first time I couldnt take the cost

[stevemiller]

Don't feel bad returning at all. It was a very hard sell for me too given a combination of factors. im keeping mine because I do ultimately want the pencil, and perhaps a good deal will push it into justifiable territory for you later. Point is, everyone is gong to have a different threshold of price/benefits that make something "worth it", only you can make that call for yourself.

 

[sparksd]

I wouldn't think twice about it. They have a return policy for a reason and are making a hefty profit margin on every iPad sold. Serial returners are not the same thing as changing your mind on something.

In Q4 2015, Apple had $8.5B net profit on $42.1B revenue; 2015 revenue was $234B, a 28% growth. In 2011, they eliminated their restocking fee as a smart business decision showing customer-facing support. Other companies do the same - REI & Nordstrom are two examples - and have good customer loyalty as a result. In a case like this, they are not a neighborhood shop being taken advantage of and the OP has absolutely no reason to feel bad about returning a product they don't want - whatever the reason.

 

[friedmud]

I'm not really sure why this keeps coming up with the new iPad Pros.

When I bought my first-gen iPad... I got it maxed out at 64GB with cellular. The damn thing cost me nearly $1000 at that point.

Here we are many years later... and... yep... buying a maxed out iPad still costs about $1000. The difference is that you get a 12.9" screen with the best digital writing experience that's been invented yet, a blazing fast processor and LTE.

Why do people keep maxing out these machines and then lamenting about the price?

I mean... a 13" rMBP can be maxed out so that it costs $2700. That's nearly 3x the cost of a maxed out iPP. Does that mean the iPP is a "good deal" or does it mean Apple is "ripping us off" (as in the title of many threads around here lately) with the rMBP?

Or, gasp!, could it be that when you choose a bunch of upgrades on anything (cars, airline tickets, iPads) IT GETS MORE EXPENSIVE! OMG!
[doublepost=1460687130][/doublepost]

Or, gasp!, could it be that when you choose a bunch of upgrades on anything (cars, airline tickets, iPads) IT GETS MORE EXPENSIVE! OMG!

Just to continue on that thought... take a Ford Fiesta... one of the cheapest (decent) car on the market. Cheapest one is $14,000 (or should we say 14 iPP . However, right on Ford's site I can select stuff to get it to $24,000! Does that mean we should go post in Ford forums all over the place about how $24,000 is just too expensive for what you get in a Fiesta? Should we blame Ford for "ripping us off"?

Or, should we take a look at our needs (car or tablet needs) and choose a model that matches up with our needs and our value of the features?

 

[rowspaxe]

You are clearly free to feel however you like about the price of any given object - but I do find it somewhat amusing that $1000 for a computing device as thin and light as the iPad - with 10+ hours of battery life - an amazing digitizer - a screen better than you could get at any price just a few years ago - is considered excessive.

Totally agree. I am so tired of people complaining about apple--specifically ipad pro-- prices. They are providing a best in class product.
[doublepost=1460690859][/doublepost]

In Q4 2015, Apple had $8.5B net profit on $42.1B revenue; 2015 revenue was $234B, a 28% growth. In 2011, they eliminated their restocking fee as a smart business decision showing customer-facing support. Other companies do the same - REI & Nordstrom are two examples - and have good customer loyalty as a result. In a case like this, they are not a neighborhood shop being taken advantage of and the OP has absolutely no reason to feel bad about returning a product they don't want - whatever the reason.

So apple makes alot of money is an arguement to abuse the liberal return policy by purchasing products and returning them due to "regret". Its still a waste, whether apple can afford it or not.
[doublepost=1460690986][/doublepost]

Point is, everyone is gong to have a different threshold of price/benefits that make something "worth it", only you can make that call for yourself.

How about you "make the call" before you make the purchase?

 

[sparksd]

Totally agree. I am so tired of people complaining about apple--specifically ipad pro-- prices. They are providing a best in class product.
[doublepost=1460690859][/doublepost]

So apple makes alot of money is an arguement to abuse the liberal return policy by purchasing products and returning them due to "regret". Its still a waste, whether apple can afford it or not.
[doublepost=1460690986][/doublepost]

How about you "make the call" before you make the purchase?

I completely disagree that this is abuse of the return policy.

 

[Southern Dad]

I always buy the top iPad, so this iPad Pro wasn't that much more expensive than the 4th generation 128 GB AT&T that it replaced.

 

[stevemiller]

I would want the keyboard, pencil, AppleCare and 128gb cellular. Without any sales that's $1575 or so with tax. I just can't do it. All I use my iPad for is to browse this site and similar ones. I barely do anyone work on it. As a DBA its just too hard without any native SQL tools or a filesystem. Also, no mouse really hurts it for me.

So alas, I'll stick with my 64gb cell iPad Air 2. But I'm sure both iPad Pro's are awesome!

Air 2 is also awesome, so you're still golden !

Totally agree. I am so tired of people complaining about apple--specifically ipad pro-- prices. They are providing a best in class product.
[doublepost=1460690859][/doublepost]

So apple makes alot of money is an arguement to abuse the liberal return policy by purchasing products and returning them due to "regret". Its still a waste, whether apple can afford it or not.
[doublepost=1460690986][/doublepost]

How about you "make the call" before you make the purchase?

thats a pretty consumer hostile stance. I guess we have our own opinions, but I think there's far more gained by letting people make a purchase they're on the fence about and winning them over (and occasionally not), than angrily shutting them out from even trying because of perceived waste. In fact I'm pretty positive that it will hold up statistically advantageous to most sellers, or "act now money back guarantee" infomercials wouldn't even exist.

Anyway, again, Internet debates. You dont have to agree with me (or the vast majority of retailers) but I can assure you that your internet stranger ire will not dissuade me one bit from returning a product within its return / exchange conditions if I change my mind.

 

[pika2000]

I think if price is becoming the primary (only) factor in purchasing a product, that means you don't really need it. You just kinda want it.
For people that bought a product because they are utilizing it, price will not be the numero uno decision factor. Heck, how many of us have laptops that cost more than $1k? We don't really bat an eye because we all know we are utilizing it. But for a person that don't really need a laptop and just kinda want one, a $1k price becomes "really expensive."

Similarly with the iPhone. Many people complain how expensive an iPhone was, and probably because many people only kinda want an iPhone to replace their old dumbphone, which was less expensive. But for those that see the iPhone as one device that replaces their phone+MP3 player+PDA+camera+camcorder+portable gaming console, the iPhone suddenly becomes quite good value and not as expensive.

 

[rui no onna]

I always buy the top iPad, so this iPad Pro wasn't that much more expensive than the 4th generation 128 GB AT&T that it replaced.

+1. I actually paid a wee bit more for the iPad 4 128GB LTE than the iPad Pro 9.7 256GB LTE due to taxes and fees. Back then, the distribution channel was more limited. This time, I was able to buy my iPad Pro online, out of state (income-based use tax is cheaper than sales tax).

 

[bensisko]

A grand for a product that'll be obsoleted in a year. That's what. It's a ridiculous price for a tablet no matter what excuse you come up with. It's not a question of spending the grand and forgetting. The morality of it is that a grand is too much for it no matter how much you earn. Apple is making fools of the punters who cough up their hard earned dosh for a tablet.

Morality????
You have your opinion - my opinion is that it's worth every penny I paid for it.

 

[sparksd]

I think if price is becoming the primary (only) factor in purchasing a product, that means you don't really need it. You just kinda want it.
For people that bought a product because they are utilizing it, price will not be the numero uno decision factor. Heck, how many of us have laptops that cost more than $1k? We don't really bat an eye because we all know we are utilizing it. But for a person that don't really need a laptop and just kinda want one, a $1k price becomes "really expensive."

Similarly with the iPhone. Many people complain how expensive an iPhone was, and probably because many people only kinda want an iPhone to replace their old dumbphone, which was less expensive. But for those that see the iPhone as one device that replaces their phone+MP3 player+PDA+camera+camcorder+portable gaming console, the iPhone suddenly becomes quite good value and not as expensive.

Right - value is both objective & subjective. Objectively, value can be measured by looking at components, quality of manufacturing, functionality, etc. Subjectively, all of that goodness may not be worth the price - however justified by objective measures - to a given buyer for a variety of reasons. For another buyer, the return on investment - usefulness - may make the same product seem like a bargain.

 

[maxsix]

This behavior is infantile

Who put you in charge...

 

[stevemiller]

+1. I actually paid a wee bit more for the iPad 4 128GB LTE than the iPad Pro 9.7 256GB LTE due to taxes and fees. Back then, the distribution channel was more limited. This time, I was able to buy my iPad Pro online, out of state (income-based use tax is cheaper than sales tax).

Lucky! I think the weak Canadian dollar might actually have been the biggest source of consternation for me. I was stoked for the 9.7 pro from the moment I heard that was the rumour (vs the air 3), and I was even totally expecting a price bump. The one kink I overlooked was the Canadian pricing adjustment that came in tandem with it. A $599 US iPad was $659 Canadian up to the march announcement, afterwards $599 US translated to $799 CAD. wop wop.

 

[maxsix]

I'm not really sure why this keeps coming up with the new iPad Pros.

-------
Or, should we take a look at our needs (car or tablet needs) and choose a model that matches up with our needs and our value of the features?

The price topic repeatedly surfaces largely because Apple demands gross profits that often are more than twice the industry standard.

Decisions involve many variables. Amongst them are whether or not a product meets ones needs. As you've revealed, this aspect has eluded you.

 

[username:]

I wouldn't advertise your lack of basic budgeting and comparison skills. Don't tell your boss, he will think you are an idiot.

 

[Kal-037]

This is something I just don't understand. What makes you return the product based on the price you already paid?

For me, once I hand over the money, the only thing that would make me return it is if I decide I want more memory or I really do want the cellular option (or if something is wrong with it). Once the money is spent, I don't think about it any more.

I apologize up front if my tone is anything but curiosity - Just wondering why anyone would continue to think about price after they paid for it.

I think that you get an idea in your head that the device will be awesome and the money issue will not be an issue. All the while you are also caught up in the thought of: "a new Apple toy to tinker with...YES!!!" I know that's what happens on a few rare occasions, (it's been many years since that has happened,) so now when buying expensive stuff I will have already saved the money and looked at all reviews, pictures, and people's personal opinions (researching the crap out of the device) to make sure it's what I really want. that way I don't have any kind of buyers remorse. But there are those off-times that I just didn't like the device after using it or it turned out to just be "meh" and so THEN I return it.

Not saying the OP is feeling what I described, because many times one may think they want something and are prepared for the cost... Only to find that at the end of the day, they are underwhelmed and the product actually isn't worth the money.

 

[TrueBlou]

You are clearly free to feel however you like about the price of any given object - but I do find it somewhat amusing that $1000 for a computing device as thin and light as the iPad - with 10+ hours of battery life - an amazing digitizer - a screen better than you could get at any price just a few years ago - is considered excessive.

I guess I just remember the days when portable computers meant something like this for $3000 or more - similar to $6000 or so today. We are spoiled today more than we realize.

Amen to that. I remember buying one of the first HP convertibles back in the day (long before iPads existed) of Windows Vista because I really liked the idea of a tablet.

It cost a helluva lot more than an iPad does and it sucked, like, really really sucked as a tablet (it wasn't a great laptop either all said.)

I think we (or some of us) forget too quickly and too easily how fortunate we are with current technology. I don't have an issue with the new prices. I think we've been lucky they've never put the price up before now and that's the problem, people have come to expect that's what an iPad should cost because it always has. Odd and ever so slightly arrogant when you think about it. I base my opinion of a products price based on the product in question, not the ones that existed before it. But, hey, we're all different I suppose.

As for the price, well, best get used to it. Now that it's gone up, expect that to be the new pricing structure. So if you ever want a new, current generation iPad, be prepared to pay a little more than you've been used to.

 

[8692574]

A grand for a product that'll be obsoleted in a year. That's what. It's a ridiculous price for a tablet no matter what excuse you come up with. It's not a question of spending the grand and forgetting. The morality of it is that a grand is too much for it no matter how much you earn. Apple is making fools of the punters who cough up their hard earned dosh for a tablet.

The point here is that one should evaluate BEFORE purchasing if something is worth the amount requsted.

Weather it is or it is not is a matter of personal need / possibility.

Is it "immoral" to ask for a higher price? I guess not, I can't blame Apple for trying, but it is up to me to "vote" with my wallet.

I see people still using and loving iPad 2, so I don't understand how in 1 year the pro will become obsolete :S

 

[Night Spring]

I would want the keyboard, pencil, AppleCare and 128gb cellular. Without any sales that's $1575 or so with tax. I just can't do it. All I use my iPad for is to browse this site and similar ones. I barely do anyone work on it.

If all you do with your iPad is browse websites, why would you want keyboard, pencil, and 128gb?

 

[sjleworthy]

i think Apple's involvement in the OP's worries is irrelevant. Sounds like an MS or Samsung device at the same costs would have given him the same grief.

this is a psychological matter me thinks, with no place in an ipad forum

 

[melman101]

If all you do with your iPad is browse websites, why would you want keyboard, pencil, and 128gb?

Why not? LOL. If your gonna go, go big LOL

 

[Night Spring]

Why not? LOL. If your gonna go, go big LOL

Well, OK. But then, don't complain about the price!

 

[melman101]

Well, OK. But then, don't complain about the price!

I'm sorry if you viewed that as a complaint. It really wasn't. More as a point of fact. If I actually needed it, I would buy it. But like I said, I don't really use my iPad except to browse the Internet.

 

[dogslobber]

Morality????
You have your opinion - my opinion is that it's worth every penny I paid for it.

It's your decision to buy at that price so it's on your conscience. If you can live with that then I guess we have differing moral views on the matter but please don't let it continue to worry you.
[doublepost=1460725105][/doublepost]

The point here is that one should evaluate BEFORE purchasing if something is worth the amount requsted.

Weather it is or it is not is a matter of personal need / possibility.

But Apple provide a 2 week test drive window. If they're asking for 2 weeks of my wages to pay for it then why would I not use that window to decide if it were right for me?

Is it "immoral" to ask for a higher price? I guess not, I can't blame Apple for trying, but it is up to me to "vote" with my wallet.

I see people still using and loving iPad 2, so I don't understand how in 1 year the pro will become obsolete :S

As I point out to another poster, my moral values say I couldn't spend a grand on an Ipad. If they can then that's on them. Usually if you're spending that amount it's because there's a functional need or because it's shiny. Some people will pay a premium for constant shiny but that's up to them. I couldn't live that way.

 

[bensisko]

I think that you get an idea in your head that the device will be awesome and the money issue will not be an issue. All the while you are also caught up in the thought of: "a new Apple toy to tinker with...YES!!!" I know that's what happens on a few rare occasions, (it's been many years since that has happened,) so now when buying expensive stuff I will have already saved the money and looked at all reviews, pictures, and people's personal opinions (researching the crap out of the device) to make sure it's what I really want. that way I don't have any kind of buyers remorse. But there are those off-times that I just didn't like the device after using it or it turned out to just be "meh" and so THEN I return it.

Not saying the OP is feeling what I described, because many times one may think they want something and are prepared for the cost... Only to find that at the end of the day, they are underwhelmed and the product actually isn't worth the money.

Thanks for the reply!

I'm always curious to know about how other people think - I'm still not sure I comprehend the thought processes, but it does help to try and see things from other viewpoints.