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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?
Not mine, but most cc cards are 14-30+% interest. I do what you do as well. Treat your cc like a debit card and you will be fine and get nice perks.
 
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?

Im with you. It baffles me when I talk to friends/family who choose to use their debit card with no rewards instead of using a cashback/rewards card and paying the balance each month. I could easily buy the X with my cashback rewards alone. Free money FTW ;)
 
Sure of course my statement shouldn't be taken literally as all people being that way, but lets look at some decision-making facts. The iphone X does nothing that other, cheaper phones can't do. So then, why would someone pay double for the exact same thing? would you pay $2 for a banana when right next to it is a similar banana for $1 (albeit not as sharp of a yellow)? People need a reason to justify buying the $2 banana. The people you mentioned who dont care about wealth and status wont bother buying the iphone, because another phone does the same thing with no real drawbacks by comparison.

In this case, the people buying the $2 banana are using certain facts as justification for their purchase, but you certainly have to question what the underlying motivation is. Money is important, and people will spend it only when they need to or really want to. In this case, the justifications are cloaked in 'better screen', new form factor, new camera etc., which for some might justify the extra cost. But when doing the research, its a poor $-benefit ratio when compared to competitor devices.
 
I am not sure of the point to this thread. I'd imagine most people on here can afford $50 a month. If not, they have bigger things to worry about than the iPhone X.
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Sure of course my statement shouldn't be taken literally as all people being that way, but lets look at some decision-making facts. The iphone X does nothing that other, cheaper phones can't do. So then, why would someone pay double for the exact same thing? would you pay $2 for a banana when right next to it is a similar banana for $1 (albeit not as sharp of a yellow)? People need a reason to justify buying the $2 banana. The people you mentioned who dont care about wealth and status wont bother buying the iphone, because another phone does the same thing with no real drawbacks by comparison.

In this case, the people buying the $2 banana are using certain facts as justification for their purchase, but you certainly have to question what the underlying motivation is. Money is important, and people will spend it only when they need to or really want to. In this case, the justifications are cloaked in 'better screen', new form factor, new camera etc., which for some might justify the extra cost. But when doing the research, its a poor $-benefit ratio when compared to competitor devices.

So you think a cheap or free Android phone has the exact same experience as an iPhone (X or otherwise)?
 
I am not sure of the point to this thread. I'd imagine most people on here can afford $50 a month. If not, they have bigger things to worry about than the iPhone X.
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So you think a cheap or free Android phone has the exact same experience as an iPhone (X or otherwise)?
There are plenty of lower priced competitors to the iphone x that save and except for a few features, provide the same services the X does.
 
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I can afford a new phone every few months because my overhead is so low. My monthly bills is nearly half on what a 256GB iPhone X costs.

Rent: It's a room in a house but only $400. The 79-year old landlady is very nice to me.

Car: $7K used Mitsubishi Mirage with 40mpg from Hertz. Only $155 monthly.

T-Mobile: $81

Free Medi-Cal and nearly $200 on my EBT loaded every month.

Sign up for Section 8 in two years.

Monthly is only $626. I make between $1600-$2000 monthly doing DoorDash in a beautiful area where my parents lived since 2003 - Yorba Linda.

I'm basically self-employed not dealing with annoying bosses, co-workers, and schedules. Could take a vacation anytime I want. Being poor in America rocks. You just gotta know the loopholes and read the fine print.

My Mom has lupus, gets monthly disability checks, and knows all the angles. And her and my stepdad used to have an annual combined income of $400K in real estate together. They're in France right now enjoying life.

No advantage being some corporate slave. Be your own boss. Life's Good, baby.

As for the question at hand, I can afford it but LATER. The bigger question is do I really need it? Short answer is NO. It's that viral excitement like Gangnam Style, Harlem Shake, Mannequin Challenge, etc where you get excited at first before it fades.

My priority is my 1099. Plus so many cool products I want -

Nintendo Switch (more avail in stores after seven months)

Microsoft Xbox One X

Apple Watch Series 2 (help with my DoorDash)

12" Apple MacBook, because I can charge it with my Android chargers, want Retina, and prefer the smaller footprint over the MBA

I will say I can't afford it now because I still have a $350+ balance with T-Mobile from the S7e. And because I am not lusting over it. If this was 7 years ago still in my 20's which is the demographic here or their teens, I would be counting the days.

Most exciting release since the 4 or even og. But that luster wore off years ago on me.
 
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

Really? that is bad, they say Brexit is affecting us Brits but most people have more than that in savings, personally i think if you got that low of funds and savings you have more problems to worry about than an iPhone X, no judgment just an opinion and observation. Overall it's down to the individual what they spend their money on.
 
There are plenty of lower priced competitors to the iphone x that save and except for a few features, provide the same services the X does.

I am not exactly sure what you mean by services. I have used some of those cheaper options and most are junk. It really comes down to value, and what is valuable to the individual buying the device (or anything really). For me, I value performance, build quality, security, privacy, ecosystem, and support. There isn't a phone out there that can beat Apple when it comes to those things. It's a similar comparison to a car. Sure, you can buy a Kia and get from point A to point B, listen to music, bluetooth, backup cameras, all the same "services" as you say, but some people prefer a BMW for the overall experience that that car brings. This is similar to what you are describing and it's up to the individual to make that decision.
 
You'll never get an honest answer to a question like that (hopefully the reasons will be obvious).

People see the iPhone as a "necessity". Last month I pointed out witnessing someone in line at Fry's (groceries) paying with foodstamps (for their non-alcohol, making it obvious btw...), and sporting a brand new iPhone 8.

It just is what it is. If I had to guess I'd say 40-60% of iPhone purchases are done by people who (if they had to) couldn't "pay cash" (unless that cash came as a credit card advance). Whatever. It's somewhat annoying to think that some of those same people are supposedly "struggling" to make ends meet and relying on assistance from others to "scrape by" are the same one's sporting a $700 phone when a $50 one would easily do the same thing, but again: whatever.

If they want to struggle just so they can have an iPhone, it's their prerogative. Especially if they don't default on their credit cards or need other assistance in life.

Maybe if almost every aspect of our life didn't give an option to finance the liability into low monthly payments, things would be different, but that aint changin' anytime soon...
 
Back in the seventies I worked in the retail Hi-Fi business for several McIntosh dealers (high end audio), when we toured their plant in Binghamton, we asked if all the chrome & glass was necessary, and their answer was that they sold adult toys (not the modern kind) for insecure males! They knew their market. Apple admits basically the same, no one needs the X, but it sure beats whatever is in second place! That being said, Apple's market cap is $809.7 billion today, so I think they are doing something right!
 
Im with you. It baffles me when I talk to friends/family who choose to use their debit card with no rewards instead of using a cashback/rewards card and paying the balance each month. I could easily buy the X with my cashback rewards alone. Free money FTW ;)

I’m late and looking for a good CC to sign up for. Which one are you using?
 
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.

Or in some cases, you get reward points or cash back. You also get additional warranty on some cards. Why bother dignifying the OP by responding?
 
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I am not exactly sure what you mean by services. I have used some of those cheaper options and most are junk. It really comes down to value, and what is valuable to the individual buying the device (or anything really). For me, I value performance, build quality, security, privacy, ecosystem, and support. There isn't a phone out there that can beat Apple when it comes to those things. It's a similar comparison to a car. Sure, you can buy a Kia and get from point A to point B, listen to music, bluetooth, backup cameras, all the same "services" as you say, but some people prefer a BMW for the overall experience that that car brings. This is similar to what you are describing and it's up to the individual to make that decision.
I agree (to a certain degree). I had a samsung s5 which was good for about a few months before i got fed up with it. After swithing to Apple, I know longer experience a lot fo the problems that i experienced with Android. However, for all the reasons that you mentioned as to why you feel like you got to stick with Apple, all of those factors stay in tact if you choose an iPhone 7 or 8. The X changes none of those things, which is why Apple is being honest and marketing it as a LUXURY DEVICE, which people seem to be completely ignoring.
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Or in some cases, you get reward points or cash back. You also get additional warranty on some cards. Why bother dignifying the OP by responding?
Dignify OP by responding lol, are you for real or trolling? I actually didn't respond to the credit card comment because obviously they are a bit thick in the head. I am talking about the people who are using credit, rather than the fact they are using a physical credit card which will be paid off upon purchase. Perhaps I should have been clearer, my apologies.
 
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I agree (to a certain degree). I had a samsung s5 which was good for about a few months before i got fed up with it. After swithing to Apple, I know longer experience a lot fo the problems that i experienced with Android. However, for all the reasons that you mentioned as to why you feel like you got to stick with Apple, all of those factors stay in tact if you choose an iPhone 7 or 8. The X changes none of those things, which is why Apple is being honest and marketing it as a LUXURY DEVICE, which people seem to be completely ignoring.

I agree. The 7 or 8 are great phones also. The X still brings some features that I’m interested in though. Since I can afford it, I’ll buy one. Not too complicated.
 
No, you chose to read it that way. And FYI even if it was delayed I don't care, so good luck trying to paint me as a bad person, makes you look foolish.
This post smells of self-righteousness and immaturity.

Sounds like you're all gearing up for pronouncing which preorders are 'deserving' and those who shouldn't have dared preorder as a cover for your inevitable shipping delay disappointment .[/QUOTE
 
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.

Or they can't afford it, but they succumb to the hype here and simply want the newest and greatest like many of us and find a way to pay for it. Credit cards, loans, spreading payment over 2 years, etc. all make this easy to do. I don't think most are trying to portray themselves as having higher wealth/status or are looking for attention. I suspect many members here are young and if they have college loans, money for a phone probably looks like chump change.
That said I do support your view that for the most part you shouldn't buy something that you can't afford and isn't a necessity.
 
I agree (to a certain degree). I had a samsung s5 which was good for about a few months before i got fed up with it. After swithing to Apple, I know longer experience a lot fo the problems that i experienced with Android. However, for all the reasons that you mentioned as to why you feel like you got to stick with Apple, all of those factors stay in tact if you choose an iPhone 7 or 8. The X changes none of those things, which is why Apple is being honest and marketing it as a LUXURY DEVICE, which people seem to be completely ignoring.
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Dignify OP by responding lol, are you for real or trolling? I actually didn't respond to the credit card comment because obviously they are a bit thick in the head. I am talking about the people who are using credit, rather than the fact they are using a physical credit card which will be paid off upon purchase. Perhaps I should have been clearer, my apologies.
LOL at calling someone a “troll” in your troll post. I’ve never seen a “corporate lawyer” make so many grammatical errors, so if you’re really a “corporate lawyer” then I’m the new frontman for TTH.
I actually think that the point of this thread was to give OP a forum to act smug toward people. In reality, your going to be paying a lot more for your Canadien iPhone X than most of the people in this forum will be paying for theirs, so no sh*t it’s a luxury to you from your perspective. For the rest of us, it’s just another expensive phone.
 
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