
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) Chief Executive Steve Jobs has a funny of showing he's sorry. has limits on his generosity.
The $100 merchandise credit that Jobs offered last week to consumers outraged by the $200 iPhone price cut came with a catch: people can't use it on the popular iTunes service, according to Bloomberg News. (Update: After that initial report, Apple said that the information on its Web site was in error. Users won't be able to add the credit directly to their iTunes account, Bloomberg says.)
My guess is that Jobs wants people to use the credit for new Mac computers, iPods or to buy their friends a new, cheaper iPhone.
Now, despite what people wrote in response to my last Apple post, I actually am a fan of the company. The iPod is one of the greatest technological gizmos ever invented even though my particular one drives me bonkers from time to time. I'm even trying to convince my wife to buy a Mac.
Though Apple does have a right to place limits on its offer but prohibiting customers from using its most popular service is baffling. it's needs to make sure that a similar mixup doesn't happen again
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-14-2007 @ 3:50PM
Mike said...
Why not just use the credit at the Apple Store to buy a $100 iTunes gift card?
9-14-2007 @ 3:41PM
tom said...
They want it to be used towards higher margin products, reducing the cost to them.
9-14-2007 @ 4:27PM
Scott Mintz said...
iTunes generates almost no revenue to Apple. Apple must payout all Royalties.
However, sales of Apple iPods, iPhones, software etc. does have a profit. This provides a "profit" discount available to offset the 100 dollar refund.
Example: If Apple gave you $100.00 it would cost them $100.00. But if they give you a credit on a $100.00 item, that item may only cost them, $70.00. Saving them almost 30% than giving cash refunds. There is no where near that sort of profit in iTunes sales.
9-14-2007 @ 4:57PM
wkh said...
Apple didn't have to give early adopters, like me, anything. In fact, I didn't expect anything. I was very happy when Apple announced the $100 credit. They chose not to allow that $100 to be applied to something for which they make next to no money - iTunes songs. As an Apple stockholder I have no problem with that decision. All the crybabies who are whining about it need to grow up.
9-14-2007 @ 8:59PM
PB said...
Fully agree with the above WKH's comment.
9-15-2007 @ 10:37PM
Benjy said...
The credit can be used for iTunes giftcards.
9-15-2007 @ 6:57PM
mongul said...
"The credit can be used for iTunes giftcards."
Good catch, the Bloomberg story has been updated (4th time): "Apple's Web site says the credit isn't good for iTunes gift cards but the page is incorrect and is being revised, spokeswoman Natalie Kerris said."
9-17-2007 @ 7:13AM
A said...
You fool. iTunes only accepts credit cards or gift cards. You CAN buy an iTunes gift card and buy songs with it.
Fool.
Next time, why don't you write a disclaimer and admit that your bosses at Time Warner are in bed with NBC, Fox and others to build an "iTunes killer" called hulu.com?
Shill. Your company is a direct competitor with Apple, that's why you trash them all the time. I urge any and all readers to stop reading this biased blog.
9-17-2007 @ 12:44PM
george scandalis said...
I know you were unaware of Apple's policy change when you wrote this blog but Apple resolved this at about noon on the 14th.
Bloggers most certainly didn't know and most lower echelon Apple reps didn't know till then either.
That still doesn't explain the tone of your blog as one of an Apple basher though. You write in a way that supposes that Apple is out to screw their customer base, hardly objective or fair.
Perhaps, because you are so continually out of the knowledge loop by not having access to key Apple executives you should write about something else other than Apple.
Just a thought.
9-17-2007 @ 2:18PM
jason said...
NO REBATE FOR YOU! BACK IN LINE!