Translated material
Prices sky high
Reaction of social network users and Apple partners to information about the “new price list” for equipment
On November 25, the “new price list for Apple equipment” published by i-ekb.ru caused a lot of noise: according to it, prices for all devices increased by several thousand rubles. The official Apple online store is still closed for updates, and in the absence of the company’s official position, users of social networks and online publications began to speculate on the available information, creating panic and excitement.
For the second day now, the online store has had a stub indicating that the site will open “soon.” According to the Yekaterinburg publication, the site will open on November 26, and then the company will publish new prices for its equipment.
i-ekb.ru stated that “a new price list has appeared on the network” of one of Apple’s partners - companies engaged in the resale of equipment supplied under a contract with an American corporation. According to the price list, product prices will increase by several thousand rubles.
According to i-ekb, the base model iPhone 6 will cost 39,990 rubles, 8 thousand more than the original price , and the iPhone 6 Plus will cost 46,990 rubles (also 8 thousand more). In the maximum configuration, the iPhone 6 will cost 52,990 rubles (11 thousand more expensive), and the iPhone 6 Plus will cost 58,990 rubles (12 thousand rubles more expensive).
Prices for other Apple equipment will also increase, stated i-ekb.ru. Prices for iPad mini 3 tablets and iMac, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air computers will increase by 15-20 percent, and for the AirPort Extreme router - by 44 percent.
Despite the fact that the source of information was not credible (i-ekb.ru itself sells Apple equipment at a premium and is not an official partner of the company), bloggers, other online stores and specialized publications (for example, Hi-Tech@Mail.Ru ) began to publish the new price list as official. Some of them later made reservations that the information has not yet been officially confirmed.
New offices prices from Apple. iPhone 6: 16GB - ₽39,990 64GB - ₽46,990 128GB - ₽52,990 iPhone 6 Plus: 16GB - ₽46,990 64GB - ₽52,990 128GB - ₽58,990
— Wylsacom (@wylsacom) November 25, 2014
New prices for iPhone, iPad and Mac in Russia have become known http://t.co/bThZ2qVq98
— MacDigger.ru (@MacDigger_ru) November 25, 2014
New, official prices for the Russian Federation due to exchange rates: iPhone 6: 16GB - 39990 64GB - 46990 128GB - 52990
— The same Ternovsky (@dternovskiy) November 25, 2014
Blogger Valentin “Wylsacom” Petukhov later suggested that the prices were highly likely to be real, given that Apple included in them the maximum rate of foreign currency, which has been rapidly strengthening in Russia in recent months.
The price tags are unofficial (they say they have leaked), official. the store is closed for now. But were you expecting something else? I stupidly multiply €709 by ₽55 and hello 39k.
— Wylsacom (@wylsacom) November 25, 2014
Information about rising prices caused mass panic and a lot of jokes at the expense of those who will now not be able to afford to buy an iPhone as a New Year's gift without having time to purchase it at the start of sales.
If the new iPhone prices are true, then the lucky ones who bought at the old prices should be very happy. Then they will sell the used one at the purchase price.
— Ilya Grabovskiy (@iGrabovskiy) November 25, 2014
If in reality the iPhone 6 64Gb now costs 47k, then again, great USA, Hong Kong, Seryak, that’s all.
— Timurse (@Timque) November 25, 2014
Men looked at the new prices of the iPhone 6 and the threat of not-the-gift-they-dreamt-of for the New Year loomed over thousands of girls.
— Wylsacom (@wylsacom) November 25, 2014
Yesterday iPhones were small, but at 37, and today they were large, but at 58
— cybertoha (@cheeseinthedark) November 25, 2014
Every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 to 11 on the ring line of the Moscow metro I let you touch the iPhone 6 Plus for likes on Instagram.
— Wylsacom (@wylsacom) November 25, 2014
My outstanding car loan is exactly the same amount as an iPhone 6 Plus 128 Gb
— Pavel Fedorov (@abbsol) November 25, 2014
There is no reason to go anywhere on New Year’s Eve and DR, but buy yourself an iPhone 6.
— Timurse (@Timque) November 25, 2014
Well, what would New Year be without a mortgage for a new iPhone?
— ʎɐsʇɐd ʎdɯnɹƃ (@alexmak) November 25, 2014
- Apple, what about the store? - It's closed - And lower the prices!
— Schüssel mit Gurken (@ripper2k) November 25, 2014
Editor-in-Chief TJ couldn't resist either.
Now, after the stories with the launches of the iPhone 6 and PS4, tell me about the fact that only fools buy at the start.
— Vadim Elistratov (@great_laziness) November 25, 2014
Enterprising online stores played on the trend.
Friends! We have credit purchases available again! The entire range is at your service! http://t.co/pUk6QDymR0
— Macov.net (@macov_net) November 25, 2014
According to Eldar Murtazin, leading mobile analyst at Mobile Research Group, the reason for the delay in publishing prices is an internal dispute at Apple.
At Apple Russia, the swearing has not stopped for two days. They cannot approve new prices. The company store has been closed for 2 days already. They'll roll out in a couple of hours
— Eldar Murtazin (@eldarmurtazin) November 25, 2014
Murtazin also commented on the first Apple advertisement on Russian TV.
I'm afraid that Apple's share in Russia will continue to fall. There are no prerequisites for the opposite. For the first time, a company advertises its products on TV itself.
— Eldar Murtazin (@eldarmurtazin) November 25, 2014
The trend for discussing prices has practically subsided to nothing, but on the evening of November 24, the Vedomosti newspaper reported, citing its sources among partners, that the opening of the Apple online store will take place “in the near future.” According to the newspaper, Apple has not yet received recommended prices.
An Apple representative did not immediately comment on TJ's request.
TJournal contacted Apple for comment, but Apple does not want to pay 33 rubles for a comment.
— Ilya Grabovskiy (@iGrabovskiy) November 25, 2014
A representative for the re:Store chain declined to comment. A representative of the CStore network (Svyaznoy) also did not provide immediate comment.
The press service of MegaFon provided a standard answer for such uncertain situations when the company does not disclose the information it has or does not have it.
Retail prices for mobile devices are determined by our suppliers. Russian dealers, like dealers in other countries, are required to adhere to the recommended retail price. We do not rule out price changes in the future. The extent of these changes depends solely on the marketing strategy of each supplier. For our part, we guarantee that prices for MegaFon’s own mobile devices will not change in the near future.
"Megaphone"
Updated: CStore (Svyaznoy) representative Maria Zaikina confirmed to TJ that she had received a price list from Apple, but stated that she was not ready to disclose the information today.
We have received communication from our partner, Apple, but we are not ready to disclose its content today. Given the significant fluctuations in cross-currency rates, it is logical to expect an increase in prices for a number of gadgets, including Apple.
Maria Zaikina, head of the press service of Svyaznoy
Waiting for a miracle
Nikita Likhachev,
T.J.
#Article #Apple #MegaFon #Eldar_Murtazin #iPhone_6 #re_Store #iPhone_6_will rise in price #Svyaznoy