Thread: Apple on a decline??

Just a thought, anyone consider shorting?

Originally Posted by ak_boost

Right, but with that $3000 price tag, surely we (the consumer) get the most BADASS customer service ever right??

wrong. that is called "applecare", and will cost you an additional fee to talk to customer support via phone, even if the issue is apple's fault. That is the part that really rubs me the wrong way. If you're going to make something, stand behind your shit. I know there's a warranty, but bragging about the "ease of troubleshooting" since everything is "made by one company", then turning around and charging extra (on top of ridiculous markup) fee to talk to someone on the phone when your itunes starts deleting files off of your computer [personal issue on my PC]

THAT is why I will never buy a mac. but thats a sidetopic

I don't think you've ever used Applecare. In fact, you've confirmed it with your last statement. I've found very few complaints about Apple's customer service in general, and my experience has always been stellar.

Everyone can't stay on the top forever....eventually it will go on a decline. I think that's how the tech world works, eventually something better, smaller, faster, etc, etc comes out and it will knock you out of the competition until you make something that can compete with that and so on and so on, it's a never ending pattern, but I do believe that they will see a decline eventually, maybe not in the next couple of years, but eventually.

Of course they will stop growing. Every company settles down. They're still in a growth phase imo.

[And since we're on the topic I just found this on StumbleUpon - I think you guys might like to take a look at it it brings up some very good valid points.

http://cdn.thenextweb.com/files/2010/09/mac01.jpg

Global PC sales down 1% yoy but Apple Mac sales up 2% in the same time period. It looks like iPad and iMac/Macbook sales are cannibalizing PC sales.

I have to agree though that for a long term outlook Apple is not on a good path. They are no longer truly innovating for the consumer. They are merely revising existing concepts. The $1000 price targets are I don't believe any realistic goals anymore. Can we expect a short term burst up to 700 possibly 800? Possible. Are we going to see $1000 unless Apple brings out something market changing? Highly unlikely.

They will stop growing in the long term. I believe they currently have a strong pipeline of new products to introduce. Apple has been making evolutionary changes to their existing products and introducing revolutionary products only once every few years anyways. Furthermore, a fundamental evaluation of Apple screams buy. The $1000 price targets may be extreme, but they aren't uncalled for.

Thank you for telling me about P/E, but I am quite aware of P/E, EPS, P/B, BV ratio's. I am not saying Apple is not a strong company, just the decisions/directions/products that Apple has played out recently are starting to have impact on the success of Apple. I would even go as far to say that its starting to decline and will be seen over the next few quarters.

Apple's invincibility fades on iPhone miss, global woes - Yahoo! News

What decisions are impacting their success? A major decline would surprise me. I also think that article is crap. The iPhone still holds a retention rate of >90%. There is increased competition from Android but I think Windows phones will cannibalize Android sales more than iPhone sales. It should be pretty clear that lackluster* iPhone sales are related to people holding out for the iPhone 5 more than anything else.

* I say lackluster because it missed WS estimates. The sales number was actually impressive considering the macro environment, competition, and obviously the upcoming iPhone 5.

Originally Posted by Monolith

I don't think you've ever used Applecare. In fact, you've confirmed it with your last statement. I've found very few complaints about Apple's customer service in general, and my experience has always been stellar.

I have, actually. I bought it on an ipod a long time ago. The ipod broke during the last week of applecare (I didn't realize it was the last week). I waited a week or two and took it in to get it looked at. They told me that since my applecare expired the week prior, I was ineligible for any warranty claim. Yes I know, they didn't have to do anything, but that left a bitter taste in my mouth. I bought the longest warranty on that POS.

I overpaid somewhere between 300-400 for that worthless POS ipod, lightly used it, never removed it from a case or dropped it, etc. Due to the fact that I didn't race over to apple the minute it broke, it became a paperweight. In fact.. I had strange issues with it from day one, but because I'm not a confrontational guy, I let it go and just "dealt with it". Last time I ever do that..

Besides that though, for the amount that one overpays for apple products, they should give you that warranty with the product..

The I5 is apparently hitting in September. iPhone 5 Rumors Continue: New Photos, September Release - ABC News
Regardless of the company's position, this obviously is going to be a big boon for their coffers.

so you over paid to start with...then over paid on the BEST warranty.....then after all that you waited and let it sit broken untill it was to late



hahahahahahahahahah


nice!

Originally Posted by ak_boost

I have, actually. I bought it on an ipod a long time ago. The ipod broke during the last week of applecare (I didn't realize it was the last week). I waited a week or two and took it in to get it looked at. They told me that since my applecare expired the week prior, I was ineligible for any warranty claim. Yes I know, they didn't have to do anything, but that left a bitter taste in my mouth. I bought the longest warranty on that POS.

I overpaid somewhere between 300-400 for that worthless POS ipod, lightly used it, never removed it from a case or dropped it, etc. Due to the fact that I didn't race over to apple the minute it broke, it became a paperweight. In fact.. I had strange issues with it from day one, but because I'm not a confrontational guy, I let it go and just "dealt with it". Last time I ever do that..

Besides that though, for the amount that one overpays for apple products, they should give you that warranty with the product..

Everything (including fly poop) > Apple

Originally Posted by pip

so you over paid to start with...then over paid on the BEST warranty.....then after all that you waited and let it sit broken untill it was to late



hahahahahahahahahah


nice!

In a nutshell, yessir. I guess that's what happens when I'm busy and don't check the EXACT date I bought it. Like I said, I didn't realize the warranty was that close to expiring. D'OH!

On topic though, I am hoping there is some "secret" to be revealed, because nothing that has been leaked online makes the phone "pop". Apple making their own maps? thats cool... I guess.. Google worked just fine for me though lol

I think apple still has room to grow

Originally Posted by ak_boost

I have, actually. I bought it on an ipod a long time ago. The ipod broke during the last week of applecare (I didn't realize it was the last week). I waited a week or two and took it in to get it looked at. They told me that since my applecare expired the week prior, I was ineligible for any warranty claim. Yes I know, they didn't have to do anything, but that left a bitter taste in my mouth. I bought the longest warranty on that POS.

I overpaid somewhere between 300-400 for that worthless POS ipod, lightly used it, never removed it from a case or dropped it, etc. Due to the fact that I didn't race over to apple the minute it broke, it became a paperweight. In fact.. I had strange issues with it from day one, but because I'm not a confrontational guy, I let it go and just "dealt with it". Last time I ever do that..

Besides that though, for the amount that one overpays for apple products, they should give you that warranty with the product..

If I have small issues with a new product I either speak with the manufacturer or at least take the initiative to get on google and see if there's a quick fix. Judging by the tone of your post I'm going to guess that you were a dick to the apple store employees you spoke to and that's why they didn't hook you up. I can't begin to tell you how many people I know that have received free replacements, repairs, or overall quality customer service from Apple -- and this is spread out throughout the country, not just one or two stores in my area.

Also, I still have an iPod from 2003 or 2004 that works perfectly. I can send it your way since it doesn't really get used anymore.

Originally Posted by Monolith

If I have small issues with a new product I either speak with the manufacturer or at least take the initiative to get on google and see if there's a quick fix. Judging by the tone of your post I'm going to guess that you were a dick to the apple store employees you spoke to and that's why they didn't hook you up. I can't begin to tell you how many people I know that have received free replacements, repairs, or overall quality customer service from Apple -- and this is spread out throughout the country, not just one or two stores in my area.

Also, I still have an iPod from 2003 or 2004 that works perfectly. I can send it your way since it doesn't really get used anymore.

I honestly do not think I was a dick. If anything, I was shocked that they were so "by the rules" that they couldn't make an exception for a (then) young kid who spent around $400 for a broken ipod mini! I think I was around 14 when that whole thing went down. Taught me a valuable lesson to be careful buying the first gen of anything until the bugs have been worked out.

I appreciate your generous offer, but I would feel guilty since I don't "need" a replacement. If you're going to give it away, I'd rather see it go to someone who can appreciate it more than I can. I (begrudgingly) have an iphone and a basic little usb mp3 for the gym abuse. Again, thank you for your generosity though