Apple Employees to Receive 50% Off Apple Watch and Apple Watch Sport Models, $550 Off Gold Model

[ZCT]

One shouldn't mention cars and electronics in regards to safety. Common rule is nothing made in China when it comes to safety. Too many issues in the news regarding toys with high amounts of lead, poisoned dog food, home building materials made with banned hazardous materials, etc. Even personal negative experience with German made Good Year tires when switched to China made. Would never set foot on a car, aircraft, elevator, etc. either.

That's an extremely xenophobic and unreasonable viewpoint.

China has a slew of ultra cheap, and often dangerously bad products. But why are they like that? Because American corporations like Walmart set the price they are willing to pay, and that is the quality you get when you set the price so low.

It's not that China can't make high quality. Just look at the iPhone. Go watch some videos about the incredibly complex manufacturing process. Then research the owner satisfaction rates, failure rates and so on.

In fact there are few places on the planet where a factory could hire that many workers and produce that kind of volume at that high a quality at the right price so that the final product didn't cost $2000.

China has proven to have incredibly high standards if they have to, along with unprecedented productivity. But if you ask them to make a children's toy for 93 cents, there is only so much you can expect. That's not China's fault at all. So the people their don't really deserve your xenophobic and condescending judgement.

 

[spectrumfox]

This is based on research done and not apple's official statement. So I would not quote that 55% as fact, it's the top end figure.

Naturally. But I'm sure the actual figure would be fairly close.

 

[ZMacintosh]

Where do people get this. Apple has, for as long as I remember, offered discounts to their employess on Apple hardware. Apple has given employees free iPhones in the past..

necessary to keep repeating yourself?

sounds like you either are or were an apple employee

 

[Iconoclysm]

By that theory the original iPhone was a 100% markup. I was given my first iPhone for free as an employee.

That's not 100%, that's infinite percent. It can't be measured.

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Egaah I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.

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I'm not confused. I'm just saying that it doesn't seem right.

Especially knowing how much the gross margin of an iPhone is. Something tells me Apple makes PLENTY of money to cover the cost of anything having to do with the product they're selling, and much more.

You need to look at the gross margins on everything else out there in the world then, and it will probably put you in the hospital to find out that you're being "robbed" everywhere you go...in fact, whatever you do for a living, you're robbing someone to get it. Capitalism!!

 

[KPOM]

Not exactly.

Drug dealers can charge as much as they want for their product up to a point because they know people are addicted to them and must have them, at any cost.

All I'm saying is some businesses operate with that same mindset, and I don't agree with it.

I think Apple is somewhat more ethical than a drug dealer.

 

[puckhead193]

while the discount is a bit high i think for apple to offer it makes sense if you want your employees showcase it while they work. I could seem them always looking at there watch instead of working.

I wonder if apple will them for communicating with employees while working somehow.

I surprised apple is allowing them order day 1. I guess apple isn't concerned about a shortage.

 

[spectrumfox]

I think Apple is somewhat more ethical than a drug dealer.

In some ways, yes. In some ways, no.

 

[diazj3]

Unlike a computer/phone/tablet, a customer will notice whether an employee has one of these on their wrist or not, and if they don't... why is that?

I agree... What a terrible idea.

Apple is kind of putting its employees on the spot here. I guess it doesn't matter when it comes to management and their huge salaries... but for a simple store employee, the other 50% may really hurt them.

Is it because they are expecting to have a lot of watches left in stock due to poor demand? If so, this may hurt the exclusivity they usually rely on when launching new products...

Or, is it they want to use employees as live mannequins? If they want to be nice, perhaps they should start by being fair, paying store employees for the time they have to wait to be inspected by the store managers...

Kind of a douche move from Apple here. Not the discount, but the announcement, sort of gives a pretty clear message to employees, doesn't it? How can an employee justify not having one, and still be a proud member of the team?

 

[ZCT]

I'm not confused. I'm just saying that it doesn't seem right.

Especially knowing how much the gross margin of an iPhone is. Something tells me Apple makes PLENTY of money to cover the cost of anything having to do with the product they're selling, and much more.

Your explanation of why it 'doesn't seem right' merely reveals a basic lack of understanding about business. I can't help you with that, you have to educate yourself.

You don't 'know' the gross margin or net profit of an iPhone, you've read some article, where some tech types have speculated about some stuff.

Apple is a very large and very complex business. They have to deal with all manner of things, from lawsuits with other corporations, lawsuits from people that trip and fall in their stores, overheads of all kinds. You think those Apple Stores in prime areas like London, New York and Paris are cheap?

I don't understand what business principle you are trying to use where you think Apple should take profits from another division of their company, to prop up the losses you want them to make on the Apple Watch, just so they can retail for $199.

Smart accountants who know a heck of a lot more about business than you clearly do, have set the price point to recoup their investment, and make a profit. So that eventually they can go back to their share holders and say, "We invested a total of $X in the Apple Watch project. That project has now made $Y net profit. Job well done."

You want them instead to go to their share holders and say, "Well some people were whining about the prices of the Apple Watch so although we invested $X in the project, but took a $150,000,000 loss on the project. But don't worry, we made a ton of money on the iPhone, so it's all good."

 

[spectrumfox]

Your explanation of why it 'doesn't seem right' merely reveals a basic lack of understanding about business. I can't help you with that, you have to educate yourself.

You don't 'know' the gross margin or net profit of an iPhone, you've read some article, where some tech types have speculated about some stuff.

Apple is a very large and very complex business. They have to deal with all manner of things, from lawsuits with other corporations, lawsuits from people that trip and fall in their stores, overheads of all kinds. You think those Apple Stores in prime areas like London, New York and Paris are cheap?

I don't understand what business principle you are trying to use where you think Apple should take profits from another division of their company, to prop up the losses you want them to make on the Apple Watch, just so they can retail for $199.

Smart accountants who know a heck of a lot more about business than you clearly do, have set the price point to recoup their investment, and make a profit. So that eventually they can go back to their share holders and say, "We invested a total of $X in the Apple Watch project. That project has now made $Y net profit. Job well done."

You want them instead to go to their share holders and say, "Well some people were whining about the prices of the Apple Watch so although we invested $X in the project, but took a $150,000,000 loss on the project. But don't worry, we made a ton of money on the iPhone, so it's all good."

Complex business or not, Apple knows they could cut the price of their hardware down to a more reasonable and honest price and still be one of the richest companies in the world.

Their executives would still make millions of dollars a year. All their stores would remain open. No jobs would be cut. And all their lights would stay on.

My problem with them is they know they don't have to, so they don't.

 

[MH01]

I think Apple is somewhat more ethical than a drug dealer.

They charge you for the first one ! Though just as addictive .... High tech addiction

 

[ZCT]

I agree... What a terrible idea.

Kind of a douche move from Apple here. Not the discount, but the announcement, sort of gives a pretty clear message to employees, doesn't it? How can an employee justify not having one, and still be a proud member of the team?

Oh yes, those poor Apple employees having an option to buy an Apple Watch for half price. Let me break out the violin and play a sad song.

Has the thought ever occurred to you that Apple employees choose to be there because they like Apple products?

If I worked for Porsche and they offered to sell me a new car for half price, I'm not going to whine that they have put me on the spot, or whine about the half I have to pay for. I'm going to be happy that I can save some money.

Companies always impose upon employees one way or another. It's part of the fun of having a job. Getting a 50% discount is a perfectly nice gesture that you are choosing to intemperate as a 'douche move.' You think instead they should just give away 27,000 of their products for free, to be 'nice?'

 

[Karma*Police]

If I remember correctly, the iPad had 1,200 apps at launch. The Apple Watch should exceed that which is pretty incredible given a whole new interaction model with Force Touch and the digital crown.

 

[Glideslope]

Apple wants its employees, particularly its retail store employees, to have the Watch and be seen using it. It's good advertising. It's a brand new product, and just as Jony Ive said back in October, when you are doing something for the first time, you don't know whether it is going to work. Apple surely has some internal expectations and targets, but of course until there is actual sales data they won't know for sure how well it is doing.

I wonder how the employees who choose not to purchase an Apple Watch will be viewed by Management? Will they be seen as "Not Supporting the Cause?" How will they be encouraged, if not interested? Will those Part Time employees receive the same treatment regardless if they have a Watch on their wrist? Will the "Haves and Have Nots" receive the same hours each week? If you purchase a Watch, then you are really a Living Advertisement, no? The Manager is going to want you around more that that "Non Team Player, eh?"

Should be interesting. I'm looking forward to see how Apple Retail Manages the "Non Team Players."

 

[hauntvictim]

50% off

Basically what it should be costing lol

Exactly, thank you!

 

[MH01]

Complex business or not, Apple knows they could cut the price of their hardware down to a more reasonable and honest price and still be one of the richest companies in the world.

Their executives would still make millions of dollars a year. All their stores would remain open. No jobs would be cut. And all their lights would stay on.

My problem with them is they know they don't have to, so they don't.

While there is demand, they are happy to sell them like hot cakes.

The consumer is the problem here cause they will pay those prices.

I don't mind the prices they set. What annoys me is when a currency fluctuates against the dollar, and apple does not reflect it when the dollar is weak, but as soon as the dollar is high, they raise their prices straight away, that for me is profiteering.

 

[ZCT]

Complex business or not, Apple knows they could cut the price of their hardware down to a more reasonable and honest price and still be one of the richest companies in the world.

Their executives would still make millions of dollars a year. All their stores would remain open. No jobs would be cut. And all their lights would stay on.

My problem with them is they know they don't have to, so they don't.

The world doesn't work that way.

Apart from anything else, what if they did follow your terrible advice. Slash their prices, give their profits back to their customers and the employees.

A few years pass, and suddenly some other corporation who has been stockpiling profits, sues Apple for patent infringement, and in all the litigation and fines, ends up bankrupting Apple. They followed your advice, they didn't maintain a big enough war chest to protect themselves, now they are bankrupt.

If you were a share holder in the company, how would you feel about the fact that your stock is now worthless. What if that were your retirement fund?

I really do get what you are saying about reasonable profits and being nice. But by the same token, having money allows Apple to innovate and continue to make cool products.

You want cheap stuff, there are plenty of companies out there that will sell you inferior products for less money. You just want to have your cake and eat it. You want the nice shiny gadgets that Apple make, but you have decided their prices are too much.

The great thing about freedom, is no one is making you buy ANY Apple products.

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I wonder how the employees who choose not to purchase an Apple Watch will be viewed by Management? Will they be seen as "Not Supporting the Cause?" How will they be encouraged, if not interested? Will those Part Time employees receive the same treatment regardless if they have a Watch on their wrist? Will the "Haves and Have Nots" receive the same hours each week? If you purchase a Watch, then you are really a Living Advertisement, no? The Manager is going to want you around more that that "Non Team Player, eh?"

Should be interesting. I'm looking forward to see how Apple Retail Manages the "Non Team Players."

It will be like Office Space.

"We need to have a chat about your flair..."

 

[PJL500]

Oops, is this the U2 "deal" all over again?

They may view this "discount" as a trojan horse in their wallets?

 

[bbeagle]

Wait, what? Websites, videos, employee training, display cases, etc should not be costs that are passed onto the customer and added to the cost of the device. That's messed up. That should be Apple's cost of doing business.

The only costs of a product that should be passed onto the customer are things that went into the development and manufacturing of the device itself. Hardware, software, R&D, and manufacturing. That's it.

So Apple can't charge for 'the cost of doing business'? What? All that overhead costs money - it can't just be ignored, or you won't make any money.

Oh, I guess your version of business costs is used by all the android manufacturers, that's why they don't make money

 

[AppleScruff1]

I wonder how the employees who choose not to purchase an Apple Watch will be viewed by Management? Will they be seen as "Not Supporting the Cause?" How will they be encouraged, if not interested? Will those Part Time employees receive the same treatment regardless if they have a Watch on their wrist? Will the "Haves and Have Nots" receive the same hours each week? If you purchase a Watch, then you are really a Living Advertisement, no? The Manager is going to want you around more that that "Non Team Player, eh?"

Should be interesting. I'm looking forward to see how Apple Retail Manages the "Non Team Players."

And this is why it's a good idea to give them a good price on the watch. Apple is all in on this launch, more so than any other, IMO. They are not sure how this is going to be received by Joe Consumer so they have gone all out to make it as desirable as possible. I think the consumer will like to see every Apple employee wearing a watch. It will be right in front of you whenever you engage an employee. Another brilliant stroke of marketing genius.

 

[WarDogg]

Thank you, Tim.

 

[diazj3]

Has the thought ever occurred to you that Apple employees choose to be there because they like Apple products?

Yes... it did occur to me, but after thinking about it, I came to the conclusion that only the dumb ones would take a job at apple solely because they like apple products.

If I worked for Porsche and they offered to sell me a new car for half price, I'm not going to whine that they have put me on the spot, or whine about the half I have to pay for. I'm going to be happy that I can save some money.

I'm sure Porsche does give a discount to its employees. So go ask to any Porsche dealership, why don't all employees have a Porsche... You'll be surprised.

You see... not everybody gets off by having toys - specially adults... be it a stupid watch you can take calls in, or an overpriced sports car. Most people can find better priorities when it comes to their money.

Companies always impose upon employees one way or another. It's part of the fun of having a job.

Seriously? If you put it like that, it sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Getting a 50% discount is a perfectly nice gesture that you are choosing to intemperate as a 'douche move.' You think instead they should just give away 27,000 of their products for free, to be 'nice?'

Not if - like so many people - you think it's a useless, overpriced toy. Specially if you own nice watches, or if you value your privacy, or if you ditched your watch once you got a smartphone...

I don't care what Apple does with them. I think this will be Apple's first post-Jobs product flop... so we'll see what they do with it in the long run.

Personally, I'd be happy if they'd focus more on better software, better computers, better iPhones and iPads for a while, instead of trying to sell us new useless toys.

But that's just me.

Which one are you getting? You seem so passionate about it, that I guess you will spare nothing to get one, right?

Cheers!

 

[RockSpider]

Ah, so you're finally admitting that the majority of your posts are anti-Apple. Thanks. That was easy.

I thought my posts were self explanatory, I don't think you need to analyse them, now yours, that's a whole different story.

 

[Glideslope]

And this is why it's a good idea to give them a good price on the watch. Apple is all in on this launch, more so than any other, IMO. They are not sure how this is going to be received by Joe Consumer so they have gone all out to make it as desirable as possible. I think the consumer will like to see every Apple employee wearing a watch. It will be right in front of you whenever you engage an employee. Another brilliant stroke of marketing genius.

Yes, yes, yes. But what about those who don't want one? Will they face passive intimidation to purchase?

 

[thekev]

Kind of a douche move from Apple here. Not the discount, but the announcement, sort of gives a pretty clear message to employees, doesn't it? How can an employee justify not having one, and still be a proud member of the team?

You may be reading too far into that. Employees can decide that they don't have the discretionary income or don't wish to allocate it that way. Their managers should have no right to discriminate based on that. I suppose it could happen, but the speculation is quite pointless.