How Many Buying the X but Really Cant Afford it?

[haqsha23]

How many of you are buying the X, but really shouldn't be? I'm not talking about people who choose to spend all of their extra (fun) income on the phone, I'm talking about the people who are putting it on a credit card, putting off paying important bills or getting other things that are much more needed? I'm a corporate lawyer and can comfortably afford the iPhone X (albeit somewhat barely). I'm also aware of carrier subsidies and layaway plans, but the point still stands as you end up paying the full price of the device one way or another.

I just have this suspicion that the hordes of people crying about how expensive it is will still, absent better judgment, fall into the Apple trap and buy one anyways and think about the consequences later.

Just as a side note, i'm not sure what the demand for the iPhone X is actually going to be. I haven't heard about anyone I know who is planning on buying this phone. And in fact, if i don't actively search out information, i don't hear about it much at all. I'm starting to think this is an Apple strategy of deliberately constricting supply to induce scarcity thus upticking demand.

 

[tim.engen]

How many of you are buying the X, but really shouldn't be? I'm not talking about people who choose to spend all of their extra (fun) income on the phone, I'm talking about the people who are putting it on a credit card, putting off paying important bills or getting other things that are much more needed? I'm a corporate lawyer and can comfortably afford the iPhone X (albeit somewhat barely). I'm also aware of carrier subsidies and layaway plans, but the point still stands as you end up paying the full price of the device one way or another.

I just have this suspicion that the hordes of people crying about how expensive it is will still, absent better judgment, fall into the Apple trap and buy one anyways and think about the consequences later.

Just as a side note, i'm not sure what the demand for the iPhone X is actually going to be. I haven't heard about anyone I know who is planning on buying this phone. And in fact, if i don't actively search out information, i don't hear about it much at all. I'm starting to think this is an Apple strategy of deliberately constricting supply to induce scarcity thus upticking demand.

Over priced phone still behind on technology.

 

[maflynn]

How many of you are buying the X, but really shouldn't be?

Isn't that their business? How they choose to use their own money should only be a concern for them.

 

[dukebound85]

probably more than we want to know. Seeing that 69% of Americans have less than 1,000 in their savings account and 34% have ZERO savings

https://www.fool.com/investing/2016/09/25/how-much-does-the-average-american-have-in-their-s.aspx

 

[akash.nu]

Why’s putting something on your credit card means you can’t afford it?!

I put almost everything on credit card simply because I don’t carry cash, don’t want to use my debit card at random places and for online purchases. That really doesn’t mean I can’t afford something.

 

[haqsha23]

probably more than we want to know. Seeing that 69% of Americans have less than 1,000 in their savings account and 34% have ZERO savings

https://www.fool.com/investing/2016/09/25/how-much-does-the-average-american-have-in-their-s.aspx

Finally a real answer, thanks for that info very interesting.

 

[Droidbricker]

How many of you are buying the X, but really shouldn't be? I'm not talking about people who choose to spend all of their extra (fun) income on the phone, I'm talking about the people who are putting it on a credit card, putting off paying important bills or getting other things that are much more needed? I'm a corporate lawyer and can comfortably afford the iPhone X (albeit somewhat barely). I'm also aware of carrier subsidies and layaway plans, but the point still stands as you end up paying the full price of the device one way or another.

I just have this suspicion that the hordes of people crying about how expensive it is will still, absent better judgment, fall into the Apple trap and buy one anyways and think about the consequences later.

Just as a side note, i'm not sure what the demand for the iPhone X is actually going to be. I haven't heard about anyone I know who is planning on buying this phone. And in fact, if i don't actively search out information, i don't hear about it much at all. I'm starting to think this is an Apple strategy of deliberately constricting supply to induce scarcity thus upticking demand.

I imagine there will plenty of people who are going to buy it and overlook other financial obligations. Not me though, I can easily afford one as well since I’m an astronaut for Space X.

 

[haqsha23]

Isn't that their business? How they choose to use their own money should only be a concern for them.

Sure it's their business and doesn't affect me in any way. I'm actually curious as to whether the financial plight of most people is due to self-inflicted decisions or more circumstantial.

 

[Macalway]

A lot of people no doubt

 

[iSayBoourns]

Over priced phone still behind on technology.

Behind on technology?

- removes the most forehead and chin out of any smartphone
- 3D Touch
- TrueDepth front facing camera
- stacked logic board to allow more battery in a smaller device than ever before
- A11 Bionic chip that surpasses all other mobel devices and rivals intel chips.
- True Tone display

That’s just to name a few things no competitor has.

Behind? Not in the slightest.

 

[tim.engen]

Behind on technology?

- removes the most forehead and chin out of any smartphone
- 3D Touch
- TrueDepth front facing camera
- stacked logic board to allow more battery in a smaller device than ever before
- A11 Bionic chip that surpasses all other mobel devices and rivals intel chips.
- True Tone display

That’s just to name a few things no competitor has.

Behind? Not in the slightest.

Hmm how about gigabit LTE. Yep no

 

[Cryates]

With carrier installment plans at 0% interest, it's easier than ever to afford the worlds most expensive phone.

 

[576316]

Browsing this forum around the time of any product launch will bring up many, many people buying something they clearly can't afford nor need. It's like feeding time at the zoo.

 

[Strelok]

Hmm how about gigabit LTE. Yep no

LOL. That's what you care about? Something that has zero effect on all but the tiniest of countries? Ok.

 

[tim.engen]

LOL. That's what you care about? Something that has zero effect on all but the tiniest of countries? Ok.

I was talking about the United States which will be a thing by the end of the year. For 1,000 yes I expected to have it. That way we don't see 3G speeds when Networks are congested

 

[v0lume4]

If people can't afford the phone they should NOT be purchasing it. I'm afraid that @dukebound85's answer is all too read.

 

[haqsha23]

Browsing this forum around the time of any product launch will bring up many, many people buying something they clearly can't afford nor need. It's like feeding time at the zoo.

That's what I'm thinking. Carriers have made it easier than every for people to own expensive phones, they only see the price they actually pay up front. However, as usual, most people fail to realize that the subsidy is added in other areas by network carriers to pass that price difference back to the consumer. In Canada, the telecommunications market is like an oligopoly, not sure how the program works in the US though.
[doublepost=1508780793][/doublepost]

If people can't afford the phone they should NOT be purchasing it. I'm afraid that @dukebound85's answer is all too read.

In theory, yes. But in practicality? Nope. People will always try to portray themselves as having a higher wealth/status than they actually do. Also, people love attention and having something that is seen as exclusive and difficult to obtain. Getting the iPhone X hits both of those points, and will therefore be purchased by those who cannot afford it.

 

[44267547]

I'm actually curious as to whether the financial plight of most people is due to self-inflicted decisions or more circumstantial.

If the consumer wants to purchase something, they will find a way regardless if they can afford it or not, and they will find a way to purchase it. That's the economy that we live in today. Everything comes at a subsidized price with cars, houses, electronics, etc. It's just a matter of house someone justifies the purchase and means of paying for it.

 

[PSUGrad07]

I am still on the fence, even days before the pre-order. On one hand I love the features the X offers, but I have many many concerns and hate to have a paperweight for a phone. I really shouldn't be buying it, since I just bought a new house. Anyone else on the fence too?

 

[canuckRus]

Sure it's their business and doesn't affect me in any way. I'm actually curious as to whether the financial plight of most people is due to self-inflicted decisions or more circumstantial.

Sadly, that's the way too many people roll (the Human Condition)?

 

[Droidbricker]

Why’s putting something on your credit card means you can’t afford it?!

I put almost everything on credit card simply because I don’t carry cash, don’t want to use my debit card at random places and for online purchases. That really doesn’t mean I can’t afford something.

Exactly, my debit card doesn’t give me cash back rewards, double manufacturer warranties and other cool **** that my CC does.

 

[dukebound85]

I am still on the fence, even days before the pre-order. On one hand I love the features the X offers, but I have many many concerns and hate to have a paperweight for a phone. I really shouldn't be buying it, since I just bought a new house. Anyone else on the fence too?

Then don't?

You will find that the new iPhone, while cool, isn't really much of an upgrade over what you have and that it really doesn't provide you anything "new". So why buy it?
[doublepost=1508781293][/doublepost]

Exactly, my debit card doesn’t give me cash back rewards, double manufacturer warranties and other cool **** that my CC does.

And unless you pay your cc off every month, those nice benefits are being supplied to you at 20% interest.

Most people tend to carry balances, and only those that do not, win at the cc game

 

[44267547]

In theory, yes. But in practicality? Nope. People will always try to portray themselves as having a higher wealth/status than they actually do. Also, people love attention and having something that is seen as exclusive and difficult to obtain. Getting the iPhone X hits both of those points, and will therefore be purchased by those who cannot afford it.

I disagree with the bolded above. That's kind of a broad statement to make, as there are many who do not portray themselves as having a higher wealth or status. There are many different demographics of those who appear they may or may not have Financial means to purchase something or own. Not everyone needs to have something exclusive or draw attention to themselves for the sake of notoriety. There are some who do, but logically its not apparent that's not the first goal somebody purchases something they can show off versus something they actually want.

 

[Droidbricker]

Then don't?

You will find that the new iPhone, while cool, isn't really much of an upgrade over what you have and that it really doesn't provide you anything "new". So why buy it?
[doublepost=1508781293][/doublepost]
And unless you pay your cc off every month, those nice benefits are being supplied to you at 20% interest

Thought that was implied, but yea I do pay it off every month, that’s how smart people use CC’s. And lol at 20% interest, exactly what kind of subprime card are you using?

 

[Cryates]

I just really want the iPhone X for myself and not to show off. I'll actually hide mine in public and at work for a little while just so I don't get the comments like "Wow, what a showoff" or "Wow, I need to get your job obviously"