Apple Releases New iPods

[NirvanaMan]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

They're pussies for offering the $100 rebate.

Eh, I really am split on this. At first, I thought the same thing. Those people who sepnt $600 on a phone did so willingly and were outwardly proud to do so. So why are they suddenly unhappy with their purchase? Did they not realize the costs would come down? Sure, no one expected it to happen this fast, but no one forced them to make their purchase.

On the other hand, I think this was a good move by Apple and their always uber PR department of rock star spinsters. Apple's PR events get the kind of coverage that is rare, dare I say totally unique, in the electronics world. This is why they are so protective of their "secrets" and continually fight to prevent details from being released prior to an event (except that which they seed to build anticipation). Now, the press gives Apple millions upon millions in equivelant media dollar spend every time they come out with a new purple whosey-whatsit. And the press coverage is overwhelmingly positive, ususally.

In this case, the press started to quickly pick up on the story about all the pissed off fanboys. The story of the new iPods quickly drowned out. So, Apple makes a strong business decision.

1. Offers a refund in the form of store credit. This forces people to come back into the store and likely spend much more than the $100 voucher.
2. This then generates goodwill among existing customers and the ever allegiant fanboy base. As anyone in marketing will tell you, the cost of acquiring a new customer is 3-5 times more than the cost of retention.
3. The Apple PR gods spin their story upon the press who immediately do a 180. Now, the negative press has turned positive and additionally, now they get a second wave of press on the new iPods and the new iPhone.

I declare it flatly brilliant.

[blueerica]

Without the "fanboys" of the world and the innovators, the market would have little need to progress. You need the innovators and early adopters to help the majority and the laggards get a high-quality product that's been road tested by those who are into the massive innovation. Without the earliest of consumers, many manufacturers would be without a good portion of the motivation to innovate.

Though I may not ever be an innovator and at this point can't afford to be an early adopter, I'm not about to knock those who help me get a great product at a price I can afford.

[blueerica]

Oh, and on the flipside, you'd think the fanboys and those who could afford should realize that their early purchases are in-essence, an investment - a sign to the financial world that this product or company is creating something with decent potential.

Sooo... boo-freakin'-hoo to those who bought it on Day 1 expecting water to be turned into wine with the iPhone.

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by blueerica

Sooo... boo-freakin'-hoo to those who bought it on Day 1 expecting water to be turned into wine with the iPhone.

DAMMIT! You mean it doesn't turn water into wine?

Ah hell! Why didn't someone tell me that to begin with!

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by blueerica

Without the "fanboys" of the world and the innovators, the market would have little need to progress. You need the innovators and early adopters to help the majority and the laggards get a high-quality product that's been road tested by those who are into the massive innovation.

Originally Posted by blueerica

Oh, and on the flipside, you'd think the fanboys and those who could afford should realize that their early purchases are in-essence, an investment - a sign to the financial world that this product or company is creating something with decent potential.

Exactly. Fanboys know what they are doing when they buy a Gen1 product right out the door. They know the price is going to drop, and probably drop by Christmas. Perhaps 2 months is a bit harsh and perhaps Apple did good by offering a $100 credit (not refund, but credit) to those who did purchase the iPhone. But no apology necessary. They knew what they were doing.

[Morrigoon]

I'm sorry, but the early adopter they talk about in this article is a damn IDIOT
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20624042/

[innerSpaceman]

I think the $100 credit offer is brilliant. 2-months is not a decent early-adopter window. Hell, I barely knew it's been 2 weeks since the iPhone debuted.

Why piss off your early adopting customers if you're a company selling technological innovation TOYS?

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Why piss off your early adopting customers if you're a company selling technological innovation TOYS?

Why are early adopters pissed off for being an early adopter? Tell me a new technology that didn't get cheaper after its introduction? People were paying PREMIUM pricing for the XBox 360 and Wii Systems when they first came out.

[CoasterMatt]

Buying first generation of ANYTHING electronicswise is just a recipe for disappointment.

[innerSpaceman]

I'm talking about the 2-month window being particularly lame.

Did game systems drop $200 after 8 weeks?