Open letter to Airtel, Vodafone - iPhone is Overpriced
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The most awaited gadget for Indians, which we all were expecting in India since it was released in the U.S. finally releases today in a few hours. i.e. 22nd August 2008. And guess what? Airtel and Vodafone are going to be in surprise. How much ever they try to show the sales, it would not be an impressive total as actually no one is happy with the iPhone pricing.
Is Rs. 31000 and Rs. 36000 a price for a mobile which is approximately available for Rs. 10000 in the U.S.?
Both airtel and vodafone have the same high prices for the iPhone.
Here is my letter to both Airtel and Vodafone -
To whom so ever it may concern,
I was totally excited when i first time saw in your website that Apple iPhone is going to come soon. But soon, my excitement went down and trashed due to your pricing plan. Is the phone, which is $200 in the U.S. going to sell in India for $800 i.e. 4 times the normal price?
I thought the decent price might be at least around 20k to 25k but you guys are making it out of budget. I mean, the Nokia N96 which is a classic gadget with 5 MP, dual stereo and dual cam, dual slider is available for Rs. 36000 next month and its 16 GB too. The same with all less features is for Rs. 36000 for 16 GB? I was just thinking to buy as i love Apple products. But now, not when they are overpriced.
In short, i just want to say that you still can think about the prices and think to negotiate or your sales won’t be that high as expected. This is not me alone speaking it, but you would receive many similar complaint letters from many Indians who are not happy with the pricing. Think about it.Chetan
Now, for those who are willing to support me regarding this, i need people to comment to this post with just a single line added to your note - “The iPhone is overpriced”, and as the number of comments rise, the support would increase!
Please comment if you too are not satisfied with the pricing, and want the service providers to look about it.
After i get a good number of responses here, i would forward this letter to both Airtel and Vodafone, and do keep in mind, that this can make a change as many people are writing letters like this and everyone sending letters of this type can really make Airtel and Vodafone think about it.
Please comment and support.
I was willing to buy it as well, but probably not since the price is way too high. I hope they’ll probably decrease the price once they start receiving many complaints about their pricing.
The iPhone is overpriced!
Reply to this comment:It’s almost an year since i bought the iPhone!!
I’m one of very few, who actually are happy with the pricing.
BTW, iPhone is not worth $200 in US. Along comes a 2 year contract with AT&T. All the charges make it equivalent to 800 bucks! So no surprises here!
Reply to this comment:[...] Original post by Chetan [...]
Reply to this comment:The iPhone is overpriced
Reply to this comment:its outrageous to price it at 31 & 36k and doesn’t make any sense. Even if you consider unsubsidized rates it should be not more than $ 399 & $ 499 equivalent
There is no 3G in India yet and you cant port numbers as well…
so why pay so high price?
I would get 4 iphones from US at the same price and use, software unlock is just around for 3G
so who is the loosers? vodafone and airtel!!!
the black market sellers are only to gain
anyway my 2G unlocked iphone is working on vodafone for past one year and shall continue till then
Reply to this comment:The iPhone is overpriced,it should not be more than 20k INR.
Reply to this comment:[...] Sachin Gupta wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt36000 a price for a mobile which is approximately available for Rs. 10000 in the US? Both airtel and vodafone have the same high prices for the iPhone. Here is my letter to both Airtel and Vodafone -. To whom so ever it may concern, … [...]
Reply to this comment:I would have no problem in repeating what i was already talking in other places.
The phone which was being sold for $200 can not be affordable by most of the people for $800.
Think again about the prices, and yes, the poster here is right, you will see many open letters of this kind from many people complaining about the pricing. Till you realize that you have lost many of your customers.
Calm down with the prices soon.
The iPhone is overpriced.
Reply to this comment:I am happy that people are coming ahead with open voice to show that buyers still have power to appeal about anything. Hope the pricing is checked about very soon.
The iPhone is overpriced.
Reply to this comment:IPHONE IS OVERPRICED
Reply to this comment:You definitely know, the pricing structure is set by Airtel/Vodafone when it’s this much off, and Apple probably supports it since they will get a bigger cut. It’s all about money people.
Reply to this comment:its overpriced!!!!
Reply to this comment:I thought I will buy it as soon as it is out. But now with that sort of price, I think I don’t need it.
Did you guys see Nokia N72?
-Jim Karter
Reply to this comment:I am with u chetan. . . .
They are seriously going out of limits with incerasing the price by more than 4 times the cost in the U.S
If they can sell the i.pod at the same price as that in the US why cant they sell the i phone which is also an Apple product,
Dont know who is at fault the service providers or Steve jobs???????
iPhone is overpriced.
Reply to this comment:The iPhone is overpriced.
Reply to this comment:Its a great initiative Chetan. I am glad someone took this initiative at last.
I had suggested the same on my blog http://rajupp.frih.org/WordPress/2008/08/20/iphone-pricing-ridiculously-high-in-india/
but you have actually executed it. Cheers!
I agree the IPhone is way overpriced its a phone with a built in music player for goodness sake
Reply to this comment:Definately overpriced IMO. Correct price no more than 20K INR. Planning to buy one if its available in this price range (20K INR).
Reply to this comment:The price is so high because the Telecom rates in india are very low.
Vodafone/Airtel have nothing to gain by subsidizing the prices and selling it to more people.
AT&T pays 575$/675$ to apple per iPhone 8/16GB (meaning AT&T subsidizes it by 375$, because they can gain it back by leeching the customers when it comes to plans)
Vodafone/Airtel are definately earning some money per handset, but they arent milking money.
Also, the Phones are LOCKED.
But yes, there is NO CONTRACT, period.
I had quite a long chat with the manager of one of the flagship vodafone stores.
Comparing it to the prices of phones sold in europe, these prices are spot on. 31000 / 36100 (715$ / 830$). But ofcourse, youd rather buy a 2G iPhone, since we dont even have 3G in India.
Reply to this comment:Its definately not worth the money.
its overpriced !!!!
Reply to this comment:Airtel is giving free 500mb of data usage. And vodafone is giving interest free EMI of 6 or 12 months for credit card holders.
Above incentives looks good to me.
Reply to this comment:[...] iPhone From Airtel (Video) Iphone overpriced __________________ Iphone|Airtel|Vodafone|Reliance|Bsnl|Tata Indicom|Idea|Mtnl|Aircel| [...]
Reply to this comment:Hi ,
I too agree that the price is way beyond the reach of common man. when it is available for 200 $ in US market than why its not available here at the same price. I suggest to decrease the hardware price but they can certainly earn by impling a monthly rent like of rs 1000 for one year including monthly rent and call charges.
Thanks
Reply to this comment:Krishan
I was so excited about this phone and the hype that was going on about it… and I was all down when I heard the Price in India… 31k thats out of the world … why I say that is because its available for 200$ in US and almost 4 times the money in India… no ones interested in the iPhone now!
Reply to this comment:Yes, it is overpriced. I hope they reduce their prices. India is a mass market and they can really sell good nos. if they reduce the price.
Reply to this comment:I think all of us Indians should boycott this pricing
Reply to this comment:Leaving the high price, Even if we buy the phone, there is no 3G available in India as of i know,
Reply to this comment:So there goes another feature of the iphone(3G) so wasting 31000/36000 Rs on a phone with minimal features sounds hilarious to me!!!!!!!!
This is just not done for the prices… They should reduce the prices.. By this price only high class people will be able to use the iPhone… WHAT ABOUT THE MIDDLE CLASS PEOPLE ?????
Reply to this comment:i agree that the price is too high as compared to the features.
just give me one reason that why should not someone purchase touch diamond or n96 with more features and comparatively less cost.
i expected the price to be around 20k which would have been satisfactory but 31k is extreme.
unbelieveable pricing.
if this price is half(as the company says) then thanks god we dont have to pay 62k.
plz reduce the price
Reply to this comment:cost of iphone 199$
in india it cost 750$
nearly 350% more.
thats not fare.
The Prices Are Too High… Please GIve Us Some Installment Scheme….:)
Reply to this comment:i agree that apple has very high quality products but the price of iphone is just too much.
why would anyone pay 31k for a phone with
-no message forwarding
-no video recording-
-camera with no flash and no autofocus
-sending of files via bt not allowed
-no fm radio (cheapest of phones in india do have fm radio)
i agree that there are some super features but again i say the price is toooooooooo much
that’s all
Reply to this comment:The iPhone is overpriced
i had been waiting for months to buy the official iphone, but now due to this outrageous price guess i will go for htc touch diamond which is an equally good phone.
Reply to this comment:I made up my mind to buy this great phone. But with this heavy overpricing NO WAY IN MY LIFE I WOULD BUY IPHONE.
IF YOU HEAR THIS APPLE THEN YOU BETTER CUT DOWN THE PRICE OR WE INDIANS WOULD NEVER BUY THIS PRODUCT SO YOU COULD MAKE HUGE PROFITS….
Thank you for giving us nice dreams and destroy it with overpricing.
Reply to this comment:Oh yes.. Its really sad that iPhone is out of reach of normal people like us..
Reply to this comment:Vodafone and Airtel thinks that they are smart seller and people won’t understand the differnce…today’s world is not more than a colony everyone get to know what is happening in other parts of world with in seconds..so what these two companies are thinking are they two smart or nuts…
Reply to this comment:i think the phone is definately overpriced…..airtel nd vodafone should rethink abt it…..the price is almost touchin the sky….hw can a common man afford it…..if the price is nt reduced thn definately the sales wud b very low….
Reply to this comment:“The iPhone is overpriced”
Airtel & vodafone if 3G was There i would happly pay 30,000+
Nokia cells have 30000+ cause they have a better cam and no 1 cares !
But iphone is dam cool but too much for 30k keep it 20-25 and see the sales !
Reply to this comment:This is an outragious and audatious move by both companies. They know that they are the only ones to provide these services. Should that make them this arrogant, is the question. This is surely going to make the black and grey marketers feast. Ultimately these companies are the losers. Chetan if you dont mind i am going to put it on my Blog with a backlink to this article.
Reply to this comment:The iPhone is relly overpriced it can be only buyed by higher earning people easily..Please reduce the prices otherwise F*#k Off from india.
http://templatestreasure.blogspot.com/
Reply to this comment:Yes! you are right. It’s overpriced.
Reply to this comment:its surely overpriced and over-hyped too
Reply to this comment:I am with you!!!
Reply to this comment:Hi,
Reply to this comment:Actually i personally recommend all not to buy the iPhone
It doesnt have Great features.
I-Phone doesnt have ZOOM for cam, You can not Forward SMS’s etc.
So why buy iPhone ?
The iPhone is highly overpriced!!
Reply to this comment:[...] sign the petition(open letter) being sent to Airtel and Vodafone showing your unsatisfactory feelings towards the price set by [...]
Reply to this comment:200$ in US because they have to signup contracts or refund the phone if contract breaks..
Definitely, Indians could not afford
No FM, no zoom/autofocus, not worth
N73/N96 would do..
Reply to this comment:flop launch of a hit phone
Reply to this comment:this peice is not worth buying at a cost of 30k
so think twice before buying it
The iphone is damn damn damn overpriced!!
Reply to this comment:i wanted to have a new cell for myself and so was waiting to buy this phone … but after the pricing came out ..it was like shocking as its available for $800 in US.
“The iPhone is overpriced” for sure … and this seems to b a good way to get our words to Airtel & Vodafone.
Reply to this comment:I think we should go for other mobiles if this pricing is fixed n final in India for iPhone.
Hi All,
Don’t keep moaning about the price of iPhone, I don’t think Airtel or Vodafone have over-priced..(may be) !!
I wanted to contribute something to the post as far the comparison between the US/UK pricing to Indian pricing.
iPhone is not $199 / £99 as people tend to think it is.
£99 - iPhone 3G
£35/Month for 18 Months (Contract)
You are tied upto a contract for 18 months and that show these people tend to give iPhone for £99 or $199!
You end up paying £35 x 18 + £99 = £730! The same is in US .. just multiply with 2
!! I wasn’t so much interested on iPhone… but I did help couple of friends with purchase and I did spend sometime with it.. certainly for people who adore Apple products.. I bet they would love this!
I recon you already have a iPod Touch.. just an phone add-on to it..!! When I spent time looking into this.. the iPhone alone costs around £350 ($700), so Vodafone charging around 31k is bit expensive.. but not bad… 25k should have been a perfect releasing in India without contract!
Again. iPhone is not $199.. its $199 only when you sign up for a $70/Month contract for 18 months!!!
GPS isn’t good which iPhone says it has… has Google Maps.. which just shows you the position and destination.. calculates the shortest path.. not an efficient one in my opinion. I am sure the apps could do some good…!!
For normal user or phone user.. I phone is not for them! iPhone is aimed at Business Users and people who tend to be connected to the web… (3G) but incase of India… I don’t really find a good reason to buy iPhone..no good 3G facility…!
But.. bash or adore.. iPhone certainly rocks!
Cheers,
Vinay
P.S: I have copy-pasted my comment from http://www.whoisdeep.com/2008/08/19/to-buy-or-not-to-buy-an-indian-iphone/
Reply to this comment:The iPhone is overpriced
Shinil.
Reply to this comment:Indian telecom companies wanaa make a quick buck
Reply to this comment:Some of the allegations against iPhone release in India have been clarified by woikr. Check out
http://woikr.com/category/apple/iphone/
Reply to this comment:The phone is priced too high a immediate reduction in price is called for to bring it to the level of US prices
Reply to this comment:we were all very excited that IPhone is coming well in time for us too and finally we will get to share a truely global gadget… but unfortunatly we were discriminated and cheated as always by this un acceptable price level… it reminded me of the pre-independence discriminatory era…! Also i think its criminal and against the law to charge us full Phone Price and still supply a Phone with a service provider Lock… Iphone is priced 3 times, Yamanhas 150 CC bike 2 times…! we Indians are not fool to fall pray for this discriminatry behaviour… and in fact mr. Steve Jabs has refunded the money to people when he dropped price for the 2G model in US… where is he now… Sleeping i guess…!
Reply to this comment:Not worth to buy with this 30+k cost…that most of the features not be used in India.
Reply to this comment:Worst pricing from Airtell and Vodafone. They are cheeting their coustomers
It is too over priced. here in pakistan iam Getting an unlocked iphone 3g for Pkr 25000 which is 14000 indian ruppees….
Reply to this comment:http://laiphone.com/
[...] sign the petition(open letter) being sent to Airtel and Vodafone showing your unsatisfactory feelings towards the price set by [...]
Reply to this comment:Iphone is a piece of shit, just like MacBook Air. No usability, and just a showoff. Apple is creating a stupid hype. And people are buying their shit, just because, it can fit into an envelope, or supports multi touch.
Reply to this comment:I am glad to join this group of unhappy people regarding i phone pricing.
The corporates like Air tel and Vedophone were completely missed in reading the mind of Indian consumer who are very much money sensitive.
They will roam here and there even to buy a single shirt to find the best price.
I don’t think people prefer buying it just because it is a apple product.
To be honest mass sales will come only when it is priced below 15k.
Hope big companies will change their mind.
Reply to this comment:Of course iphone over hyped and over priced in India. They are trying to use the initial rush and hype around iphone and try to gain more profit from it! I am damn sure that they will reduce the price soon, else iphone a strict no no for me.
The iPhone is overpriced
Reply to this comment:Hi,
Lot and lot of people are cursing themselves not to having that of much amount and missing their desire to have iphone. Seriously price is really high, but recently came to know that Airtel has tied up with banks to provide iphone with easy EMI option. It can be checked at:
http://www.airtel.in/iphone3g
Rajiv
Reply to this comment:I think that, we Indians have made it a habit now of making a buzz over things and statements without having the correct information. I dnt think, iphone is overpriced, it was launched in Australia also with pretty much the same price. So, why the buzz that’s it cheaper here and there. Guys, wake up, this is the way “Apple” goes !! Its a costly apple to have !!! Here in US also, for a 8gig 3G U PAY 199 upfront and then if u break the contract then another 300 USD and then the AT&T data charges, its around 65 USD/month. So, the price would for sure surpass the one in India.
Reply to this comment:So guys, just don’t buy it, but don’t make unnecessary buzz based on wrong facts !!
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