We really need the old free iPod Touch + printer like the old BTS promo. Come on Apple!
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Angela Ahrendts Promises Details on Apple's 'Back to School' Situation Next Week
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It would be a sad promotion because it is only good for a year. After that, the music stops. (unless you pay to continue to RENT the music). With a free iPod Touch or Apple Store gift card, whatever it is used on is PURCHASED (with the gift card) or OWNED (iPod Touch).
A free year of Apple Music would be similar to having the use of a new iPod Touch for 12 months... after which you'd have to give it back or pay for it.
There are things she can be second guessed on, such how Apple conducted the AW try-on. But Apple not selling the AW or Macbook in stores @ launch isn't among them. Her ability to get inventory in-store was limited to what the supply chain could produce. Apple's manufacturers could not produce enough, fast enough, to even satisfy online pre-orders. Does it make sense to sell a product in a retail store that isn't available? That only frustrates customers more. Better to be upfront and say it's only available online for now. AA isn't in charge of production.
No lines - the effect of this is unknown, but my guess is few really enjoyed it and only did it because online presale allocations were "sold out." Also, these line ups create pedestrian traffic problems for malls and the mall owners don't like them, plus the extra staff on the mall and Apple's part, so probably another reason she decided to nix them.
Back to school - Why it's delayed, or even if it will be continued, we still do not know. It may be something that really has outlived it's usefulness. The free year of AppleMusic sounds about right as that would serve Apple's purpose of promoting the new service and getting it traction in the key college age market.
It's the modern version of the store memo. Nothing patronizing about it. Patronizing is a cloying pep rally speech. Her videos keep retail staff "in the loop," about retail happenings. And there is no "Apple like." There was "Steve Jobs-like", and now "Tim Cook-like". A company is it's leader, and this is how Apple is informing retail employees now so, yes, it's Apple-like by definition. It may be un Jobs-like or un Ron Johnson-like. But companies change as staff does, so there is no set "Apple" behavior.
Maybe not but she should be home pushing one round the house instead to putting a man out of a job.
Too funny!
FWTW, been told there has been a lot of turnover around this lady as "her people" have been moving into Apple. Supposedly, long time Apple employees in distribution chain management were passed over for the watch launch.
From that, the inevitable culture clash and unexpressed regret that stifles productivity commenced. I would not be surprised at all if the Back to School program was forgotten about and not even briefed to the new staff.
This article and a few others has them playing catch-up since distribution has been so watch centric for the last few months.
Then delay the launch, the product isn't ready. She obviously didn't speak up and is thus a bad leader.
Seppuku (切腹)
AA is the blacksheep of the family. She has been hired for that specific role.
Well stated. I'm surprised you have not be assaulted by the Tim Apologists yet.
Bottom line, the buck stops with Tim. He's ultimately responsible for those under him. And he is the supply line genius and had no watch inventory available at launch. The watch launch was discussed and planned for months and every detail was gone over. And if it wasn't, it's your baby Tim.
And I don't? Having been a customer for like 15 years. Saying customers buy a new iPhone each year blind and that's okay for the Watch is ridiculous. The iPhone is the same thing every year, the Watch was a brand new device and it came in many different materials and options. It's more like buying a fashion accessory.
The iPhone is the same thing every year, released with a new buggy version of iOS and some problem like scratching, antenna issues, etc. iOS 8 is pretty good now and iOS 9 will be out in 2 months to start the cycle over again. People buy. Apple products blindly due to Apple's track record.
Tim hired Angela, Tim meets with her, Tim knows what her ideas are. You act like she did all of this without his knowledge.
You mean like floppy disks, SCSI ports, ADB, FireWire, and DVD drives? As Steve Martin would say (in "The Jerk"): Ah! It's a profit deal!
Ahrendts did say more information about the program was coming next week. Denying what she said rather than taking that at face value with the notion there could be a new program coming timed different from the past, and with no other information say that it's more about shutting down the program, or she was caught surprised without a plan (suggesting incompetency), ranks right up there with Apple intentionally withholding supply on iPhone/Watch product launches in order to foster demand.
"Short supply" is always a good excuse for dealing with retailers over margin negotiations. I have yet to see an external audit of Apple's inventory of the watch during these past few months.
Maybe not but she should be home pushing one round the house instead to putting a man out of a job.
Was wondering when a line like this would some about. FYI, she has three children with her husband and has more than fulfilled her "womanly" duties. Being in her mid-50's, the oven is not warm enough for baking anymore.
AppleCare is already discounted by approx 25% if your purchase it with the education discount ($183 vs $249).
But I agree that the Music thing has nothing to do with education, and it's something that I would not use, and I don't see it as a valuable promotion item. However, since Music is the new "thing", I could see them pushing it out as a promotional item. It just would have no draw for me or many others.
Your point about buying anyway is also spot on. I doubt that many people buy new laptops just to take advantage of Apple's BTS promotional swag. They buy because they need a new computer. Now, if they are already in the market for a new computer, I could see them shifting the timing of the purchase to take advantage of a special offer or a promotion. But I cannot see the offer of $100 in swag convincing anyone to drop $1200-$2500 on a computer just to get it.
Because Apple Music is a buggy piece of junk. I'd rather have a $100 gift card than $120 AM subscription.
I personally was incensed that you could buy the watch in high end jewelry stores and not in an Apple store. Clearly she's more interested in wealthy people then apple fans.
I think the only reason she was hired was to go after the Chinese market.
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I hadn't noticed that but you're correct. The price of apple care on a rMBP drops from 350 to 240.. not bad, thats just over 30%. That and the laptop is 200.00 off. Still spending 2,747 on a laptop but... It is one sweet laptop.
I think I am going to stick to my idea. If they give us a GC I'll get the watch. If not than I'll hold off for the next gen watch.
BS. For all we know Apple had contracts with Maxfield and others that they couldn't break. And if there were manufacturing issues that caused low supply it would be difficult to have them in store. If some Apple stores had watches but others didn't people would be complaining about that too.
So if there wasn't short supply why the heck were people waiting weeks and in some cases well over a month for their watch? It's just within the last couple days that we've seen supply/demand come into balance.
Your disapproval is misdirected. Tim Cook is Apple's leader, not AA. She is only in charge of retail operations. It was TC who announced the launch period of "Early 2015," well before AA arrived at Apple. That time period arguably slipped as there was no launch in the 1st calendar quarter of the year.
Apple was under pressure to launch or take on "vapor ware" cat calls. Again, not AA's call to launch when it did & we don't know her position in private meeting or if she was asked if she had one.