Apple is ripping us off

[OW22]

There's valid arguments on all sides here. We all know the deal with Apple, there is a very large premium essentially for devices which contain ubiquitous components found in all computers today. Same branded HDs, same processors, mother boards, RAM etc etc. But we pay for the quality and the way Apple blends the hardware and software together. If Apple was just nice hardware with non-descript software, they'd just be another fish in a large pond and would probably end up as another Sony VAIO line.

Apple are indeed infuriating at times though. Their accessories are typically vastly overpriced and not very good and you can get superior products, cheaper from 3rd parties. The iPhone battery case as an example, a lot of the covers as well. The TB display is another. A ridiculously overpriced monitor with TB only inputs and not even as good as quite a few other monitors out there. And the other infuriating aspect is the way Apple closes off their ecosystem. The new iMacs can't accept any non TB equipped laptop to enable the iMac to be used as an external monitor the way you can with older iMacs. The way Apple are now soldering in the RAM to Mac Minis and other devices so you can't even upgrade them anymore. These are all negatives and highly disappointing.

But we keep buying because at the end of the day, the Mac and the Tablets/iPhones are all about the brilliance of their OS. OSX and iOS and their reliability and ease of use still are the difference between Apple and the vast array of Windows/Android products out there. That doesn't seem to be changing anytime soon either.

 

[javisan]

Hi guys

I considered getting the new Ipad Pro, but the more I look into it I can't get myself to buy it, because I realised that Apple is milking the cash cow even more than they used to.

For the following, please if you disagree, let me know and I will reconsider my point(s).

- Ipad Pro's price point does not justify the extra features it has.
- Ipad smart keyboard is $149
- Apple doesn't offer the leather ipad cover's anymore for Ipad Pro. Instead you have to buy a silicone cover which is $69 and the smart cover which is $49 = $118 for a case option
- Apple Pencil is another $99.

I was looking to get an Ipad with 128 gb (since there's no 64Gb) option. Even if I just went with the smart keyboard (no pencil and no case) it would be $1077.

In Denmark (where I live) it's $1391 because of taxes.

I just think it's unreasonable.

What do you guys think?

I Completely agree with everything you have said. Fanboys unconditionally justify everything Apple does.

To expand on what you said, the iPad smart case used to be $79, which is the case + cover. Now, selling these separately at $118 (for both), they have effectively increased the price by 49%. And by increasing the price of the 128gb iPad from $699 to $749 and eliminating the popular 64gb iPad option which they should have released at $599, they are forcing a high % of users to the 128gb option. In summary, they are milking the fanbase any way they can. You would expect these type of decisions when iPads where hot but after two years of declining sales, it just shows management is delusional, just completely drunk on their past success.

One thing is certain, iPad sales will continue to decline and iPad pro sales will not be nearly close to Apple's expectations. Expect the 9.7 iPad pros to be discounted by retailers as early as June/July and heavily discounted by Christmas.

My advice for you, if you currently have an iPad older than Air 1, would be to buy an Air 2 or even a used Air 2 in excellent condition.

 

[asleep]

I just think it's unreasonable.

What do you guys think?

If it's overpriced, wait a few months and buy a preowned one at a significant discount.

If you want to feel better about ponying up those retail dollars to Apple, buy some Apple stock first, then you'll be contributing to your own retirement fund.

 

[Rafterman]

Well that's a subjective experience for you on that sp4 keyboard. I've also tried it out and I find the APK to be superior. Sure it doesn't have backlighting but it doesn't even need it. The folding origami isn't annoying and best part is that this thing has no wires and will last a long time of abuse. The keys are actually better on this APK than the sp4. That's my subjective view on it, however.

I disagree, the SP4 keyboard is superior in almost every way. Backlighting, a fingerprint sensor, a trackpad, decent keys and its as flat as a regular Apple Smartcover - no bump for the keyboard part, like the Apple keyboard has.

 

[lambertjohn]

Hi guys

I considered getting the new Ipad Pro, but the more I look into it I can't get myself to buy it, because I realised that Apple is milking the cash cow even more than they used to.

For the following, please if you disagree, let me know and I will reconsider my point(s).

- Ipad Pro's price point does not justify the extra features it has.
- Ipad smart keyboard is $149
- Apple doesn't offer the leather ipad cover's anymore for Ipad Pro. Instead you have to buy a silicone cover which is $69 and the smart cover which is $49 = $118 for a case option
- Apple Pencil is another $99.

I was looking to get an Ipad with 128 gb (since there's no 64Gb) option. Even if I just went with the smart keyboard (no pencil and no case) it would be $1077.

In Denmark (where I live) it's $1391 because of taxes.

I just think it's unreasonable.

What do you guys think?

Apple is a for-profit business. Their mission is to keep the company growing and their shareholders happy. No profits, no business, no success. For every you, there's ten of us who will pay Apple's price to get the best product the market has to offer. That's why Apple is so successful. So let me say it again, they are a for-profit business. Done rant.

 

[Rogifan]

How can Apple be ripping anybody off when the purchase of every one of their products is optional?

 

[thewitt]

How can Apple be ripping anybody off when the purchase of every one of their products is optional?

Entitlement mentality.

I want, therefor I'm owed.

 

[FrozenDarkness]

The only thing i cant get over is apple putting in usb 2.0 in the 9.7 ipp. Come on apple. Cant be that much more expensive

 

[Aluminum213]

There is definitely serious price gouging with all the accessories, especially with the fact that the Pro is only pro with the accessories otherwise it's exactly like any old iPad

 

[stulaw11]

I still wonder how the complainers live daily with their fast food meals/soda marked up 10 times from cost, and groceries marked up 400% from cost, and clothes marked up many many time from cost.

Entitlement syndrome BIG TIME. Companies exist to make profit and are entitled to do so. Think it's overpriced, then return it and dont buy it. But to think you are not being "ripped off" even worse on markup by your daily goods is foolish.

In reality, Apple's markup from about $300 (just parts and assembly, not including marketing, salaries and R&D) to build a$599 32gb device is LESS than most of the items you touch on a daily basis.

 

[Fuzzball84]

I found the pricing great so I purchased 2 iPad Pros with Apple case and Smart Cover. Not all of us are poor so why not leave this forum and go and buy something cheap.

Why do some keep going on about Apples pricing as it's never been so cheap.

Second to that, I bought 5 of them! If people cant afford them I think they should not even bother complaining here and go get an android tablet.

I bought one for my mum and dad, one for my sister, one for my brother and finally one for the Goldfish. I'm thinking of buying a few more of them and welding them together to create a giant iPad pro!

Its gonna be awesome! Take my money apple, just empty my frigging bank accounts.

;-)

I'm still on the fence on whether to upgrade my air 2 :/
[doublepost=1459617519][/doublepost]

There is definitely serious price gouging with all the accessories, especially with the fact that the Pro is only pro with the accessories otherwise it's exactly like any old iPad

Every company does this. Apples overiding aim is to make money and push the limits of how much customers are willing to pay. When a company has a following like Apple does, it makes it way easier.

 

[Aluminum213]

Second to that, I bought 5 of them! If people cant afford them I think they should not even bother complaining here and go get an android tablet.

I bought one for my mum and dad, one for my sister, one for my brother and finally one for the Goldfish. I'm thinking of buying a few more of them and welding them together to create a giant iPad pro!

Its gonna be awesome! Take my money apple, just empty my frigging bank accounts.

;-)

I'm still on the fence on whether to upgrade my air 2 :/
[doublepost=1459617519][/doublepost]

Every company does this. Apples overiding aim is to make money and push the limits of how much customers are willing to pay. When a company has a following like Apple does, it makes it way easier.

I don't care if "every" company does this

 

[Fuzzball84]

I don't care if "every" company does this

Its just that Apple takes it to the extreme because of their fan base. The fan base will pay and good for them I say.

For the record I agree that the additional accessories are priced at the very high end.

 

[Aluminum213]

Its just that Apple takes it to the extreme because of their fan base.

Right, with their market share, they can do whatever they want at this point

 

[Fuzzball84]

Right, with their market share, they can do whatever they want at this point

Pretty much...

 

[stulaw11]

I don't care if "every" company does this

Again, stop by your local fast food chain and get a large coke. It's what $1.50? What do you think that Coke cost them? Average $.05-.15?

So they're marking it up over 10 times or more from cost, and Apple not even charging double their actual cost. Who is ripping who off?

All about perspective. Every one of your daily goods is marked up many more times than Apple products in reality.

 

[MRU]

In Denmark (where I live) it's $1391 because of taxes.

I just think it's unreasonable.

What do you guys think?

"because of taxes"

So Apple are being unreasonable & ripping you off because abiding by your countries tax regime ..

Yep, that's apple's fault ......

 

[MacDawg]

I've never been ripped off by Apple
I knew full well what I was buying and paying for when I bought it
And they have always given me exactly what I bought
If I had bought a 128 GB iPad and got a 64 GB then I would be ripped off

If you buy something you don't think is worth the money, that's on you, not Apple

 

[Aluminum213]

Again, stop by your local fast food chain and get a large coke. It's what $1.50? What do you think that Coke cost them? Average $.05-.15?

So they're marking it up over 10 times or more from cost, and Apple not even charging double their actual cost. Who is ripping who off?

All about perspective. Every one of your daily goods is marked up many more times than Apple products in reality.

And you're not even an apple shareholder LOL

 

[Fuzzball84]

I've never been ripped off by Apple
I knew full well what I was buying and paying for when I bought it
And they have always given me exactly what I bought
If I had bought a 128 GB iPad and got a 64 GB then I would be ripped off

If you buy something you don't think is worth the money, that's on you, not Apple

Did you get the iPad pro 9.7?

 

[EatingApples]

"because of taxes"

So Apple are being unreasonable & ripping you off because abiding by your countries tax regime ..

Yep, that's apple's fault ......

No, I didn't say it's Apple's fault regarding the taxes.
I am saying that all things considered...the total price that I have to pay...is unreasonable (imo).
Even w/o the taxes its an expensive device. With every iPad they've added new features, but it has not resulted in a $100 price increase (correct me if I am wrong).

 

[HiItsMe]

Apple should have never given you guys a price decrease on the Air 2. Then there would be no complaining now since the price has actually gone down since the Air 1,

 

[stulaw11]

And you're not even an apple shareholder LOL

You can always find the trolls who somehow look right around the facts staring them in the face and make some personal attack up out of thin air.

 

[TrueBlou]

How can Apple be ripping anybody off when the purchase of every one of their products is optional?

Absolutely bang on, that's my standpoint as well. It's not as if Apple is holding a gun to anyone's head and shouting, buy our products and only ever our products. If you don't like the product or price, find an alternative that'll keep you happy. It's worth it, happy is awesome.
[doublepost=1459621338][/doublepost]

I disagree, the SP4 keyboard is superior in almost every way. Backlighting, a fingerprint sensor, a trackpad, decent keys and its as flat as a regular Apple Smartcover - no bump for the keyboard part, like the Apple keyboard has.

That's what he meant by subjective. To him, he prefers the Apple product. To you, it's the Microsoft one. Personal preference is key to purchasing the product you want and not the one someone else thinks you should have.

 

[rui no onna]

And you're not even an apple shareholder LOL

I'm curious, how can you tell he's not? After the 7-for-1 split, a single Apple stock costs less than an iPod Touch. I think low was around $92 in August/September. Also, AAPL makes up what, 3-4% of the S&P 500? A lot of large cap funds also hold AAPL. Heck, our pension fund's single largest holding is AAPL.

Yeah, I'm hoping Apple continues to do well.