Amazon Begins Selling More Apple Products, Including Latest Macs, iPad Pro, and Apple Watch Series 4

[jimthing]

Problems:

1) Only in US, despite article saying intl.
2) In UK, still see only third-parties selling.
3) No higher spec models!

The last one sucks, as those are the ones a lot of people want.

 

[TouchMint.com]

Ordered my series 4 two days ago and should be here tonight. Still had tax tho lame.

 

[doctor-don]

Good to see too Amazon are ramping up their Apple products...

Makes their previous "not selling Apple products" statement, totally wasteful.



They already were big in the past year, Nothing much had changed except their attitude towards Apple products.

What? I have shopped for Apple products on Amazon for years. iPod, Mac Mini, Airport Extreme, iPad

 

[puma1552]

So....

Looks like the computers are basically non returnable unless they have a gross defect, just like B&H Photo?

• New desktop, laptops, or tablets (excluding Kindle E-readers and Fires) purchased from Amazon.com that didn't start when they arrived, arrived in damaged condition, or is still in an unopened box can be returned for a full refund within 30 days of purchase.
• Amazon.com may test computers that are returned because they didn't start when they arrived and impose a customer fee equal to 15 percent of the product sales price if the customer misrepresents the condition of the product.
• Any returned desktop, laptop or tablet that is damaged through customer misuse, is missing parts, or is in unsellable condition due to customer tampering may result in the customer being charged a higher restocking fee based on the condition of the product.
• New, used, and refurbished products purchased from Marketplace vendors are subject to the returns policy of the individual vendor.

Can anyone confirm?

 

[chatin]

Just another sign of how dwindling sales require closing down production lines, and opening up more points of sale to get rid of as much accumulated stock as possible through the biggest sales and discounts channel, Amazon. Alibaba is next.

They are rather ugly, bare bones listings but if Apple is giving a 10% discount on iMac
Pro the website is going to crickets.

 

[WatchFromAfar]

Just another sign of how dwindling sales require closing down production lines, and opening up more points of sale to get rid of as much accumulated stock as possible through the biggest sales and discounts channel, Amazon. Alibaba is next.

You say that like it's a bad thing. They have "617 million monthly mobile users and 552 million active users"

https://www.forbes.com/sites/hendri...ba-is-the-gateway-to-china-chinese-customers/

Why wouldn't Apple sell it's products there?

 

[BvizioN]

I don’t really see the big deal. Amazon sells google products as well. Same as Microsoft.

That shouldn't suggest this is not a great deal for many other people who would find the benefits.

 

[Sevanw]

You say that like it's a bad thing. They have "617 million monthly mobile users and 552 million active users"

https://www.forbes.com/sites/hendri...ba-is-the-gateway-to-china-chinese-customers/

Why wouldn't Apple sell it's products there?

Because it would be associating their product with a place that lowly commoners look for deals. We all know, the Apple diehards love to believe the Apple brand is so amazing that it never gets discounted, bogo'd, or gets put on any kind of sale/promo deal. And Amazon/Alibaba are all about getting those discounts and deals. So you see, the Apple apologists that we regularly see in these forums bragging (smh) about Apple's high prices, would be so hurt to see Apple selling in such a lowly place like Amazon/Alibaba.

 

[WatchFromAfar]

Because it would be associating their product with a place that lowly commoners look for deals. We all know, the Apple diehards love to believe the Apple brand is so amazing that it never gets discounted, bogo'd, or gets put on any kind of sale/promo deal. And Amazon/Alibaba are all about getting those discounts and deals. So you see, the Apple apologists that we regularly see in these forums bragging (smh) about Apple's high prices, would be so hurt to see Apple selling in such a lowly place like Amazon/Alibaba.

I can see you mean well but "Apple selling in such a lowly place like Amazon". The same Amazon that just days after Apple became the second trillion dollar company? When Apple became the first it was all celerbation around here but when Amazon did exactly the same Apple fans consider them "a lowly place"? Talk about double standards...

 

[GaryMumford]

Apple Watch Series 4 (GPS + Cellular, 44mm) - Space Grey Aluminium Case with Black Sport Loop

Amazon Price: £810 Delivery 28th
Apple Price: £529 Delivery 26th or pick-up in store today

Enough said...

 

[iapplelove]

That shouldn't suggest this is not a great deal for many other people who would find the benefits.

Another one who missed the point.

 

[amyhughes]

To reach this deal, Apple is making Amazon kick from their platform anyone who resells Apple products, including refurbishers and repair shops. Yeah, you don't care about that. You should. You should recognize that Apple is trying to make their retail shops the only place you can have an Apple product repaired, and you should know that they aren't very good at it, that their repairs are often sketchy bodge jobs, that they charge for extreme measures when simple measures will fix the thing, and that they use the opportunity to convince you to buy a new product, incorrectly claiming yours is unfixable or too expensive to fix or that its state is your fault and not covered under warranty. You should know that they are using their "security chip" to lock out third party repairs, and that they are using the US customs service as their police force to pull repair parts from the market.

The most profitable corporation on earth can afford to let these small companies do the job they are unwilling to do themselves, and they can afford to not extract every last cent from their customers. And they can afford to not make their products become landfill with the slightest bit of damage, or just the passage of an arbitrary length of time. And they can afford to let the not well off find used Apple products on Amazon.

But go ahead and cheer your 5% discount. It's short-sighted. It will cost you more in the end.

 

[BvizioN]

Another one who missed the point.

Your point from what I understand is that Amazon sells other products like Google and Microsoft ones, therefore it can't be a big deal. That does not help much If I was after an Apple product, and I wanted directly from Apple through Amazon, using Amazon vouchers and picking it up from an Amazon locker, if say my nearest Apple store was hundreds of miles away. Sure, this will not benefit everyone, I included. But there are plenty of people out there who could benefit from this.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

To reach this deal, Apple is making Amazon kick from their platform anyone who resells Apple products, including refurbishers and repair shops. Yeah, you don't care about that. You should. You should recognize that Apple is trying to make their retail shops the only place you can have an Apple product repaired, and you should know that they aren't very good at it, that their repairs are often sketchy bodge jobs, that they charge for extreme measures when simple measures will fix the thing, and that they use the opportunity to convince you to buy a new product, incorrectly claiming yours is unfixable or too expensive to fix or that its state is your fault and not covered under warranty. You should know that they are using their "security chip" to lock out third party repairs, and that they are using the US customs service as their police force to pull repair parts from the market.

The most profitable corporation on earth can afford to let these small companies do the job they are unwilling to do themselves, and they can afford to not extract every last cent from their customers. And they can afford to not make their products become landfill with the slightest bit of damage, or just the passage of an arbitrary length of time. And they can afford to let the not well off find used Apple products on Amazon.

But go ahead and cheer your 5% discount. It's short-sighted. It will cost you more in the end.

But let's look at the other side of the coin. Show me how many 3rd party vendors would sell a 6th gen 32GB iPad for $249 or a 128GB 6th Gen for $329? It's just the opposite isn't it? Rather the 3rd party vendors jack the price up well over MSRP. Why? Because they know that most people will save maybe less than 5% instead of paying taxes. Then of course there's the unknown if you truly are getting what you thought you were buying such as this person on Amazon who thought they were buying a 6th Gen iPad but instead the 3rd party seller sold them a 5th Gen. I would rather buy from Amazon knowing they will make it right if there is a problem.

Got the 5th generation instead of 6th generation
September 17, 2018
Style: Wi-FiColor: GoldSize: 32GBVerified Purchase
They have me the wrong generation doesn't even work with my new apple pencil.

 

[iapplelove]

Your point from what I understand is that Amazon sells other products like Google and Microsoft ones, therefore it can't be a big deal. That does not help much If I was after an Apple product, and I wanted directly from Apple through Amazon, using Amazon vouchers and picking it up from an Amazon locker, if say my nearest Apple store was hundreds of miles away. Sure, this will not benefit everyone, I included. But there are plenty of people out there who could benefit from this.

Umm no. I quoted someone who suggested Apple was hurting in the sales department thus giving Amazon (a competitor) the green light to sell Apple.

I said it wasn’t a big deal that Apple is letting Amazon sell it’s good mainly because Amazon sells everyone. Google, Microsoft , Sony , Bose, Nike etc etc

You get it? I don’t care about how you buy your stuff or the customers lol

 

[BvizioN]

Umm no. I quoted someone who suggested Apple was hurting in the sales department thus giving Amazon (a competitor) the green light to sell Apple.

I said it wasn’t a big deal that Apple is letting Amazon sell it’s good mainly because Amazon sells everyone. Google, Microsoft , Sony , Bose, Nike etc etc

You get itl

Absolutely, got you now
A typical example of people reading only the comment and missing the quoted part. My bad.

 

[curtvaughan]

Bad news for all the mom and pops who will be unceremoniously barred from reselling apple 2nd hand products without Apple’s blessing which for most will not occur. Note that the resllers had little warning and were with Amazon before Amazon became what they are today.

Yes, only Apple certified resellers will be able to sell refurbished Apple products on Amazon - that's part of the Apple / Amazon agreement:

https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/...-unauthorized-apple-refurbishers-off-the-site

 

[Fishrrman]

I went to the amazon page for the Mini, and it looks like they're only offering "stock configurations". Can't choose to upgrade the drive or RAM.

Perhaps they'll pre-stock at least a few "custom combinations" as well (such as 16gb of RAM + 512gb SSD). Similar to what B&H does now.

Do that, and amazon may become the preferred place to buy a Mac...

 

[jonnysods]

Very wise of Apple. I think we are going to see a lot more partnerships and compromising on things to keep sales and stocks up. Maybe things like Spotify streaming on the HomePod?

 

[BugeyeSTI]

So if you purchase an Apple product from amazon is it considered the same as buying from Apple? Can you take it to an Apple store if you don’t like it within 14 days and return it? I assume the one year warranty is taken care of at your local Apple store, just curious about the other scenarios.

 

[iMi]

You're joking, right? Walmart, for its entire history, has been targeting low income folks with poor to fair quality products. Sure, Walmart has sprinkled in some nicer (and albeit very common) products such as iPods and iPads and some select tvs. There's also the clientele that shop at Walmart that has spawned thousands of "Walmart shopper" videos displaying some really trashy and freaky people.

In general, when you call a company "the Walmart of ______" you are really calling that other company a bad name. Like a trashy store. I don't consider Amazon remotely close to Walmart as far as quality of products, vastness of selection, and by far superior customer service and experience.

Amazon has been the king of online retail for a long time...and will likely dominate for even longer. Amazon sells everything. Everything. The first place people search for a product is Amazon...not Google.

Right, Amazon is very much so the Walmart of the internet. Aside from the abusive work environment, low pay and efforts to avoid having to provide insurance, their customer service is getting worse and worse. Products, shipment, all getting way worse.

Today I received coffee pods I purchased new. The package was crudely taped back up with a RETURN LABEL from the previous customer who clearly sent it back. Coffee bag inside was open. This is not the first time I received used products sold as new. Does this sounds like a premium experience to you? They deliver packages late at least a couple of times a month, despite the fact that we have prime.

They do have good prices, usually. They also are very convenient to use, but I would not describe them as a premium company by any stretch of the imagination. Their hardware is pure garbage. It literarily is the lowest quality junk money can buy.

As far as market positioning, Amazon very much compares to Walmart. Both offer vast selection and both approach the market as "everyday low price leader."

 

[harriska2]

Right, Amazon is very much so the Walmart of the internet. Aside from the abusive work environment, low pay and efforts to avoid having to provide insurance, their customer service is getting worse and worse. Products, shipment, all getting way worse.

Today I received coffee pods I purchased new. The package was crudely taped back up with a RETURN LABEL from the previous customer who clearly sent it back. Coffee bag inside was open. This is not the first time I received used products sold as new. Does this sounds like a premium experience to you? They deliver packages late at least a couple of times a month, despite the fact that we have prime.

They do have good prices, usually. They also are very convenient to use, but I would not describe them as a premium company by any stretch of the imagination. Their hardware is pure garbage. It literarily is the lowest quality junk money can buy.

As far as market positioning, Amazon very much compares to Walmart. Both offer vast selection and both approach the market as "everyday low price leader."

I am curious if the coffee pods came directly from amazon, from a reseller on amazon, or distributed by amazon but sold by a third party.

 

[groundedUX]

I’d say that applies way more to them being in Target.

Agreed. Same with Best Buy. I understand the need for more distribution channels though.

 

[Tom4981]

I'm new to the site and new to Apple....I been looking at the used IMac's on Amazon and been reading everything I can about buying a used IMac on this site.

I've been a PC user since the MSDOS days, my last Computer purchase was a Sony all-in-one about 10 years ago...I'm ready for something new....and I think an Apple IMac is going to be it.

I've found finding a used one a real challenge, 2012 to 2014