iPhone price cut: Official response from Steve Jobs

[BugDave]

get your money back =]

Not sure if this has been mentioned already but if you bought your phone using an American Express card you can get the $200 + tax back. Yes, you get to keep your phone too. ;-)

If you used an American Express card to buy your iPhone and have the buyer's protection plan, which most AMEX cards have, you may be able call them and they will credit you the difference plus tax. "BugDave" writes: "I got $212 back on my 8gig iPhone and It took me less than 10 minutes. The credit will be posted on the account within the next 48 hours." The Buyer's protection number for American Express is 1-800-297-8019.

Source: Read the 2nd news section on this link

 

[cube]

Now thanks to all the complainers, Apple will take longer to cut the price of all future products. Brilliant!

 

[NewMacGirl]

What are you people complaining about?? You couldn't wait to gloat with pictures of your new iphones when you first got them. Its good of apple to give you all $100 vouchers. I honestly don't think this was a pre meditated move, more a reaction on the rapidly changing mobile market the iphone is in.

Stop whinging, enjoy your iphones and lighten up. Just think about what you can buy at apple with your vouchers, There there everything will be OK.

Look I can't even buy an iphone until next year.

My pressing question is do I get a touch or wait until next year and buy an iphone. Trouble is all the mobile operators are sharks. Has anyone tthought that perhaps AT&T had a hand in this decision. AT&T will be going spare at the touch and they problay demanded a iphone price cut if the touch came out. After all why do I need to get an iphone now when I can get the gorgeous interface without having to deal with a shonky mobile operator?

One other thing, apprently Nokia nd Microsoft have been loving this so there is a good chance they have people posting on this board trying to stir us up.

 

[El Carbonite]

Has anyone tried getting their $100 credit at the store yet? I'd like to go this weekend and use it to buy the new iPod nano 4GB and pay only $50.

 

[Potus]

Has anyone tried getting their $100 credit at the store yet? I'd like to go this weekend and use it to buy the new iPod nano 4GB and pay only $50.

See! I'm still envious of the early adopters. oh well: I think I'm getting an iPhone for my bday.

 

[s10]

Has anyone tried getting their $100 credit at the store yet? I'd like to go this weekend and use it to buy the new iPod nano 4GB and pay only $50.

did you read the letter from Jobs? probably not.

 

[sonicboom]

I never bought an iPhone, but...

I'm sincerely impressed!

Way to treat your loyal customers Apple!

 

[Uragon]

I am really surprise there were lots of complaints due to the USD200 price drop for iPhone, in some foreign mobile phone industry, this is a no-surprise, price drops can happen in just weeks or within the month. Let's say Nokia comes out with a new model and within 2-weeks SE will have there on model to match nokia's and this happens alot as newer models are coming out from different mobile companies.

I agree with alot of posters here, if you can't wait for a version 2 and really love that product just go and get it and enjoy it regardless of the price or possible price drops down within months....

If you look at the mobile phone market nokia is coming again with a new 8GB phone N81 and SE with SE 960....and it goes on...

Another surprise for me here, is Apple giving (back) a USD100 credit, I haven't heard of any company that does this, except perhaps in the old old old old old days...

For those, who others have called 'whinners', I DON'T BLAME you, you were just vocal on how you felt, but try to get used to it. I still think what iPhone is bringing to the mobile industry is really a good thing. And by the time you read this, maybe Nokia and SE et al, will be rolling out newer models.

 

[izzle22]

I am really surprise there were lots of complaints due to the USD200 price drop for iPhone, in some foreign mobile phone industry, this is a no-surprise, price drops can happen in just weeks or within the month. Let's say Nokia comes out with a new model and within 2-weeks SE will have there on model to match nokia's and this happens alot as newer models are coming out from different mobile companies.

I agree with alot of posters here, if you can't wait for a version 2 and really love that product just go and get it and enjoy it regardless of the price or possible price drops down within months....

If you look at the mobile phone market nokia is coming again with a new 8GB phone N81 and SE with SE 960....and it goes on...

Another surprise for me here, is Apple giving (back) a USD100 credit, I haven't heard of any company that does this, except perhaps in the old old old old old days...

For those, who others have called 'whinners', I DON'T BLAME you, you were just vocal on how you felt, but try to get used to it. I still think what iPhone is bringing to the mobile industry is really a good thing. And by the time you read this, maybe Nokia and SE et al, will be rolling out newer models.

I understand all of what you said here and if you really really read half the posts here, so does everyone else. The thing is in all of Apple's years this is not how THEY operate and the loyal fans know this and this is why the loyal fans trusted Apple not to do this and purchased the iPhone on day one. I am soooooo tired of listening to people say "this is how it is in the electronics world" "you should have known" "you should never bought it so soon" We all knew it would go down and understood that's how things happen, but Apple doesn't do this to it's customers this soon and this much, maybe you newbies are used to this from other companies but we are not.

 

[leviut]

I Want $200 Store Credit!!!

Are any of you early adopters thinking like me??? Aren't we, the consumers, the ones in control?? Can we not say that we desire to pay what the newest iPhone customers will pay and demand a return of our $200 in CASH!!????

I will accept $200 store credit-- but-- don't offer me $100 worth of overpriced apple product and expect me to be satisfied!!!

I, and the other million iPhone early adopters, make Apple what it is... so quit jacking us around!!!!!

$200 STORE CREDIT!!!!!!!!

 

[Blue Velvet]

On second thoughts, a few days later, I think this move is a bad one. Why?

Because it sets a precedent and as many people have already pointed out, this is the way things work in the mobile phone market. All those who claim to be Apple supporters while shouting the loudest are crippling Apple's ability to operate in this market on the same terms as other mobile phone manufacturers.

There's no point in saying Apple don't do this kind of thing (price cuts) when this is their first foray into an entirely new market for them. And are we going to see the same clamour again when the next gen iPhone is released? What brakes is this going to put on the timely release of new models?

For that reason, I hope that they don't do this again.

 

[leviut]

apple.. i'm not stupid

If I read this correctly, there is a "restocking fee" associated with the voucher to get early adopters to come back and buy more stuff from the Apple Store. How is that a $100 cheque and rebate for early adopters?


It just puts more money in the bank for Apple using a glorified coupon process.

Hello world?

Ju Jitsu by Apple.

i am surprised that apple customers are so stupid. i bought the phone the day it came out, and i was livid when i heard about the price drop. i got on the blogs, and cursed, and ranted. then... the $100 credit. at first glance, it made me happy.

but-- it's b.s. First-- to Mr. Job's... members of your most loyal fanbase are saying they feel 'burned', 'screwed'! These are strong feelings!!!

How do you make it right? 100% right? CREDIT us the TOTAL difference back to our credit cards($200)... period.

Your offer sucks- and I'm inclined to decline it-- mainly because you are insulting my intelligence.

Keep your coupon-- I'm not giving you another cent. I might even check out Dell products!!!!

 

[spydr]

Are any of you early adopters thinking like me??? Aren't we, the consumers, the ones in control?? Can we not say that we desire to pay what the newest iPhone customers will pay and demand a return of our $200 in CASH!!????

I will accept $200 store credit-- but-- don't offer me $100 worth of overpriced apple product and expect me to be satisfied!!!

I, and the other million iPhone early adopters, make Apple what it is... so quit jacking us around!!!!!

$200 STORE CREDIT!!!!!!!!

I would be happy with my $100 store credit. Think about your own life for a moment - you got your phone, you were (presumably) happy with it (as you didn't return it), now unexpectedly, you are getting a $100 gift card from Apple! I think that is the right perspective - usually life is not this rewarding... but what do I know.

 

[leviut]

I am really surprise there were lots of complaints due to the USD200 price drop for iPhone, in some foreign mobile phone industry, this is a no-surprise, price drops can happen in just weeks or within the month. Let's say Nokia comes out with a new model and within 2-weeks SE will have there on model to match nokia's and this happens alot as newer models are coming out from different mobile companies.

I agree with alot of posters here, if you can't wait for a version 2 and really love that product just go and get it and enjoy it regardless of the price or possible price drops down within months....

If you look at the mobile phone market nokia is coming again with a new 8GB phone N81 and SE with SE 960....and it goes on...

Another surprise for me here, is Apple giving (back) a USD100 credit, I haven't heard of any company that does this, except perhaps in the old old old old old days...

For those, who others have called 'whinners', I DON'T BLAME you, you were just vocal on how you felt, but try to get used to it. I still think what iPhone is bringing to the mobile industry is really a good thing. And by the time you read this, maybe Nokia and SE et al, will be rolling out newer models.

apple is a different company and its customers are different. we buy any and everything apple. most tech companies don't have loyalists like apple. jobs know this, hence the refund. which i think sucks. it should be at least $200. we're talking store credit here. it's not even cash.

I would be happy with my $100 store credit. Think about your own life for a moment - you got your phone, you were (presumably) happy with it (as you didn't return it), now unexpectedly, you are getting a $100 gift card from Apple! I think that is the right perspective - usually life is not this rewarding... but what do I know.

yes, and what will people buy from apple with $100? stuff that costs more than $100. apple is very smart. they are going to turn a profit from these coupons.

i intended to buy 2 shuffles as gifts(+59). my friend is getting a nano(+50). bluetooth(+29)... and this is very low end apple.

and judging from the iPhone, all of these products are likely marked up quite alot.

I think $200 of apple product is not very much to ask. it's all sold at a premium anyway. i think that is a small price for jobs to pay for my continued loyalty. i buy apple everything and it costs me thousands.

I would be happy with my $100 store credit. Think about your own life for a moment - you got your phone, you were (presumably) happy with it (as you didn't return it), now unexpectedly, you are getting a $100 gift card from Apple! I think that is the right perspective - usually life is not this rewarding... but what do I know.

but i'm not happy with it and i'm walking away from apple. can jobs afford that? or should he just give me what i want and not what he wants to give me?

Has anyone tried getting their $100 credit at the store yet? I'd like to go this weekend and use it to buy the new iPod nano 4GB and pay only $50.

picture jobs as mr. burns... he must be thinking, 'brilliant.' and this whole coupon business is quite smart.

you are taking your coupon and paying only $50 to buy a nano that you don't even need because your phone is an ipod????

wow... apple is very clever.

See! I'm still envious of the early adopters. oh well: I think I'm getting an iPhone for my bday.

well you may as well now that its only very expensive and not utterly ridiculous in price!!! you'll love it.

You haven't even used an iphone. where do you come off saying anything? apple by no means had to give anything back. the whiners who have been swearing off apple and never buying a mac again (meaning you'd be stuck with, what . . . a dell . . . how's their customer service going to keep you happy . . . ) were just bluffing. now they get their $100 to pay for 10.5 or 101 itunes songs or whatever. how many iphones has apple sold? 700,000? that's a $70 million gift because jobs and apple really really loves and appreciates their customers. that $70 million totally unnecessary gift should be viewed as an amazing gesture so be happy with it and for once stop complaining.

the post from maddog31 regarding the $100 gift card and how he's more likely than ever to switch over now. i'm sure this was a factor into jobs's decision on top of keeping early adopters happy. brilliant move. stop complaining. this is business and customer service at its finest.

you're a lamb. and a fool to think that apple does not have billion dollar marketing team geared toward making money. there is no caring.

 

[Little Endian]

Get over it.

Sure two months is quick but hey life is quick and $200 is small change to be agonizing about if you got the cash to spend $600 for a cell phone not to mention paying $70-$100 plus a month on service charges. Cell phones also either; last not much longer than two years or people upgrade before then, so what's two months and $200?

I spent $500 for the first generation 10GB ipod and I have owned every generation of ipod since. With each ipod purchase I bought with the knowledge that in a matter of months or less than a year there would be a price reduction or new model released. That's the risk one must assume when buying technology. Sure the iphone price reduction is rather extreme but anyone who's been keeping up with the iphone since it's intro should have known that this first generation iphone was just begging for a price reduction or upgrade.

I'll buy an iphone once I can get one with 3G mobile broadband, 16GB capacity, and capability to be used as a broadband modem with a laptop all for under $500. Since the iphone's intro I have expected the aforementioned capabilities and price points by the end of the year and if not by early next year.

 

[BigPrince]

I'd like to see a poll.

I have an iPhone and feel some sort of gesture is warranted.

I have an iPhone and feel nothing special should be done for us.

I don't have an iPhone and feel some sort of gesture is warranted.

I don't have an iPhone and feel nothing special should of been done for them.





Please don't lose sight of this important fact.

Very few people seem mad that the price dropped.

People are mad that it dropped significantly in a short period of time.

 

[zac4mac]

@leviut -
I stood in line 10.5 hrs, on my wife's B'day for my phone.
I would have it at any price.
68 days later it's 200 dollars less, me and a half million others get "really pissed"
S.J. first says "tough titties" to everyones cries of "we're screwed" and the angry e-mails pile up on his computer.
S.J reconsiders and offers a compromise that is very well received.

Now I will buy the 160GB iPod Classic that will finally hold ALL my music and a new AirPort Extreme to better cover my home needs.
I am an Apple whore.

Z

 

[songsforbears]

Apple really dissappointed me with the price drop and the extreme lack of loyalty to their most loyal customers, but this definitely redeemed them in my eyes. Yes, I still technically paid $100 more than I should and my 4GB iPhone is already discontinued, but $100 was worth having an amazing phone for two months. Also, my volume button got stuck and I got a free 8GB loaner and just got a brand new 4GB in the mail from Apple. The only thing to do now is decide what to spend my $100 credit on. Talk about a great way for Apple to make money.

Daniel

 

[50548]

i am surprised that apple customers are so stupid. i bought the phone the day it came out, and i was livid when i heard about the price drop. i got on the blogs, and cursed, and ranted. then... the $100 credit. at first glance, it made me happy.

but-- it's b.s. First-- to Mr. Job's... members of your most loyal fanbase are saying they feel 'burned', 'screwed'! These are strong feelings!!!

How do you make it right? 100% right? CREDIT us the TOTAL difference back to our credit cards($200)... period.

Your offer sucks- and I'm inclined to decline it-- mainly because you are insulting my intelligence.

Keep your coupon-- I'm not giving you another cent. I might even check out Dell products!!!!

Oh please, just shut up. You have neither legal nor moral right to complain; you bought the device that YOU wanted, at the time that you WANTED, period.

I bought my LCD TV at $ 1500 and now it's $ 800, and I would NEVER be as stupid as to demand something that bears NO legitimacy whatsoever. Just be happy that you got the 100 bucks credit from SJ, because you shouldn't have anything in the first place. IT industry changes all the time, and companies are more than free to establish their own pricing and marketing strategies...go out and get some air, please, because you guys need it.

 

[psingh01]

I can't believe the whiners got what they wanted. Their rants sounded like they were more upset that others were getting a better deal, not that they got a worse deal. They would gladly pay $600 if it means others have to pay that much too. I don't care for that attitude of entitlement.

 

[islanders]

I dont' get it?

I just don't see why they were overpriced by $200 to begin with?

Now, a coupon for $100, to buy more stuff from Apple? haaha!

It should be a rebate or coupon. Gawd!

I just got a $20 rebate for a box of printing paper from Staples!

Smart they dropped the price so soon, but from now on everyone is going to hold off for price drops.

I don't think its that big a deal, just not a good move to jack up the price so high from the start then drop $200 so soon.

the $100 coupon is a flipping joke! why not a rebate?

 

[jackc]

the $100 coupon is a flipping joke! why not a rebate?

Because it costs less for Apple, it's better than nothing, and the early adopters obviously like to buy stuff from Apple. It's not like giving them a gift certificate to Starbucks or something.

 

[hagjohn]

Hear ya.... What a joke, IMO.

Your out $200 (cash) in 2 months. Your getting $100 back in "store credit" but what about the other $100? I just can't believe how many people are so happy to get screwed over. Not even to mention how over priced the iPhone was to begin with but nobody is unhappy with that either.

I would be demanding the full $200 in cash or $200 credit on my phone bill.

haha, my powerbook will last forever.

whatever, dude. Yeah I blindly thought that apple had some integrity before, and I am paying 100 bucks for that mistake. I, in no way, feel apple made right. Sure me and alot of other people were early adopters, but I hardly call 15 days early.

Explain this to me then. If they had dropped the price 100 dollars, it wouldnt be so sour and people wouldnt be saying that steve jobs is a god. Yet, apple made right by dropping the price two hundred dollars and then giving us 100 dollars back? bs if you ask me.

 

[Maui]

Your offer sucks- and I'm inclined to decline it-- mainly because you are insulting my intelligence.

Keep your coupon-- I'm not giving you another cent.

Hey, that's smart thinking. Yah, that sure will teach Apple a lesson. Way to go.

 

[mikef07]

Hear ya.... What a joke, IMO.

Your out $200 (cash) in 2 months. Your getting $100 back in "store credit" but what about the other $100? I just can't believe how many people are so happy to get screwed over. Not even to mention how over priced the iPhone was to begin with but nobody is unhappy with that either.

I would be demanding the full $200 in cash or $200 credit on my phone bill.

You have no clue. How was it overpriced? It was not. The market dictates if it was overpriced. If it sells at $600 then it is not overpriced. You can say that it is ovrpriced to you. For early adopters it was not overpriced. However all of teh early adopters had bought it and it was overpriced for the 2nd wave. Thus the price drop which will incorporate the people who like and just want a new phone. At some point those peopel will all have bough tone and they will come to the late adopters which will be the next price drop. This thing is going to fly off the shelf for the holiday season for kids from 12-25.