making the right decision to lower the price of iPhone, and even though the technology road is bumpy, we need to do a better job taking care of our early iPhone customers as we aggressively go after new ones with a lower price. Our early customers trusted us, and we must live up to that trust with our actions in moments like these.
Therefore, we have decided to offer every iPhone customer who purchased an iPhone from either Apple or AT&T, and who is not receiving a rebate or any other consideration, a $100 store credit towards the purchase of any product at an Apple Retail Store or the Apple Online Store. Details are still being worked out and will be posted on Apple's website next week. Stay tuned.
We want to do the right thing for our valued iPhone customers. We apologize for disappointing some of you, and we are doing our best to live up to your high expectations of Apple.
Steve Jobs
Apple CEO
An "Open Letter" to Steve Jobs:
Dear Steve,
As an apple stockholder, and a long time user of apple products for many years, I am very disappointed by some recent actions taken by Apple.
On June 29th, less than three months ago, I purchased an iPhone. I paid $499 for the 4GB model. Just yesterday, I discovered that now, not even 90 days later, Apple has decided to discontinue the 4 GB model, lower the price to $299 for the remaining stock, and lower the price of the 8 GB model to $399, less than I paid for a 4 GB model. I feel wronged and misled by Apple. Such a quick price reduction indicates that Apple pre-meditated this reduction before the initial release. Many of the customers who purchased the iPhone on it’s release weekend were long time, loyal, Apple customers. I know that I am not the only customer who feels angry about this issue.
On another note, during recent calls to Apple sales and support, I sadly discovered that the quality of Apple’s support seems to have degraded in the past year. Apple has been known for years for making high quality products, and standing behind them with excellent customer care and service. I spent over an hour and a half on the phone, and spoke to six different representatives, before getting an answer to a simple technical question about my iMac. I feel that the quality of Apple’s support has gone from outstanding to un-acceptable.
The loyal Apple customers who purchased the iPhone at its initial release, waited in lines for hours and paid a premium price, feel taken advantage of. I feel that I should be reimbursed for the $200 more that I paid for my iPhone, or be given a free upgrade to an 8 GB model.
I read your public response on apple.com to this issue, but I still feel that the solution you are offering is not adequate. As I mentioned, I would like to receive a free replacement or some kind of upgrade to the 8 GB model. I work in the technology field, and I am very aware that new products are release very quickly, but I also feel that Apple has not done anything like this in the past, and that this marketing strategy was, as I said before, planned from the beginning. I expect, and would greatly appreciate, a response to this letter.
Thanks,
Jake Kushner
President, JK Media
P.S. Feel free to post replies or email me at (iphonecomments@jkmedia.net)! Thanks!
31 % of readers don't like iPhone/Apple news, so stop having so much.
Anyone willing to pay $600 for a phone deserves to pay $600 for a phone, and shouldn't complain.
you apple executives can kiss my ass and i only wish you go bankrupt for treating you customers like crap, and i wish i can slap the shit out of the person in charge there. fuck you apple i was so happy with my phone i wanted to buy a mac but thanks for helping gateway make a sale. going back to my 8525
Next, Li will be suing Microsoft and every OEM company for extending the Windows XP sales because he paid $500 for Vista Ultimate when he could have gotten XP for less than $200. Whatever. $1million dollars for being a pissed off crybaby? If the courts rule in his favor, this country is lost indeed and should be nuked to an aggressive measure. Can I say that? Ah hell, I'm leaving it. I love this country, but damn. Hot McDonalds coffee on the crotch, price drops...don't these people know by now how retail works? In the case of the iPhone, or any other new technological gadget, the first buyers get raped so that the company can keep their low-paid employees happy, then it drops and the smart consumers that waited are also happy. That's Business:101. Hell, I got a Motorola SLVR L2 for free when I joined AT&T/Cingular. Can't complain about that. I have had problems with that phone since the day I got it, but I won't be suing Motorola or AT&T when they're PAYING customers to clear that junk out of the warehouse. Just goes to show you how spoiled we are. No wonder we get shit from other countries... We should petition Li's lawsuit. Then petition him as a human being. Then get him booted from this country, even if he is born and raised.
What an idiot.
Next, Li will be suing Microsoft and every OEM company for extending the Windows XP sales because he paid $500 for Vista Ultimate when he could have gotten XP for less than $200. Whatever. $1million dollars for being a pissed off crybaby? If the courts rule in his favor, this country is lost indeed and should be nuked to an aggressive measure. Can I say that? Ah hell, I'm leaving it. I love this country, but damn. Hot McDonalds coffee on the crotch, price drops...don't these people know by now how retail works? In the case of the iPhone, or any other new technological gadget, the first buyers get raped so that the company can keep their low-paid employees happy, then it drops and the smart consumers that waited are also happy. That's Business:101. Hell, I got a Motorola SLVR L2 for free when I joined AT&T/Cingular. Can't complain about that. I have had problems with that phone since the day I got it, but I won't be suing Motorola or AT&T when they're PAYING customers to clear that junk out of the warehouse. Just goes to show you how spoiled we are. No wonder we get shit from other countries... We should petition Li's lawsuit. Then petition him as a human being. Then get him booted from this country, even if he is born and raised.
What an idiot.
And that goes for the rest of you crybabies as well. You paid the $600, not for the iPhone, but for your 'status' as an Apple aficionado, just like the Starbucks crowd. Only difference between those two companies is that Apple actually makes a good product and is worth the double down price that's charged. And to further proof this idea, have you Apple nuts not paid attention to the prices of your Apple computers when you bought them? Take a look at the bill of lading. See that quadruple digit number with a $ in the front of it? Yes, Apple has ALWAYS been more expensive than IBM/PC's. You aren't used to that by now? The only mac that is under a grand and not worth it is that little mini mac cd player thing, whatever it is. And even then, to get the most out of that machine, you have to upgrade it to the max, which will then put you over that 1k mark anyway.
Here's a solution:
Buy your phones from China (they have an iPhone clone called 'MiniOne', look it up)
Build your own computer, and install Linux. That's what I've done.
And if you do keep your iMac, for god's sake, get a two-button mouse!