Thursday, September 06, 2007

Apple Volte Face: Offers $100 Store Credit

At least they are making some kind of amends for slashing the price on the IPhone. Now this is why Jobs is considered a marketing genius. First he had this tone:
"What do you say to customers who just bought a new iPhone for
$599?" he was asked, "Sorry?" "That's technology," Jobs responded. "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."

Then he let it be known that he changed his mind due to customer complaints.
Jobs acknowledged that he had made the change after receiving
"hundreds" of angry emails and reading "every one."

Yup, he admitted he was a bonehead and the angry e-mails that he "read every single one of" made him change his mind. In other words Jobs didn't know how bad the Apple maniacs were feeling but now he gets the message loud and clear. So this is what he does.
"We need to do a better job taking care of our early iPhone customers
as we aggressively go after new ones with a lower price," he admitted in an open
letter to customers posted on the Apple Web site. "Our early customers trusted
us, and we must live up to that trust with our actions in moments like
these."

So now he gives them $100 in store credit so he keeps the money in the Apple family. Also Apple gets to put $100 in their pockets. And I would be willing to bet that Apple Maniacs everywhere are cheering Jobs for "doing the right thing." Apple is one smart company indeed.

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