"Meanwhile a <a href="http://www.apple.com/shop/product/ML9K2/42mm-link-bracelet-kit" style="border-style:none;" target="_blank">Link Bracelet Kit</a> , costing $49, lets owners of the 42-millimeter Link Bracelet stretch the size of the band by up to six more links."
Come ON, Apple! That's just insane. It cost me $500 for my link bracelet, and it's one link short of being perfect. For that, you expect me to shell out $50 MORE???!!!
I've been a supporter of Apple in many different ways since 1984. This is simply unacceptable to me. IF you have a link bracelet, and it's too tight, then GIVE people the links they need. Anything else is just greed. And greed is not becoming to you, Apple. Not becoming at all.
Say it ain't so, Joe! Now, you too are Apple-ranting? Over $50?
Yeah. That must be it. I'm here to complain. That's why I offered a solution - sell them as separate links at the Apple store. You probably didn't get that far, though.
no, that's not the solution. the solution is how you can solve your real world problem, today. the desire for Apple to change a business policy is just venting, despite the fact that we're not Apple. but to that end, have you used their feedback form to let Apple know of this desire? it's not unreasonable.
When you going to the store to buy clothing are larger sizes more expensive and than their smaller counterparts? You would think there would be enough margin built into the price of the link bracelet that Apple could offer a larger size without charging more money.
a t-shirt doesn't cost $500 and doesn't take a full day of equipment time to produce. as has been stated, the line has to be drawn somewhere, nothing is free, and it doesn't make sense to upcharge everyone else for something few will use (ie, subsidize link costs for beefy customers). it's the same principle behind optional port dongles on macs -- outlier use cases, and they cost extra.
also, the bigger Watch costs $50 more than the smaller one, both of which are cheaper than the band in question.
The answer to all of these concerns is this; Apple meticulously analyzed the market and structured their pricing to finely balance customer satisfaction and profit with the curve weighted toward the latter.
They don't make these decisions out of the goodness of their little hearts. They grabbed the halo-effect from the early iPhones and will run with it until it's dead and buried.
I brought a Chinese knock off of the Apple Link Bracelet for 85 dollars. That is what the clone looks like.
THE GOOD:
It emulated the look of the links of the official Apple one to a t. Significantly cheaper than the $450 Apple variation.
THE BAD:
It was difficult to remove unlike the official Apple bands. Also, the tiny rubber connectors were already wearing off after a few days. There is no button behind links. The clasp is different from the official one and pushes into your skin. Requires paper clip to remove links.
THE UGLY:
It was pretty sub standard quality but with a marvelous look. From resizing three times, a pin broke and wouldn't connect the link anymore. Basically, its a story of you get what you pay for. Returned it to seller on eBay.
I own the official Apple Link Bracelet now. Very happy with it. My wallet is not.
Thanks for sharing your story - very insightful. It is useful to see that there is a difference in quality between the two (sounds like significant difference). We do hear a lot on these forums (or in the media) from people who state that Apple is just expensive, they use inferior, and the products are no better than company X, Y, or Z - it is all just marketing. We do know better, but it is always good to see such examples. Hope the link bracelet holds up the test of time. Myself, I have the sport model now (wanted to experience gen 1 at the entry price), but want to go SS when I trade up to a new model in a couple of years, and might get the link bracelet then.
Comments
Say it ain't so, Joe! Now, you too are Apple-ranting? Over $50?
no, that's not the solution. the solution is how you can solve your real world problem, today. the desire for Apple to change a business policy is just venting, despite the fact that we're not Apple. but to that end, have you used their feedback form to let Apple know of this desire? it's not unreasonable.
a t-shirt doesn't cost $500 and doesn't take a full day of equipment time to produce. as has been stated, the line has to be drawn somewhere, nothing is free, and it doesn't make sense to upcharge everyone else for something few will use (ie, subsidize link costs for beefy customers). it's the same principle behind optional port dongles on macs -- outlier use cases, and they cost extra.
also, the bigger Watch costs $50 more than the smaller one, both of which are cheaper than the band in question.
he has the SS link band. i have the leather, and it's very supple. I live in a high humidity area and no signs of failure.
They don't make these decisions out of the goodness of their little hearts. They grabbed the halo-effect from the early iPhones and will run with it until it's dead and buried.
I brought a Chinese knock off of the Apple Link Bracelet for 85 dollars. That is what the clone looks like.
THE GOOD:
It emulated the look of the links of the official Apple one to a t. Significantly cheaper than the $450 Apple variation.
THE BAD:
It was difficult to remove unlike the official Apple bands. Also, the tiny rubber connectors were already wearing off after a few days. There is no button behind links. The clasp is different from the official one and pushes into your skin. Requires paper clip to remove links.
THE UGLY:
It was pretty sub standard quality but with a marvelous look. From resizing three times, a pin broke and wouldn't connect the link anymore. Basically, its a story of you get what you pay for. Returned it to seller on eBay.
I own the official Apple Link Bracelet now. Very happy with it. My wallet is not.
Thanks for sharing your story - very insightful. It is useful to see that there is a difference in quality between the two (sounds like significant difference). We do hear a lot on these forums (or in the media) from people who state that Apple is just expensive, they use inferior, and the products are no better than company X, Y, or Z - it is all just marketing. We do know better, but it is always good to see such examples. Hope the link bracelet holds up the test of time. Myself, I have the sport model now (wanted to experience gen 1 at the entry price), but want to go SS when I trade up to a new model in a couple of years, and might get the link bracelet then.