A note to product marketers: Don’t target those you’ve just shat upon
I just got a chipper email from Apple bragging about their awesome new iPhones. On the point of their awesomeness, I have to agree. They have some delightful features compared to the second gen iPhones I currently belong to. Was I going to buy one? OF COURSE! At least, until I found out that current iPhone owners (including those who already paid the severance fee to leave their carrier to get an iPhone) actually have to pay MORE THAN ANYONE in order to receive the features that we have inspired Apple to include.
Thus sparked my response to the Apple News Team:
Thanks for letting me know that you’ve released a new phone that I can buy for the low-low price of $200-400 more than everyone else! Screw you, Apple, for punishing your most loyal customers. The lesson learned here is to always wait just a little bit longer before buying a product from Apple. I’m the proud owner of 5 iPhones (3 of them made obsolete <2 months after purchase) and 7 Apple laptops and desktops (2 of them made obsolete <1 month after purchase).
I buy enough Apple products that I don’t bother trying to time the market and wait for you to come up with a release, but at least when I buy a computer right before refresh, I am not at a competitive disadvantage to the rest of the world when I want to upgrade. I am a VERY loyal Apple customer who has helped convert dozens of organizations (and likely hundreds of individuals) to Apple faithful and I will continue to be. Unfortunately, it will be very difficult to continue without a very sour look on my face when it comes to the issue of the iPhone refresh.
Congratulations on your news though! That’s exciting! For you.
