iPads at TJ Maxx were bought at retail
Just in case you missed it, here's a resolution to the whole question of where those iPads at TJ Maxx came from. A high tech tablet isn't really the usual fare for the discount clothing retailer, and Steve Jobs himself confirmed that the chain wasn't an "authorized reseller" of Apple's magical, revolutionary device. But TJ Maxx says in an official statement that it has its ways: "Earlier this week, a small number of T.J.Maxx and Marshalls stores received a very limited quantity of first quality electronic tablets that were sourced from a retailer," the chain tells Fortune.
In short, they bought the iPads from someone who was authorized to sell them, and then resold them (losing about $100 off of the standard retail price) to whoever came in the store and found them.
Why? The "coming in the store" part was the important one -- for around $8000, according to analysts, TJ Maxx picked up a sizable amount of foot traffic from people just coming through the doors on the weekend before Black Friday, not to mention a flurry of publicity on Apple blogs like, say, this one. In short, it was a publicity stunt.
Honestly, as publicity stunts go, selling iPads for $400 is a pretty good one. Steve himself wasn't real happy about it, but if any other retail chains want to pick up the banner, we'll follow the charge.
[via App Advice]
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Just in case you missed it, here's a resolution to the whole question of where those iPads at TJ Maxx came from. A high tech tablet isn't...
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Sure, officially if you ask Apple (or SJ), he might say he's un-happy as it's a "gray-market" goods but unofficially, yea, they could care less. Apple probably got a couple million of free local news publicity (you can see the teaser promos for the news - $100 off the ipad - details at 11) ... and yea, anyone who wants to pay Apple full price to then sell it at a discount along with massive free publicity, they'll take it even if they publicly can't say it's a good thing.
November 22 2010 at 8:35 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyActually for Apple this is NOT a good thing. Folks are probably already hitting their stores demanding they price match this deal. And certainly there will be demands this Friday.
That issue is likely why Jobs make the comment about TJ Maxx not being authorized. Because point one in their price match conditions is that it has to be an authorized retailer.
@ Charli
Jobs didn't volunteer the comment about TJ Maxx being an unauthorised reseller. He was asked in an email if they were, and he replied "Nope"
"Steve himself wasn't real happy about it..."
Who gives a @#$ what he thinks? Good for those lucky few who got a great deal. Personally, I'm tired of the people who worship at the alter of Steve Jobs.
"Steve himself wasn't real happy about it..."
TUAW just made that up. They can't produce any evidence to back it up.
Like the others have said saying Jobs is displeased is disingenuous as he never said anything to indicate that. You may have misinterpreted him when he said they were an "unauthorized retailer" but he was stating a fact not indicating his displeasure as TUAW would have you believe.
November 22 2010 at 7:32 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyTUAW,
1) The rest of the web knew this days ago
2) Please produce the evidence that Steve Jobs is displeased
"Steve himself wasn't real happy about it" And where does that little tidbit come from? As Grant says, there's absolutely no evidence of that.
As for Jon's comment, Jobs did know about it. Evidence? He responded to emails regarding the issue.
I keep seeing these blog posts saying Steve Jobs is angry at the TJ Maxx situation, but I never see evidence of that. What's the source on that bit of information? Apple received the full price of each iPad sold, and I'd think they would be pretty happy about TJ Maxx helping to establish the iPad as the hot "item-to-have" of the holiday season.
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TUAW (or The Unofficial Apple Weblog) is a website devoted to tips, reviews, news, analysis and opinion on everything Apple.
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