My rant to Apple about the price cut

[mac17]

ok heres a letter im sending to sjobs@mac.com

pls post any suggestions or things i should add or change.



To whom it may concern,
As a loyal apple customer i feel like I, and other iphone customers are being treated like dirt, because even in technology a 33% price cut after two months is grossly dramatic and unfair further more, the people that bought the 4gb iphone (me included) are now stuck with an obsolete product. I can hardly use my new iphone now without feeling sick that i actually paid $500 +, for a now obsolete product which i could have gotten for $299. I am always bragging to friends and family how great of a company Apple is, from their great products with great design and an easy interface to their great customer support, or so i thought, is this image apple displays about actually caring for the customer a sham? Thats how I felt when talking to customer service and then to the apple retail store after waiting one hour and forty minutes on the phone all i was told is,"sorry our policy is 14 days there's nothing we can do". The reason i stopped buying sony products was because of its zero regard for the customer and their feelings I don't want to have to stop buying and recommending Apple products due to this but if this is the best Apple can do for their most loyal customers it leaves me no choice. For a company who tries so hard to create an image and a brand loyalty, I am really surprised that apple would actually do such a thing to their customers.

[suneohair]

My suggestion is to stop trying to exploit the sjobs@apple.com email address.

[mac17]

My suggestion is to stop trying to exploit the sjobs@apple.com email address.

ok why? I shouldnt be upset? this is what i was told to do by the manager of the apple store after telling me she couldnt do anything about it.

[The General]

ok why? I shouldnt be upset? this is what i was told to do by the manager of the apple store after telling me she couldnt do anything about it.

Why are you upset? You have the second best phone in the world.

It was worth $499 to you when you bought it, otherwise you wouldn't have.

Who cares what the price is now?

[EricNau]

My suggestion... completely rewrite it.

First of all, there are an uncountable number of basic grammatical errors. ...Take the time to capitalize every "i," capitalize "iphone" properly, remove poorly written phrases such as "i feel like I," and finally, use a higher level of language (a thesaurus is your friend).

Never address a letter, "To whom it may concern," because it's far to ambiguous, and chances are, no one is truly concerned.

That said, MY MOST IMPORTANT ADVICE would be to WAIT, at least a day or two. It is very obvious that your letter was written in a very short time span (less than an hour?) and therefore, will be given very little attention from Apple.

Business letters should NEVER be rushed, and should be written with a great deal of care.

Also, keep in mind, it will be at least a few days before your email will be read, and if Apple announces compensation in the meantime, you'll sound (and feel) like an idiot.

[mac17]

ok well im upset because i was cheated into buying a phone that no longer exists after a month...oh and i could've gotten an 8gb one for $100 LESS then i paid. I think the only people who dont look at us complainers as whiny babies are the people who actually got screwed.

[mac17]

My suggestion... completely rewrite it.

First of all, there are an uncountable number of basic grammatical errors. ...Take the time to capitalize every "i," capitalize "iphone" properly, remove poorly written phrases such as "i feel like I," and finally, use a higher level of language (a thesaurus is your friend).

Never address a letter, "To whom it may concern," because it's far to ambiguous, and chances are, no one is truly concerned.

That said, MY MOST IMPORTANT ADVICE would be to WAIT, at least a day or two. It is very obvious that your letter was written in a very short time span (less than an hour?) and therefore, will be given very little attention from Apple.

Business letters should NEVER be rushed, and should be written with a great deal of care.

Also, keep in mind, it will be at least a few days before your email will be read, and if Apple announces compensation in the meantime, you'll sound (and feel) like an idiot.


lol, ye it was written in like 10 mins kind of like a rough draft, i would never send it in like that. :o:p
Ps: Whats wrong with "i feel like"? how else would you phrase that to express your feelings?

[The General]

ok well im upset because i was cheated into buying a phone that no longer exists after a month...oh and i could've gotten an 8gb one for $100 LESS then i paid. I think the only people who dont look at us complainers as whiny babies are the people who actually got screwed.

Your phone is not going to disappear. It will still be an iPhone.

Me? I waited in line for 7 hours to make sure I got my 8GB iPhone. I paid $599 for it.

Am I upset? No. I had a summer full of iPhone fun. Well worth the extra $200 to get it immediately. I'd already waited 7, I wasn't about to wait another undetermined number of months until the first price cut. :D

Seriously, though ... it's only money. Money that can be earned again. It's not that important.

[suneohair]

ok why? I shouldnt be upset? this is what i was told to do by the manager of the apple store after telling me she couldnt do anything about it.

I highly doubt an Apple employee told you to send an email to that address.

You weren't cheated. You bought the phone because you chose to. If you really think you were cheated, you should reevaluate your life before other people start to take advantage of you.

The 4GB iPhone IS NOT OBSOLETE. It is the same as they had yesterday. They just don't make it anymore. It will still get supported and receive updates like the rest of the iPhones.

If you were screwed it was on your own terms. And again, you should take a look at how you were tricked into buying it if that is really the case.

[mac17]

Your phone is not going to disappear. It will still be an iPhone.

Me? I waited in line for 7 hours to make sure I got my 8GB iPhone. I paid $599 for it.

Am I upset? No. I had a summer full of iPhone fun. Well worth the extra $200 to get it immediately. I'd already waited 7, I wasn't about to wait another undetermined number of months until the first price cut. :D

Seriously, though ... it's only money. Money that can be earned again. It's not that important.


I know it sounds a little too dramatic for only $200:p but i figured that makes an impression. Am i enjoying my phone? of course i just figured its worth a try contrary to what i wrote im not THAT mad:D

[Sideonecincy]

I think the only people who dont look at us complainers as whiny babies are the people who actually got screwed.
I bought an iphone for the original price and I am tired of reading posts like yours already.

A day like today is something I usally look forward too. I wish there was a single thread so I didn't have to read this garbage in every new thread.

Sorry you lost $200. So did I, life goes on. Apple is a business.

[mac17]

[QUOTE=suneohair;4139061]I highly doubt an Apple employee told you to send an email to that address.


She did, why would i lie about that? i called the 5th ave store and thats what she said to do, after telling me there was nothing she can do.

[jarenado]

Its technology, you cant be angry because things get cheaper and better. How do you think the people feel that bought the original click wheel ipod and then two weeks later there was a photo ipod with album art. And then shortly after that video came out. I jumped on the 4g ipod and within a year they had a video ipod. Quit whining, you dont hear people complaining about their regular cell phones but, that is even worse. The first nextel i bought, 3 years ago, I paid 250 for, now you can a refurb of your phone. I feel for you, but thats life.

[Loc]

All you whiners need to invest in an economics book. Apple needs to sell more iPhones and at the price they asked for (and a price you WILLINGLY paid), not enough were moving off shelves. They did the most sensible thing for the growth of their business. Imagine that!

Wah wah wah :rolleyes:

http://home.maine.rr.com/mattyg/wambulance.jpg

[jpturner]

The point is the phone has not changed... There is no better model (e.g. 16 gig) where you would expect a reduction in price of the 8 gig version to happen. Apple has pulled an ******* move in leveraging their customer base in a negative way. It will hurt them in the short term. Apple should have used a big software update to offset and fog early adopters with new features to keep them happy and not notice so much the screw. People posting here only account for 0.0001% of the bulk of iphone users, Apple knows it and has factored it into the decision.

[tw0k1ngs]

The point is the phone has not changed... There is no better model (e.g. 16 gig) where you would expect a reduction in price of the 8 gig version to happen. Apple has pulled an ******* move in leveraging their customer base in a negative way. It will hurt them in the short term. Apple should have used a big software update to offset and fog early adopters with new features to keep them happy and not notice so much the screw. People posting here only account for 0.0001% of the bulk of iphone users, Apple knows it and has factored it into the decision.

Wrong. If they who were screwed only acconted for such a small percentage, Apple Inc would have NO problem refunding the difference. THAT would be the decision Apple would have factored in.

[Much Ado]

Err... the 4GB iPhone is the most exclusive phone in the world. Why complain?

[Cybergypsy]

I also bought the iPhone on release day, and the memories of that day and being part of something that crazy, was well worth 200 bucks.

PS have you check the depreciation on your car lately?

[MovieCutter]

ok well im upset because i was cheated into buying a phone that no longer exists after a month...oh and i could've gotten an 8gb one for $100 LESS then i paid. I think the only people who dont look at us complainers as whiny babies are the people who actually got screwed.

Cheated? Did someone hold a gun to your head when you bought it. Did someone promise shiny golden unicorns would fly out of the recessed headphone jack and poop golden coins in your lap after you bought your precious iPhone? Didn't think so...

[grockk]

all I know is that every friend of mine that was on the fence about an iPhone ordered one yesterday. They weren't willing to spend so much and you were.

Apple is trying to move more phones.

[lilnyc]

Your phone is not going to disappear. It will still be an iPhone.

Me? I waited in line for 7 hours to make sure I got my 8GB iPhone. I paid $599 for it.

Am I upset? No. I had a summer full of iPhone fun. Well worth the extra $200 to get it immediately. I'd already waited 7, I wasn't about to wait another undetermined number of months until the first price cut. :D

Seriously, though ... it's only money. Money that can be earned again. It's not that important.

I'm with you. A "summer of iPhone fun" it certainly was! :D

[earnjam]

I bought it on release day too...it wasn't that crazy. It definitely wasn't worth an extra $200 to experience a long line. I could do that at Carowinds for a quarter of the price.

Now, would I spend $600 on an iPhone again? You bet your arse. It's the coolest gadget I've ever owned. (except for the fact that I've already had to send it off to get repaired because of hardware problems, but it's still awesome nonetheless)

It's not so much the price drop that upsets me. It's only $200 and that sort of thing is inevitable with electronics. Hell, it's happened to me a number of times. The MBP got updated 16 days after I bought it, the PS3 price dropped $100 3 weeks after I bought it (and they started giving away 5 free blurays), and I've had several other instances. What hurts is the fact that I feel like I've been cheated by Apple. They were fully aware that they would be selling these iPods very soon. They knew how much these iPods would be sold for before they set the initial price of the iPhone, yet they still priced it too high. Then after people are clearly upset, it only makes it worse to take an attitude like, "Well, sucks for you."

It's fine if you want to make money (which I understand is the goal), but it just seems like a dishonest way. It really makes me lose some respect for the company.

[xfiftyfour]

Cheated? Did someone hold a gun to your head when you bought it. Did someone promise shiny golden unicorns would fly out of the recessed headphone jack and poop golden coins in your lap after you bought your precious iPhone? Didn't think so...
You didn't even give him a chance to respond. Maybe that DID happen ! :p :rolleyes:

PS: This thread is why I don't read the iPhone forums. If $200 breaks your back, then maybe you shouldn't have bought a $600 phone in the first place. Apple isn't your mommy - it doesn't care about you personally and neither does Steve. It cares about its shareholders and making a profit. $600 was a good pricetag when there were R&D costs to cover and the hype of the new technology drove sales. That doesn't work anymore, so Apple dropped the price to move units. Simple as that. Move along.

[i.Feature]

It's the way things go. You buy something and it's worth less almost right away. Happened to everyone of my ipods, my car, my tv, my computer. Why are you surprised by this? Luxury items are not an investment. They're for enjoyment.

[lci3341]

I thought steve's email was steve@mac.com ???

[PowerFullMac]

Is it certain that is his email? Has he ever been known to reply to a e-mail sent to that address? What about Bill Gates' email? That would be fun...

[IJ Reilly]

Cheated? Did someone hold a gun to your head when you bought it. Did someone promise shiny golden unicorns would fly out of the recessed headphone jack and poop golden coins in your lap after you bought your precious iPhone? Didn't think so...

No kidding. These complaints are hilarious in a sad sort of way. Someone who had $600 burning a hole in their pocket in July is probably more angry with themselves today than with Apple. They had to be first, so they paid the price. Deal with it, as the man said.

Maybe their real fear is that more people will be able to justify buying an iPhone now, which makes theirs less exclusive. So there's probably a snob factor in play too.

[MovieCutter]

Maybe their real fear is that more people will be able to justify buying an iPhone now, which makes theirs less exclusive. So there's probably a snob factor in play too.

Totally. I mean I sat in line with xfiftyfour (or rather she sat in line with me ;)) for 6 hours waiting for it. We had a great time, I got my iPhone and got to be the first guy on the block to have one. That snob factor and that feeling of owning the coolest device on the planet before everyone else was totally awesome. I was happy to pay my $600 then and I'd do it again. Anybody who DIDN'T see this coming is just naive. Apple holds an event to launch a new iPod line for the holidays and you don't think they're going to make their pride and joy more appealing to the masses? Give me a break.

That being said, my biggest complaint about yesterday is that I would have gladly paid another $600 for a 16GB iPhone but didn't get it. That and I wish unicorns really would spring out of my iPhone and poop gold coins in my lap...

[KittyToy]

For those of you that didn't get your refund I suggest you call them back and not ask for a refund but an actual credit to your AT&T account. that’s how I was able to get mine, they told me no, but I was like can I least get credit to my account and she did that with ease so I have about 3 months of free service since my monthly bill is about 70.00 bucks:)

[slffl]

First, to the people who are telling the iPhone owners who are pissed to shut up, you can go #%^@ yourselfs. You give me one, ONE example of another company doing this, let alone Apple, who is known for keeping their prices firm for 6-10 months.

Second. It's amazing the price of the iPhone stayed at $599 for 7 MONTHS!!! between January and June. How come the price didn't drop THEN? Steve 'dumbass' Jobs? Do you really think we're that stupid that you can write this off as "That's technology?"

[mdgolom]

ok well im upset because i was cheated into buying a phone that no longer exists after a month...oh and i could've gotten an 8gb one for $100 LESS then i paid. I think the only people who dont look at us complainers as whiny babies are the people who actually got screwed.

This whole thing has me baffled. How were you cheated? Apple introduced two iPhones. They thought, incorrectly, that people would want the choice between 4gb and 8gb. As it turns out, sales of the 4gb didn't meet expectations, so they discontinued it. Should Apple have kept selling it so they would hurt someones feelings?

I had been waiting for the much rumored "iTouch iPod" and gave up about bought the low end video iPod. Should I feel cheated that it's not sold any longer?

[IJ Reilly]

That and I wish unicorns really would spring out of my iPhone and poop gold coins in my lap...

Be patient. That feature will be announced in January. ;)

[Chakalaka]

There are more people that want the phone than already have it. The price drop will now market towards those people and make room for a new iphone hopefully by next Jan. I think many of us realized that there might be issues with being early adopter and we still shelled out $599 on launch day.

Having said that, I remember Macworld when the first Ti powerbooks was launched with OSX. I ordered it right away. Spent $4k with memory. Price dropped by $500 in 5 months by the time I got it. Was I pissed yeah but I got over it. Its the price you pay for being the first. Its like that with any hot product. Cars, computers, phone etc

[MovieCutter]

Be patient. That feature will be announced in January. ;)

I hope so or I'M GONNA SUE APPLE AND START A THOUSAND THREADS ABOUT HOW THEY DIDN'T DO THIS AND THAT AND EVERYTHING ELSE!!!!!!

[sjjordan]

There are more people that want the phone than already have it. The price drop will now market towards those people and make room for a new iphone hopefully by next Jan. I think many of us realized that there might be issues with being early adopter and we still shelled out $599 on launch day.

Having said that, I remember Macworld when the first Ti powerbooks was launched with OSX. I ordered it right away. Spent $4k with memory. Price dropped by $500 in 5 months by the time I got it. Was I pissed yeah but I got over it. Its the price you pay for being the first. Its like that with any hot product. Cars, computers, phone etc

Of course you are upset that it's now cheaper, but EVERY NEW PRODUCT IS SOLD AT A PREMIUM. Think about it, you spent all summer with your iPhone, as others have said.

To make you feel better, the 16GB ipod touch indicates that a 16GB iPhone is probably near on the horizon. Thus, think about it this way:

It's not really a $200 price drop. It's a $100 price drop with the 8GB being downgraded to the lower iPhone version (future 16GB being the high-end).
My prediction is that apple is only dropping the iPhone line by $100 and will be selling the 8GB for $399 and the 16GB for $499 by Christmas time.

[plumbingandtech]

Dear Car Dealer,

I recently drove off your lot and my car lost 1/3 of its value.

This makes me sooooo angry.

I hereby request my 1/3 back.

Signed.

Joe Clueless

[BlackMax]

First, to the people who are telling the iPhone owners who are pissed to shut up, you can go #%^@ yourselfs. You give me one, ONE example of another company doing this, let alone Apple, who is known for keeping their prices firm for 6-10 months.

Second. It's amazing the price of the iPhone stayed at $599 for 7 MONTHS!!! between January and June. How come the price didn't drop THEN? Steve 'dumbass' Jobs? Do you really think we're that stupid that you can write this off as "That's technology?"

Let me guess... You were an early adopter of the iPhone?

I'm curious about a couple things... Why did you purchase the iPhone when you did and what do you care if Apple reduces its price today or gives it away for free tomorrow? If you purchased the iPhone for $XXX.XX yesterday you must of thought it was worth that amount or you wouldn't have purchased it and if you thought the iPhone was worth $XXX.XX yesterday you should still be happy with that purchase today regardless of what Apple does tomorrow.

I mentioned this next statement in another thread, but I think it is appropriate here too. Folks sometimes confuse Apple with a buddy, friend, neighbor, etc. Apple is none of the above. Apple is a corporation whose sole purpose is to increase their shareholder's equity and hopefully do so while being a good steward to the environment and their customers. But in the end, Apple is always going to do what is in Apple's best interest and this will not always coincide with everyone else's best interest.

With that said, I don't know if anyone noticed, but Apple stock dropped more than 5 percent after the price cut was announced, closing yesterday at $136.76, down $7.40. In extended trading, the share price fell another $1.01. If this trend continues, Apple will probably not have any similar prices cuts in the future; but you should still be happy with your iPhone purchase because at the time it was worth the original price to you.

[MovieCutter]

First, to the people who are telling the iPhone owners who are pissed to shut up, you can go #%^@ yourselfs. You give me one, ONE example of another company doing this, let alone Apple, who is known for keeping their prices firm for 6-10 months.

Second. It's amazing the price of the iPhone stayed at $599 for 7 MONTHS!!! between January and June. How come the price didn't drop THEN? Steve 'dumbass' Jobs? Do you really think we're that stupid that you can write this off as "That's technology?"

You have issues...serious, sad, pathetic issues...:rolleyes:

Dear Car Dealer,

I recently drove off your lot and my car lost 1/3 of its value.

This makes me sooooo angry.

I hereby request my 1/3 back.

Signed.

Joe Clueless

QFT

[Chakalaka]

I learned from my Tangerine imac that Apple's policies are not Costco. I hated them back then for not swapping out for a new computer that was just a day old but rather have it sit in repair for 2 weeks. When I bought my Pismo powerbook and Titanium I was well aware of possible issues yet I still bought them. Why, because they are the best computers for my needs.

When Applestores started popping up I thought repairs or return poilicies would be much different since I can go in and return or exchange. Guess what its not.

I think people need to realize that this is how Apple does their business and you need to get over the happy smile at the Genius bar and just deal with it. Every product apple puts out gets either cut in price or bump in speed almost every 3-6 months.

[ucfgrad93]

ok well im upset because i was cheated into buying a phone that no longer exists after a month.

How exactly were you "cheated into buying a phone"? Did someone hold a gun to your head?

Next question, Did your phone vanish? I assume you still have it. Just because it is no longer made doesn't mean that is not usable.

[nizz]

I waited in line on iDay for 8 hours with my friend who wanted 2-8b models. I wasnt even planning on purchasing one until the moment came and I decided to get a 4gb model. Great Phone.

It does kinda suck that after only 2 months, Apple discontinued the 4gb model and dropped the price of 8gb 200 bucks.... I was sad and dissapointed, but for maybe 5 minutes, then I got over it.

What is really getting me angry now after reading these boards, is how Apple and at&t are giving store credit or rebates to random people. (I'm assuming all of these posters who claim they got credit aren't lying - why would they?) For that I am happy for them but at the same time, very angry at how Apple is handling the situation. Why not either give everyone the same amount of credit or give nothing to anyone.

Personally, I wish Apple didn't give anyone their money back from before 14 days ago just so its fair. I am very angry.

[JMD123]

What apple needs to think about is when they do these price drops they make people werry about buying their products. I did not buy an iphone becuase i was concerned this would happen. I was once burned on a lap top. I bought a 2,800 dollar lap top and 15 days later they came out with a faster cheaper model. I called apple customer service and they said "we understand that some times our pricing policies are painfull" I told them that was ridiculous to have a policy like that. These products are not born overnight. I even gave her the solution.

weeks or months before your going to release a new product. Start droping the price little by little each week or month. On down a touch below the new product. Then the person who buys the old product right before the new one comes out wont feel like a jack ass that just got ripped off.

Then I took my computer to the apple store I bought it from and was polite but assiritve. They took my computer back no restocking fee and i bought the new one for less. That was three years ago... Im still using that machine.

[sketchy]

http://www.apple.com/hotnews/openiphoneletter/

[bousozoku]

We know that you're upset for whatever reason. Everyone has had their say probably 3 times in the last 24 hours. Thanks.