Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Apple, iPhone
Apple giving early iPhone buyers $100 credit
You were not happy, and Steve Jobs listened. Apple has posted an Open Letter from Steve (yet another blog post, Steve? When are you going to make it official? You know, we are looking for bloggers... I'm just saying) in which Steve acknowledges that the iPhone price reduction was the right thing to do, but that Apple needs to think about those who bought an iPhone early on and not just those who will buy one during the holiday season.
Apple will be offering a $100 credit to the Apple Store (both online and physical stores) for anyone who purchased an iPhone before the break reduction and who hasn't received any other kinds of credit (i.e. if you get a refund from Apple or AT&T already you won't get another sawbuck). While I still think the reaction to the price reduction was way overblown, this is a great example of Apple listening to their customers and trying to make the situation right.
Details are still being worked out, but look for them to be posted on Apple.com next week.
Well done, Steve and company.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 6)
Flanders said 4:09PM on 9-06-2007
I can't believe Apple listend to all those pussies.
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punkassjim said 4:09PM on 9-06-2007
holy crap. the price drop was not unprecedented. THIS is unprecedented. wow.
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Tim H said 4:11PM on 9-06-2007
I was surprised by the price drop, but not upset. Them's the breaks... IMHO, this is above and beyond what apple needed to do. It's great as far as I'm concerned. I'll be putting this toward purchasing Leopard.
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Lucas Couvreur said 4:10PM on 9-06-2007
So who said he was a douche bag again eh??
Very nice job, Mister Jobs!!
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Invader J said 4:19PM on 9-06-2007
All you people complaining are on crack. On what planet does a price drop mean you should get a refund (14-day price protection notwithstanding)? You buy a 60" plasma TV for $8000, 2 months later it's $7000, you bitch but you know what the manufacturer says? "Screw you, that's life." And they'd be right, THAT'S LIFE.
But $100 credit is pretty sweet...
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Tom said 5:06PM on 9-06-2007
What will happen to iPhone customers who bought it at an ATT store?
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Tom said 6:45PM on 9-06-2007
Apple did not "screw over" anyone, they didn't force you to buy an iPhone for $600, you made that decision yourself. If you couldn't afford the $600, you shouldn't have bought one. Looking back on it, it would have been best to wait 2 months to save $200, but hindsight is always 20/20...
That said, being an early iPhone buyer myself, I'm not going to complain if they want to give me $100 credit :-)
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PK said 4:17PM on 9-06-2007
Just a note - if you sent an email or posted a note in the Apple forums complaining about the price drop, make sure to send another email or post a new note thanking Apple for this if it satisfies you. If they're being generous enough to listen to your concerns and offer you a store credit to make up for them, the least you can do is thank them for it.
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L2 said 4:20PM on 9-06-2007
Darn! Now what am I going to do with this riffle I just bought?!
Oh well, I'm happy now.
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TheDukester said 4:21PM on 9-06-2007
Hey, Billy K.
1. Bite me.
2. I'll post where I want, when I want.
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Dave said 4:28PM on 9-06-2007
I actually have a few comments:
1) Thank you Apple/Steve. I knew this wouldn't end up bad. I had faith in my only favorite company.
2)Being my favorite company. I have a feeling this was all planned from the get-go. Because you are that freakin' smart. Having faith in our loyalty. Pricing it reasonably and then two months later revealing the real price. GENIUS!
3)I still am deeply offended by all the people complaining about the complainers. UP YOURS! You are actually the morons. How can you people encourage others to be silent and just accept it. A price drop has NEVER occurred like this so soon.
And Scott could you say it was overblown? TUAW posted "Apple Screwed you." You helped out.
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Ziggy said 4:28PM on 9-06-2007
Ummm, am I the only person who wasn't surprised?
It's TECHNOLOGY. It's always going to get better and cheaper, and that change will happen fast. Particularly when it comes to mobile phones.
Those of us who waited in line and bought a phone on the day it came out did so because we wanted the next big thing from Apple in our hot little hands ASAP, and we knew what we were going to have to shell out to get it. I completely understand if you bought an iPhone two weeks or even a month ago, but COME ON. If you bought one on day one, you've had it for two months plus at this point.
I, for one, will not be claiming $100. I paid what was asked and have been very happy with my phone. Apple owes me nothing.
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chunless said 4:32PM on 9-06-2007
i hope this helps change some flamers and their behaviour, and some whiners and their tantrums. when you perceive a injustice done to you, speak out, calmly, but loudly. the whiners may whine, but if done right, things may be remedied. those that belong to the "iphone 600", the ones that flamed the very people trying to remedy their perceived injustice should learn from this experience.
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Rey3114 said 4:28PM on 9-06-2007
Wow, I can't believe people are complaining?! That an expensive item is becoming less expensive, its morons like you that help multi-national corporations charge outrageous price for items in the first place. Its called capitalism, they want to increase sales they lower the price, go cry to your economics teacher for not teaching you a dam thing.
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brian said 4:28PM on 9-06-2007
Remember, if you bought yours recently (2 weeks or so) you are still eligible for price-matching. Take your receipt to the store or call 800-MY-APPLE and have your order # handy and see if you qualify. But ACT QUICKLY, and BE NICE!
http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/salespolicies.html?cid=AOS-AM-104800-A10000052030#topic-15
"Should Apple reduce its price on any shipped product within 10 calendar days of shipment, you may contact Apple Sales Support at 1-800-676-2775 to request a refund or credit of the difference between the price you were charged and the current selling price. To receive the refund or credit you must contact Apple within 14 business days of shipment."
If you don't qualify (if you're close, call--they may be able to hedge a few days here or there) then I have to say, the blanket $100 refund is very, very, VERY nice of them to do. Kudos, Apple!
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Rated N said 4:31PM on 9-06-2007
Early adopters are the people who perpetuate the advancement of new technologies. Without them, a product would fail in the market before it even has a chance. People can mock and criticize early adopters all they want, but without them you'd be perpetually stuck with last year's technology. Just look at how the iPhone spawned imitators even before it was launched and no doubt by next year, there will be multi-touch multimedia devices from countless companies at even lower prices. Early adopters are necessary, and should be applauded for taking the plunge so that you can have the same technology next year for half the price.
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Chris C. said 4:32PM on 9-06-2007
Uh, re: Apple not giving you the $100 credit if you've gotten any other credit (ie, credit card), how will Apple know if you've gotten a credit back from your credit card company?
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brian said 4:32PM on 9-06-2007
PS: A sawbuck is $10. From the roman numeral for ten--'X', if you didn't know--which looks like a sawhorse. $100 is a C-note or a benjamin (if you're a rapper.) $5 is a fin.
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Luna Lovegood said 4:38PM on 9-06-2007
"Thank you Apple/Steve. I knew this wouldn't end up bad. I had faith in my only favorite company."
You owe me a new keyboard.
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CB said 4:44PM on 9-06-2007
I think #10 is bragging about owning a Newton.
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