My Black Friday Apology to Apple
Summary: Who knew that it was possible for Apple to have deals on any of their overpriced products? Shock of shocks--they did. And, now it's time for this ol' Tech finger pointer to say, "I'm sorry."
Apple did, in fact, offer some Black Friday deals--$40 off on the new iPad, $30 off on iPod Touch and $100 off on MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. In my "10 reasons why Apple doesn't care about Black Friday," I said that they don't offer discounts but what do you know--they actually did. I think I know the reason that they did. It's called too many products on the market--a product glut, if you will. Instead of offering a sale, Apple should give you an iPod Touch with each purchase of a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, but that's just me.
OK, you came here for my apology and here it is: Apple, I'm sorry. I was wrong. You did have a sale on your products for Black Friday. Maybe you care a little after all.
A 10-percentish discount is better than no discount at all. It might have been the impetus needed for some to throw down some cash for a new iPod, iPad or MacBook. Well played, Apple, well played.
Of course, there might be an extenuating circumstance or two behind this Black Friday bit of Apple-scented good will.
First, there's the glut of products. Apple has tossed out a lot of new models this year and they need to move them. It was a bold move on their part to do so but it looks like it worked anyway.
Second, there's the Surface and the gaggle of Android tablets available for purchase. Even Apple can't totally ignore the competition, although I have previously accused them of doing exactly that.
Third, Apple is a business and every business has to move product.
Finally, Apple is out to get me. Since I turned on it, Apple is gunning for me. They offered their discounts just to spite me personally. I hope you realize that I'm kidding about that. Unfortunately, it seems, that I have to explain myself when taking a humorous jab at something or someone these days.
I wonder what's next for Apple? A Clearance aisle at the local Apple Store? An annual White Sale? A Foley's-style Red Apple sale? Oh, the joy of discounts on Apple products!
'Tis the season Apple. Make me proud. Make me apologize again.
Of course, there were no discounts on the iPad mini.
I'd like to know how many of you bought discounted Apple products this Black Friday. And, tell me too, if those discounts pushed you over the edge on purchasing instead of waiting or not buying at all. Further, I'd like to know how many of you would have sprung for the iPad mini if it had been on sale.
Black Friday is a crazy shopping day. I didn't shop late on Thursday nor did I wake up early to leap onto any great bargains. I did shop on Friday although I didn't think it was particularly crowded or crazy. I had no trouble finding a parking place anywhere I went. In fact, I never had to walk very far to get into a store on Friday. I even had a very close spot near the front door of Bass Pro Shop where my middle son was desirous of a new Crossbow. Unfortunately, Bass Pro Shop liked their Crossbow selection more than we did. At $599 for the least expensive one, we left and went elsewhere.
Black Friday makes people spend more than they should at Christmas. People go into debt to save money and make up the difference in credit card interest. Strange people we are. If you're wondering, no, I don't play the credit game. I'm a consumer "dead beat." If I can't afford to pay cash, I don't buy it. That's my policy.
Of course, if everyone were like me, we'd have no credit crisis, no suffering economy and no multi-trillion dollar National Debt problem to solve. OK, not sure how this went from an Apple apology to a stance on our economic situation but that's life and life after Black Friday.
To Apple: Keep up the good work. You surprised me. Thank you. I'm sure there are a lot of folks who also would like to say thanks as well for discounting a few of your products for Black Friday.
I like being surprised.
What do you think of Apple's Black Friday discounts? Do you think there's a new Apple on the horizon or was this a move simply to unload their surpluses? Talk back and let me know?
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Talkback
This article is wrong also: Apple has had Black Friday discounts for years
Apple has offered Black Friday discounts almost as long as they have had retail stores. So when you say you are surprised, it's only because you haven't been paying any attention.
Ditto
Finally
Good Lord Ken
Little side note Ken: Even if that were remotely true, anything Apple requires done by web, which is almost nothing, they will let people do from within the stores using any of the display Macs, all of which are online and available for things like Genius Bar Reservations, product comparison shopping, etc. etc.
Echoing dirtwatah, Apple has had Black Friday sales for years. I would otherwise suggest you alter your "apology" to more accurately pinpoint your deliberate ignorance of apparently all things Apple, however I feel confident that no one is losing sleep.
You misread it
Nice maneuver, Ken..
Huh
Google Searches Can Be Helpful Sometimes
But I guess since you're only after page views, there is no need for editors or writing something based in fact.
Not Much Of A Discount
Having lost some of their luster now that the competition is heating up, the "additional" markdown this year reflects Apple's growing worry.
Sadly they've chosen to focus negatively and attack their competitors, launching legal assaults instead of competing in the market place. It seems that the public is waking up to fact that the days of "Magical & Revolutionary" were super hyped mirages.
There were announcements about Black Friday deals but...
I know, right...
Black Friday.
A profitable company doesn't need to discount. I feel your article is about 10% accurate, so there you go.
If you can't afford it, don't by it
Wonder how much Microsoft discounted their products by on Black Friday?!
here you go
http://holiday.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/html/pbPage.BlackFriday?ESICaching=off
Actually, it wouldn't be Microsoft discounting any products
Though I'm guessing one or two of the haters will try to spin it to make it seem like it's MS ordering them to. :)
So, you're saying this then?
Offer discounts....
Offering discounts is just a business strategy...but not one often used by low volume premium brands. Apple choose not to do it for multiple reasons....not to piss off customers who just bought an Pple product....not to have customers wait off for the next discount cycle....because they don't have to...to name just three. They do it on BF because the industry does it...one day a year.
Ken, i think you are totally wrong
Tsk Tsk.