Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Tim Cook's Plan to Sell More iPhones in Apple Stores Could Be Tough Task
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I'm sure it's been said before: but paying the full price for the phone in an Apple Store and then still needing a mobile carrier contract with it, is simply more expensive, then getting the phone subsidized for the carrier.
I'm with Telekom/T-Mobile Germany. And if I get the same contract I have right now sans subsidized phone I might be saving 10 per month for a 24 month contract. That's only 240 saved. The down payment is like 200 usually on a 32GB iPhone. So that still leaves me with roughly 400 I have to pay out of my pocket.
Sure I could look for a cheaper provider, but I want the network quality Telekom has and their cheaper sister companies usually make up for their cheaper monthly payment with a reduced catalogue for option. For example T-Mobile cheaper sister company Congstar doesn't yet support LTE and I cannot get a second SIM Card to use in my iPad for free with them.
All in all I would love to just go to a Apple Store and buy an iPhone their, because I don't like the Simlock I get from Telekom and I would love to have the option to always get a new phone if I feel like it. But I'm simply don't want to pay such a huge markup when it comes down to it.
I'm with Telekom/T-Mobile Germany. And if I get the same contract I have right now sans subsidized phone I might be saving 10 per month for a 24 month contract. That's only 240 saved. The down payment is like 200 usually on a 32GB iPhone. So that still leaves me with roughly 400 I have to pay out of my pocket.
Sure I could look for a cheaper provider, but I want the network quality Telekom has and their cheaper sister companies usually make up for their cheaper monthly payment with a reduced catalogue for option. For example T-Mobile cheaper sister company Congstar doesn't yet support LTE and I cannot get a second SIM Card to use in my iPad for free with them.
All in all I would love to just go to a Apple Store and buy an iPhone their, because I don't like the Simlock I get from Telekom and I would love to have the option to always get a new phone if I feel like it. But I'm simply don't want to pay such a huge markup when it comes down to it.
What is the benefit from buying iphone in Apple store? Does they give even a candy? Nothing. Then, why should I buy it there?
the benefit is they get to sell you docks, extra cables, perhaps put the idea of buying an iPad, iMac, or Macbook in your head as well...
its all about the up-sell
First let me say I'm not arguing your point. What I am doing is simply sharing my experience in many AT&T and Verizon stores I visit throughout the state live in. Being a long time customer of both companies and buying the number of phones I buy, gives me more exposure to the sales strategies these two companies use in their retail stores.
By and large I find the great majority of the sales staff in each of these companies do not practice the illegal use of "steering" the customers to certain brands. It just doesn't happen very often. I'm sure it may on some occasions since some of the employees are sure to have their favorites. But the great majority of the time sales are conducted properly.
In many (most?) cases, the carrier's margin on the handset is higher with Android devices. That translates to bigger commissions for the sales reps.
Obviously if someone comes in and is already pretty sure they want an iPhone, any good sales rep isn't going to waste a lot of time trying to persuade them otherwise. But if a customer is on the fence, a bigger commission makes a difference.
Last edited:
They push Android because they get better commission from companies like Samsung, Sony, etc. That's the reason, no more, no less.
Easy - Offer an iPhone that the carriers don't want to sell, like one that's unsubsidized for just $200. And only sell it at the Apple store.
If only there was a rumor like that...
You really believe the "budget" iPhone (if there is one) will only cost 200 dollars unsubsidized? Not gonna happen.
When I worked in McRetail you sell whatever junk is in stock or if there's a incentive to sell a model you sell that one.
If there's a £5 bonus on selling an HTC One then THAT'S the best phone ever. If there are no iPhone5s in stock then the Galaxy is the right phone for the customer. If there's a huge pile of Sonys to clear then that's the best phone ever. You are browbeaten into just making a sale and getting someone onto that 24 month contact. That's all that matters. Fanboys and techies are not required - salespeople are.
I actually did quite well as a student McRetailer. I always knew which model had an incentive. If a generic customer starts looking at an Epson printer quite often you can convince them that the HP (with the £10 incentive) is the one they need. On a busy weekend day you could make an extra £50, £60, £80 or more that way. Not bad for a kid.
Last edited:
Which I don't see as a bad thing. At least that allowed apple products to reach the masses. Sharing with hobbyists would probably have them keeping it for that small group of people, and the benefits may not trickle down to us.
This is usually because they get more commission from those phones and/or care about minor features that almost nobody will use.
It's money, nothing more. Sales guys get a better payout from the Android devices they sell so they push them. This is why Verizon has a problem now with how many iPhones they have left on their contract for this year. It's because they have left their sales staff to push other phones and not given any incentive to sell any iPhones.
Right, it couldn't possibly be any thing else, like a bigger screen size and better camera.
Right, it couldn't possibly be any thing else, like a bigger screen size and better camera.
No, that's exactly what it is. Ask any actual carrier store employee why they push android and they'll tell you - bigger commission. When it's about putting food on the table, nothing else matters.
I'd like to see an Apple iPhone kiosk. No iPads, Macs or anything else. When I bought my unlocked iPhone, it was a 15 min. Ordeal. It shouldn't have to take that long.
My nearest Apple Store is almost 3 hours away, 2 states away in Portland, Maine. We have a reseller in this area, Small Dog Electronics, which despite the stupid name is actually a very good retailer. Apple might think about devolving some authority to "authorized Apple agents" and let them do stuff like sell AppleCare for iPhone and certain other things only Apple Stores can do, and provide greater early access to the product. Apple's margins would be reduced somewhat but the stores would love the traffic I am sure.
I bought my last iPhone (5) from AT&T and waited five weeks for it. Then I couldn't buy AppleCare because I would have had to take it to an Apple Store for validation. It would have cost me more to take it to Maine than the AppleCare cost.
It would be nice to buy locally, get it sooner and have access to AppleCare. Expanding the network with agency stores is one way they could do it.
I bought my last iPhone (5) from AT&T and waited five weeks for it. Then I couldn't buy AppleCare because I would have had to take it to an Apple Store for validation. It would have cost me more to take it to Maine than the AppleCare cost.
It would be nice to buy locally, get it sooner and have access to AppleCare. Expanding the network with agency stores is one way they could do it.
Go learn business.
Sadly, most tech fans know nothing about business. You see posts in these forums where people say things like Apple should pay the devs for putting their apps in the app store. Shows how people really don't understand business.
They need an I know what I want line/set up.
As an Apple user since 1984, reading MacWorld, researching things before I buy I really know what I want when I am there. And, I am immune to add ons they may want to sell me.
So far, I have always known more than their sales/service people.
It is possible to bypass sales pitches etc. if you pre-order via the website and just go to the store to pick up your order.
In all fairness when you go to an ATT store it also takes a long time waiting and getting all their info/paperwork done.
Usually because Android based handsets do more for a cheaper price. Thus getting a satisfied customer value for money. If Apple are going to charge the premium price, they actually need a premium product to sell. Resting on their laurels has allowed the rest of the world to catch up.
This isn't the days of iOS and iPhone 4 anymore.
You think Android 3/4.x looks like 1.x or 2.x? Were you comparing the two with your eyes closed or just with a closed mind?
Clearly you're the one with the closed mind if you can't see Metro is the most unique.
Yes, Android has changed, but it's still similar to it's old versions. And both iOS and Andriod are similar too. But Metro is clearly very different from the other two, and has been different from the beginning.
Lastly, I offer up my opinion on something that is completely subjective and you say I have a closed mind. Brilliant.
Apple could start by opening more retail locations. It's not just a matter of customers being aware that they can get an iPhone at Apple instead of Verizon - it's a matter of convenience. Why drive twenty or thirty miles to the nearest Apple store when you can go five miles down the street and get the exact same phone for the exact same price (possibly with a bonus accessory or two)? Cook has to realize that nobody is going out of their way to shop at Apple just so they can raise their margins. Customers need an incentive. That's all.
Again, stating the obvious.
No kidding, you need to offer something different or unique - not necessary "extra" - compared to the competition. People much more qualified than you and I that have been working on the problem since forever. That's why opened retails stores in the first place - to get better sales than just being online or in other retails stores. And look, the stores have been a success. So they get it already.
----------
Ugh, that cheapens everything. One of the main reasons I loved the first iPhone was the fact that it wasn't plastered with ugly logos. Apple understands design, and did it right but getting rid of those logos. I would be beyond disappointed, to where I've have to cover the phone. I don't use covers now because it looks great, with one simple icon on it. Not to mention things like the Verizon and AT&T logos look horrible and dated.
----------
Agreed, and well said.
The Apple Store is a half decent shopping experience so long as you aren't high strung or stressed out by crowds.
However, the current traffic at the stores already has most of them at 100% capacity. Unless they plan on expanding hundreds of stores, they simply don't have the square footage.
Also, stores simply aren't close to most people
However, the current traffic at the stores already has most of them at 100% capacity. Unless they plan on expanding hundreds of stores, they simply don't have the square footage.
Also, stores simply aren't close to most people
I went in to one guess 2 years ago to get my GF a 27" Imac. She knew exactly what she wanted as shes been a mac user forever. Walked in and the sales woman asked how she can help us. I told her what we wanted to pick up. She said there is a little bit of a wait and someone should be able to help us in about 20-30 min. Really? OK Ill play. So we waited the 30 min. After no one came to help we decided to leave. The same woman stop us and asked if something was wrong and I said Im not waiting any longer for someone to grab the computer we want from the back room. Well lets just say she had someone help us right away. But still took about another 45 min before we left.
Heres how it should have went. Good morning we know what we want and would like to to purchase the 27" imac. No problem..let me call our genius stock boy and have him bring it to the register. Walk to the register..yes thats my computer heres my credit card. Have a great day.
Heres how it should have went. Good morning we know what we want and would like to to purchase the 27" imac. No problem..let me call our genius stock boy and have him bring it to the register. Walk to the register..yes thats my computer heres my credit card. Have a great day.
Last edited: