IUP is not a loyalty rewards program

[rawlus]

seen a lot of ppl posting that BECAUSE they are part of the IUP program, they should have received priority or preferential treatment for their order.

IUP is a financing option, not a loyalty program.

Loyalty is not measured by the method of payment.

People who pay cash up front can feel just as much loyalty to a brand.

When people bitch that that they did not get what they wanted from the brand they claim they are loyal to, that by definition is not being loyal. haha.

that’s all.

 

[Diorama]

They shouldn’t have a lower chance of getting a launch day iPhone though.

 

[ray6712]

No they shouldn’t but they shouldn’t have a better chance either

 

[myscrnnm]

They shouldn’t have a lower chance of getting a launch day iPhone though.

Weren't they able to get pre-approval or something before the website closed ahead of the launch though?

 

[Jimpilot]

seen a lot of ppl posting that BECAUSE they are part of the IUP program, they should have received priority or preferential treatment for their order.

IUP is a financing option, not a loyalty program.

Loyalty is not measured by the method of payment.

People who pay cash up front can feel just as much loyalty to a brand.

When people bitch that that they did not get what they wanted from the brand they claim they are loyal to, that by definition is not being loyal. haha.

that’s all.

Either way it worked great for me. After last years mess it was a welcome change.

 

[Diorama]

Weren't they able to get pre-approval or something before the website closed ahead of the launch though?

They were, but apparently it failed on a lot of people. Apple have been sending them emails though so it might all get sorted it.

 

[Jimpilot]

Weren't they able to get pre-approval or something before the website closed ahead of the launch though?

All we were able to do is get the IUP paperwork out of the way. It also stored what phone etc you wanted, so when Apple app opened up all I had to do was press complete order and it was done.

It basically leveled the playing field to the same as folks who saved their phone as a favorite. The big problem seemed to be with the app being overloaded.

 

[rawlus]

They shouldn’t have a lower chance of getting a launch day iPhone though.

they don’t have a lower chance. i got in via App at 3:03am and got confirmation email around 6or 7 past for Nov delivery.

people are ASSUMING that there is some behind the scenes manipulation working AGAIST IUP users... with zero evidence. and zero rationale given for how in any way, denying IUP users access is good for anyone. lease of all Apple.

Apple is highly motivated to sell as many of these freaking things as humanly possible... doesn’t everyone understand that?

it’s a supply/demand/technology issue. u can’t sell a zillion phones to a zillion customer ears in the same minute. people are being prioritized anonymously on a nanosecond level based on the ceiling limit for order processing. nothing more.

 

[ob81]

People feel closer to Apple for leasing their phones. Actually, I think they should receive better treatment. They are very valuable to apple. I don’t use it by the way, and the 1st and only phone I preordered was the iPhone 6. I skipped 2 or 3 phones. I am not as valuable to Apple.

 

[Jimpilot]

IUP worked as advertised for me. As I said I suspect Apple (or whomever) telling everyone the app was the way to go overloaded it.

 

[cannono]

I mean, they’re Apple’s most valuable iPhone customers arguably. They directly give Apple their data and their committed interest to buying direct from Apple every year. Wouldn’t be weird at all if Apple gave the iUP users priority.

 

[Vermifuge]

they don’t have a lower chance. i got in via App at 3:03am and got confirmation email around 6or 7 past for Nov delivery.

Just because you didn't have problems doesn't mean that others didn't. Many iUP customers were stalled at checkout because of a glitch / down system. Even those who had pre authorization. The evidence? emails from apple and calls from representatives addressing the now KNOWN problem.

 

[fs454]

I noticed Apple was providing priority device stock last year for iUP customers. So I jumped on board - it was the only way I was able to secure the 7 Plus that I wanted at the time.

This year I got preapproval, the Apple Store app opened right at 12:01 and all I had to do was tap two buttons and got myself a Nov 3 delivery.

Think what you want, but they’re definitely treating iUP customers a little better than other methods. Glitches can happen with everything, so it’s not worth getting worked up over when they’re clearly trying to solve the issue.

 

[KL77]

I've had enough of this straw man argument. Remove the word loyalty and throw it in the garbage. Anyone who thinks they will get anything because they are a loyal customer does not understand business in the world today. Financially speaking, IUP members ARE Apple's best customers. They profit wildly off of our business, both during the lease, and when trade-in/upgrade time comes. This issue is strictly business. I've explained it in a dozen other posts and don't feel like explaining it again, but it has nothing to do with loyalty and everything to do with a business behaving in a downright unethical manner, for which they were promptly sued last year.
[doublepost=1509215209][/doublepost]

I noticed Apple was providing priority device stock last year for iUP customers. So I jumped on board - it was the only way I was able to secure the 7 Plus that I wanted at the time.

This year I got preapproval, the Apple Store app opened right at 12:01 and all I had to do was tap two buttons and got myself a Nov 3 delivery.

Think what you want, but they’re definitely treating iUP customers a little better than other methods. Glitches can happen with everything, so it’s not worth getting worked up over when they’re clearly trying to solve the issue.

Actually, last year, EXISTING IUP were waitlisted behind non IUP members. Google "IUP class action lawsuit 2016" and you will learn something new.

 

[eyoungren]

When people bitch that that they did not get what they wanted from the brand they claim they are loyal to, that by definition is not being loyal. haha.

I agree with the subject of your post, but…

I have a problem with your definition of loyalty.

Loyalty does not mean never say anything critical. It does not mean, look the other way when mistakes are made or harmful actions are taken. It does not mean taking abuse silently. It does not mean you give everything and the person or thing you are loyal to gives nothing back.

Loyalty does not mean you are a puppet, subject to the whims of those persons or things you are loyal to. It does not mean you can be used and disregarded.

Loyalty IS a two way street. It must be earned, it must be respected on both sides and loyalty means speaking up when something is wrong so it can be corrected by the other party involved.

Fail to speak up, fail to point out bad behavior and that's not loyalty.

That's cronyism.

 

[Diorama]

So basically you are still loyal even after 4 years of camera hump?

 

[eyoungren]

So basically you are still loyal even after 4 years of camera hump?

If that is directed to me, I believe I have stated more than once that my next phone will be Android.

 

[cwosigns]

People feel closer to Apple for leasing their phones. Actually, I think they should receive better treatment. They are very valuable to apple. I don’t use it by the way, and the 1st and only phone I preordered was the iPhone 6. I skipped 2 or 3 phones. I am not as valuable to Apple.

How is someone on the IUP more valuable to Apple than me, who buys his phones at full price every year? IUP is the surest way to NOT get a phone on launch day, since you're locked into one purchase option. I can buy from Apple, Verizon, Best Buy, Target, etc. If one site/option fails, you hit another. Not sure the logic behind this "IUP customers are more valuable."

 

[Lobwedgephil]

I'm in the program, I got in at 12:03 via the app. exact same as others. I forgot to email Tim Cook to complain.

 

[Diorama]

How is someone on the IUP more valuable to Apple than me, who buys his phones at full price every year? IUP is the surest way to NOT get a phone on launch day, since you're locked into one purchase option. I can buy from Apple, Verizon, Best Buy, Target, etc. If one site/option fails, you hit another. Not sure the logic behind this "IUP customers are more valuable."

More valuable to Apple in that they are a guaranteed pay check I guess, Apple gets the phone back each year which is to their benefit.

 

[Vermifuge]

Buying new hardware every year certainly makes someone a valuable customer. But the "Most Valuable" customers are the ones that subscribe to the many Apple services and purchase digital goods. Are you a customer that uses Apple Music? Do you pay for iCloud storage? Are you purchasing all your movies through iTunes? That's what Apple Values in a customer.

By selling you an iPhone, iPad or MacBook Apple has essentially made you pay for the store. It's what you buy from that store that makes you valuable.

 

[dolphin2421]

Weren't they able to get pre-approval or something before the website closed ahead of the launch though?

Yes, we were. And unfortunately by doing that we were locked in to completing the upgrade on our iPhones via the Apple Store app. Effectively ruining our chances for launch day delivery because the app wouldn't connect until lead times had slipped to 3 weeks+.

I understand it's not a loyalty program per se, but it is a guaranteed group of customers who have pledged to buy the latest product on an annual basis, along with AppleCare+. That's a salient value for any company. It gives them valuable intel about sales expectations and that should count for something.

I didn't sign up for IUP financing. I joined to buy an unlocked upgraded iPhone every year from Apple without having to sell my previous phone elsewhere -- and I hoped, apparently wrongly, that by providing a guaranteed sale I would get a leg up on launch day. It has proven to be just the opposite.

I really love the hype and community that develops around these launches... tracking the delivery progress and all of that. Despite my best efforts, I've never received a phone on launch day. Of course I can wait, and will wait, like always. But I'm a bit disappointed.
[doublepost=1509217408][/doublepost]

How is someone on the IUP more valuable to Apple than me, who buys his phones at full price every year? IUP is the surest way to NOT get a phone on launch day, since you're locked into one purchase option. I can buy from Apple, Verizon, Best Buy, Target, etc. If one site/option fails, you hit another. Not sure the logic behind this "IUP customers are more valuable."

Because IUP participants are guaranteed buyers through the Apple channel with AppleCare+. Full price buyers could opt to sit out a launch or to switch to Android, for that matter. IUP has committed to Apple on an annual basis. It's a major win for Apple.
[doublepost=1509217675][/doublepost]

Buying new hardware every year certainly makes someone a valuable customer. But the "Most Valuable" customers are the ones that subscribe to the many Apple services and purchase digital goods. Are you a customer that uses Apple Music? Do you pay for iCloud storage? Are you purchasing all your movies through iTunes? That's what Apple Values in a customer.

By selling you an iPhone, iPad or MacBook Apple has essentially made you pay for the store. It's what you buy from that store that makes you valuable.

Yes, but the device is the vector to deliver all those services. You gotta have that hardware or the service ecosystem isn't of use...

 

[Vermifuge]

Yes, but the device is the vector to deliver all those services. You gotta have that hardware or the service ecosystem isn't of use...

Obviously. that's why i commented Apple must first sell you the store. But if you stopped there, you have little value to Apple.

Look at console game systems. They have to sell you the hardware in order for you to buy the games, but if all you did was buy an Xbox or Playstation and didn't pay for the online service or games to play on it you wont have much if any value to them as a customer.

Hardware made Apple but services are Apple's future.

 

[dolphin2421]

Obviously. that's why i commented Apple must first sell you the store. But if you stopped there, you have little value to Apple.

Look at console game systems. They have to sell you the hardware in order for you to buy the games, but if all you did was buy an Xbox or Playstation and didn't pay for the online service or games to play on it you wont have much if any value to them as a customer.

Hardware made Apple but services are Apple's future.

Agreed. By buying the latest hardware you reaffirm your commitment to all those services. So I would argue that upgrading customers are of the upmost value -- because we repeatedly buy into the service ecosystem.

 

[rawlus]

More valuable to Apple in that they are a guaranteed pay check I guess, Apple gets the phone back each year which is to their benefit.

they don’t always get the phone back each year because many ppl use IuP merely to spread out the PURCHASE of the phone interest free over time. it’s not a lock that ppl will always upgrade and always return the phone.
[doublepost=1509220267][/doublepost]honestly though, if you feel like a victim it’s because you’re acting like a victim. don’t like what apples doing, shop elsewhere. you don’t need to sit there and take it, crying that you’re the most valuable customer, that you’ve been the most loyal is kinda pathetic. apple is a business.