Apple Stores to begin price-matching competitors?
updated 03:55 pm EST, Tue November 25, 2008
Apple Store price matching
Apple has taken further action to boost sales in its own retail stores by allowing managers to match the prices offered by competitors, according to ifoAppleStore. The stores have previously prohibited staff from approving certain deals, but a report alleges an internal announcement defining a policy for pricing flexibility. The rules are said not to be completely open however, as customers will be required to show proof of dealers' discounts.
Best Buy has temporarily reduced its prices on several Macs, with $150 being taken off the 2.4GHz MacBook, and $100 being removed from the 2.0GHz model. Several other resellers run regular discounts on Apple products.
If the report is accurate it will mark a change in Apple's retail business model, which has traditionally held to a steadfast pricing schedule, with the exception of Black Friday. The feeble economy could be contributing to a strategy change though, as a necessary move to woo hesitant customers.
it is about time
11/25, 04:13pm (1 reply) reply
It is about time considering Apple is in the process of removing their student discounts. The ipods used to have a student discount, not any longer. Now the new Mac laptops have had the discount reduced.
lamewing
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2004
I didn't know
11/25, 10:31pm reply
That Apple has stopped education pricing. When I got the education website of the online store, Every item available is still discounted. As far as walk-in education pricing, the Stores in New York City have never offered it. They've always directed me to the website.
webraider
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2004
Education pricing:
11/26, 10:33am reply
Education pricing is still available.
If you go to the brick-and-mortar store, they will have you place the order through the Apple Store website (education section), but you will be able to walk out with your product in-hand (assuming you order the product as-is, and don't make any fancy modifications beyond adding some extra RAM).
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
They are not in...
11/26, 10:34am reply
They are not in the process of removing student discounts, simply adjusting them to remain profitable on low margin items.
Fast iBook
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2003
This is absurd
11/26, 10:41am reply
Apple requires it's products to be sold at a certain minimum by resellers. Ever noticed how the cheapest an Apple product gets is around $5 off? It's because a reseller will lose it's resale certification if it dips below that. BestBuy must have more weight to throw around than the little guy. They're going to be price matching against their own resellers. The only case where this might be beneficial is in software, but I imagine that's sold at MSRP anyway...
SirCastor
Professional Poster
Joined: Jan 2001
Varialbe .edu pricing
11/26, 10:42am reply
If you will remember several years ago, Apple's education pricing ran around 6% off across the board. This offered some nice deals, but does cut in to the bottom line.
They now provide variable discounts, depending on the product, it's popularity, and it's cost range.
While this may be discouraging to you, I have found that the students I work with (high school) are not short of cash to purchase iPods, iPhones, and iPod Touches. So much so, that they can usually afford these items, but cannot pay for their schooling between electronic devices, high-end clothing, gaming consoles, Starbucks runs, etc.
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
This is absurd
11/26, 10:43am reply
Apple requires it's products to be sold at a certain minimum by resellers. Ever noticed how the cheapest an Apple product gets is around $5 off? It's because a reseller will lose it's resale certification if it dips below that. They're going to be price matching against their own resellers.
The only case where this might be beneficial is in software, but I imagine that's sold at MSRP anyway...
SirCastor
Professional Poster
Joined: Jan 2001