price drop in the press...

[lci3341]

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article2398965.ece

looks like the price drop and angered customers is indeed overshadowing the launch of the new products....

[Velodog2]

Yeah the story on the Marketplace radio show this morning called the price cut the major announcement of the presentation. Didn't even mention the new products.

[Tutumiles1]

I think this serves Apple right. They screwed us loyalists and now they are catching hell... I have lost a lot of faith in these folks and no longer drink Apple Kool-Aid... Check out this quote from the New York Times this morning. It seems they have planned to take advantage of us all along...

" On Wednesday, Apple executives insisted that the price cut had been planned long ago and that the strategy had been conceived in part to keep the iPhone’s pricing in line with its new iPod Touch, a music player that looks like the iPhone but lacks the phone-calling ability. The sharp price cut, however, suggested that even Apple, which has long lived in a pricing bubble insulated from other personal computer makers, is not immune from the brutal pressures of the cellular phone business. "

Shame on Apple.........

[flyoguy]

I really like the iPhone and actually started thinking about buying a new Apple computer, but not after this move. I feel like I have been taken to the cleaners on this one. You expect to pay more for any new product and you expect the price to fall in a few months or a year but not one month and not that much.

I will not buy any Apple products after this.

[Tutumiles1]

I feel the same way, they have lost a customer on principle with me.... they do not deserve our business and we should buy their things like any other commodity. On price and with little loyalty. Apple does not deserve a loyal following

[iCheez]

Ok, what is the price drop telling us?

Apple overpriced the gadget to meet their sales expectations. Fanboys (and a few others) rushed out to get the latest and greatest. So the initial launched looked to be a success. There are very few complaints with the actual product which proves the functionality lived up to the hype.

Now that the dust has settled, their sales numbers are dropping and they had to adjust to meet quarterly numbers. They do not want to be a failure in the mobile phone market, no matter what. We all know the reality of what the iPhone can do, but to face value, it was twice the price of a "smartphone". I was having a hard time justifying the price, now that it's $100 over market pricing, I have no problem getting one.

[Tutumiles1]

ICheese,

you are correct, us loyalists were over-hyped in our exuberance for the phone. Frankly, putting aside the UI, function for function the phone should cost $200. The UI is cool and the phone has great promise but there is still a way to go.

[Dawgfan]

Several people here were actually quoted in some of the articles. I was. My comment was pretty harsh but i stand behind it.

If you Google iPhone and read some of the articles you may find you have been quoted as I have seen folks quoted from here as well as the Apple Discussions site.

[lci3341]

I feel the same way, they have lost a customer on principle with me.... they do not deserve our business and we should buy their things like any other commodity. On price and with little loyalty. Apple does not deserve a loyal following

Many Apple and iPhone users are fortunate enought to be to afford "luxury" items that are overpriced like the iPhone-- and it's not the monitary cost that upsets them-- they could afford it at $599 and they knew it would come down in price-- it's the impression that they get from the price drop occuring so soon after launch that it was "planned" specifically towards them and those who are loyal apple consumers.

BTW, would anyone have been insulted or upset about the price drop if it occured on, say Black Friday-- and continued through the holidays?

I would have been surprised but not insulted or angry

[coop1701]

Many Apple and iPhone users are fortunate enought to be to afford "luxury" items that are overpriced like the iPhone-- and it's not the monitary cost that upsets them-- they could afford it at $599 and they knew it would come down in price-- it's the impression that they get from the price drop occuring so soon after launch that it was "planned" specifically towards them and those who are loyal apple consumers.

BTW, would anyone have been insulted or upset about the price drop if it occured on, say Black Friday-- and continued through the holidays?

I would have been surprised but not insulted or angry

I would have not been so upset. I'm mainly upset about the timing of the whole thing.

[tharmsen]

The key sentence:

The sharp price cut, however, suggested that even Apple, which has long lived in a pricing bubble insulated from other personal computer makers, is not immune from the brutal pressures of the cellular phone business.
Ding-ding-ding, we have a winner. Just as I said, Apple was taking a preemptive strike at the competition. They are feeling the pressure, just like every other cell phone maker. What they do with pricing regarding the iPhone has nothing to do with their other product lines, the cell phone business is cut throat.

Motorola hit me with a 50% price cut in less than 5 months after adopting the Q. Did I complain and stomp my feet? No. Why? Because this is expected in the cell phone business. They ALL do it to stay competitive.

[lci3341]

The key sentence:


Ding-ding-ding, we have a winner. Just as I said, Apple was taking a preemptive strike at the competition. They are feeling the pressure, just like every other cell phone maker. What they do with pricing regarding the iPhone has nothing to do with their other product lines, the cell phone business is cut throat.

Motorola hit me with a 50% price cut in less than 5 months after adopting the Q. Did I complain and stomp my feet? No. Why? Because this is expected in the cell phone business. They ALL do it to stay competitive.

Motorola does not have nearly the same customer loyalty or fan base that apple has (anyone putting motorola stickers on their car??), and despite the cut throat cell phone industry -- apple needed to factor that in to their decision... if they decided it was better to stay competative than make a superior product and maintain their fan base/loyal customers, then we need to live with that and realize that apple is not the company that we thought they were.

Apple doesn't have to dominate the market to make money; look at their market share in desktops/laptops-- they are a niche product that has done VERY WELL as a niche product because of its customers.

[ps49556n]

Motorola does not have nearly the same customer loyalty or fan base that apple has (anyone putting motorola stickers on their car??), and despite the cut throat cell phone industry -- apple needed to factor that in to their decision... if they decided it was better to stay competative than make a superior product and maintain their fan base/loyal customers, then we need to live with that and realize that apple is not the company that we thought they were.

Apple doesn't have to dominate the market to make money; look at their market share in desktops/laptops-- they are a niche product that has done VERY WELL as a niche product because of its customers.



Jesus give it a rest....do whatever you want stop buying apple products, short the stock, cry to your BBB, just stop posting this sh1t on these boards!!!!!

[tharmsen]

Motorola does not have nearly the same customer loyalty or fan base that apple has (anyone putting motorola stickers on their car??), and despite the cut throat cell phone industry -- apple needed to factor that in to their decision... if they decided it was better to stay competative than make a superior product and maintain their fan base/loyal customers, then we need to live with that and realize that apple is not the company that we thought they were.
That's the most ridiculous thing I've read. Are you serious? Apple is suppose to let the iPhone succumb to competitive pricing pressure just so they don't dare anger their little fan club? Nice. So when the iPhone went the way of the Dodo in 4 months because a competitor marketed a similar device for $400, are you saying you wouldn't be *****ing and moaning claiming Apple screwed you?

Why do you hold Apple to a different standard every other cell phone maker? You're not loyal to Apple, you're only out for yourself. This is the most petty complaint I've seen so far. First everyone complained that the iPhone didn't have video, cut and paste, 3G, blah-blah-blah and then this. You guys have been complaining non-stop since the day you bought the phones.

It's absolutely silly.

[lci3341]

That's the most ridiculous thing I've read. Are you serious? Apple is suppose to let the iPhone succumb to competitive pricing pressure just so they don't dare anger their little fan club? Nice. So when the iPhone went the way of the Dodo in 4 months because a competitor marketed a similar device for $400, are you saying you wouldn't be *****ing and moaning claiming Apple screwed you?

Why do you hold Apple to a different standard every other cell phone maker? You're not loyal to Apple, you're only out for yourself. This is the most petty complaint I've seen so far. First everyone complained that the iPhone didn't have video, cut and paste, 3G, blah-blah-blah and then this. You guys have been complaining non-stop since the day you bought the phones.

It's absolutely silly.


Apple doesn't have to sell more phones than any other company, or more laptops or more desktops than any other company-- they simply need to sell the best phone-- which I think they DID. I love the iPhone, and I have been very happy with it. Apple makes the best products- period. I hold apple to a different standard because their other products are made with the idea to "make the best product/user experience possible." Like BMW, they were focused on the product and the customer. If a competitor markets a similar product in 4 months for a cheaper price, I expect apple to again, raise the bar, sell the current iphones for less and release a big better iphone. That's how they have reacted to every other product they sell. When ipod knockoffs and copy cats started flooding the market, they made the ipod better, and lowered the price of current models each time to remain competive with them. I know I wouldn't be upset if that was the case or complaing that apple screwed me.

Didn't they have a slogan "think different". I guess that doesn't apply to cell phones.

[tharmsen]

Didn't they have a slogan "think different". I guess that doesn't apply to cell phones.
I don't believe their slogan has anything to do with market pricing pressures. I think it has more to do with their innovative products.

I don't know why anyone would assume Apple would behave differently than any other cell phone maker in the market. You had no reason to believe they would. They behave just like every other PC maker, don't they? Yes, they do.

[lci3341]

I don't believe their slogan has anything to do with market pricing pressures. I think it has more to do with their innovative products.

I don't know why anyone would assume Apple would behave differently than any other cell phone maker in the market. You had no reason to believe they would. They behave just like every other PC maker, don't they? Yes, they do.

I guess it's my fault for thinking that that WOULD be different.

And YES, I do think that they behave different (or have behaved differently) than PC makers, otherwise we would be seeing "back to school" editions of the iMac selling at Wal-mart.

[tharmsen]

I guess it's my fault for thinking that that WOULD be different.

And YES, I do think that they behave different (or have behaved differently) than PC makers, otherwise we would be seeing "back to school" editions of the iMac selling at Wal-mart.
Again, not the same thing.

But hey, you can now buy Mac's at Best Buy.

[lci3341]

Again, not the same thing.

But hey, you can now buy Mac's at Best Buy.

Right, but apple does not allow best buy to put Mac's on sale or sell ipods for any price they want. Why is that? That's not like most PC manufacturers...

[tharmsen]

Right, but apple does not allow best buy to put Mac's on sale or sell ipods for any price they want. Why is that? That's not like most PC manufacturers...
Oh really? I guess someone forgot to tell these retailers...

http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/apple-macbook-pro-2007/4014-3121_7-32465635.html?tag=bc

[lci3341]

Oh really? I guess someone forgot to tell these retailers...

http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/apple-macbook-pro-2007/4014-3121_7-32465635.html?tag=bc

Tell them what? Apple's MSRP for that macbook pro for 2499. Which is what every marjor company is selling it for with the exception of MacConnection and MacMall which has a rebate. I guess unless you want to buy it from a company called ubuydigital and take your chances.

[tharmsen]

That's not the point, the point is people do sell them for less than full retail.

Apple can force companies like Best Buy (I don't know that they are by the way) or other vendors to sell at full retail via a contract because they are the only game in town for OSX machines. Dell wouldn't get away with similar practices because any one of their hundreds of competitors would step in - they aren't the only game in town.

[adseguy]

Thank you Tharmsen. It is nice to see other people not complain about something they willingly bought.

I brought the point up in another thread about supply and demand basics. If the phone was sold for $800 I think I still would have bought it. If it was at $1000, i wouldn't have bought it, but someone else may have. They believed $600 was a good starting point and KNEW they would lower it after the initial craze left. When you said 'cut throat industry' you couldn't be more right.

I really believe most people are mad because something that cost them so much and was such a cool gadget now has lost it's coolness because it is getting older, and the phone is now attainable by most.


Just a few facts:

the moto Q dropped $300 after 3 months
the original RAZR dropper $250 after just a few months as well.

Best part for me is watching people think that they will somehow get their money back after having it for 2 months. As if Apple did something wrong here or they are "unethical" WOW. supply and demand folks....supply and demand. Quit demanding!!:tounge:

[lci3341]

Thank you Tharmsen. It is nice to see other people not complain about something they willingly bought.

I brought the point up in another thread about supply and demand basics. If the phone was sold for $800 I think I still would have bought it. If it was at $1000, i wouldn't have bought it, but someone else may have. They believed $600 was a good starting point and KNEW they would lower it after the initial craze left. When you said 'cut throat industry' you couldn't be more right.

I really believe most people are mad because something that cost them so much and was such a cool gadget now has lost it's coolness because it is getting older, and the phone is now attainable by most.


Just a few facts:

the moto Q dropped $300 after 3 months
the original RAZR dropper $250 after just a few months as well.

Best part for me is watching people think that they will somehow get their money back after having it for 2 months. As if Apple did something wrong here or they are "unethical" WOW. supply and demand folks....supply and demand. Quit demanding!!:tounge:


If the moto Q and RAZR both dropped their prices so quickly and dramatically I would assume that many of their customers were outraged and were posting on boards similar to this... Am I right? Because I don't remeber hearing about it... Not saying they didn't lower the prices, but it seems like this has caused much more of an outrage than price reductions of other phones. So then the questions is... WHY?

My only answer is that there was a belief by the customer that apple was different.. that this was an ipod that could make phone calls... not a cell phone that could play music.
If motorola and other companies did the same thing, why do you think this has been getting as much attention and upset so many people.... ? It's an interesting question.

[tharmsen]

At the time of the drop I was an active EverythingQ poster. There wasn't NEARLY the outrage that was expressed here. Either the EverythingQ users are more mature / cell industry savvy or they're just so rich they don't care. I can't imagine that being the case...

[adseguy]

looks like I'll be eating my own words though. Apple just announced the $100 rebate for old customers.

I'm pleasantly surprised

.....and I'll shut up now:wink:

[lci3341]

At the time of the drop I was an active EverythingQ poster. There wasn't NEARLY the outrage that was expressed here. Either the EverythingQ users are more mature / cell industry savvy or they're just so rich they don't care. I can't imagine that being the case...


Yeah-- I guess Q users are more mature. :rolleyes:

[tharmsen]

Yeah-- I guess Q users are more mature. :rolleyes:
Call it what you will, but the fact remains they didn't have a complete melt down like so many did here when the inevitable happened (i.e. a price drop occurred like it has for every other cell phone on the market).

[lci3341]

Call it what you will, but the fact remains they didn't have a complete melt down like so many did here when the inevitable happened (i.e. a price drop occurred like it has for every other cell phone on the market).

Maybe its because nobody was holding motorola to a higher standard. People EXPECT motorola (and other companies, not just them) to screw with them-- people expect MORE from Appple. They build a reputation for themselves-- and they needed to live up to it. Thankfuly, they did.
Motorola does not carry the same reputation.