Strengthening dollar prompts Apple to increase prices in Europe, Canada
Apple raised prices in a number of overseas markets on Tuesday, a move precipitated by the U.S. dollar's continued rebound and designed to minimize the effect of foreign exchange headwinds.
Prices in France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and other European Union nations increased by as much as ?600 ($669). Canadian consumers will see prices rise up to CA$400 ($327), depending on the product in question.
Buyers of the high-end Mac Pro will feel the brunt of the price hikes, though entry-level products have also been affected. The base Mac Mini has jumped by ?50 to ?569, for instance.
Tuesday's moves come just over two months after the last round of increases, and on the same day that Apple cut prices on its iMac with Retina 5K display.
In January, Apple raised minimum App Store prices to CA$1.19 in Canada, ?0.79 ($1.23) in the UK, and ?0.99 in the EU. Those changes were designed to counter foreign exchange swings as well as localized value-added tax charges.
Prices in France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and other European Union nations increased by as much as ?600 ($669). Canadian consumers will see prices rise up to CA$400 ($327), depending on the product in question.
Buyers of the high-end Mac Pro will feel the brunt of the price hikes, though entry-level products have also been affected. The base Mac Mini has jumped by ?50 to ?569, for instance.
Tuesday's moves come just over two months after the last round of increases, and on the same day that Apple cut prices on its iMac with Retina 5K display.
In January, Apple raised minimum App Store prices to CA$1.19 in Canada, ?0.79 ($1.23) in the UK, and ?0.99 in the EU. Those changes were designed to counter foreign exchange swings as well as localized value-added tax charges.
Comments
I was planning on getting a MacBook Pro last week when the rumors of a new one came out. So to my surprise, the rumor was right. Then the price increase. :devil:
Damn.
I was planning on getting a MacBook Pro last week when the rumors of a new one came out. So to my surprise, the rumor was right. Then the price increase.
Fig you look around at secondary vendors there might be old ones at clearance prices. Probably someone has inventory rather than just BTO... got any college bookstores near you that will sell to the public? They'd almost have to have stock.
"and other European Union nations increased by as much as %u20AC600"
"%u20AC0.99 in the EU"
The UK, Poland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria etc are all in the EU, but do not use the Euro. (to some extents some of their currencies follow the Euro - in certain circumstances, but certainly not all of them nor all circumstances).
Additionally Apple has an online store in Montenegro, which is one of the places unilaterally using the Euro, although not part of the EU.
The phrase you are looking for is not 'European Union'/'EU' but rather 'Eurozone'.
But profitable
If the value of a currency fluctuates more than a moderate amount it would be kind of nutty not to adjust to the change.
Fig you look around at secondary vendors there might be old ones at clearance prices. Probably someone has inventory rather than just BTO... got any college bookstores near you that will sell to the public? They'd almost have to have stock.
A person might want to check out the refurbished products on Apples site to save some money too.
A person might want to check out the refurbished products on Apples site to save some money too.
Yup. I just did that today, and bought this baby:
http://store.apple.com/ca/product/FGXA2LL/A/Refurbished-154-inch-MacBook-Pro-22GHz-Quad-core-Intel-i7-with-Retina-Display
$600 savings over the model just released.
Somewhat maxed out Retina 5K iMac (4GHz, 16g RAM, 4gb R9, 512gb) has gone up overnight by $400 here in Australia. Was $4.2k, now $4.6k. Bummer.
Apple just decided to make the Retina iMac more expensive in Australia.
Price increase on iMacs in Australia is not due to strong US dollar as the 15" macbook pro is the same price as it was 2 days ago even with higher secs.
Apple just decided to make the Retina iMac more expensive in Australia.
Same configuration top end 15" rMBP is $50 cheaper than yesterday...
This is not a stupid, unfriendly move. It's an extremely wise and prudent move on Apple's part. To not do so would be stupid and it would signal a lack of common sense and poor business skills.
Currencies go up. Currencies go down. That's how things work. This is the way of the world. At the moment, the dollar just happens to be very strong. It's been trending strong for quite a while now, so anybody who didn't see this coming is not paying attention, and their ignorance about the situation is no valid excuse to get all mad at Apple. Get mad at your politicians and leaders. Apple has nothing to do with your situation.
I remember when the dollar was weak a while back and I travelled to Europe, and I was getting very little for my dollars. Everything was pretty expensive for me. I paid about $10 for a damn Big Mac in certain countries. But I didn't complain about it, because I went there willingly, fully knowing the situation.
When I go to Europe next time, my same dollars are going to buy me a whole lot more, and suddenly, things wont be expensive as they were the last time I was there.
Basically, just suck it up Euro people. Your currency blows at the moment and therefore Apple felt it necessary to raise the prices on certain items in certain countries to compensate for your incredibly weak currency. Who knows, in five years time, the situation will maybe reverse itself again, and it'll be the dollar that's weak. These things go in waves.
And if the dollar were to continue getting stronger, then guess what, Apple should obviously raise their prices again in certain countries! Owning a Mac is not a human right.
You seem to be celebrating the strong dollar. Clearly you aren't in the export business.
You're correct that I'm not in the export business, but I am aware that the strong dollar has some negative consequences that comes with it. I doubt that Apple is overly glad for the strong dollar.
I wouldn't say that I'm necessarily celebrating the strong dollar. I am merely accepting it, and I plan to take advantage of it for my own needs, such as when I travel to Europe again later on in the summertime.
I've been through weak dollars and strong dollars before, and there's not much that anybody can do besides accept it.
I paid about $10 for a damn Big Mac in certain countries.
Who goes to Europe and eats at McDonald's?
Americans.
Send your complaints to Janet Yellin.