iStore/Core Pricing

AfricanTech

AfricanTech

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Yeah, old story but every once in a while I'm reminded how they basically take the piss on the pricing of accessories.

Happened to be in the istore today and decided to see if the genuine Apple Magsafe Credit Card holder / Wallet is better than my generic one. Now I've tried before and always been met with "we don't have any open one's you can test, blah blah blah' but always check just in case.

Today, lo and behold, they had a 'demo' one that I could try (very helpful and nice salesperson).

Yes, it is better than the generic one I'm using - the new one also supports the 'find my' function which is pretty damn cool.

Now of course, the kicker, it sells for R1499 - holy smoke!

USA price - $60 = R873.

Hells bells, it's cheaper to import directly even with an exorbitant shipping price estimated at $30, which I'm sure I can get cheaper if I shop around properly ie $90 = R1300

No surprise by now but I'm still gobsmacked every time I encounter this level of price gouging.
 
I've been preaching about how bad Core Group is for years.

The amount of arguments i've had with them at their useless stores too. It is unfortunate that they're a major Apple reseller in ZA, because they give Apple such a bad name. They're a bunch of crooks.
 
As long as people are happy to pay their asking prices, they will continue to list their items for exorbitant prices.
 
AfricanTech said:
Yeah, old story but every once in a while I'm reminded how they basically take the piss on the pricing of accessories.

Happened to be in the istore today and decided to see if the genuine Apple Magsafe Credit Card holder / Wallet is better than my generic one. Now I've tried before and always been met with "we don't have any open one's you can test, blah blah blah' but always check just in case.

Today, lo and behold, they had a 'demo' one that I could try (very helpful and nice salesperson).

Yes, it is better than the generic one I'm using - the new one also supports the 'find my' function which is pretty damn cool.

Now of course, the kicker, it sells for R1499 - holy smoke!

USA price - $60 = R873.

Hells bells, it's cheaper to import directly even with an exorbitant shipping price estimated at $30, which I'm sure I can get cheaper if I shop around properly ie $90 = R1300

No surprise by now but I'm still gobsmacked every time I encounter this level of price gouging.
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You are forgetting customs and vat.
 
Johnatan56 said:
Customs and VAT is not 100%, nor are Core Group getting at retail price from the US, they get it wholesale, this argument has been had so many times on this forum.
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Claiming he can import it cheaper. Nothing to do with Core’s pricing debate.
 
Johnatan56 said:
Customs and VAT is not 100%, nor are Core Group getting at retail price from the US, they get it wholesale, this argument has been had so many times on this forum.
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Thing is the landed price isn’t really all that much better than Core’s when imported directly.

So is their price really that bad considering how they also need to support the products in a very small market?

I don’t know, hard to say without seeing their actual cost pricing.
 
Folks in the camera world have long complained about this, same thing happens with Nikon and Sony cameras being distributed by Premium distribution Group. MyBB did a story on it a while a go: https://mybroadband.co.za/news/gadgets/176761-price-shootout-canon-vs-nikon.html

PhireSide said:
As long as people are happy to pay their asking prices, they will continue to list their items for exorbitant prices.
Click to expand...

We are not happy paying their prices, but what can we do? Importing can come with its own risks and challenges and many people don't think it's worth taking that onto themselves.
 
prOd said:
Folks in the camera world have long complained about this, same thing happens with Nikon and Sony cameras being distributed by Premium distribution Group. MyBB did a story on it a while a go: https://mybroadband.co.za/news/gadgets/176761-price-shootout-canon-vs-nikon.html



We are not happy paying their prices, but what can we do? Importing can come with its own risks and challenges and many people don't think it's worth taking that onto themselves.
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Yeah I remember that article. Also the reason why I switched from Nikon to Canon as the lenses were much cheaper. Sure you could get Sigma or Tamron lenses and accessories but if you wanted genuine, then you had no other choice basically.

It sucks when you are forced to use one vendor for everything but I suppose the least one can do is to shop around for pricing. Core would, of course, hold the monopoly on Apple items but some of the Apple-compatible items being sold by them can be acquired elsewhere so I guess that is a good start?
 
PhireSide said:
Yeah I remember that article. Also the reason why I switched from Nikon to Canon as the lenses were much cheaper. Sure you could get Sigma or Tamron lenses and accessories but if you wanted genuine, then you had no other choice basically.

It sucks when you are forced to use one vendor for everything but I suppose the least one can do is to shop around for pricing. Core would, of course, hold the monopoly on Apple items but some of the Apple-compatible items being sold by them can be acquired elsewhere so I guess that is a good start?
Click to expand...

I switched from Nikon to....Sony :X3:

At least Tamron stepped up their mirrorless game, they've released some really good lenses at a good price point. I have 3 Tamron lenses and only 1 Sony.
 
prOd said:
I switched from Nikon to....Sony :X3:

At least Tamron stepped up their mirrorless game, they've released some really good lenses at a good price point. I have 3 Tamron lenses and only 1 Sony.
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Ah, a fellow masochist:ROFL:

I sold all my kit a few years back. I was no longer traveling so photo opportunities dried up and my (very amateur) kit was gathering dust.

I'm so out of the loop that I wouldn't know where to start. It's all very overwhelming even though tech in the photog world doesn't move nearly as quick as the PC or smartphone world (not that I keep up in that space either).
 
Camera gear I mostly buy locally, the pricing isn't significantly different and I usually need it in a hurry. Apple gear gets brought in from overseas. Saved a bundle on a refurb MBA in December.
 
SauRoNZA said:
Thing is the landed price isn’t really all that much better than Core’s when imported directly.

So is their price really that bad considering how they also need to support the products in a very small market?

I don’t know, hard to say without seeing their actual cost pricing.
Click to expand...

I specifically referred to Accessories, and in this case, a Magsafe Wallet - zero support required - the same applies to watch straps, covers, etc.

Not only do Core get the items at below retail they are receiving bulk orders which means that shipping cost per item will be much much lower than me shipping a single item.
 
AfricanTech said:
Yeah, old story but every once in a while I'm reminded how they basically take the piss on the pricing of accessories.

Happened to be in the istore today and decided to see if the genuine Apple Magsafe Credit Card holder / Wallet is better than my generic one. Now I've tried before and always been met with "we don't have any open one's you can test, blah blah blah' but always check just in case.

Today, lo and behold, they had a 'demo' one that I could try (very helpful and nice salesperson).

Yes, it is better than the generic one I'm using - the new one also supports the 'find my' function which is pretty damn cool.

Now of course, the kicker, it sells for R1499 - holy smoke!

USA price - $60 = R873.

Hells bells, it's cheaper to import directly even with an exorbitant shipping price estimated at $30, which I'm sure I can get cheaper if I shop around properly ie $90 = R1300

No surprise by now but I'm still gobsmacked every time I encounter this level of price gouging.
Click to expand...
That extra amount is their margin and 10% isn't bad to be honest. I don't buy from the iStore anyways.
There are probably devices and products significantly more expensive from the iStore.
 
bixt said:
And a warranty...
Click to expand...

Warranty? For a Magsafe Wallet? Laptops, Phones, Watches, Tablets, Screens, etc I agree but a wallet or a watch strap? Nah....


5d2853ea92457f856d1d5c558dee39e5.jpg
 
AfricanTech said:
Yeah, old story but every once in a while I'm reminded how they basically take the piss on the pricing of accessories.

Happened to be in the istore today and decided to see if the genuine Apple Magsafe Credit Card holder / Wallet is better than my generic one. Now I've tried before and always been met with "we don't have any open one's you can test, blah blah blah' but always check just in case.

Today, lo and behold, they had a 'demo' one that I could try (very helpful and nice salesperson).

Yes, it is better than the generic one I'm using - the new one also supports the 'find my' function which is pretty damn cool.

Now of course, the kicker, it sells for R1499 - holy smoke!

USA price - $60 = R873.

Hells bells, it's cheaper to import directly even with an exorbitant shipping price estimated at $30, which I'm sure I can get cheaper if I shop around properly ie $90 = R1300

No surprise by now but I'm still gobsmacked every time I encounter this level of price gouging.
Click to expand...
Where’s the price gouging? You can get it at R200 cheaper by running around and wasting time. By paying a ridiculous $30 shipping cost, half the price of the product. Take the risk of getting additional cost for customs which could be anything from R80-R180.

I also noticed you used the current rand dollar exchange at R14.50, why not the R16.50 from 3 months ago? You think the product was delivered yesterday?

All for a measly R200 which will pay the salary of the very helpful salesperson.

Why not shop around, does the other cellular stores sell this product? Im sure it’s available cheaper somewhere. It’s only R200 you are looking to save.

Ask the store if they are having a sale anytime soon, subscribe to their mailing list, 15% sale is what you are looking for.

All for a small R200 saving? You don’t know anything about price gouging if this is what surprises you.
 
AfricanTech said:
Warranty? For a Magsafe Wallet? Laptops, Phones, Watches, Tablets, Screens, etc I agree but a wallet or a watch strap? Nah....
Click to expand...

Shame I didnt know they made a version without a battery or charging electronics, stuff that could fail
 
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