SA iPod prices slashed

Tom Manners

Tom Manners is now a freelance journalist, previously full-time at MyBroadband from 2009 to 2010. Tom focuses on cellular technologies, gadgets, mobile phones and broadcasting....

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Local Apple product distributor Core Group has confirmed that it has dropped prices significantly across its iPod range. 

Although Core could not confirm the reasons behind the sudden drop in prices a sales official at ZA Store – the distributor’s online retail platform – said that the reduction could be due to a positive dollar shipment. 

A Core Group sales and pricing executive was not able to elaborate on the reasons behind the reduced prices.  He could only state that management had instructed them to reduce iPod prices by between R500 and R1000. 

The only model which has remained unchanged is the iPod Shuffle.

Core Group has in the past been heavily criticised for its pricing policy, with several ‘grey’ Apple importers and customers accusing the company of applying excessive profit margins. Company Executive Director RJ van Spaandonk has always been vocal in his defence of Core Group’s business model. 

In July of 2009 Van Spaandonk revealed that his company engages in what is called forward cover which means that an exchange rate is locked in – often at a higher Rand/USD ratio than current currency values.

In addition Van Spaandonk also added that it is not accurate to compare local Apple pricing to that in the United States as Core Group source Apple products from Europe rather than the US.  Pricing comparisons with EU based territories therefore make for a more accurate pricing comparison.

Nonetheless this significant reduction in prices will be welcomed by Apple fans and those who are in the market for an iPod.

Below is a pricing comparison between the previous and current Core Group iPod prices.

SA iPod prices slashed << Discussion

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