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Folks, it's the "when every minute counts" that gets me, not the ad itself. Apple is saying that if I don't get my order in right away, then I'll get shut out. So if I really want this phone, I'd have to get online at midnight on the dot, and I darn well better have all my prep work done so all I have to do is push the button so I can get ahead of all the laggards who haven't finished typing in their orders yet. And if I don't, then it's sayonara baby, because Apple isn't going to make enough phones available to satisfy all this pent up demand. And I surely don't want to be left out of this coolness game, they say.

But it's not just this one ad alone. It's the way Apple has always marketed their products. Look at the lines at the Apple stores when a new phone comes out. People CAMP OUT overnight to be far enough in the front of the line to be the first on their block to get Apple's newest gizmo. And the hype that makes them do that is all manufactured because Apple manipulates the supply of inventory to intentionally create shortages which drive ever more demand.

It this just good marketing? Well, it's effective, I'll say that much. I know the XR is going to be a hot seller. That by itself is ridiculous, because people are thinking "Finally, a new iPhone that doesn't cost a thousand bucks." How did a price point that high ever get normalized? But it WILL cost that much by the time you add tax and AppleCare+ to it. And you need + because heaven forbid you drop the thing and the screen shatters. Like my SO just did with her iPhone6, which was otherwise working perfectly. So now she has to get a new phone, and Apple hypes like this.

When every minute counts, my fat behind.
I think this is the first time that Apple has actually promoting a message like that. I don’t think I have ever seen Apple saying better be awake and ready to place your order.
 
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This may be a bit nit-picky, but I see people saying this often and just wanted to make a correction. Apple doesn’t manipulate the supply to change the demand, that’s not how supply and demand work. Supply and demand are completely unrelated, meaning a change in supply doesn’t change the demand for a product. Sure there are a small number of people who will be more likely to buy an “exclusive” product, but this number is quite small and doesn’t have any real effect on the demand. With that said, a change in supply can change the price, which can in turn change the overall demand for a product, but since iPhones sell at a set price, this isn’t the case. Apple isn’t artificially limiting their supply to raise demand, because changing the supply can’t raise the demand. Apple “underproduces” their iPhones because they want to keep a steady output at their manufacturing plants. Because of this, there is a steady and set number of iPhones produced in a particular time frame. During normal business operations, this supply is more than enough to cover demand for the product; however, when the phone first comes out the demand is much higher so the supply can’t keep up. It would cost Apple significantly more money to get production up to the level it needs to be at for the first few weeks and then dropping production than it would cost them to slowly ramp up production until the supply and demand meets. This isn’t some conspiracy at Apple, it’s just the economics at play that make it seem like Apple is doing something nefarious. They’re making the best economic desicion on their part, even though it may not be the best possible thing for every consumer. Getting a device on launch day is important to some, but most don’t care and understand it takes time to make these devices correctly.

"Supply and demand are completely unrelated"

Sorry, but no. Look at the psychology of what Apple does. They intentionally educate buyers that the new product will be in short supply, whether or not it actually will be. Just look at how ship dates will get extended right after ordering starts. Why is it that Apple never seems to be able to hold to the original delivery dates? You don't think they manipulate product supply to create buyer anxiety? That tactic is an old marketing ploy. And it generates a lot of free media publicity, too. All that causes demand to spike. It's true that there are often some technical issues with component supplies or other things which can cause a shortage of product supply. But Apple creates that artificially to create a sense of urgency, to make it look like they're about to run out. That tactic will result in more sales than just a steady supply of product at launch.
 
"Supply and demand are completely unrelated"

Sorry, but no. Look at the psychology of what Apple does. They intentionally educate buyers that the new product will be in short supply, whether or not it actually will be. Just look at how ship dates will get extended right after ordering starts. Why is it that Apple never seems to be able to hold to the original delivery dates? You don't think they manipulate product supply to create buyer anxiety? That tactic is an old marketing ploy. And it generates a lot of free media publicity, too. All that causes demand to spike. It's true that there are often some technical issues with component supplies or other things which can cause a shortage of product supply. But Apple creates that artificially to create a sense of urgency, to make it look like they're about to run out. That tactic will result in more sales than just a steady supply of product at launch.
The fact that supply doesn’t effect demand isnt my opinion, it’s a fact of economics and the Laws of Supply and Demand. You’re correct that a portion of buyers could be pressured to preorder the phones due to their short supply, but just as many customers could opt to buy a different phone because they need one now and are unable to wait. I will admit that increased publicity about the short supply would likely cause an increase in demand. With that said, it still wouldn’t be the decrease in supply of that causes the increase in demand, it’s the publicity that changes the demand. The point is, Apple decreasing their supply, artificially or not, does not increase their demand. The only increases in demand that occur are due to others outside of apple and simply have to do with publicity, not the decrease in supply. While stating “the decrease in supply increases demand” might be more of a shorthand for “the media’s reaction to the supposed decrease in supply increases the demand,” it’s an incorrect statement from the perspective of economics. Maybe it’s pendantic to point that out, but supply doesn’t directly influence demand
 
The fact that supply doesn’t effect demand isnt my opinion, it’s a fact of economics and the Laws of Supply and Demand. You’re correct that a portion of buyers could be pressured to preorder the phones due to their short supply, but just as many customers could opt to buy a different phone because they need one now and are unable to wait. I will admit that increased publicity about the short supply would likely cause an increase in demand. With that said, it still wouldn’t be the decrease in supply of that causes the increase in demand, it’s the publicity that changes the demand. The point is, Apple decreasing their supply, artificially or not, does not increase their demand. The only increases in demand that occur are due to others outside of apple and simply have to do with publicity, not the decrease in supply. While stating “the decrease in supply increases demand” might be more of a shorthand for “the media’s reaction to the supposed decrease in supply increases the demand,” it’s an incorrect statement from the perspective of economics. Maybe it’s pendantic to point that out, but supply doesn’t directly influence demand
"The fact that supply doesn’t effect demand isnt my opinion, it’s a fact of economics and the Laws of Supply and Demand."

This isn't the right place for this, but since you brought it up... You make the point that demand is static and can't be influenced by supply, but you're not taking elasticity into account. That's normally associated with price, but it can apply to any product characteristic, one of which is supply. If the price of a product is reduced, then the demand for that product should increase. This increase may be disproportionate and not linear, though, due to many factors. The same is true for supply. Decrease supply and the resulting demand may also change disproportionately. For a popular product like the XR is sure to be, the demand will likely increase because new classes of buyers who are sensitive to the marketing hype or other factors might decide to participate. And so Apple hypes, and the way they're doing it is irritating as heck.

Are we done now?
 
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For a popular product like the XR is sure to be, the demand will likely increase because new classes of buyers who are sensitive to the marketing hype or other factors might decide to participate. And so Apple hypes, and the way they're doing it is irritating as heck.

You still haven’t clarified, how is one E-mail classified as marketing -hype-? When I see or view marketing, its mainly composed of billboards, TV, posters, social media, ect. You received one centralized e-mail, non of which the XR has remotely even attributed to the above examples since its September iPhone Keynote.
 
You still haven’t clarified, how is one E-mail classified as marketing -hype-? When I see or view marketing, its mainly composed of billboards, TV, posters, social media, ect. You received one centralized e-mail, non of which the XR has remotely even attributed to the above examples since its September iPhone Keynote.
"Get all the prep work done now... to save time at pre-order, when every minute counts" isn't hype? Even direct mail like this can be an instrument of hype. And it is.
 
"The fact that supply doesn’t effect demand isnt my opinion, it’s a fact of economics and the Laws of Supply and Demand."

This isn't the right place for this, but since you brought it up... You make the point that demand is static and can't be influenced by supply, but you're not taking elasticity into account. That's normally associated with price, but it can apply to any product characteristic, one of which is supply. If the price of a product is reduced, then the demand for that product should increase. This increase may be disproportionate and not linear, though, due to many factors. The same is true for supply. Decrease supply and the resulting demand may also change disproportionately. For a popular product like the XR is sure to be, the demand will likely increase because new classes of buyers who are sensitive to the marketing hype or other factors might decide to participate. And so Apple hypes, and the way they're doing it is irritating as heck.

Are we done now?
"Get all the prep work done now... to save time at pre-order, when every minute counts" isn't hype? Even direct mail like this can be an instrument of hype. And it is.

I’m so hyped it hurts
 
Folks, it's the "when every minute counts" that gets me, not the ad itself. Apple is saying that if I don't get my order in right away, then I'll get shut out. So if I really want this phone, I'd have to get online at midnight on the dot, and I darn well better have all my prep work done so all I have to do is push the button so I can get ahead of all the laggards who haven't finished typing in their orders yet. And if I don't, then it's sayonara baby, because Apple isn't going to make enough phones available to satisfy all this pent up demand. And I surely don't want to be left out of this coolness game, they say.

But it's not just this one ad alone. It's the way Apple has always marketed their products. Look at the lines at the Apple stores when a new phone comes out. People CAMP OUT overnight to be far enough in the front of the line to be the first on their block to get Apple's newest gizmo. And the hype that makes them do that is all manufactured because Apple manipulates the supply of inventory to intentionally create shortages which drive ever more demand.

It this just good marketing? Well, it's effective, I'll say that much. I know the XR is going to be a hot seller. That by itself is ridiculous, because people are thinking "Finally, a new iPhone that doesn't cost a thousand bucks." How did a price point that high ever get normalized? But it WILL cost that much by the time you add tax and AppleCare+ to it. And you need + because heaven forbid you drop the thing and the screen shatters. Like my SO just did with her iPhone6, which was otherwise working perfectly. So now she has to get a new phone, and Apple hypes like this.

When every minute counts, my fat behind.

Do you really think Apple deliberately make fewer phones as to create a shortage and drive up demand? Sounds like stupid business to me, everyone who is going to buy an iPhone will buy one regardless - those people camping out for instance. Where Apple really work is in the other 75% of people who would 'like' a new iPhone, if they go into an Apple store and they don't have any in stock for a few weeks, then they'll just go to another store and buy another brand.

People are impatient and waiting a few weeks can cause them to look elsewhere, Apple obviously don't want this. They make as many phones as they can, the demand for these phones is always much higher than they can produce. They've got several factories making millions of them, tens of thousands a day, the faster they can put one in your hand then the more likely you are to purchase.

Shortages drive demand when it comes to stocks but not consumer products, companies try to meet this demand so they can actually profit from it... All that email is saying is if you are impatient and want one as soon as possible, then that is the way to ensure you'll get it. If you're happy to wait a couple of weeks for it then order it whenever, I don't see that as hype, more a reminder that there is demand.
 
From all these Xs/Xs max issues, I’d delete the email and wait for reviews from people on here. When they say they are good, no cellular connectivity or other issues, then buy.
 
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From all these Xs/Xs max issues, I’d delete the email and wait for reviews from people on here. When they say they are good, no cellular connectivity or other issues, then buy.
Frankly, I agree. And that's a sorry comment on the state of Apple's product quality.
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Do you really think Apple deliberately make fewer phones as to create a shortage and drive up demand? Sounds like stupid business to me, everyone who is going to buy an iPhone will buy one regardless - those people camping out for instance. Where Apple really work is in the other 75% of people who would 'like' a new iPhone, if they go into an Apple store and they don't have any in stock for a few weeks, then they'll just go to another store and buy another brand.

People are impatient and waiting a few weeks can cause them to look elsewhere, Apple obviously don't want this. They make as many phones as they can, the demand for these phones is always much higher than they can produce. They've got several factories making millions of them, tens of thousands a day, the faster they can put one in your hand then the more likely you are to purchase.

Shortages drive demand when it comes to stocks but not consumer products, companies try to meet this demand so they can actually profit from it... All that email is saying is if you are impatient and want one as soon as possible, then that is the way to ensure you'll get it. If you're happy to wait a couple of weeks for it then order it whenever, I don't see that as hype, more a reminder that there is demand.
Ask yourself how many Apple products have sold out almost immediately in recent years, and their delivery times have stretched out for long periods of time. Is Apple really that poor at estimating demand? No, it doesn't make sense to build inventory only to have it sit in a warehouse so that demand can be artificially increased. But it is feasible to believe that Apple would curtail manufacturing at launch so that they can build demand through supply shortages because that would result in higher ultimate sales than just a flat delivery stream would.

"Shortages drive demand when it comes to stocks but not consumer products" - of course shortages can drive demand in consumer products. I already explained that.

Anyway, I think I'm done with this discussion. We're going around in circles, and I've ranted enough to make my point.
 
Frankly, I agree. And that's a sorry comment on the state of Apple's product quality.
[doublepost=1539742622][/doublepost]
Ask yourself how many Apple products have sold out almost immediately in recent years, and their delivery times have stretched out for long periods of time. Is Apple really that poor at estimating demand? No, it doesn't make sense to build inventory only to have it sit in a warehouse so that demand can be artificially increased. But it is feasible to believe that Apple would curtail manufacturing at launch so that they can build demand through supply shortages because that would result in higher ultimate sales than just a flat delivery stream would.

"Shortages drive demand when it comes to stocks but not consumer products" - of course shortages can drive demand in consumer products. I already explained that.

Anyway, I think I'm done with this discussion. We're going around in circles, and I've ranted enough to make my point.

If this were true, then why wouldn't they have released them at the same time as the Xs/Max? Why delay the launch if they're goal is to deliberately produce fewer units? Surely releasing earlier than they can physically gain stock would achieve this better?
 
Frankly, I agree. And that's a sorry comment on the state of Apple's product quality.
[doublepost=1539742622][/doublepost]
Ask yourself how many Apple products have sold out almost immediately in recent years, and their delivery times have stretched out for long periods of time. Is Apple really that poor at estimating demand? No, it doesn't make sense to build inventory only to have it sit in a warehouse so that demand can be artificially increased. But it is feasible to believe that Apple would curtail manufacturing at launch so that they can build demand through supply shortages because that would result in higher ultimate sales than just a flat delivery stream would.

"Shortages drive demand when it comes to stocks but not consumer products" - of course shortages can drive demand in consumer products. I already explained that.

Anyway, I think I'm done with this discussion. We're going around in circles, and I've ranted enough to make my point.
They’re more likely just being selective about how they report availability. Giving conservative lead times for delivery when they know full well they have enough stock to deliver well before the quoted date. Dual benefit of fuelling the hype and also under promising and over delivering on customer expectations.

At the end of the day, if it was your business wouldn’t you want to stoke the fires of the hype that already exists for your product?
[doublepost=1539798701][/doublepost]
From all these Xs/Xs max issues, I’d delete the email and wait for reviews from people on here. When they say they are good, no cellular connectivity or other issues, then buy.
There’s plenty of people on this forum, myself and everybody else I know who’s bought either the XS or the Max included, who couldn’t be happier with their device. I’ve never had an issue with a launch day device from Apple.

And, not to be funny, but - if you wait for everybody on this forum to be satisfied, you’ll be waiting forevermore.
 
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Oh, THANKS Apple! I would never have known otherwise. I'll go back to scraping my fingernails down a chalkboard now.

:mad:
 
I'm here to diss Apple. There's a difference

Cool! I wish I had the kind of free time that would allow me to sign up on forums for products I don't own so I can complain about the manufacturer. What a life you must lead. Mine seems so lackluster in comparison.
 
Cool! I wish I had the kind of free time that would allow me to sign up on forums for products I don't own so I can complain about the manufacturer. What a life you must lead. Mine seems so lackluster in comparison.

I think you're using a lot of your time to complain about people complaining about a manufacturer. So spend less time doing that.
 
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