Well of course its not the total cost. Doesn't include R&D or actual production costs (labor). Even so - let's say it costs $300 total (I highly doubt it's that much) for the 16GB iPhone 5. Apple gets $600-$700 per sale. That's still over a 100% markup.
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Apple Launches Third-Party USB Charger 'Takeback Program'
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Well of course its not the total cost. Doesn't include R&D or actual production costs (labor). Even so - let's say it costs $300 total (I highly doubt it's that much) for the 16GB iPhone 5. Apple gets $600-$700 per sale. That's still over a 100% markup.
I dun know. But they have bins full of chargers and cords that people leave behind and NEVER (literally) return for.
Wow. Very true. It is odd - on the official page it doesn't mention trading in anywhere - just "taking back'.
Does make you kinda wonder if Apple China was selling these things in their official stores, but they don't wanna come out and say it?
This is an exaggerated version of why I stick to chargers from companies I have heard of. Apple will obviously recommend its own stuff, but if you buy a charging accessory made by Belkin you're probably OK. The problem is when it's one of those "brands" that might as well be Jim Bob's 'Lectrical Shtuff. We're still talking electricity, so maybe you should try to save $5 on not buying alcohol that one time when out to eat.
It says authorized retail partner. Is there a list of said retail partners? (Such as a bestbuy or such) the reason I ask is cause I live more than an hr away, so it would cost me a good bit on gas just to go there. So it is not cost productive to go there just to swap a charger. But if there was a retailer by me that would honor this, I would do it.
Have you tried buying a transformer? I just bought a 110V -> 5V transformer for my car starter battery.
It was about $20 to $25.
What makes a USB charger so much cheaper, in your mind? Especially a well made one that is small, efficient, and takes 110-240 VAC and turns it into 5V?
you get what you paid for with knockoffs
http://www.righto.com/2012/10/a-dozen-usb-chargers-in-lab-apple-is.html
http://www.righto.com/2012/10/a-dozen-usb-chargers-in-lab-apple-is.html
Spot on! You know, because if Apple was only charging $10 for a charger that would definitely stop people from buying the $2 versions on Amazon and eBay
Lol I had to comment because of all of the people saying "Well if they didn't charge $20 it wouldn't be a problem".
First off - if Apple sold it for $10, counterfeiters would sell them for $5. If Apple sold them for $5 - they'd sell them for $4. When I visited china I was utterly shocked (and quite appalled) at how bad counterfeiting is out there (and why the Chinese government isn't doing anything about it).
Secondly - there is a reason the charger is $20. Raw materials may not cost that much - but the cost of design, development, safety testing according to EU/US standards, and other countries such as the UK which have their own standards, costs a metric ****ton of $$$. Why do you think the counterfeiters can sell theirs for $5?
When you have 240v at the other end of a device - don't skimp out and try to save $10 - is your life worth $10?!
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Haha the majority of news outlets only report on Apple when it's bad. Way of the world unfortunately. Everyone want's to see the successful ones fail.
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Haha the majority of news outlets only report on Apple when it's bad. Way of the world unfortunately. Everyone want's to see the successful ones fail.
First off - if Apple sold it for $10, counterfeiters would sell them for $5. If Apple sold them for $5 - they'd sell them for $4. When I visited china I was utterly shocked (and quite appalled) at how bad counterfeiting is out there (and why the Chinese government isn't doing anything about it).
Secondly - there is a reason the charger is $20. Raw materials may not cost that much - but the cost of design, development, safety testing according to EU/US standards, and other countries such as the UK which have their own standards, costs a metric ****ton of $$$. Why do you think the counterfeiters can sell theirs for $5?
When you have 240v at the other end of a device - don't skimp out and try to save $10 - is your life worth $10?!
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Local news were quick to report on the charger hazard while trying to avoid mentioning the fact that this was a problem with 3rd party products. I am sure this news won't make their front page...
Haha the majority of news outlets only report on Apple when it's bad. Way of the world unfortunately. Everyone want's to see the successful ones fail.
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Local news were quick to report on the charger hazard while trying to avoid mentioning the fact that this was a problem with 3rd party products. I am sure this news won't make their front page...
Haha the majority of news outlets only report on Apple when it's bad. Way of the world unfortunately. Everyone want's to see the successful ones fail.
Some people will complain about everything. So all you cynics would prefer Apple didn't launch such a program?
Why replace those?
According to this guy, the genuine HP Touchpad chargers were considered the best designed charger:
http://www.righto.com/2012/10/a-dozen-usb-chargers-in-lab-apple-is.html
2 to 3 months of use? What do you do with your cords? Swing from the trees with them? I have cords that are easily a year or two old and not nearly that bad. Sure, they are showing signs of use, but no fraying.
Really pleased when I hear such news about Apple.
They have proven to be the most reliable and consumer concerned organisation ever. Haven't seen any other company close to Apples that is so organised and does such acts that just make you believe they care, best customer service eva. No hospitals no schools no universities no governments nothing matches them.
They have proven to be the most reliable and consumer concerned organisation ever. Haven't seen any other company close to Apples that is so organised and does such acts that just make you believe they care, best customer service eva. No hospitals no schools no universities no governments nothing matches them.
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It all depends how you use them.
I've been using Apple chargers since the 3rd gen iPod and have never had a frayed cable.
Likewise - I've had a range of Apple kit from 2003. Not once in the last 10 years can I recall any frayed cables. And all my old stuff still works just fine as well. Can't say that about other makes!
What about: Apple cares about the safety of its customers.
Maybe: Apple spends a little bit of money to create the appearance that they care for their customers, if you insist on putting on a negative spin.
What you say is rubbish. BTW. A big part of making a USB charger safe is not in the production cost, but in a safe design. Figuring out how to put things into a small space in a safe way, that's what you need proper engineers for.
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Good idea. Bring in a Samsung Galaxy and hand over x dollars (the same amount that you pay for out-of-warranty replacement of an iPhone), receive an iPhone. And they should have a "Galaxy killer" (a device that will crush the phone) on the Genius Bar which will be used right before your eyes.
Ummm huh?
This is a good move by Apple. I did originally think it was for knock off cables though. Comments clarified.
I don't want a Rolex (I always buy watches with metal straps, and on a £3,000 Rolex watch that metal strap was just badly designed and the fit with the body of the watch just looked ugly), and the problem with a Mercedes is not the purchase price, it is the price for service and repairs that kills you.
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99.9999% of these cheap chargers don't kill their owner.
Is that safe enough for you?
Really? That's screwed up. I forgot my charger while on a vacation and was utterly grateful that the hotel had one. I returned it when I checked out. You're the dude who would just steal it. That's cute. How cheap can you be?
Don't delude yourself... it's a company that doesn't want any more (undeserved) negative publicity + this move IS cheap positive PR.
I'm not saying there aren't caring people at Apple, but this was not an altruistic move in the least. If it was then Apple would just reduce the price of extra adapters to $10 permanently. But this is a limited time offer -- limited to the span of people's memories and lifespan of the story.
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They do. It's called a one year warranty. Take it in to an Apple Store & they'll give you a new one. No questions asked. I've had to exchange a couple of times.
Awesome strategy too... while you're at the Apple Store doing the exchange why not take a few minutes to check the new MBA
This is true. Go to the comments section Engadget's story on the and people are claiming Apple is charging you $10 to take back a faulty charger they should have replaced in the first place. Of course most of those are trolls who know better but some probably are confused thinking these were faulty Apple chargers, not third party knockoffs.