Apple posts heavy discounts on refurbished Touches
updated 11:45 am EDT, Wed July 16, 2008
Sharp iPod touch discounts
Apple has dramatically lowered the prices of refurbished iPod touches, listings reveal. Two models -- the 16GB edition and the defunct 8GB one -- have been assigned "special pricing" at Apple's online store, dropping their costs by $100 each over retail. An 8GB Touch therefore costs $199, while the 16GB model is selling for $299. A refurbished 32GB player still costs $430, only $70 less than the retail price.
The discounts could signify several possible trends at Apple. Most likely is that the company is simply attempting to clear outdated stock, particularly as the numbers of 8 and 16GB Touches have dwindled. This could also however be a precursor to the introduction of updated devices, mirroring Apple's decision to let 2.5G iPhones fall out of stock before the announcement of the 3G. Apple may alternately be having a harder time selling old Touches given the feature superiority of the 3G.
CAVEAT EMPTOR
07/16, 12:46pm reply
With specs/pricing of 3G phone and amount of time the Touch models have been out there, don't be surprised if these "bargains" will closely match or exceed prices on brand new Touch models with higher capacity/new features in the NEAR future.
TomSawyer
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2008
Re: caveat emptor
07/16, 02:20pm (2 replies) reply
But also keep in mind that new features/capacity might be coming, they usually don't come with lower prices. So if cost is more of a factor than feature-set or capacity, then this would be a good deal.
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
missing the point!
07/16, 05:34pm (1 reply) reply
They Are Refurbished People!
Refurbished Items Have Always Been Cheaper Than the Brand new Equivilants_
You can get a refurbished iMac 20inch 2.4Ghz for $250 less than the same thing brand new_
I guess this means there is a trendy shift about to happen there too!
UberFu
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2002
Figures...
07/16, 09:16pm reply
I just bought a refurbished 8GB touch for my son's upcoming birthday on Monday and paid $249. Just called Apple and they're refunding me $50—didn't even have to argue the point.
Butch Hauke
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2001