Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Steve Jobs & Apple Should Create iPhone Exchange Program

With all the buzz about the new 3GS iPhone, I wondered how many fellow 3G owners would gladly exchange their year-old iPhones for a discount on the new model.
On its surface, an exchange program may seem too weighted toward the consumer, but Steve Jobs and Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)would score a major win in the PR department.

Rarely does the opportunity arise to appease iPhone owners, bargain hunters and environmentalists at the same time, but an exchange program could pull of such a tri-fecta.Apple would also strengthen customer ties and expand its market to a new socio-economic demographic.

You may recall  Steve Jobs' letter: A greener Apple, which was sent to environmental groups, where Apple's CEO defended the company's manufacturing and recycling practices. Creating an exchange program would supplement the efforts Jobs' described in the aforementioned letter.

Bargain-hunting businessmen and frugal families may opt for a $50 3G model and 3G owners would feel appreciated for their loyalty with  $25 rebate or discount toward the  3GS model. After their phones were exchanged, Apple and/or AT&T (NYSE:ATT)could resell them to the public for half the price of the 3GS.

Posted By Matt O'Hern at 08:48 AM
Permanent Link: Steve Jobs & Apple Should Create iPhone Exchange Program | Comments (5)

(5) Comments on Steve Jobs & Apple Should Create iPhone Exchange Program

That idea would cost Apple MILLIONS of dollars.

They gain nothing.

They really aren't interested in "we are very nice to our customers"... if it costs them a future.

Remember... Apple is an *EXTREMELY* small player in the world. Less than 10% of the PC market is Apple's.

Comments by Susan : Tuesday, June 09, 2009 at 09:52 AM

I just bough an iphone 3G two months ago and I feel betrayed that they sold me an expensive "old" iphone 3G

Comments by eduardo roma : Tuesday, June 09, 2009 at 11:04 PM

Instead of the exchange they should have set up the 3G able to upgrade to all the new features. Would that not have been a smarter and greener idea?

Comments by Jiggiddy : Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 12:23 PM

I have the same problem. I bought my iphone 3g 38 days before the announcement. They are giving a free exchange for people who got it 30 days ago. So I payed $100 more for what is now relative crap.

Comments by Brian : Friday, June 12, 2009 at 11:29 PM

I bought my iphone 3days before the 3g s came out. I went back to exchange it for the 3g s and they informed me I was already over the 30min cut off, and refused to exchange them. Apparently it was Apple who instructed them to stricktly enforce this policy...
That's some pretty sad customer service Apple.

Comments by Matt : Thursday, June 18, 2009 at 03:14 PM

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