I don’t get what the big stir is about. Well, that’s a lie. I don’t get what all the misdirected blame is about. If you’re one of Steve’s belligerent underlings, let’s look at the facts:
- You chose to spend $600 on a phone.
- You couldn’t wait for the inevitable price drop.
- You had to be the coolest kid at school for a couple weeks.
- You are probably bad with money (I don’t have much data to back that up, but I’m sticking to it).
So let’s look at why you’re really mad. You spent $600 for a $300 phone so you could be cool for a few weeks. It seemed like a great idea at the time, but, like my mother after a nice vacation, now that it’s over your not so sure it was worth the money. Soon all your other friends with less money/more sense will have the same phone and all the novelty will be gone.
Here’s a couple observations I’ve picked up during my few, but technology-filled, years. Firstly, technology is always most expensive at its initial release. It will go down in price. If you don’t want to get hosed, forget about being a first mover. Secondly, anything with an Apple logo on it will cost more than it’s unbranded, gunmetal gray counterpart. If you want to be cool, buy the Apple. If you want to eat, settle for a Treo, 8125, or what have you.
Lastly, companies drop prices. Period. It happens all the time. I paid more for my 360, PS2 and every single video game and accessory than they would cost today. My computers are depreciating. So is my car. The McBathroomBreak I ate last week just hit the dollar menu. This is standard business practice. Steve Jobs is not a bad guy.
Now, while I hate to point it out, there’s also another lesson to learn here. Jobs, in his infinite, coffer-stuffing wisdom, responded to his angry fans, and for good reason. Those silly first-adopters are his meal ticket, so it’s well worth taking the hit. It’s not to say that Apple doesn’t make a good product. I’ve played with an iPhone, and it’s a spiffy little toy, but the products aren’t worth the money people pay for them.
You got lucky this time. I’m sure it’s not what everyone wanted, but it’s more than anyone deserves. This is the game. Get used to it. Make your decisions, take your licks, and stop acting like this is such a big deal. 95% of the same clowns will be in line for the next one, whatever it may be.
85 responses so far ↓
1 Jeremy Steele // Sep 17, 2007 at 10:37 pm
The reason everyone got mad was not because of the price drop itself, it is because the price drop came 2 months after the product was released. That is literally unprecedented, name one other time where a 1/3 price drop came 2 months after the new product was released.
And that is saying a lot coming from me - I hate gadgets. Think they are the biggest waste of money on the planet.
2 Cory W // Sep 18, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Personally I do prefer when a technology product release I will straight away buy it. I won’t wait for the price drop as it will keep delaying myself to buy a product.
For example after 2 months the price will drop, I will console myself the price will drop for another month.
I can’t wait for a product price drop until I’m not going to buy it.
3 dub // Sep 19, 2007 at 2:23 am
Not only Apple used this kind of skill to release their product. There are so many technology products uses the same skill to release their product in a higher price for the first few months
4 Barry Cox // Sep 26, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Yep. Isn’t that the truth. It’s just common knowledge that you pay more right when a product is released. You knew the price and wanted the product. It was a win-win situation. Now that the price has come down you’re not happy? Maybe I can take my car back because I saw that the manufacturer is running a great special next weekend and it’s cheaper than what I got mine for.
5 Dave S // Sep 27, 2007 at 4:16 pm
So true!
I don’t see what the big deal is. As you said it’s common when it comes to technology to pay a premium for the cutting edge. Financially speaking , your best value is almost always the step down from the top.
6 Rachel // Oct 3, 2007 at 2:01 am
I agree, that it’s a common selling strategy for most companies to introduce a product into the market at a high cost, then gradually decrease its price. Buying gadgets is all about discipline. If you don’t have enough money, wait for the prices to drop, until you can afford it. Just make sure that you’re not using money intended for other more important things just to get yourself an expensive mobile phone.
It may not always work, but it’s the best thing you can do.
7 Johnny FX // Oct 4, 2007 at 4:44 pm
We all know that products go down in price as time goes on, but Apple went a little over the top here. There was no gradual decrease in price, there was a sudden 30% price drop a mere 2 months after release. All these first movers were more than happy to be lining Apple’s pockets with their 5 years of saved up lunch money, but they weren’t happy having Apple move the price to true market value right after the first movers had finished paying the inflated prices. There is supposed to be a period where the first movers are the only ones with the product, this was an insult.
8 Matt W // Oct 5, 2007 at 2:27 pm
I think for the special Apple product - iPhone, the product won’t drop the price instantly as currently the product doesn’t have any competitor that has the similar function of iPhone right
9 H Word // Oct 5, 2007 at 11:57 pm
As you see many products will cost much more expensive at the first. Lets put yourself as a reseller position. If you’re the boss of the product, would you like to maximum your revenue of you income? I don’t think a person who are in business doesn’t like about money
10 TigerTom // Oct 12, 2007 at 11:47 am
I’m in the happy position of having ditched my mobile phone. It’s only use was for other people to be able to keep tabs on me.
So you can imagine how sorry I feel for the fanboys who bought this doodad early. I understand there’s a Nokia ‘phone that has a mini-keyboard on it, and you can do telnet and such on it.
And I bet you don’t need to pay $600 for it either.
11 site funda // Oct 13, 2007 at 2:26 pm
I just bought nokia n72 a few days back, and am happy with it!
12 Israel // Oct 15, 2007 at 1:34 am
if only everyone was as smart as you. i held off until they make a version 2 of the phone.
13 Landlord // Oct 15, 2007 at 5:54 am
I am exactly the same as soon as something new is released I have to have it, although $600 is way too much I think I would have to wait for a price drop on that one!
14 AdoptionMoM // Oct 15, 2007 at 6:25 pm
thats just how it goes… they shouldnt be whining over the drop… it will eventually come down so i dont see what they are all so surprised and shocked.
15 Funny Picture Man // Oct 27, 2007 at 5:47 pm
The reason why it was was marketing screw up was that it was too soon. They should have waited until at least Mid-November if not Jan-Feb. Up till now people have been glad to pay a premium for Apple products even though the premium is probably higher in percentage than the extra value received. Why is the drop getting so much press? Because there was press in the first place on how expensive it was. The price drop wasn’t going to fly under the wire like every other gadget price drop. The biggest screw up might be the news cycle. Every headline was about the price drop and not about the next gen Ipods. Another reason why they should have waited.
16 compare cell phones plans // Oct 30, 2007 at 1:47 pm
I think it’s a bout a personal statement. Being ahead. And yes, you only have a statement to make only if you have money. =)
17 jessica // Oct 31, 2007 at 3:22 pm
I think it should be irrelevant when and how much the price dropped. People should make buying decidions based on the value they place on an item at that time. If you buy a phone for $600 today and the price drops in 1 week, 1 month, or 1 decade, what’s the difference. If you thought the phone was worth that, then that is all that matters. If you are an early adopter, you have to accept the risks of prices going up or down on an item. What does it matter what the phone costs today? You bought it months ago and will be using it for months to come. Isn’t the real crock here that apple fans will buy anything they make at any price. If Steve took a dump in a paper bag and called it the ipoop, there would a line around the block. Unless of course, people would be afraid future bowel movements would be cheaper.
18 Poster Maniac // Nov 3, 2007 at 4:59 pm
Lucky for those big companies there are many rich and stupid fan boys around the world
19 Paul // Nov 7, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Apple technology are techy but their products sucks. I had an iPhone a month back and sold it off within a week.
20 "Myspace Codes" or Myspace // Nov 9, 2007 at 9:09 am
Apple technogy are good. Their phone may not be the best but the ibook are awesome.
21 Charlie // Nov 11, 2007 at 5:30 pm
I have to agree. Good article. Keep it up
22 bla // Nov 12, 2007 at 7:06 am
in case you didn’t notice: the people comment that much on your blog because the links don’t have nofollow. you’ll notice almost everybody has a link to some crappy real estate, mortgage, whatever site. that’s why you have all those lifeless yes-sayer comments.
23 Popular Online medicine // Nov 15, 2007 at 9:33 pm
The whole pricedrop idea was stupid IMHO. However, it got them publicity and sales have bee even better, so much for bad PR!
24 BloggingIain // Nov 22, 2007 at 9:49 am
heh. Nice. Keep up the good blogging.
25 online videos // Nov 22, 2007 at 7:25 pm
It seemed like a great idea at the time. I hope always you will get better return from it. All the best! Keep us blogging the best ideas!
26 poker blog // Nov 22, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Very nice article :), I should see ya blog more often
27 satellite tv // Nov 23, 2007 at 8:37 pm
I think it should be irrelevant when and how much the price dropped. People should make buying decidions based on the value they place on an item at that time.
28 Floor Mats // Nov 24, 2007 at 8:10 am
Apple is a great bussiness, I mean that they think in everything
29 Domain name info // Nov 24, 2007 at 5:12 pm
That’s why Apple is one of the best com. nowadays.
30 Shopping malls and Wedding ideas // Nov 25, 2007 at 9:46 am
I bought an iPod Shuffle last week, and loved everything.. the package, the manual, the stickers
31 Vutuaviopup // Nov 27, 2007 at 8:35 pm
Hi, hello, privet
gonadotrophichormone
32 USA Turtle // Nov 28, 2007 at 8:34 am
Nice article. worth to read. keep on posting.
33 Trucking Software // Nov 30, 2007 at 6:12 am
iphone has change the definition of cell phone. I’m happy with that.
34 John Wilberforce // Nov 30, 2007 at 6:18 am
The iphone just launched here in europe. Will be interesting to see if there are similar reactions here to the inevitable future price drop.
35 Wi // Dec 2, 2007 at 4:09 pm
There’s no such thing as bad publicity. I like most of Apple’s products, despite the fact that they, like most manufacturers, have their stuff made in China for a couple of bucks. So, it’s overpriced, even at 300 dollars.
36 Free Bet // Dec 3, 2007 at 4:35 am
nice its nice, iphone and your post both are nice to me. apple is great they always brings us new things then others. thanks for the post.
37 Casino // Dec 3, 2007 at 5:04 am
oh hallow its nice one. i have a iphone and i am happy with it. if any one use a iphone he or she must be satisfied. thanks for the sharing.
38 Garden office // Dec 3, 2007 at 3:53 pm
I think ppl are getting too much crazy about iPhone.
39 Mobile // Dec 5, 2007 at 11:50 am
You know what fashion and technology together can make. It is just too much expense.
40 Hotel Barcelona // Dec 8, 2007 at 9:56 am
Expensive and stylish information, i like the post .
Apple things are really expensive.
41 RecordManagement // Dec 14, 2007 at 1:08 pm
apple is lame and overpriced . serves them right for droppin 6 benjamins on a unnecessary gadget like that.
42 Kerner-Kochen // Dec 18, 2007 at 9:45 am
Aplle is too cheap. You can see it in every quartal report, when they are getting more an more mainstream!
43 Watch Anime Online // Dec 18, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Wow that was harsh. I got a iPhone when it first came out … but i’m a tech head. I wanted to beat it up so I could either 1 create apps for it or 2 figure out if it was worth creating apps for …
and what technology isn’t overpriced in the beginning. Just like cars, houses, or anything else out there … just have to pay the price to be the first in line!
44 Arizona SEO // Dec 20, 2007 at 4:11 pm
Apple is too cheap Kerner!? You’re nuts.
I don’t at all feel bad for the “gotta have it” people who spent way too much. I’m upset Apple actually gave them something for doing it too.
45 Cortland // Dec 24, 2007 at 12:10 am
It’s hard to feel bad for anyone, but Apple is simply doing what they need to do to keep their shareholders happy. The stock has run and they need to keep all parties happy. Jobs’ coolness won’t be enough.
46 Jazz Club Los Angeles // Dec 26, 2007 at 10:15 pm
First in line buyers, higher prices, bla bla.
partial refunds, pretty unheard of.
All I can say on this i-phone thing is,
“Would you like some cheese to go with your apple and whine?
47 Forrest // Dec 28, 2007 at 7:22 pm
Sorry … I have to respond to the first comment:
The truth is just about every digital camera ever produced fits this “unprecedented” pattern. Canon’s $2,200 SLR body, the D60, was replaced after ten short months with a $1,500 slightly improved model, the 10D. Naturally, nobody wanted the old one anymore, and even an unopened box took about a 65 % price drop. People who bought them as an “investment” were naturally just as offended as iPhone customers have been.
The rest of us weren’t surprised at all.
48 debt consolidation fre // Jan 8, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Just make sure that you’re not using money intended for other more important things just to get yourself an expensive mobile phone.
49 Creative On Hold Messages // Jan 21, 2008 at 6:00 pm
whoever is fine with spending $600 on a phone deserves to be poor.
50 UK Celebrity News // Jan 23, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Personally I hate APPLE because of their high price. I only dream about apple
51 Tanya // Jan 24, 2008 at 12:42 pm
I don’t have any apple products, and intend to keep it that way for now.
When will you next update, I’m looking forward to hearing some more of your opinions.
52 Gadget Blog // Jan 24, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Apple’s OS and iPod is the best.
53 ACT Test Tips // Jan 24, 2008 at 3:13 pm
I used to be a Mac fanatic and then couldn’t stand the high prices, lack of software compared to PC, so finally switched. Haven’t really looked back, still have an iMac from about 2000 at home.
54 pistongear // Jan 25, 2008 at 5:07 pm
if only everyone was as smart as you. i held off until they make a version 2 of the phone.
55 Barbeque Sauce Recipe // Jan 26, 2008 at 12:27 am
I got my first Ipod about a year ago and absolutely love it. Don’t know what I would do without it.
56 Daniel // Jan 28, 2008 at 12:24 am
hi there. apple has innovated on several products. but the cost doesnt really explain the utility. take for example the apple’s latest : macbook air. its touted as the ultra thin laptop and the thinnest lappy till date at 3/4 th of an inch. but it lacks several features as compared to a regular laptop.No optical drive, no Ethernet, no FireWire, no replaceable battery and to top all these pitfalls, it is expensive at $1799.
57 El Yanqui // Jan 28, 2008 at 7:37 am
I’m a serious Mac fanboy, but I don’t like being a first adopter of anything. New hardware, new machines, new gadgets, new OS, upgrades and updats inevitably have a few bugs or are not at the spec they will soon be at.
I appreciate early adopters working the kinks out of products, but don’t complain when the product shortly becomes better/faster/shinier/cheaper.
58 Radiant Floor Heat // Feb 1, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I think most MAC prices are way too high. The Ipods are the only thing that is in line with its competitors. The computers are waaaay overpriced!
59 club penguin cheats // Feb 3, 2008 at 10:20 pm
I bought an Intel processor Mac Book Pro when they first came. By far the worst computer I have ever owned (out of aproximately 20 for work and personal). I can’t say as I would ever be inclined to buy Apple again and NEVER again as an early adopter.
60 snes // Feb 4, 2008 at 8:55 am
Really informative blog keep up the good work
61 low interst credit // Feb 4, 2008 at 7:27 pm
i like gadgets. its just something i cant resist. ‘cant live without my phone, my laptop and my mp3. its just the way it is. we’re connected through technology. what need here is a grip on ourselves the moment we wanna go nuts and panic buying on stuff that just got out. just because its new doesnt mean we gotta have it right away. think about it. research and review the product first. it takes time. so hopefully by the time you decide..its either the price has gone down or you realise it just wasent worth it. =)
62 Creative On Hold Messages // Feb 8, 2008 at 6:50 pm
yay free linkage, woot woot
63 Penny Stock Picks // Feb 12, 2008 at 6:37 am
I am agree with you, but I am using Nokia’s few phones in past and that was a good experience.
64 Technology Slice // Feb 14, 2008 at 12:55 am
lol if you want the best of everything and you want it first, you have to pay for it. I think everyone knew that when they bought it.
65 Scuba Diving // Feb 15, 2008 at 8:14 am
it’s a branding issue i tell ya
apple’s marketing create such a situation
66 Patio Ideas // Feb 18, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Up till now people have been glad to pay a premium for Apple products even though the premium is probably higher in percentage than the extra value received.
67 cycling // Feb 19, 2008 at 5:24 am
iphones being available to certain mobile network really is a bad move
else i would have bought one earlier on
68 plastic sugery // Feb 20, 2008 at 9:08 am
Ah, I hate APPLE because of their high price
69 Adonis // Feb 20, 2008 at 6:15 pm
yeah ..prices are really high but we still buy it to experience those products
70 tattoo removal // Feb 23, 2008 at 1:42 am
Its seems that the price is high so that i must avoid it.
71 LA Headshot Photography // Feb 26, 2008 at 2:10 am
I guess if someone didn’t want to be the first one on their block to own the latest in “gadjets”, we really wouldn’t have anyone to work out the bugs ,(and get rid of the high overpricing) so we could buy a more refined and fairly priced product.
and returning $100.00 to the first buyers?
Thats mighty white of them!
Todd
72 Jon | affiliate inside marketing // Feb 29, 2008 at 2:58 am
It has always been amazing to me how prices of electronics can dump so fast. A car will take a 20% loss in value the minute you drive it off the lott. But no matter what happens the Apple Squad will be there to purchase, purchase, purchase.
-Jon
73 tv brackets // Mar 1, 2008 at 7:53 pm
I totally agree! When new gadgets come out, of course they cost more. Once they have been on the market a bit, supply and demand evens out and the price goes down to reinvigorate sales. Wait and you pay less. Simple enough!
74 Wayne | affiliate marketing opportunity // Mar 5, 2008 at 1:48 pm
I totally agree with you. That is what is so dumb when people go to purchase the newest gadgets that come out. If they didn’t want to be mr/mrs popular they could wait, like you said, a little while and get the same thing for a whole lot less money. Personally I would rather have money in the bank!
75 James Blake // Mar 15, 2008 at 12:07 pm
May I say something here?
All da people are different and when we trying to put to some brain our words we ve got to realized that we are talking with the other persons whos got there right.
76 computer hardware uk // Mar 29, 2008 at 10:58 am
Do you know why Apple is so successful? It is because they spend so much on R&D, which allows them to often reinvent the wheel.
77 Veronica Buy // Apr 10, 2008 at 5:23 pm
I was just watching a YouTube vid in which a guy puts his iPhone into a blender:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg1ckCkm8YI&feature=related
78 Kristian Liebrand // Apr 11, 2008 at 8:46 am
Yep, thats true that people have to pay more when a product is realesed in the beginning. And this apple’s buisness is coming out well though its of high price. But people are also crazy about the newly gadgets.
79 Pencilite // Apr 16, 2008 at 3:20 pm
I can’t believe people slept out on the streets and sidewalks just to wait for a phone.
80 Samsung F490 Review // Apr 19, 2008 at 2:10 pm
That’s technology. However, I like to be the first one to have a gadget so that depreciation won’t be that big. Gadgets on the price drop tend to have a greater depreciation rate than new ones.
81 dotster hosting // May 5, 2008 at 8:19 am
Apple is really doing good after the iPhone.
82 The Interworld // May 5, 2008 at 10:23 am
Four words for you…
Pirates of Silicon Valley
If you haven’t seen it, get it. It explains a lot.
83 A Jar of Skittles // May 5, 2008 at 10:25 am
Being first is usually a dangerous thing involving lots of risk. Of course with greater risk comes greater reward…and disaster. I thought when they first came out and continue to think today that there is no phone worth that kind of money, I don’t care what it does. And remember people, they will only stay expensive as long as people will keep paying for them!
84 Simon - presentations trainer // May 7, 2008 at 5:33 pm
There’s seems to be a lot of bad feeling her about the prices of Apple - surely the issue isn’t how many £££ or $$$ you spend but rather the VALUE of that.
For example, as a presentation skills trainer, I haven’t worried about spending more on a MacBook than I would have on a PC because of the speed at which I can work and get things done - and the quality of the slideshows for presentations I can create with Keynote rather than PowerPoint.
For me there’s no problem with the price because the value for money is fine.
Simon
85 Rasterbator // May 8, 2008 at 3:34 am
Price drop being a standard practice doesn’t wash the bad taste in mouth for those actually get hit by price drop. You have a good take there and I agree that early adopters should already know that they are getting into something that might turn out to be one of the following:
1. A hit product - they can flaunt the early mover tag
2. A dud product - their money is wasted and no support for the produce in coming future
3. Price increase / decrease - Most of the times it’s price decrease if its a hit product (leaving aside property and real estate business)
I don’t own a iPhone but I did buy a powerbook early on and I would say Apple products are definitely worth the money (after the price decrease)
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