Ok, ok, I hear you - you were in line on day one and you plunked down $600+ of your hard-earned cash to buy an iPhone and then yesterday, a mere two months later, before you’re even done basking in the glow of the coolness of your new toy, it’s magically (deliciously) $200 cheaper. Ouch, it stings. Woe is you. Etc.
That being said, somewhere along the way I think your love of Apple and their sleek, functional products has gone to your head. You started to think that they’re your friend, that they have your best interests in mind, that all those products exists to put you at the center of the universe and make your life easier and better. You deserve better than this for all your years of dedicated fanboydom. And while all these things are true (in part), the bottom line is that Apple is a company and their ultimate goal is TO MAKE MONEY and TO PLEASE THEIR SHAREHOLDERS (by making them money.)
There’s never that perfect moment where you will buy a piece of technology or gadgetry and be set - something better will come out and the price of your precious will drop. Welcome to commerce. Things devalue. New cars depreciate 33% when you drive them off the lot. How’s that for instant? The timeline for this particular price drop was just a tad shorter than Apple’s typical marketing strategy.
There seems to be a consensus (not necessarily large, but certainly loud) that if you are a loyal customer and an early adopter, you should be rewarded for that. You should get perks. Now, obviously companies should do their part not to alienate their customers, but honestly - Apple exists to take your money and they will take as much of it as you will give them. We prove over and over again that we’re willing to pay more for our products, and they will continue to push that boundary as long as we let them.
Consider it early an adopter tax,
Joshua
Yeah, but I was able to talk $200 off the shiny new aluminum 24 inch iMac I just bought at CompUSA. I have a sick sense of balance and justice in the universe.
said Charlie
at 10:13am on Thursday
Perfect.
said Jason Windsor
at 10:26am on Thursday
[...] A few points have been made in regards to negativity towards the price drop. [...]
said Apple drops iPhone prices. Users get ticked. - The Apple Blog
at 11:00am on Thursday
I’m gonna buy the $399 model so my $599 model will have somebody to play with. Then I’m gonna by a Nano so the iPhone’s will have somebody to steal lunch money from.
said Derek Nelson
at 11:04am on Thursday
“early adopter tax” - so good.
said luke
at 11:06am on Thursday
I’m not convinced Shua. While I can agree that the goal of any company is to make money, I’m not fully convinced this is true of Apple. Apple is unique. I would be hard pressed not to say that Jobs == Apple. And if Jobs == Apple, and Jobs != Greed, but rather Jobs == Changing the World, then I think it’s safe to say that Apple == Changing the World more than Apple == Greed (Acquisition of Money). Fruit math.
But Jobs is a billionaire you say, and yes, I agree it is a sick and twisted world isn’t it. He’s not doing it for the money, yet he can bathe in it three times a day and never run out. (And by bathe, I’m thinking at least a dual headed shower with one of those big ol rain heads in the middle…)
I am an iPhone owner. I’m not pissed b/c I didn’t pay a dime for mine. Even if I did, I would fully agree with your “early adopter tax” remark. Come on people, your $200 got you conversations with ladies who otherwise wouldn’t even cast a glance in your nerdy direction. Just keep telling yourself it was you they wanted, not your new little toy.
said Noah
at 11:45am on Thursday
Noah’s got a good point there at the end of his article. I can’t even tell you how many girls went “ooh, is that an iPhone,” every time I whipped mine out during sundry evening engagements. Incidentally, hearing a girl say “ooh, is that an iPhone,” is a pretty good indication that she’s not interested in you. I’ve got four Whitney’s in my contacts now and none of them return my calls.
said Charlie
at 12:05pm on Thursday
Apple wants to make usable, unique, functional and well design products — that make them money. If we didn’t buy them (and its not a large market share — besides the iPod line), then Apple wouldn’t exist. You paid the price because you believed it was worth $600; and you wanted to show off (admit it). So when they drop a price and we cry that they hate us, and now I hate you and boo hoo — they did something that they thought was best, or at least wisest. You paid for what you thought it was worth, or less you wouldn’t have bought it. Apple must have it was best to lower the price, attract iPhone waiters, and release an iPod that was much like the iPhone minus a few things that those who didn’t really want the iPhone (because it was too much, the contract, network, etc — like me) and thought it best to couple those together to broad the market again — well, that’s their decision; and it will ultimately play itself out in the market. I can’t imagine they didn’t realize that they’d turn those iPhone lovers into haters — but they can’t make everyone happy. Funny how $200 can turn someone who 2 days ago thought it was the best company, best product ever; into the worst company, worst product ever (maybe I exaggerate, but the reaction has been exaggerated a tad as well).
said Paul
at 12:26pm on Thursday
I wouldn’t think any one who bought an iPhone before yesterday thought for a minute that the price wouldn’t be coming down, and outside of the blogosphere, I haven’t heard anyone gripe about it. That’s just how it goes with most new consumer products… even Treo phones ;)
I have no regrets about my early purchase, nor do I like Apple any less than I ever have as a result of their decision to cut prices, and I think you know me well enough to know I’m not anyone’s fanboy… I quite enjoy not having to tote 2 or 3 different maps (bus system, train system, attractions) around as I learn my way around a new city. Having Wikipedia in my pocket while out exploring is just icing on the cake.
Granted, it’s not the only device that offers these features, and is certainly one of the more expensive options. But the fact it’s been my experience that Apple products tend to be well put together, well thought-out, and are easy to use factored heavily in my decision after weighing many options.
said Dwayne
at 2:02pm on Thursday
I agree with Noah, that Apple is not just a company. I don’t expect them to be my best friend, but I do expect a level of care about their users (many of whom *are* shareholders) to go into their decisions. This particular decision — the timing of the price drop — seems borderline greedy. Beyond that, the “that’s technology” explanation from Steve makes me think Apple’s beginning down the same slippery slope Microsoft’s stuck on.
said Sean S
at 2:07pm on Thursday
I agree with you Joshua, 100%.
When you buy something from Apple you agree to their terms when you hit the confirm order button. There is a little detail about price drops and what your rights are if and when apple decides to drop prices on something you have boughten at some point in the past. If you’re out of that specific timeframe then you’re out of luck.
Sure, you may feel cheated, but hey, you were perfectly happy with your $600 iPhone two days ago.
said Alex
at 2:07pm on Thursday
Suckers!
said pc guy
at 2:29pm on Thursday
Apparently Apple has heard the groans on the reduction — though its not $200 back — it’s something; Get your $100 credit (would Microsoft do that?)
said Paul
at 2:35pm on Thursday
And here’s Steve’s words for you
said Paul
at 2:39pm on Thursday
No, because Microsoft doesn’t have to drop the price by $200- it’s already cheap enough.
said Cal
at 6:46pm on Thursday
[...] Dear Annoyed iPhone Early Adopters Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. [...]
said Annoyed iPhone Users | Intrigue
at 11:12pm on Thursday
Depreciation is completely different than price drops on the same product. Buy your car and then not complain when 70 days later it’s $5,000 cheaper for the same brand new car, I dare you.
And I fail to see why it’s a bad thing to complain about something you feel wronged over.
said Aaron
at 7:48pm on Friday