When the new iPhones were released, people lined up to purchase them. There were news stories of people waiting for hours outside of stores to be the first to throw big bucks at a clerk, grab their phone, and get it activated. Now, the price has dropped in order to attract those customers who either don’t have $599 to spend on a phone, or just have too much common sense to drop that much money on a gadget. Now, those same people who had to be the first to play with the latest tech toy are crying because if they had only waited, they could have gotten it cheaper. And Apple’s going to give in to the complainers.
Apple Inc. (AAPL) CEO Steve Jobs apologized and offered $100 credits Thursday to customers who shelled out $599 for the most advanced model of the iPhone, only to have the company unexpectedly slash the price $200 in a push to boost holiday sales.
As most of us know, products that involve technology, especially new technology, are always pricey when they are released, whether the product is a computer, a gaming system, or a cell phone. When these products are released, the companies behind them are already working on the next big thing, which will of course render all others obsolete. A tech toy is not an investment, unless you’re using it for business and it drastically increases productivity. Even then, from the moment you buy it, it decreases in value. Apparently, some Apple customers were not aware of this.
. . .early iPhone users, who were startled to have their prized gadgets plummet in value.
Unless the purpose of buying them was to turn around and sell them at a higher price, they haven’t really “plummeted in value.” They still perform the exact same functions as they did before the price drop. If an executive bought the phone to enable them to work while commuting, it is still a valuable tool to them. If some kid with more money than sense bought it so they could be the envy of their little friends, it probably still does the job.
Apple shouldn’t have to apologize for lowering prices on their products. They aren’t responsible for the consumers’ poor decision making, or insistence on instant gratification. Prices always drop eventually. Wipe your tears, and next time, practice patience or accept that you aren’t paying top dollar for the gadget, but for the thrill of being the first in the class to have one.
