Other Try it for a week!

[I7guy]

Luxury product market doesn’t work like that though. Do you see a Rado or a Tag Huer Watch being given out for a “test drive” or Samsung handing out a couple of their 4K TVs for users to try.

Bottom line is that smartphones are consumer tech market and that type of trial stuff doesn’t work with things like that.

Some car dealers were doing this very thing. A few years ago I was testing driving a Lexus and the salesman was going to let me take the vehicle home for two days.

 

[YaBe]

I don't think they're cheating customers. I think they should give opportunity to those who would like to upgrade.
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Why not? If Apple has something to offer with perks and the consumer agrees to pay the price that's healthy.

Giving a free trial product hoping they (users) damage and won't be able to return (as you suggested) in order to charge... it is called cheating.

If you make a great product, people will buy it, without tactics.

 

[44267547]

Giving a free trial product hoping they (users) damage and won't be able to return (as you suggested) in order to charge... it is called cheating.

This is a bit extreme. The carriers don’t care one way or the other how the customer treats the device. That’s their responsibility if the customer damages it, they don’t ‘hope’ for anything, the goal is that they want the consumer to keep the device. That’s what the whole intent.

 

[darksithpro]

This is a bit extreme. The carriers don’t care one way or the other how the customer treats the device. That’s their responsibility if the customer damages it, they don’t ‘hope’ for anything, the goal is that they want the consumer to keep the device. That’s what the whole intent.

I dunno how u do it. You're the only one who supported me. Yet I still get all this negative press. Maybe I shouldn't have voiced my opinion.

 

[44267547]

I dunno how u do it. You're the only one who supported me. Yet I still get all this negative press. Maybe I shouldn't have voiced my opinion.

Your opinion is welcome, even if others don’t agree with it. But In a way, this is kind of what Apple is going to have to do come the fall, they have to find ways to draw the customer in, and Tim Cook already mentioned that it will have to be through different trade in programs and in-store incentives. I’m hoping they reduce iPhone prices when announced in September, but what will they offer in terms of making it worthwhile for the consumer to see the value in these new iPhones from the devices there currently using that are older.

 

[Achillias]

Do you have a better idea Besides calling it ‘stupid’? You have to understand, marketing is not always meant to be practical, it has to be creative to allow the consumer to be drawn into the store, and see the value for what they’re purchasing. Don’t worry about what refurbished stocks or carriers do, The consumer should be more concerned about the ‘dollar saved’ if They wanted to upgrade an older device.

You don’t have to like honesty. It won’t happen therefore the naming is on point. No new ideas need. We are not Apple. And clearly they won’t do this.

 

[eyoungren]

I think the idea by OP has merit. Unfortunately, as with many (if not all) ideas it tends to run head on into humanity.

Someone will always try to game the system.

In this instance, I see abuse by sales people whose continued employment is based on sales metrics and not customer satisfaction.

The Sprint reddit dealt with a customer the other day who claimed he was given a new iPhone XS by Sprint and told "activate it whenever you want".

A month later he gets a bill from collections because he's under the impression that he isn't being charged for the device or service until he's ready to activate the phone - which he hasn't done.

That customer had other issues and ultimately was in the wrong, but I can see sales people pushing a device. Some probably won't even mention that it has to be returned in 7 days.

Perhaps with some adequate safeguards it might work. But I just tend to look at things in light of how people are going to try and abuse it.

 

[YaBe]

I dunno how u do it. You're the only one who supported me. Yet I still get all this negative press. Maybe I shouldn't have voiced my opinion.

Hey it is not negative press, you are entitled to your opinion, I am entitled to mine, and we both should voice it up, I did not attack or anything else, but any time you voice your opinion be prepared to hear others.

I respect you and we can agree to disagree. 😉 Never be shy or afraid of your ideas.

 

[darksithpro]

Hey it is not negative press, you are entitled to your opinion, I am entitled to mine, and we both should voice it up, I did not attack or anything else, but any time you voice your opinion be prepared to hear others.

I respect you and we can agree to disagree. 😉 Never be shy or afraid of your ideas.

Kewl, thanks man! Thumbs up!

 

[akash.nu]

Some car dealers were doing this very thing. A few years ago I was testing driving a Lexus and the salesman was going to let me take the vehicle home for two days.

Car business is different though. The whole test drive concept is there in the car sector and also, luxury cars are way more expensive than a phone.

I don’t think we can compare such vastly different industries.

Generally iPhone users are at best middle class people. An expensive Lexus owner probably doesn’t fall under the same category.

 

[tl01]

This takes it a step further. It's basically saying here: take this new iPhone for a spin for free. If you don't like it, return it. Nothing will change on your plan unless you keep it.

I see your point...but I don’t see how that would really chance much.

 

[YaBe]

Think about it, you get a phone to try for let's say 2 weeks, and even though it is cool and all, you realize it is not that much different from before,novelty weared off and it does not do anything major new, and i could return it hassle free without a credi card charge and all, why would i keep it then?

I mean if you aready paid for, you'd bre trying to justify the expense (yeah but the better camera is cool and all) otherwise you'd be more inclined to say, well thanks but no.

This might be the reason they do no offer such thing.

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

I love the idea. There a lot of people like myself that are all about the unboxing experience and once the new device is in hand, the novelty is gone and you carry on with life as usual. In my case, I have a gaudy shiny stainless steel frame reminding me I have a XS but if I had gone for the space gray it would have been like using my X for another year.

Had I had the opportunity to test drive the XS for a week, it would have gone back well before the deadline. Hell, I could have taken the XS back to Verizon but I had already shelled out once for their restocking fee when I returned the XR. Someday I'll learn to stay away from carrier stores.

Anyway, my long and drawn out point is that I think it's a fantastic idea but I don't think the carriers would ever be willing to get rid of their ridiculous restocking fees. Perhaps this program would be more successful if done through the Apple Store.

 

[bigjnyc]

I feel like samsung did this with their galaxy phones a while back... i remember they had a 30 day test drive program or something along those lines.... I don't think it helped them boost sales. I think they were trying to convert iPhone users.

 

[noobinator]

Samsung tried this for a bit years ago but it flopped. The demo phones were always not available or in very short supply.

 

[JPack]

Exactly what is so difficult to understand about returning a phone before the seven day period is ending to avoid any charges? It’s the same thing that would be offered if it was a 14 day trial, except the OP’s seven day proposal offers different advantages to the consumer.

1) A "test drive" tactic significantly damages Apple's brand value.

Consumers consistently see Apple premium products sold out at launch. Now, carriers are begging consumers to try iPhone for free? Unlike luxury autos, Apple isn't competing with a dozen similar German and Japanese automakers. Apple is literally Interbrand's #1 Global Brand.

2) It goes against Apple's sales strategy and creates more churn.

Apple has always used a "pull" strategy by attracting customers to well designed products and stores. Staff don't work on commission, quotas, or use hard sales tactics. OP's idea pretends it's 2007 and the iPhone is new. The idea of a "test drive" puts into the minds of customers that they can ditch the iPhone if it's not good. Apple fundamentally believes it's products are the best and so do many customers.

Apple already allows for a 14-day evaluation period. OP's idea duplicates what is already available but carries with it bad PR.

 

[pika2000]

Was thinking about phone sales and I think I've come up with a clever idea on how to boost sales. What if Apple got with the 4 main carriers and worked out a deal, where long time customers with older phones would be offered "upon entry into the store" a brand new iPhone free of charge to test out for 7 full days? The catch? You have to sign a contract that states if you keep it past the 7 days, or it's damaged it's yours and reflected on your service plan, hense you have to pay for it. If you return it before the time is up and undamaged you pay nothing. IMO most people that would normally hold off would try it out, then create a connection/bond to it and keep it. Thoughts?

I don’t see how that’s better than the existing 14 day return period. Plus, I doubt the carriers would want to do this unless Apple gave them a bone or something. For the carriers, Android phones are preferable (more carrier bloatware inside, shorter life cycle thus more likely for customers to upgrade more frequently, better margins, etc). Imo Apple still believes its own brand power can carry the iPhone without relying too heavily on carriers.

 

[EM2013]

People will say the same thing they say now, my phone works fine I’m not paying $1,000 for it.
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If you want to boost sales, get Apple to lower the price.

Simple, people like to over complicate things.

 

[44267547]

1) A "test drive" tactic significantly damages Apple's brand value.

Consumers consistently see Apple premium products sold out at launch. Now, carriers are begging consumers to try iPhone for free? Unlike luxury autos, Apple isn't competing with a dozen similar German and Japanese automakers. Apple is literally Interbrand's #1 Global Brand.

2) It goes against Apple's sales strategy and creates more churn.

Apple has always used a "pull" strategy by attracting customers to well designed products and stores. Staff don't work on commission, quotas, or use hard sales tactics. OP's idea pretends it's 2007 and the iPhone is new. The idea of a "test drive" puts into the minds of customers that they can ditch the iPhone if it's not good. Apple fundamentally believes it's products are the best and so do many customers.

Apple already allows for a 14-day evaluation period. OP's idea duplicates what is already available but carries with it bad PR.

You make a lot of great points here, and I don’t disagree with Apples back history how you explained it. The one thing I want to commend the OP on in this thread, is this is what Apple has to do, they have to think ‘outside the box’ to get the customer in the store, that should be the main target. It’s because what they’re seeing currently, is a stagnation of customers not wanting to upgrade, and how do you change it? You do that by offering strategies out of the ‘norm’ that we typically see. I do think in order for certain things to work like the OP suggesting, it requires carriers to completely be on board, and cut some of the surcharges that consumers don’t want to pay.

 

[akash.nu]

1) A "test drive" tactic significantly damages Apple's brand value.

Consumers consistently see Apple premium products sold out at launch. Now, carriers are begging consumers to try iPhone for free? Unlike luxury autos, Apple isn't competing with a dozen similar German and Japanese automakers. Apple is literally Interbrand's #1 Global Brand.

2) It goes against Apple's sales strategy and creates more churn.

Apple has always used a "pull" strategy by attracting customers to well designed products and stores. Staff don't work on commission, quotas, or use hard sales tactics. OP's idea pretends it's 2007 and the iPhone is new. The idea of a "test drive" puts into the minds of customers that they can ditch the iPhone if it's not good. Apple fundamentally believes it's products are the best and so do many customers.

Apple already allows for a 14-day evaluation period. OP's idea duplicates what is already available but carries with it bad PR.

Nailed it!

 

[akash.nu]

You make a lot of great points here, and I don’t disagree with Apples back history how you explained it. The one thing I want to commend the OP on in this thread, is this is what Apple has to do, they have to think ‘outside the box’ to get the customer in the store, that should be the main target. It’s because what they’re seeing currently, is a stagnation of customers not wanting to upgrade, and how do you change it? You do that by offering strategies out of the ‘norm’ that we typically see. I do think in order for certain things to work like the OP suggesting, it requires carriers to completely be on board, and cut some of the surcharges that consumers don’t want to pay.

I don’t think the stagnation is a news to apple. At this point they are in such a powerful position that they don’t need to make hurried drastic changes. Apple has already been building their future roadmap since last few years.

I think the fundamental issue with us is thinking that Apple needs to sell iPhone. Yes 60% of their current profit comes from the iPhone but, as a whole Apple is not just a smartphone manufacturer like many other Android OEMs. Apple is a consumer tech company and making the iPhone was just one of the many cogs that made the company run.

Their next focus is services and that’s why Apple is making sure that existing hardware runs long enough to maximise the number of users using their services. iPhone has become more of a platform that’s at the central of this new service based Apple. iPhone is the gateway into Apple garden. More and more of their recent releases are all related to making everything work via iCloud. You can clearly see all of these recent releases such as the  Watch, HomePod, AirPods etc. All of them are based on the iPhone. I’m thinking they’re eventually going move into a completely iPhone based hub model.

 

[44267547]

I don’t think the stagnation is a news to apple.

It is in China, due to its business commerce decline. Think about it. I mentioned this in another post directly, “As far as Apples stagnation in China:

‘China is a massive smartphone market, accounting for almost one-third of the world's smart phone shipments, but its economy has been slowing and consumers are leery of the rising trade tensions. China is also investing to buy smartphones from Chinese manufacturers from Huawei and Xiaomi. Many models are cheaper than those made by Apple and Samsung, which is affecting both tech giants considerably.’

Now, back to your point about services, that’s were Apple is obviously going to place emphasis, because they have to. If they’re not willing to lower the prices of their iPhones (Which maybe they will), then they’re going to have to create diversity to entice the consumer to upgrade from an older iPhone from the 6S/7 users.