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In March, Apple submitted a formal request to the Indian government in relation to selling refurbished iPhones in the country. Today, however, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that she is "not in favor" of accepting that proposal (via The Economic Times).
On Apple's proposal to import refurbished phones and sell in India, Sitharaman said, "We would not be in favour of whatever you may call them -- used but refashioned, remodelled, updated... used goods. We are not in favour of bringing them here."
The decision comes just days after the Indian government decided not to exempt Apple from a local rule requiring that 30 percent of goods sold by foreign companies be manufactured or produced within the country. India last year exempted retailers selling state-of-the-art goods from the rule, prompting Apple to file a new application in hopes of opening single-branded retail stores in India.

Apple is opportunistic about increasing its presence in India, where its market share is estimated to be only around 2 percent. Apple CEO Tim Cook, who visited India earlier this month, said the country provides a "really great opportunity" for growth, particularly after sales in the U.S. and China have slowed. Apple's revenue grew 56 percent in India last quarter, passing the $1 billion mark for the first time.

India has price-sensitive consumers, however, so Apple's inability to sell refurbished iPhones in the world's second most populous country may hinder it efforts to grow in the region. Cook has admitted that iPhones are too overpriced in India, compared to equivalent U.S. pricing, due to local tariffs.

"The duties and the taxes and the compounding of those takes the price and it makes it very high. Our profitability is less in India, it's materially less -- but still I recognize that prices are high," said Cook, in an interview with Indian network NDTV. "We want to do things that lower that over time, to the degree that we can ... I want the consumer in India to be able to buy at a price that looks like the U.S. price."

At least for now, those plans will seemingly not involve the sale of refurbished iPhones.

Article Link: India Turns Down Apple's Request to Sell Used iPhones
 
Usually, in arguments, both sides are right or reasonable to some degree. In this case, both sides are wrong and unreasonable.

India isn't acknowledging their working class's comparatively impoverished existence. Apparently, they aren't familiar with the adage, "beggars can't be choosey".

Cook, on the otherhand, has balls to blame taxes and tariffs while acting as though Apple's notorious margins are already as thin as possible.
 
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"A great opertunity for growth", Ye great Tim while the rest of us in Europe don't even have Apple Pay on a two year old phone. Yey growth in a new country so you can shadow the fact your sales are crapping out and not making anything amazing anymore right? It's all about the shareholders Tim.. God I hate him so much
 
Be nice to Tim! Find an android forum all of you who criticize our religion's current leader!!! He knew exactly what he was doing and that it wouldn't work from the onset. It's in His master plan!!! /s
 
I'm in India right now and via my none scientific visual mini-study there are very few iPhones. In the city I'm in any type of Android phone seems to be the most popular.
 
I'm not sure what more to say, but I know for certain that this thread is going to end up absolutely toxic like the last one.

Apple is still pretty much in business with India, with those who can afford them already owning Apple products or their equivalent alternatives.

Apparently the government isn't really focused on these folks, but more on those who are near poverty and in dire need of jobs. I personally don't even think they can afford even a refurbished iPhone, or even would want too.

Perhaps Apple should refocus only on the millions living in the cities of India, and target the younger demographic, I mean surely with such a large population even that small percentage who can afford Apple products would still be in millions right?
 
Hah, so this is the second failed plan involving India.

Tim is probably seething right now, wondering why they wasted their time visiting India and investing in dev centres for it.
 
I would love to buy a refurbished iPhone! As long as the quality was on par with refurbished products that Apple generally sells. Ship them to Canada Tim!
 
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I'll bet Apple's warehouse is pretty full with all those traded in iPhones that they thought they could push off on India ... fail ... and have now been denied by the Indian government for the umpteenth time.

Imagine Apple's idea of posting double counted iPhone sales - once as new, and again as refurbished - gotta' find someway to keep those shareholders happy.
 
Hell, WE NEED THAT LAW here. Apple should be required to make 30% of the goods it sells in the USA IN the USA!!! Sadly, I doubt Apple could achieve 10% of that figure right now.

Long live Ireland says Apple!
 
Quote:
On Apple's proposal to import refurbished phones and sell in India, Sitharaman said, "We would not be in favour of whatever you may call them -- used but refashioned, remodelled, updated... used goods. We are not in favour of bringing them here."
Knee-jerk reaction without fully understanding the situation. This is what you get when people who don't understand something are in charge of making decisions.

Some facts for you, Ms. Sitharaman:
  • Apple makes reliable products that last for years.
  • Products refurbished by Apple come with a full warranty and quite often are better than a brand new product. Bugs have been found and fixed, hardware updated.
If India applies the same policy to all manufacturers, then fine, but to single Apple out (possibly been bribed?) is just doing your citizens a disservice.
 
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