iPhone price cut: Official response from Steve Jobs

technicolor said:
its not nice to think that the customer may have gotten a nice concession its a lot more fun to be as negative as possible about the entire thing even if it doesnt have anything to do with you.
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Thank you, finally someone who hit the nail on the head. Yes, it's obviously much more fun and rewarding to bug the complainers further rather than feel happy for them. :cool:
 
Wow!!! It's not 200 bucks but 100 bucks is fair to me and cools out the flame. I hope somebody didn't start fires outside of Apple Headquarters, but this makes me smile like this...:D
 
I'll just quote myself, from a thread I posted in this morning, before this news came out...

QCassidy352 said:
I don't think there's a "right" thing to do, ethically or morally speaking, in this case. However, there *is* a right thing to do from a business standpoint, and IMO that would be something akin to the $50 iTMS certificate already mentioned, or a discount on Leopard, or something like that. The cost to apple would be minimal (and if they did something like apple store credits they might even make money as people put those credits towards larger purchases they wouldn't have otherwise made), and while the early adopters would still have paid some premium, they wouldn't feel "slapped in the face."
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So as you can see, I think apple has made the smartest choice it could. :) Hell, I'll probably be one of those people who end up spending money at an apple store that I otherwise wouldn't have.
 
~Shard~ said:
Thank you, finally someone who hit the nail on the head. Yes, it's obviously much more fun and rewarding to bug the complainers further rather than feel happy for them. :cool:
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At least you admit to it. Just dont be a hypocrite and pretend as if your antics are any better than those who were crying yesterday.
 
Football1maniac said:
I was just browsing AT&T's website, when I came across the iPhone ad. I clicked on it, and obviously, they slashed the price by 200 dollars. But what intrigued me, was right below said: Now through January 31, 2008. Could this be the end of the first generation iPhone?
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It could just be a way to get folks to buy one for the holidays, but there are rumors a 16GB model could be released at Paris or perhaps it will come out in late Q1 2008.
 
Since the announcement, all I've said is $50 or $100 would've been FINE for geek tax, but $200 is ridiculous.

So I'm absolutely satisfied. I'm done whining.
 
jackc said:
So is Steve going to space out those price decreases a little more to avoid the whining campaign?

Yay!
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No. AAPL will not be moved to action by something like this a second time. This was more than enough to make people happy. I believe this was basically planned all along and worked out very well for Apple. It was a "trick/surprise" play from Apple's playbook. You won't see a quarterback sneak two times in a row.

To cave in again would undermine shareholder confidence. AAPL felt people had a legitimate concern and dealt with it but certainly won't be held hostage by an angry mob.

I don't even have an iPhone but if I did I would only be wishing I could use the refund towards a share of AAPL. New iPods and up to $100,000,000 of guaranteed sales through the refunds is going to make this holiday season probably the biggest Apple has ever had.

I think Steve pretty much made it painfully obvious that the sales over the holidays are going to dwarf any losses. I may not know what the word "aggressive" means though. Well played AAPL.
 
sbrownla said:
Wow, someone actually sees through this ploy. It's not that people are getting $100 dollars, it's as though they bought the iPhone for $X99, and were forced to buy a gift card for $100 dollars.
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If you don't want to use the gift card, just sell it! Apple did exactly the right thing. In the case of the 4GB iPhone, Apple dropped the price 40% and then dropped the product in less than three months. That's guaranteed to leave a bad taste in any purchaser's mouth. It was a rare mistake for a company that prides itself on providing a superior customer experience. The $100 gift card will appease purchasers and is not exorbitantly expensive for Apple.
 
but mom little jimmy got one first

benlee said:
This is an amazing thing for Apple to do. However, I'm more digusted now than i was last night when I was reading through post after post of people whining when all i wanted to do was find out about the great products released. I can't believe people are still complaining. You will never see a company do this.
To the people complaining about only getting a credit to the apple store:
Don't ever start a business. You are sure to fail.
What do you want steve to send you 2 benjamins? Do you expect when ever a price on a product is dropped you are going to get a refund for what you paid. Get real and get over it. Im throwing up in my mouth because of the disgusting ego-centric attitude some people have.

To the people who are happy with this:
Congratulations. You are lucky.

To all the people that only registered in the last two days and are still complaining saying they are never going to buy another apple product. Have fun with the other products out there. You are really taking a stand. Steve is going to never be able to sleep because you are upset, meanwhile, he made millions of new friends. And dont say you are a loyal customer. a loyal customer wouldnt cry because a product price increased so more people could have it and then the company still give you something for buying it early.

Sorry if this post is long and ridiculous. I've just been so annoyed over this ordeal.
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I thought your post was very well said. I couldn't agree more.

When yesterday I noticed all the negative ratings for the iPhone price drop, I was utterly confused for all of 2 seconds. Why would anyone want higher prices? And then it hit me, the negative raters were all a bunch of whining geeks who want everyone else to pay the high price they paid. Not everyone, but the people who camped out for it or pre-ordered and are now complaining are just ricokulous.

These were the same people who as kids would cry to their mother and have you break your ice-cream sandwich in half just to shut them up... until the next hissy fit. Remember them?

:apple: owes the early adopters nothing, as they (we've) had the iPhone for 2 months before many pulled the trigger. For those who purchased within 2 or so weeks, I can understand the frustration. But many here, I find, just like to complain to anyone who will listen.

The fact that :apple: went above and beyond like this to please its customers is just amazing. Steve Jobs really cares about his company and customers and anyone who denies that is likely a spoiled brat.
 
technicolor said:
The fact that some of you feel this way, want to see Apple stick it to people just because, AND especially those of you who dont even have iPhones , are just as juvenile if not more than those you are accusing to be whiners.
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I neither said nor implied any of the above drivel. ^ Check yourself technicolor.

:rolleyes:
 
technicolor said:
At least you admit to it. Just dont be a hypocrite and pretend as if your antics are any better than those who were crying yesterday.
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Being the MacRumors Bastard, my hands are rather tied on the matter... I bug people, push their buttons and when I get a reaction out of them I know I've succeeded. It's a fun game really. :D :cool:

CWallace said:
It could just be a way to get folks to buy one for the holidays, but there are rumors a 16GB model could be released at Paris or perhaps it will come out in late Q1 2008.
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There is a noticeable omission in the product line, isn't there? 8GB iPod touch, 16 GB iPod touch, 8GB iPhone... ... the 16GB should be coming soon I'm thinking. I see no reason why not. As you say, perhaps in tandem with the iPhone Europe announcement at the Paris Expo coming up. ;) If not, MWSF '08 it is.
 
I think this is great news for the early adopters - but unnecessary. Worse still, it could set a precedent for future complaints about updates and price drops.

Being in the UK, I didn't have the opportunity to buy the iPhone. If I had been able to, then I would accept (as I have done before) that prices drop, new models get better etc.

In fact, had I bought an 8GB iPhone, I'd be more disappointed that the iPod Touch has 16GB - a feature that would be a true bonus for the iPhone - yet the 'flagship model' of the iPhone has only 8GB.

Perhaps Apple decided to let the storm blow over regarding the price drop before they introduce the 16GB iPhone that is obviously going to replace the 4GB model.

I can only hope that having waited for the iPhone to reach the UK, we will be able to take advantage of a reduced price 16GB iPhone this Autumn.

Oh, and when is Apple going to credit back all the UK customers who paid £1.89 for video content that costs $1.99 (plus tax) in the US?
 
Apple

From the beginning of it all, Apple has always cared for its customers. It's not like were buying Microsoft Windows, and having our computer crash after a service pack update. No, this is solely over a product that went DOWN in price. It's time for people to understand the magnitude of the iPhone for Apple. Since January, Apple has attempted to throw people on the iPhone bandwagon. It is right now the gut of the company, and when they made the price cut, they felt the pain and so did the people around them. Just look at his site and many out there, its for those people who care about Apple products, and care about the Apple name. Stop whining, and move on. Just look at the Microsoft Zune, yesterday it took a $50 dollar price drop, and did any cry over that? No.:apple:
 
bilbo--baggins said:
I think this is great news for the early adopters - but unnecessary. Worse still, it could set a precedent for future complaints about updates and price drops.
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Perhaps this will spur Apple to return to their more "lackadaisical" upgrade plans which folks mostly didn't seem to have an issue with. If this price drop had been six or twelve months later, the consternation would have been far less, I imagine.

But many have pointed out that cellphones are different (though not quite this different, in truth), so we should best get used to quicker updates in price and specification at least for the iPhone and the iPod Touches based on it.
 
Apple doesn't mind

Apple doesn't mind because they know all of you will run in with that $100 an buy new iPods any ways. Ha!

Nice one Apple.

This will not set a precedent either. Apple knows they set the bar too high, this expensive lesson has been learned. They will not make that mistake again so all future launches prices will be more grounded and realistic.
 
Football1maniac said:
From the beginning of it all, Apple has always cared for its customers. It's not like were buying Microsoft Windows, and having our computer crash after a service pack update. No, this is solely over a product that went DOWN in price. It's time for people to understand the magnitude of the iPhone for Apple. Since January, Apple has attempted to throw people on the iPhone bandwagon. It is right now the gut of the company, and when they made the price cut, they felt the pain and so did the people around them. Just look at his site and many out there, its for those people who care about Apple products, and care about the Apple name. Stop whining, and move on. Just look at the Microsoft Zune, yesterday it took a $50 dollar price drop, and did any cry over that? No.:apple:
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I don't think any successful firm really 'cares' about its customers.

Apple 'cares' about its profit margin; this price drop & $100 rebate must have been deemed good for long term profitability.
 
Hello! McFly!

Okay, so while all the iPhone owners are whining because their brand new devices price was dropped - welcome to the real world! This happens ALL THE TIME. And what about that poor sap who bought a 5.5G iPod two days ago? Is Stevie giving them a handout? I dont think so! So quit you're drama-queen rants about how you'll be an apple fan because they did more than they had to do. Face the facts, you wouldn't switch to a Windows Mobile phone over $200, would you? Yeah, I didnt think so either.

Oh yeah. And don't forget iPhone owners, even after the credit you still paid $100 more than the ones who wait... Ah yes, an old proverb comes to mind: Patience is a virtue. Or something like that...
 
NewSc2 said:
Well personally, I'd rather have the $200 refund, and am going through the process with MasterCard to get it back. It's nice to know I have this to fall back on. And no, I won't be trying to double-dip. A $399 iPhone is good enough for me :)
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Ok. there is a difference between wanting fairplay and being greedy. You sir are drifting very fast into the greedy lane.

You bought the phone at a time when the price was acceptable to you. The price dropped and by no means are you entitled to get any money back. Apple gives you $100, that they don't have to and you still want it all. You have used the product for 2 MONTHS. You don't see any wrong with wanting the entire amount?

If you buy a car and drive it for 2 months and find out they knocked off 30% would you try to get every dime back or try to receive some compensation? You talk about apple and greedy corporations and yet you are doing the same thing as a consumer. Taking advantage of the system.

I bet you buy outfits for parties and take them back after you've warn them the next day for a full refund.

Just be content you got anything. Nobody made you buy it in June. Start living with your decisions.
 
Digitaljim said:
I don't think any successful firm really 'cares' about its customers.

Apple 'cares' about its profit margin; this price drop & $100 rebate must have been deemed good for long term profitability.
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It does not have to be a one or the other. "Caring" about costumers has proven to be good for long term profit for a great number of companies. I would argue that long term success is more likely for companies that care for their customers as much as they do their balance sheets.
 
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