2008 Woodie Awards
iWant My Money Back!
David Stelzmuller
Issue date: 9/12/07 Section: Opinion
Actually, Steve, I am not happy to see you and that is not an iPhone in my pocket.
This all started back on June 29, when Apple began selling the iPhone. The four-gigabyte model sold for the low, low price of $499 and the eight-gigabyte model for the not-quite-as-low price of $599. That already hurt; everybody knows that Macs are the machines of choice for anyone who creates art with a computer. And, as we all know, writers and artists are not the most affluent demographic.
There were those that would buy it: people who have loyalty to the brand. Then there are the brand-whores who would want it because it is a status symbol. Along with the gadget-lovers who have to have everything new.
There is large demographic of well-to-do Americans that were also ready to shell out the money just to be a part of the launch of Steve Jobs' iPhone revolution. There is nothing wrong with any of that. It is a company after all; here to sell products to consumers.
Everyone loves Apple, too. I love working on an Apple; they are simply more intuitive than other computers. What is not right about this situation is the price-slash that has just gone into effect a mere two months after the product's launch.
I know it sounds crazy getting upset about Apple discontinuing the four-gigabyte iPhone completely and selling the eight-gigabyte model for $399. I should rejoice and go out and buy an iPhone. I should do it because that is what Steve wants me to do. He made it cheaper for me, the person without one.
Steve made me mad though, when he spoke to USA Today, and they asked what people who already bought the phone should do, "That's technology," he said. "If they bought it this morning, they should go back to where they bought it and talk to them. If they bought it a month ago, well, that's what happens in technology."
I am not the only one who responded unfavorably to that attitude. Thankfully, as reported by the Associated Press, Jobs received hundreds (probably thousands) of emails from customers expressing their displeasure at what had just transpired.
This all started back on June 29, when Apple began selling the iPhone. The four-gigabyte model sold for the low, low price of $499 and the eight-gigabyte model for the not-quite-as-low price of $599. That already hurt; everybody knows that Macs are the machines of choice for anyone who creates art with a computer. And, as we all know, writers and artists are not the most affluent demographic.
There were those that would buy it: people who have loyalty to the brand. Then there are the brand-whores who would want it because it is a status symbol. Along with the gadget-lovers who have to have everything new.
There is large demographic of well-to-do Americans that were also ready to shell out the money just to be a part of the launch of Steve Jobs' iPhone revolution. There is nothing wrong with any of that. It is a company after all; here to sell products to consumers.
Everyone loves Apple, too. I love working on an Apple; they are simply more intuitive than other computers. What is not right about this situation is the price-slash that has just gone into effect a mere two months after the product's launch.
I know it sounds crazy getting upset about Apple discontinuing the four-gigabyte iPhone completely and selling the eight-gigabyte model for $399. I should rejoice and go out and buy an iPhone. I should do it because that is what Steve wants me to do. He made it cheaper for me, the person without one.
Steve made me mad though, when he spoke to USA Today, and they asked what people who already bought the phone should do, "That's technology," he said. "If they bought it this morning, they should go back to where they bought it and talk to them. If they bought it a month ago, well, that's what happens in technology."
I am not the only one who responded unfavorably to that attitude. Thankfully, as reported by the Associated Press, Jobs received hundreds (probably thousands) of emails from customers expressing their displeasure at what had just transpired.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Chady
posted 9/13/07 @ 8:23 AM PST
That is technology! He didn't even have to give the $100.00.
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