Today's Special Value

[tough_kitty]

Lol. Thanks for posting this. I was watching TSV presentation last night and was amazed at how many people got fooled.... one look at Apple.com shows what a rip-off this is.

[awesome2]

I have noticed that most TV shopping channels do a poor job in letting the shopper know what they are getting in computers and tablets.The host are their to selll the item and make sure to do research before buying it.

[gabstoomuch]

Their appeal for high price/older version is to the lesser tech knowledgeable people who truly need the easy pay. 25,000 sold is an indicator that there are many people buying.

There is a consumer for any product sold on QVC.

Yes, there is the option of buying new model, direct from Apple. Maybe you can even get financing. Some people find going elsewhere intimidating, therefore they do not even research or look at specs to see exactly what is being sold.

What QVC has built their company around is no re-stocking fee, easy pay is not 'credit approved' form one has to fill out, and they really do have a huge customer base of consumers who trust QVC.

TRUST is everything for some. Consumers believe QVC is the best source, and they trust QVC will always be there for them.

Some people find comfort in feeling like they know QVC personnel 'personally', whereas walking into Apple, or even ordering from Apple online is scary to them.

Clearly QVC has spent many, many years developing consumer trust, and there are new people tuning in every day.

I have purchased many computers over the years at the Q, usually the Christmas offers, as those are usually special build, and most times it is the latest processor and O/S at a good price. I have never had trouble with any one of them (knock on wood, I have been lucky).

Buying at Best Buy to save 50 bucks, and then have to pay re-stocking if need to return, or trying to talk to floor workers who are seasonal and really can't help in decision making, is something I take into consideration before I buy. If the price difference between "the box store" world is hundreds of dollars in price difference from QVC, then I would not buy. (such as today's mini). The add on stuff is not totally needed, but that is why the price is so high. Add-on stuff is built into the selling price.

The mini is at Walmart for $219.00, no add on stuff. I am not in the market for one, but even at $219.00, it most likely is not the most recent build.

[Kachina624]

The appeal for buying through QVC is the easy pay period. Of course Apple has a payment plan too but it's just too easy to dial up QVC.

[FASHIONISTA DIVA]

I just bought this one today from my local Walmart...none of the extras, but paid $199 + tax. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Apple-iPad-mini-16GB-Wi-Fi-Space-Gray-or-Silver/33093101.... It appears that the one on the Q will be having a final presentation pretty soon!

[tough_kitty]

Well, if some customers have extra $ to pay for "trust" and convenience, then more power to them.... I prefer to save my money and don't need the customer support... or the iPad for that matter I'm perfectly happy with my Kindle Fire HDX.

[Lynnj]

We have discussed this over and over on the Electronics threads every time there is one of these TSVs offered. Here is what I don't understand -

- We all point out that what is being offered is not a value. We provide an example that best value would be buying direct from Apple, or other places. (as others have stated today on this thread).

- Then come posts that start saying they bought the TSV at the price because they needed Easy Pay. Even though they see they are paying more, they say that paying more is the cost for the convenience of easy pay. blah, blah, blah.

- We point out that Apple offers free financing, often for up to 12 months, which would be exactly like easy pay but give 12 months to pay instead of 6 easy pay from Q, and since this is free there is no increased cost. These posters say they don't qualify for the financing (not sure if they even tried - but I digress).

- Thread always ends in posters telling others to mind their own business about how people choose to spend their money...blah, blah, blah.

Okay, so IF you are one who doesn't qualify for financing through Apple, that is an indication that your finances aren't in order. I can only assume that they aren't in order because things are being purchased that one cannot afford. So then why continue the cycle by purchasing something - at a price that is hundreds of dollars more than cost if purchased somewhere else (directly from Apple for example) - and make 6 monthly payments to the Q. In my mind, this person of all people are ones who cannot afford to pay more for something, and would be best served by paying the best price one could possibly get for an item.

This way of thinking - I am going to use easy pay (because I can) and knowingly pay hundreds more for outdated technology - is crazy. But...I guess we should all mind our business, LOL. I can only assume that the posters don't like hearing the truth? Or seeing that they should be holding themselves accountable for how they choose to spend their money.

[chickenbutt]

Lynn - Don't ya know it! It boggles the mind. I think you are right that some people don't want to know the truth. It's inconvenient. They want to believe the hype and they are told by somebody who's hawking this stuff. It's so profoundly easy to find out what IS a better deal and what IS more current technology. But those who don't want to know the truth will slam anybody who is trying to give it to them. SMH every time!

[NickNack]

Very well said Lynn. I heard a caller today with David. She said that she didn't care what anybody said, she knew the TSV was a great deal. I wondered who the "anybody" was that she was talking about. Maybe she reads these boards and ordered anyway.

[zivathediva]

The lady on tv (Jill?) cannibilized QVC's past TSV's by referring to them as cheap tablets. What an idiot. First rule of retail...never say anything negative about your other products just to sell the one you are currently pushing. It erodes customer trust and creates confusion. A confused customer is more likely to buy elsewhere. She would do a better job if she kept quiet. Best value for an Apple mini feature/price wise is the mini 2 with data from Apple or another brick store. Rumor has it they will discontinue the mini when they introduce the Pro next year. My guess is they will probably stop annual improvements like they have done with the ipod touch and give the mini small tweaks here and there. For those that purchased and are excited to receive this mini congrats and enjoy it. Safe holidays to all.