Bundles aren't illegal, a store can sell you things however they want to bundle, at whatever price they want. Whether there will be backlash from Apple is an entirely different question.
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Radio Shack - Legal, or not
- Thread starter samcraig
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Is it really a bundle if they sell you the phone + items and not ALL as one "package"
The receipt, communication and intent wasn't a bundle. It was - to buy the iphone, you also have to buy two accessories. It wasn't - you have to buy the iPhone bundle, etc.
That's called 'inboarding' when they reduce the price of the product a bit and make you pay for accessories.
It makes their accessory (and therefor margin) numbers look better, because they don't make a cent on the actual hardware.
Corporate does not go for this, because it inflates the store's profit, but the profit is false because they're lowering the price of the phone below what corporate pays for it.
It's INCREDIBLY common at Best Buys (where I used to supervise). All you have to do is say "I'm going straight to corporate about this--what's your name" and they'll cave.
It makes their accessory (and therefor margin) numbers look better, because they don't make a cent on the actual hardware.
Corporate does not go for this, because it inflates the store's profit, but the profit is false because they're lowering the price of the phone below what corporate pays for it.
It's INCREDIBLY common at Best Buys (where I used to supervise). All you have to do is say "I'm going straight to corporate about this--what's your name" and they'll cave.
So in reality you got a regular priced iPhone ($200) and $31 worth of accessories for $211. So you ended up spending $211 for $231 worth of merchandise. In the end its a good deal as you save $20. However I get your point that its a bit fishy to require you to buy the extra $11 worth of accessories, although I don't think it is illegal in anyway.
What were the accessories by the way? Anything good?
Crappy screen protectors (not even cut to size) + an incipio dermashot case. The case I might actually keep. But wanted to see what else was out there. The case is soft - but doesn't go over the home button like my older speck (which I liked for added protection/dust).
And yes - I did get $31 in merch and only paid 11. But (deciding on the case) - it's stuff I don't want or need. So it's not a good deal (to me). I didn't save anything if I can't return it and/or want to buy a different case and/or screen protector. It's just another $11 "premium"
Again - I'm not saying $11 is a lot of money or whatnot.
not sure if anyone is still following this. I picked up my phone yesterday from Radio Shack and had to get 2 accessories. They only had 2 cases so I got one and an iTunes card for $15. So, if you are against getting accessories you'll always use iTunes money.
Yeah, I hate it when I buy $31 worth of accessories for $11. Goes against every moral fiber in my body. And you can't say you don't have a choice. It's not like RS has a monopoly on the phone, you have a choice to go somewhere else.
I got my phone from Radio Shack and it was the best experience I had. I got the accessories because I hat to buy them anyway and I saved money because of the bundle.
I got my phone on the 2nd as a walk-in. Flawless.
Highly recommended.
I usually complain on this board, but this time I have to give credit to Radio Shack
I got my phone on the 2nd as a walk-in. Flawless.
Highly recommended.
I usually complain on this board, but this time I have to give credit to Radio Shack
RadioShack store manager here...
Sorry for not reading all the posts, i have to get to work, ha.
We are discounting the phone to 180, and 280, and you do HAVE to spend the 20, or it goes to you in the form of a RS gift card. That 20 cannot come off the value of the phone per apple.
Now what we try to do is provide a bundle. At my store we use the case valued at $20, and the zagg screen protector valued at $15. We then tell you that by purchasing the phone you get these 2 great acc for only $15.
Now by no means are you required to do that, you can just take the case free, take the $20 gift card, take the zagg and a 5 dollar gift card, or take anything else iPhone related.
Sorry for not reading all the posts, i have to get to work, ha.
We are discounting the phone to 180, and 280, and you do HAVE to spend the 20, or it goes to you in the form of a RS gift card. That 20 cannot come off the value of the phone per apple.
Now what we try to do is provide a bundle. At my store we use the case valued at $20, and the zagg screen protector valued at $15. We then tell you that by purchasing the phone you get these 2 great acc for only $15.
Now by no means are you required to do that, you can just take the case free, take the $20 gift card, take the zagg and a 5 dollar gift card, or take anything else iPhone related.
Yeah, but you can ask for a big and tasty plain with ketchup and onions and have a quarter pounder for a buck!
Anyone still here?
Just bought my wife's iPhone 4 at Radio shack and they made me buy applecare and a case. Last week when I got mine I only had to get 2 accessories.
I just saw on RadioShack's twitter a tweet to a guy about not having to buy applecare. I emailed Radio Shack, we'll see what happens
Just bought my wife's iPhone 4 at Radio shack and they made me buy applecare and a case. Last week when I got mine I only had to get 2 accessories.
I just saw on RadioShack's twitter a tweet to a guy about not having to buy applecare. I emailed Radio Shack, we'll see what happens
Radio Shack seems to NOT be centralized. I guess whatever the store manager wants to do, they can.
I firmly believe it's to up their numbers. Not just for sales - but because the more Apple business you do, the more phones you get next time out.