Right there is the issue. And this is the problem with social media and the narcissistic generation that has grown up with it. Everyone believes their opinion is more valid than anyone else and feels the compulsion to shout the loudest and **** down any dissenting points with accusations in this case of "trolls", "whingers" etc. The discussion about grocery products or Coke is completely irrelevant here, a total non-sequitur. Why? Because the discussion is about Apple! If you want to discuss mark ups on other products, go right ahead. And plenty by the way have protested against supermarket and food company mark ups. Ask Farmers and the c**p they have to put up with with big supermarkets.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion. If somebody feels they're being ripped off by Apple then that's their prerogative. Accusations of whining, trolling etc are ridiculous, but of course people are in turn entitled to state those opinions also! But for the sake of reasoned debate you'd hope for a more, I suppose, mature discussion?
The bottom line really is, it's a great time to be a consumer in this field. The competition has caught up with Apple and really forcing Apple to be even better. The days with Mac OSX for example was light years ahead of XP and Vista are long gone and that's great for consumers because there's more choice. Apple and Samsung are pushing each other constantly by putting out great phones and we're the real winners here.
When did I ever say OP or the topic was whiney? Never.
The people who are "whiney and trolling" are the ones who come in and blindly call others fanboy or Apple apologists for stating facts contrary to the thread position; who ARE happy with their iPad and see the value.
As you stated, both sides are entitled to their opinion, thus people are free to see value in the item without being called fanboy or Apple apologist. I was responding to THAT trolling specifically that name calling to the "pro Apple side" that was incurring before I said a word here; not that discussing the actual topic was whiney or trolling.
Again, to the topic, Im still unsure how a company with under a 100% profit margin is ripping anyone off though, on a luxury item to begin with, when you pay way higher markup on your daily goods. Those companies are ripping you off a lot worse; just in smaller doses. It doesn't make it "ok" because it's in smaller doses of ripoff.
Johnny consumer only sees the $599+ price and says omg that's ridiculous, but forgets it doesn't cost Apple $100 to make them; then, yes, $599+ is a ripoff if the company is making 600% or more profit in artificial markup. But people quickly forget the units cost $300+ each in cost ($300 for the base model) to build.
But when presented with facts like that bottle of water is 4000% markup from cost (you know water you need to live, not just a luxury item) somehow dont go on a rant Aquafina/Dasani/etc is ripping them off.... It's the Apple syndrome.
And back to point 1 that it's a luxury item and no one HAS to buy one if they thinks its subjectively a ripoff. More than enough people think it's worth it as sales show, and to many its a work tool to make more money as well as casual usage.
OP's premise is flawed to begin with as well. First, you dont NEED all of the accessories to use the iPad; you could just buy an iPad. That's like saying you can't buy a car, and it's not usable, without the $800 GPS option. Its gravy on top if you can afford it. Second, and more importantly, his country's high sales tax (1/3rd it looks like) has nothing to do with Apple and is not Apple's decision or doing. Blaming the wrong person to begin with.
