I really have to wonder whether this drop shipping from China business really makes economic sense for Apple. I bought an Apple Express last year from Apple and I was shocked that it was drop shipped from China. Since they have to be individually packaged, I find it hard to imagine that it wouldn't be more effecient to ship to the U.S. in bulk and then drop ship from here, regardless of whether Apple does it themselves or has FedEx/UPS do it. I wonder how much of the price is shipping cost.
I can understand Apple needing to air freight units to the U.S. at the beginning of a run, when the products are in high demand, but does that make sense when Apple has an ample supply of inventory?
Yes, they have negotiated rates with FEDEX et al, which nobody else gets because of their sheer volume.
The products are dense (as in not taking a lot of space) and not super heavy, so they can fit a lot into a plane.
Since many of the orders are customized, they don't want to do this in the US. Requires a factory, logistics and the machines are already open and somebody is handling them. Why unpack and touch them again?
Also, because of the high retail price the freight charge on a percentage base is probably under 5% per item. (If even that)
They bulk ship all daily orders, so it's not just one piece of freight coming.
Be assured this is all well thought out and has been calculated to the umpteenths degree.
Not only by Apple, but also by all other companies who do business oversees.
