Apple Launches In-Store iPhone Upgrade Event to Boost Sales

[paradox00]

You're the perfect consumer for Apple... blindly following. Of course there's excess inventory, why would Apple try to move more iPhone 5s's. You do not understand economics.

Actually he's intelligent. Why would Apple have excess inventory following the quarter where they sold the most iPhones in any non-holiday quarter ever? If you've followed Apple at all, you'd know that Tim Cooks greatest accomplishment as COO was streamlining Apple's supply chain significantly, which helped lead Apple towards the record profits it generated. Most Apple products you buy have been produced in a factory that same month. They don't keep warehouses full of unsold products like some other companies, and even if they did, the warehouses would be empty after a record quarter.

No, Apple does not have an excess supplies of iPhones. What they have right now is excess production capability. They are currently in a period where peak demand for the current iPhone is dying down, but the factories are not yet producing new iPhones for the next iPhone launch. Any additional iPhones they sell now can also be produced at the lowest cost possible, because demand on the factories is low right now. Thus the promotion.

 

[MacSince1990]

Huh. They really are doing everything they can to boost their stock. Interesting.

 

[a0me]

Better deal is to trade in your old iPhone for a newer Android device. You would be making $100 this weekend because the S5 and HTC One is on sale for $100 all over the place.

But then you'd be stuck with an oversized, geo-locked, lazily designed device with a hair-pulling-frustrating UI.

 

[Apple blogger]

Okay... What's apple offering for the iphone 5??

 

[divergirl]

So is this promotion only valid towards buying a 5s or 5c, or do you get store credit you can use on ANYTHING in the store? I've been contemplating selling my 4S and getting an iPad Mini Retina to use as my smart phone (paired with a flip phone for phone calls), since my eyes are so bad. If I could get $200 for my 4S to use towards the purchase of an iPad Mini Retina that would be great!

 

[MaSx]

Apple = Dirtbag!

Why would any sane person think it's a good deal?

I only see blind fanboys/others all alike to think this as a good deal. eBay or in person would get you twice as much.

 

[newyorksole]

Apple = Dirtbag!

Why would any sane person think it's a good deal?

I only see blind fanboys/others all alike to think this as a good deal. eBay or in person would get you twice as much.

Because the consumer that Apple targets does not sell things on eBay. The same consumer that "feels more comfortable" with trading in their device at the source store (Apple) instead of putting up a listing online.

Even if you tell an average consumer that a new iPhone is coming out, a LOT of them will say that they don't care and they just want a new phone ASAP.

The average consumer doesn't read MacRumors or even know what a forum is. That is who Apple is targeting.

Apple is NOT holding a gun to anyone's head. They are not saying "you can only trade it in at our stores". They are simply inviting their customers to upgrade and it's THEIR choice if they want to or not.

It's not difficult to understand.

 

[MyopicPaideia]

You're the perfect consumer for Apple... blindly following. Of course there's excess inventory, why would Apple try to move more iPhone 5s's. You do not understand economics.

Why doesn't our in-house economics guru explain it for us then so we can be enlightened instead of making a blank statement of derisory dismissal.

Would be interesting to have your take on how economics works in this context.

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Apple = Dirtbag!

Why would any sane person think it's a good deal?

I only see blind fanboys/others all alike to think this as a good deal. eBay or in person would get you twice as much.

Well, actually it would only be the non-tech interested, non-fanboy consumer base who would consider this deal...or just the vast majority of their multimillion customer base...

You and I know better, but most people have no idea and/or no interest in release cycles or upcoming product rumours, or forced upgrades, planned obsolescence, etc.

This stuff isn't mainstream news, something we all forget who come to these sites on a daily basis.

 

[derbladerunner]

Thanks, but I'll wait for the 6 (obviously I'm not alone)

It will be interesting to see if the average consumer (not people reading these forums) falls for this.

I assume most people, even the casual smartphone buyers, learned by now that new Apple phones are usually coming in late summer/early autumn.

This promotion is clearly designed for people who really don't know or don't care about getting a new phone for (usually) the same price in September-November.

Will many people fall for this promo?

I'm doubtful, the savings aren't that great. Walmart and others have discounts on the 5c all year long for budget shoppers.

 

[Jambalaya]

This has to be a bad joke, why would anyon upgrade now. I have a 4S which seems to be on its last legs but I'll be waiting for the 6. A deal to get me to switch now would have to be astounding, the sort of deal which meant I could switch too 5s and then a 6 for zero cost

 

[Jambalaya]

What does Apple do with an old iPhone 4?

Sell it an emerging market, eg India or Africa

 

[sherwin0109]

iPhone 4s owners can get up to $199, making an upgrade to a subsidized iPhone 5s essentially free

well, you'd still have to pay tax on the new phone, so it's not free, essentially.

 

[Actarus]

Trying to sell out the 5c and 5s stocks before the new 6 comes?

 

[krravi]

Trying to sell out the 5c and 5s stocks before the new 6 comes?

In Apple talk thats called "Boosting sales".

 

[crashwarez]

Not worth it

Not worth it, at least in brazil.

Here, we sell a used 4s 16gb for us$360.00.

 

[saba187]

why has no one posted this image of eminem and dr dre and apple officehttp://www.hotnewhiphop.com/apple-may-be-looking-to-acquire-dr-dre-s-beats-electronics-for-s32-billion-update-dr-dre-confirms-news.10475.html

 

[Tech198]

Pure marketing, that's all it is.

The only difference is Apple will start breaking features as well (as they did with Face-Time) just to get users running iOS 7.1.

Weather deliberate, or not, it's still not right.

People bought iPhone 4s for a reason.. WHy should they encouraged to upgrade ? I bet they will be pressure people when they walk in store with older iPhones, and non-stop email until the customer does eventually upgrade.

I could be wrong, but Apple are all about moving forward and making their customers move forward with them.

While i may have a 5s now myself, that's only because i got it for free.. If i had to pay for it, after two busted replacements, i would have easily gone to Android by now.

Having said that, I do still have my Macbook Pro 2012..... it's getting old, but i'm not even thing about replacing this any time too.

However, that time will come, but if you like something, why should a company ask you to upgrade with every single chat It's worse than spam.

 

[rorschach]

So is this promotion only valid towards buying a 5s or 5c, or do you get store credit you can use on ANYTHING in the store? I've been contemplating selling my 4S and getting an iPad Mini Retina to use as my smart phone (paired with a flip phone for phone calls), since my eyes are so bad. If I could get $200 for my 4S to use towards the purchase of an iPad Mini Retina that would be great!

You can use it towards an iPhone or iPad.

 

[Four oF NINE]

If Apple hasn't come to their senses in time for the iPhone 6S, I'll wait for the iPhone 7 or iPhone 7S for a proper 4 inch iPhone.

Big screens are going to be a huge flop!

 

[divergirl]

You can use it towards an iPhone or iPad.

Well I just found out this is not actually the case. Just went to my local Apple Store and was told that you can only trade in an iPhone for an iPhone or an iPad for an iPad, but not an iPhone for an iPad. Man, I had gotten my hopes up and everything!

 

[cashxx]

Better deal is to trade in your old iPhone for a newer Android device. You would be making $100 this weekend because the S5 and HTC One is on sale for $100 all over the place.

I'd rather have a working and true fingerprint scanner, better os, updates when they get released, non bloated software installs and options, malware free phone so the only option is an iPhone.....the iPhone 5S is also on sale for $100.

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This has to be a bad joke, why would anyon upgrade now. I have a 4S which seems to be on its last legs but I'll be waiting for the 6. A deal to get me to switch now would have to be astounding, the sort of deal which meant I could switch too 5s and then a 6 for zero cost

If you have a 3 year old phone and being able to swap it for free to the latest current phone I don't think is a bad deal. When the iPhone 6 comes out it will be $200 or $300. So why not upgrade to the latest current phone? Unless you absolutely need a larger screen then I would wait, but if its a close to free swap what the heck.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Verizon has the 5S for 99.99 and it's still 199 at the Apple store.

 

[genovelle]

You're the perfect consumer for Apple... blindly following. Of course there's excess inventory, why would Apple try to move more iPhone 5s's. You do not understand economics.

You clearly don't understand economics yourself or have never owned a business. The point is to always increase sales. It was reported months ago that Tim Cook would like to sell 50% of iPhones in their own stores. Best Buy is a Pawn for Samsung with more of their branding visible than best buy once you get inside. Even on their flyers. That is not the experience Apple wants their customers to have. In the Apple Stores they don't have to share the profit, and they can sell accessories, warranty upgrades, and Macs. This deal also get to sell the refurbished models for additional profit. At Best Buy Apple products are hidden in the far corner where only those who go looking could find them.

 

[iSRS]

Pure marketing, that's all it is.

The only difference is Apple will start breaking features as well (as they did with Face-Time) just to get users running iOS 7.1.

Weather deliberate, or not, it's still not right.

People bought iPhone 4s for a reason.. WHy should they encouraged to upgrade ?

Pure marketing? Yup. What is wrong with that?

As far as deliberately bricking features to force upgrade, I suppose you also support the fact that 9/11 was an inside job? There is no reason for Apple to do this. However, they can't move forward and cling to the past at the same time. Technology progresses. Get used to it.

Yes, people bought the iPhone 4s for a reason. It was the best available iPhone at the time. Since this isn't being sent to people who bought the 4s last month as the free phone, but who have had the phone for 2+ years, their reason for buying the 4s (the best available iPhone at the time of purchase) is no longer the case, Apple is fairly offering them an option. Not forcing, or prying it out of their hands. They are offering a service.

Not sure why people have such a beef with this. It defies all logic.

 

[lolkthxbai]

The offered payouts aren't exactly overwhelming. Well at least prices are quoted, though after you ship the phone to one of these unknown parties you presumably have to wait to get paid. Seems like more trouble than it's worth.

Edit: sorry, I though you were the one who recommended recomhub. Apple says my phone is worth $65. The question is whether they are offering more in-store.

Try calling the store and asking them to check the value of the phone. They may tell you it's all under the assumption that it's in good conditions since they can't visually inspect it. They put a flashlight to my phones headphone jack, SIM card slot and lightning connector to check for water damage.