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Cigsm

macrumors 6502a
Jan 22, 2010
538
293
Bro, take a xanax. Apple literally gains nothing by creating scarcity. The more they sell the more money they make the better of the company is. Apple doesn't create scarcity, they create demand by creating products people want.

This is a naive conclusion. I'll explain why: Apple's products will always sell, thanks to the "hardcore fans" who will always buy everything this company creates, even if they started selling poop tomorrow they would still convince a lot of people. You really think Apple would lose money if they pulled a stunt like this?

Moreover, do you think they would disclose this for all of us if they were really doing?

Don't you think it's too convenient that not only every store can't get enough stock, also the ones (or the people) who are selling these Airpods are charging 200 USD or more in Amazon, eBay and anywhere else?

Am I supposed to think Apple can't be behind this?


Do you want me to give you a good example of how the scarcity principle works? Old videogames.

Less than a decade ago they were sold anywhere in the world for reasonable prices. Nowadays (also thanks to all the s.hitty new stuff available in the last two decades, but let's not discuss that) they are ALL being sold as if they were ALL great.

What happened? Did all these games (even the bad ones) improved over night? No.

Don't we have emulators/roms, scanned manuals and ways to consume them again that overshadow completely those old methods, and all these decaying antiques?

Do all buyers care about all these improvements and how bad the old stuff was to use it/still is?

No... and why they purchase them anyway? Are they interested in looking at the hardware? Do they have good reasons such as "the emulation not being perfect"?

Nope. They do it because they see themselves as "collectors" and want to physically own what they have, to tell others that they do...

This tells me that the brand and the (emotional) marketing are what really sells, the quality of the final product or the reality of things doesn't matter in the slightest.

Just tell people that you are selling a rare item and they will jump to buy it also thanks to the current mindset of this world that you can only be successful if you fill your life with useless things.

Don't we have any more stock of these old games? Is everyone buying them, that's why a SNES game is sold for 200 dollars?

Yes, many people are interested... yet we never see the stocks really gone (contrary to what we think). And these companies could sell them again to supply the demand anytime they feel like it, since they own the IP.

Will they do it? No... they usually do this, but only for a short time, or in very limited versions.

That's why I don't support consoles, I prefer to use my PC (and now the iPAD), because consoles force me to become another slave.

Even worse if they can pull off the contents you paid, like Amazon did with Kindle ebooks. You don't have a right to backup anything you own. That's what scarcity does to benefit us, and I didn't even mention the loss of old material thanks to draconian copyright laws (where something doesn't go to public domain for centuries, and even if it does they can restore copyright) that prevent restoration projects and allow the IP owners to remove these contents out of everyone's reach.

Emulators are a good way to get rid of this dependence of buying overpriced games as much as using the Earpods or buying another bluetooth headphone from another company is, if you want to send a "message" to Apple that you won't tolerate a system of exploitation which puts the most exploitative robber barons to shame.

I would love to, if they start shipping to freight forwarders, or accept international credit cards.

I had the same problem with Best Buy, I was going to use them, if were not for this same reason.

I won't buy anything sold in my country (and that includes the official Apple's website) to avoid paying huge import taxes. At least B&H has the decency to allow customers to send their products to their U.S. addresses.
 
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PBGamer89

macrumors member
Oct 9, 2014
60
27
It seems like they are next to impossible to find. Every online retailers (AT&T, Best Buy, etc) are all out fo stock and no word of when they are coming back and the Apple Store doesn't ship them out for up to 6 weeks.

What's the deal with how rare they are? I don't see nearly enough people with them online, social media, for it to seem that badly out of stock.
 

44267547

Cancelled
Jul 12, 2016
37,642
42,494
Actually, stores frequently receive stock, but they quickly sell out of the units that they received. My local Best Buy store receives them weekly, but they can't keep them in stock for less than a day. My three Apple stores do you have them available, then they quickly sell out as well. I think what you're finding out, is that the product has only been available for just over 3 months and the demand has been significantly high.
 

recoil80

macrumors 68040
Jul 16, 2014
3,117
2,756
I guess they're not making a large number of AirPods, so there is shortage of them.
I don't know the reason, maybe they didn't expect such an enthusiastic response by customer or maybe they have some problem in the supply chain.
 

iKaushal

macrumors 6502
Jun 7, 2011
459
62
Mumbai, India
Its in short supply and has huge demand.

I tried to buy many times from stores, but was unsuccessful.

Finally managed to order one from eBay..!! awaiting to get my hands on it this weekend
 

wxman2003

Suspended
Apr 12, 2011
2,580
294
In 6 months we will be saying why is the 8 out of stock and why is there a 2 month wait. It's a game that Apple has mastered.
 
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The Game 161

macrumors Nehalem
Dec 15, 2010
30,974
20,168
UK
sadly this seems to be the case with all their future big products. those who want the iPhone 8 better get it ordered within secs otherwise bet people will be waiting till jan/feb
 

AZhappyjack

Suspended
Jul 3, 2011
10,183
23,657
Happy Jack, AZ
I won't buy anything sold in my country (and that includes the official Apple's website) to avoid paying huge import taxes. At least B&H has the decency to allow customers to send their products to their U.S. addresses.

So now it's Apple's fault and part of their vast conspiracy that you live in the country in which you do? Entitlement sucks when it doesn't work out the way you want it to, doesn't it?
 

jhearty99

macrumors 6502a
Sep 17, 2012
524
549
Long Island, NY
There is the possibility that Apple is already working on 2nd generation AirPods so they arent pressing as hard to meet the current demand of them right now.

Its starting to get a bit ridiculous that they cant meet demand for headphones close to 4 months later so just a thought.
 

Perene

macrumors 6502a
Jun 29, 2015
835
321
Netherealm
So now it's Apple's fault and part of their vast conspiracy that you live in the country in which you do? Entitlement sucks when it doesn't work out the way you want it to, doesn't it?
Any online store that refuses to send purchased items to freight forwarders deserves no respect. And you'll find customers from anywhere in the world condemning such policy.

And even with all the taxes, I'll tell you that so far I bought Apple products all in my country, from people who managed to import them and pay less, of course. Recently I bought two Ipad pros, 128 wifi only and 256 wifi + cel, two Smart Cover and Silicone cases and even the Apple Pencil.

As you can see I bought all this a year ago (and all for me) without a single complaint against Apple, yet no one is selling these AirPods anywhere, even the people who find a way to bring stuff from the U.S. and avoid customs. I only saw one person, and even that one is telling that it will get the first units in the end of April.

Is this some sort of sick joke? I am still waiting for a good explanation as to why Apple is making all of us wait so much time. You'll have to admit that my explanation is the only one that justifies what's happening.

In the meantime there's always someone in eBay selling these for 200+. No problem, right? If it's an Apple product, there's always going to be someone that will pay what they want without reconsidering.

Not anymore. I have cancelled/refunded my order and don't pretend to order these again until they are available to be purchased by every person in the universe. If that doesn't happen then it's the scarcity principle again and I can't stand the idea of supporting this sort of scam.
 
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redman042

macrumors 68040
Jun 13, 2008
3,063
1,657
Its true, it is surprisingly hard to get AirPods even three months out. But let's remember the scale that Apple operates at (and sells at) is staggering. Every time a new iPhone hits the market, it usually takes 2-3 months for supply and demand to stabilize. And that's with half a city in China employing countless people to make as many at once as possible. That, and countless chip and part suppliers cranking just as hard to get them the materials to build them.

Something similar is happening here, at a smaller (but still very large) scale of course. Apple would not have set up iPhone scale production, and perhaps the W1 chip is still in short supply. They probably didn't expect to sell these at such a high rate. I expect they'll get caught up fairly soon.
 

Perene

macrumors 6502a
Jun 29, 2015
835
321
Netherealm
Something similar is happening here, at a smaller (but still very large) scale of course. Apple would not have set up iPhone scale production, and perhaps the W1 chip is still in short supply. They probably didn't expect to sell these at such a high rate. I expect they'll get caught up fairly soon.
Someone that is from another galaxy and doesn't know how Apple operates would seriously consider what you are saying.

However Apple is well known for being the greediest company ever, so the mere suggestion that they are having problems to supply the demand of ANY PRODUCT is not only naive, but offensive for someone that knows them.

They had all the time in the world to produce as many Airpods as they could. Now after almost a year, what more excuses do they have?

Do you really want me to believe this is the most difficult product in history to be manufactured?

What they want is to milk the customers as much as they can, charging ridiculous prices for whatever they are selling.

It's just that over the years this SCAM stopped working.

You only need to look at how much they are selling these tablets and other products. The customers aren't willing as they used, to switch their Apple products every year.

If they are losing money, of course they need to put into practice another way to exploit us... Isn't that painfully obvious?

You are not talking about a company that has everything to lose if they pull such stunt. This is APPLE, which sells everything they put in the market. Airpods are still selling because of the hype, and thanks to customers who are willing to pay more than 160 USD.
 

FunkyTang

macrumors 65816
Sep 16, 2008
1,047
844
At least when you order from Apple.com you're in line, a very long line.

Plenty of other cases where if you not on the webpage when it's available to order, you're out of luck.
 

jhearty99

macrumors 6502a
Sep 17, 2012
524
549
Long Island, NY
so the mere suggestion that they are having problems to supply the demand of ANY PRODUCT is not only naive, but offensive for someone that knows them.

You only need to look at how much they are selling these tablets and other products. The customers aren't willing as they used, to switch their Apple products every year.

Its naive and insulting? Pretty hyperbolic, no? lol So Apple isnt capable of having supply chain issues because they are Apple? I would say its pretty naive to say that. There are many plausible theories as to why the AirPods are in short demand and production issues could certainly be one of them, to claim otherwise based on nothing is pretty ridiculous.
[doublepost=1490887431][/doublepost]
You only need to look at how much they are selling these tablets and other products. The customers aren't willing as they used, to switch their Apple products every year.

Outside of the super techies, Apple produces 1 product that people consistently upgrade to every year, the iPhone, which they just set the record for iPhones sold in quarter.
 

redman042

macrumors 68040
Jun 13, 2008
3,063
1,657
Someone that is from another galaxy and doesn't know how Apple operates would seriously consider what you are saying.

However Apple is well known for being the greediest company ever, so the mere suggestion that they are having problems to supply the demand of ANY PRODUCT is not only naive, but offensive for someone that knows them.

They had all the time in the world to produce as many Airpods as they could. Now after almost a year, what more excuses do they have?

Do you really want me to believe this is the most difficult product in history to be manufactured?

What they want is to milk the customers as much as they can, charging ridiculous prices for whatever they are selling.

It's just that over the years this SCAM stopped working.

You only need to look at how much they are selling these tablets and other products. The customers aren't willing as they used, to switch their Apple products every year.

If they are losing money, of course they need to put into practice another way to exploit us... Isn't that painfully obvious?

You are not talking about a company that has everything to lose if they pull such stunt. This is APPLE, which sells everything they put in the market. Airpods are still selling because of the hype, and thanks to customers who are willing to pay more than 160 USD.

You are just a tad too blinded by your bitterness to take seriously, my friend.
 

M-5

macrumors 65816
Jan 4, 2008
1,108
102
Okay, I really have to respond to you, because you honestly sound delusional.

"However Apple is well known for being the greediest company ever, so the mere suggestion that they are having problems to supply the demand of ANY PRODUCT is not only naive, but offensive for someone that knows them."
- The greediest company ever? Why do you speak in such hyperbole? Apple tends to sell their products at similar price points to the rest of the industry. Yes, their products are generally a bit more expensive for a similar item from another manufacturer, although Apple tends to have better build quality, customer service, and ecosystem/support than their competitors. Their products are also much easier to use for the vast population.

"They had all the time in the world to produce as many Airpods as they could. Now after almost a year, what more excuses do they have?"
- All the time in the world? The Airpods are a new technology for Apple. Even if they had the capability to manufacture them a couple years ago, the components required to do so were probably too expensive to sell at an affordable price. Apple isn't going to build a product that is too expensive for their market to purchase.

"Do you really want me to believe this is the most difficult product in history to be manufactured?"
- Nobody is saying this. Sure, Apple could have rushed production despite manufacturing problems, although they would then probably release defected products to their customers damaging their reputation. You could see how Samsung attempted to quickly roll out their Note phones to consumers to beat Apple which caused them to lose billions of dollars in revenue because of the battery quality control issue.


"What they want is to milk the customers as much as they can, charging ridiculous prices for whatever they are selling."
- The primary function of any business is to make money and maximize their profits. Apple charges what they believe the value of their products are, and the consumers will purchase them if the price is worth it to them. Apple Airpods are not priced ridiculously. If you look at other bluetooth earbuds on the market, many of them are actually priced at a higher price range, and they also don't have the w1 chip that Apple implemented for seamless integration with an iPhone.
Yes, there are some bluetooth headphones that are priced at a much lower price point, but these bluetooth earbuds are usually connected to each other with a cable that goes around your neck. Apple's Airpods are completely wireless and also offer other features such as Siri etc.
 

Perene

macrumors 6502a
Jun 29, 2015
835
321
Netherealm
The Airpods are already available in my country. After all this time... However you can only buy from a few people who have managed to find in the U.S. while probably travelling, and I suspect they have brought here without paying import fees, yet they ask for less than Apple in their official (and local) website.

The only online store that was charging similar prices compared to individual sellers has just raised the price of this item in a matter of days, and now it's more expensive than even Apple is selling. Disgusting.

When I see how overpriced this item still is and the scarcity that remains to this date, I can only wonder two things: either it's really hard to manufacture (despite the fact no one has addressed this point) or Apple is adopting this new strategy to increase their profits. Either way, it's a shame they are still asking us to wait 6 weeks until delivery.

I ordered today from one of these sellers, since it's new and sealed. Will see how things go from there.
 

Perene

macrumors 6502a
Jun 29, 2015
835
321
Netherealm
Another order cancelled and the money spent refunded. The seller asked me to wait until Thursday for the reason he was traveling. Why I am not surprised that after all this time these people still don't have this product for immediate shipping? I even found another selling for less, but asks for ten days to deliver from the U.S..

I am so fed up about this that I won't even bother to wait a few more days anymore. There's a period of time in which you may cancel things to prevent your payments from being collected by the seller, and in this site is I believe two weeks. But anyone that advertises these AirPods and cannot ship immediately is even worse in my eyes than Apple. I thought that Apple was responsible for everything I said, yet with these kinds of scammers managing things, who really needs a big corporation?

If someone doesn't have something, it shouldn't look like a scammer and advertise it. Or at least it has an obligation to inform the buyers when they are going to receive. BH PHOTOVIDEO might be a good online store, however in this case they made the customers look like fools, selling a product with an estimate date of delivery three months later.
 
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rjtyork

macrumors regular
Jun 10, 2009
198
323
Ok, it's been 5 months since these started shipping and there's STILL a 6 week back order?! Get it together, apple!

Sorry, I just wanted to complain too. I don't like waiting when I'm ready to buy.
 

Perene

macrumors 6502a
Jun 29, 2015
835
321
Netherealm
5 times. I cancelled/refunded this thing a total of 5 times in a row for lack of stock and because the seller couldn't ship immediately and couldn't fulfill my order. Some were even ordering more and it would take over 10 days.

And I have to read Apple's minions saying, after almost a year, this isn't the scarcity principle in effect...

Please, God... when are the aliens going to carry me out of here?

Well, I'll have my money back in a few days (again...) and won't bother with these expensive phones anymore (yes, they are expensive for the rest of the world unless you are rich and/or live in the US).

Perhaps 10 years from now there will be enough stock, in the meantime Apple's sycophants that can't even acknowledge this company only cares about making huge profits will probably wake from their comas. And perhaps after all this time they will present some shred of evidence to explain why my "conspiracy theory" has no merit.

The funny thing is that my theory is self-evident as the Sun will rise tomorrow, while their weeping and gnashing of teeth is only that, a futile veneration for a company that couldn't care less about its users.
 

puckhead193

macrumors G3
May 25, 2004
9,578
862
NY
sigh up for istock notifications. Once I did I was able to pick up a pair in a few days. That site is awesome I still get the messages to see how stock is it seems my local stores get stock frequently.
 
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