The Apple iPhone of [Insert Product Here]: Overpriced and Lovin' It

DeafMutePretender on 21/01/2016 - 17:14
Last edited 28/01/2016 - 00:32

If you're an enthusiastic fan of Apple products, then I suggest you stop reading now. I thank my lucky stars OP posts can't get downvoted.

I'm sure you've heard of it already but if you're one of the few lucky people who haven't, the Apple in question mainly refers to the Apple iPhone, a mobile phone. The iPhone's main attraction, arguably, is its price in which consumers have a positive relationship with unlike most other products, that is, the higher the price of something, the more demand there is for it. The bandwagon principle may also apply (eg. everyone has an iPhone, I want one too). The iPhone's second most attractive "quality" is its ecosystem (iTunes etc). Similarly, this "feature", where users are effectively locked to a system runs inverse to attitudes elsewhere, where free (as in freedom of movement) is considered better (eg. open source software etc).

Long story short, people who buy iPhones are basically buying products that are simultaneously overpriced and under-performing (eg. old CPU, can't support 4G etc), relative to similar products in its price range, and heck, even when compared to products half its price range. An economist who subscribes to the "perfectly rational consumer" school of thought would be sweating right now. Note that there is a difference between being rational and rationalising but that's neither here nor there.

Anyway, a common running joke around these parts (these parts being OzBargain) is to call a non-phone product the "Apple iPhone of x". For example, expensive luxury sport cars aren't necessarily significantly better performing or better looking than cars 1/10 of its price but they still command the price they do. But this expensive car basically functions like an Apple iPhone, people buy it because it's expensive.

Here's a list of "Apple iPhones" in their respective product categories I've collected in my time at OzBargain. I'll add more when I come across them.

Dyson AM06 Desk Fan $399 RRP
For this price, I'm guessing it has like pollution-proof and smoker-proof functions or something.

Beats by Dr. Dre Studio
Step 1: Make headphones using poor quality material
Step 2: Attach the name of a cool hip black guy to the product name to draw in the young gullible consumers.
Step 3: Get Apple to purchase selling rights (because Apple knows its target market).
Step 4: Charge several hundred dollars for the Beats, even though for the same price (or less), you can get better quality headphones.
Step 5: ???
Step 6: Profit

Glass Bottled Voss Still Water
Step 1: Find a free source of taxpayer-funded Norwegian tap water.
Step 2: Put the tap water into some glass bottles to ensure that one of the few possible benefits (portability) is gone.
Step 3: Using the money saved by stealing taxpayer-funded water, pour it into the facebook marketing division eg. pretentiously taking photographs of bottles of Voss in admittedly nice locales
Step 4: ???
Step 5: Profit (noticing a pattern here?)

Dyson V6 Vacuum Cleaner range
Are you telling me the V6s are 7 times more powerful than your standard $100 vaccuum? I don't think so. And what are all these attachments (worth an extra $100+) that I'm not going to use anyway and should've got for free? I can only see the V6 Absolute be worth its price if it came with an attachment that resembles a head of the opposite gender… At $700-$800, I expect a Dyson V6 to make good on the first letter of its name.

Telstra Broadband
Nobody enjoys being a monopoly more than Tel$tra. Firstly, in its inception, they get the help of the Government (money and labour) to set up the communications network and becomes Government-owned as it should be. Then the Government sells it to private interests without taking into considering the fact that Telstra dominates both wholesale and retail. Now Telstra owns the communications network (given to them by the Government remember) and every other ISP has to piggy back on it. So the retailers get screwed, the consumers get screwed, the future of the country gets screwed (NBN etc). Okay, I'll concede that Telstra has the best performing and stable network, but that is the bare minimum I would expect from a monopoly.

Apple MacBook
I'll just him explain

28/1 New Overpriced: Nandos
Why am I paying twice the price of KFC for the same amount of crappy chicken? I almost feel tempted to smother my entire chicken with your crappy Nando(tm) sauce just to feel less of buyer's remorse!

28/1 New Overpriced: Grill'd
Why am I paying twice the price of McDonalds/Burger King for the same size of burger? Granted, it is quite tasty but don't give me that "healthier option" BS. I'd almost feel okay with paying for your overpriced products if I could trust that you wouldn't underpay your employees… which you did so welcome to my s***list!

28/1 New Overpriced: Top of the line gaming graphics cards
Congratulations! You've just bought the most expensive and most technically advanced graphics card in the market! You've now got 2 problems. The first problem is biological in nature: you still need to upgrade your eye. So your game is running at 9000 frames per second/9000 hertz/9000 gigawatts. Too bad your eye can't see past 30fps, 60fps if you're lucky. The second problem is financial. In 1 month your $9000 brand new graphics card is now worth $90. "Future-proof" my ass!

General Discussion

Comments

    • no not me on 24/01/2016 - 11:36
      +3

      The real question is why do you care? Flagships are quite similarly priced, Android compared to Apple, with Apple being slightly more expensive. However, this can be more than outweighed by their resale value. Same with MacBooks. I can sell a 2009 MacBook for $500. Good luck selling a mid-spec PC from 2009 for $500. But really, what you're paying for is also long term support, iPhone 4S, still getting security updates, android flagships from two years ago, left to rot with tonnes of security issues. Not limited to some allowing easy remote execution, see Samsung's Swype Theme bug and the Android MMs bug. Coming from someone who is security focused and works in the field, I can say many manufacturers, particularly Samsung, are nothing more than bad news for anyone who gives a damn about privacy. But then again, whenever something is free (Android OS) it is because you are the product.

      • Axelstrife on 24/01/2016 - 12:19

        why do i care about what?

      • Brianqpr on 25/01/2016 - 12:05

        That is a fair point. iphone is not the only overpriced device. All "flagships" are a bit of a rip off, and considered out of date within 12 months, forcing those who must have one to fork out again.

    • Vulvasaur on 26/01/2016 - 13:03

      I had a Nexus 4. Or rather I had 5 because I sent it back every 2 months to be replaced for its numerous hardware and software issues.

      My next phone I bought a $500 Sony Xperia Z3 Compact which was the best technology decision I've ever made.

      There is a huge difference between Android phones, you have to do your research and pick the good ones.

    • virhlpool on 26/01/2016 - 19:29

      I love Android as a system but hate the makers of the phones.. they make cheap looking phones with low quality built to be honest.

      • Axelstrife on 26/01/2016 - 23:40

        Thats why i bought a galaxy s6 edge build quality is the best in any android phone, id say even better then the iphone 6

        • virhlpool on 27/01/2016 - 15:03

          How about S5?

        • Axelstrife on 27/01/2016 - 15:07

          @virhlpool: s5 is not even close to the s6 build quality.

        • virhlpool on 27/01/2016 - 22:31

          @holden93: That's disappointing to hear. I just bought it for $322 in a Harvey Norman deal. And I bought it just because it was at so much discount :-)

  • tomleonhart on 22/01/2016 - 01:42

    I'll bite.

    Rolex Watch

    You can't seriously tell me that this $19800 watch can somehow show me time in a better way than the Casio Gshock I can get for $140 on ozbargain. Bah.

    /sarcasm

    • geek001 on 22/01/2016 - 14:20
      +9

      Ah.. but the Rolex watch does so much more than just tell time. It opens doors that the GShock never could…. Also, Rolex watches are not so exclusive anymore and too many imitations out there. Rich people do not buy Rolexes.. only people who want people to think they are rich.

      • tomleonhart on 22/01/2016 - 18:35
        -2

        I guess you're rich then :P

        • geek001 on 22/01/2016 - 18:50
          +1

          Rich is relative. I dont consider myself rich otherwise I would not be hanging around Ozb. If I am rich I would not need to look at the price tag. But rich people obsess over different brands that the average population regard as the "iphone" of things. This is what I have found hanging around bankers.

    • tyler.durden on 23/01/2016 - 14:29
      +1

      but ppl who buy rolex are not just doing it for the function, but it is about the branding
      and the perception to the world that they are rich.

      Else you can just get any cheapy casio watch

    • antzz on 25/01/2016 - 00:25
      +1

      Given enough time and tools most electrical engineer can make your casio watch fairly quickly. However, the same thing can not be said with mechanical engineer building a mechanical watches. Also, my rolex will appreciate in value multiple times your casio purchase price

      • virhlpool on 26/01/2016 - 19:40
        +1

        Can you sell your Rolex watch for premium over your purchase price after say 5 years? I highly doubt it.

        • 2ndeffort on 28/04/2016 - 16:48

          There are definitely Rolex watches that appreciate in value over time. There are also Rolex collectors that want rare older models and pay a premium for them. Rolex Submariner, GMT, Explorer, Milgauss, Daytona etc are all models highly sought after by collectors. If you had a specific rare Submariner or Daytona it could well appreciate in value over time. Worst case it will probably hold its value if you keep it in reasonable condition.

      • [Deactivated] on 27/01/2016 - 13:12

        (not sarcasm) Is it really appreciate in value? If you keep it in the box, unopened etc will it appreciate?

        I think branded watches/bags have their own value, that it is last almost forever, I have my LV wallet from 2010, still like new…
        Before the LV, I bought Country Road, Jag, etc, which last a year or less.

        While it's worth it, I'm not sure if it will appreciate.

      • antzz on 28/01/2016 - 00:50

        I know it is weird considering the amount of volume they produce but good example of rolex watch with certificate and original box even the basic one such as submariner or datejust will sell more than purchase price after 5 years simply because the new one will cost even more to purchase and lots of people aspire to buy this brand and second hand is the cheapest options.

        This will be more true for some limited editions and rare complications.

        Same thing with bags. Though this case is usually for $20k bags and above and not your normal LV or gucci

  • pjcook on 22/01/2016 - 07:59
    +4

    Long story short, people who buy iPhones are basically buying products that are simultaneously overpriced and under-performing (eg. old CPU, can't support 4G etc)

    Please justify your claim. The iPhone CPU is old? By what measure?

    Can't support 4G? Once again please elaborate as my iPhone has no problem with 4G?

    • no not me on 24/01/2016 - 12:07
      +3

      There is no justification, because it's conjecture. http://appleinsider.com/articles/16/01/13/antutu-iphone-6s-p… of course we should all trust Android manufacturer's who fix device scores in a benchmark. I'll also highlight, until the benchmark was altered, the iPhone was not in first place. Only when the test changed and the other devices were "unfamiliar" with the test did they fail.

      Also, OP is delusional. It's clear that OP believes that clock speed and RAM are everything. Of course, this would also mean that Aldi's $98 2.4GHz, Quad Core, 4GB of RAM tablet outperforms Apple's $1200, 1.8GHz, 2GB of Ram iPad. But no, it doesn't. Why? Probably the most overlooked reason is instructions-per-cycle (IPC). IPC is basically how many things (instructions) a CPU can do in each cycle. It is absolutely ideal to have as many in one cycle as possible, that way, less cycles are needed, which means the CPU works less, uses less battery, produces less heat. Most Android manufacturers know that their user-base are interested in specs. Apple doesn't really divulge iOS device specs in that manner - i.e. they are not in catalogue ads and whatnot. The issue with these 4GHz processors on Android devices is that they have low IPC. Meaning they need to be running at high clock rates, but they simply can not do it for long. When a low IPC CPU comes under heavy load and is hindered by poor cooling (anything without airflow can be considered "poor" as it is far from ideal) they are throttled and they slow down. Meanwhile, Apple, who generally underclock, have no issue working at 1.8GHz, how many times have you received a temperature warning on your iPhone? I've never had one, keep in mind they don't throttle unless it's needed. Which is why an iPhone's performance won't decay after 30 seconds.

      You can also argue that Android's need more RAM and whatnot due to the VM they run (ART/Dalvik), I'd also like to point out that most benchmarks are native and not hindered by VM pitfalls, i.e. they are C/C++, not Java or anything non-native.

      As someone who is in the computer industry (more software/security focused), it really irks me that people fall for so much marking crap.

  • PartyNextDoor on 22/01/2016 - 08:34
    +35

    I hate haters like you that just hate for no reason. Why do you spend so much time hating on things that don't affect you? I swear in my experience people who don't like Apple talk about Apple more than people who actually use their products.

    Happens everywhere in the world today with so many things. And the haters end up thinking they're superior because they're not sheep but little do they realize they're just sheep in a different league. Hating on things so much yet you probably haven't even used the products yourself to form an actual opinion.

    • snvl on 23/01/2016 - 17:42
      +5

      "people who don't like Apple talk about Apple more than people who actually use their products."

      Excellent point

    • dbun1 on 25/01/2016 - 11:30
      +4

      Exactly.

      There's a guy at work who passionately expresses his hate for Apple and iPhones, has never owned an Apple product ever, yet knows more about the iPhone's faults, rumoured release details and things like that than I do. I own both a Note 3 and iPhone, so not biased at all to one or the other - both great devices.

      Everytime he makes a comment I reply with, "oh, awesome, you're planning on trying the iPhone then?"
      to which he replies, "no way!! I hate Apple."
      to which I reply, "oh, sorry, from the amount of research you're doing, it sounded like you were jumping ship."

      Pisses him off everytime as most people like that are trying to get a reaction.

    • virhlpool on 26/01/2016 - 19:42

      But there are enough Android haters too here.. aren't they? And apparently they do speak a lot about Android.

    • knk on 26/01/2016 - 20:03

      Exactly, personally an android fan but I can appreciate the appeal of the Apple devices.

      I went with an LG G3, terrible phone absolute rubbish in my opinion. Runs slowly, all around not a great experience once updated to lollipop. The G2 I had previously, brilliant phone. I'd imagine that Apple wouldn't have put me in that situation, hence the appeal of paying a little more and always knowing you've got a solid product. I'm sure someone will say 'go for the nexus' however at the time the 6 I think it was was a little more than I'd have liked to pay.

  • gimli on 22/01/2016 - 19:24
    +7

    Who cares?

  • Topdog on 22/01/2016 - 19:51
    +1

    Have you just seen Crystal mate? and hit the pipe?

  • congo on 22/01/2016 - 22:33
    +3

    The market sets the price.
    If no one buys an iPhone then they will fall in price fairly fast…

    The fact that they are expensive and have a great resale price indicates that there are a lot of buyers and demands for them.
    So there must be a valid reason why people like them.

      • congo on 23/01/2016 - 14:49

        That could be true IF it was a small sample.
        Given that "millions" line up, it wouldn't be a valid argument to say that all "millions" are iSheep… IMO.

    • [Deactivated] on 25/01/2016 - 19:28

      I agree that the market sets the price but as for "valid" reason, there are many occasions when there isn't one. Remember those "power bracelets" or MLM supplements? One was sued for intentional deception and the other ought to be.

      I used a iPhone 4s a year after first release. I thought it was a great phone, both the iOS and the build. It became laggy when the 5S updates rolled in so I switched to Android until two weeks ago.

      I got a 6S plus and to summarise, I went and bought a Z5 Premium after, 12 days (thanks MSY deal).

      Reasons why I dislike the 6S that much.

      The camera lens on the 6S chipped when I hastily placed it on a porcelain counter top (I don't use cases/protectors/laminates). I did not come as a surprise for me as I was already troubled by the ridiculous lens design. The phone rests on the lens (not the frame of the lens, literally the glass) - the most fragile part of the phone.

      No widgets.

      Lack of support for a lot of hardware plug ins and specialised apps.

      Tonnes more unwanted malware-like pop-up.

      Slippery surface. Combined with fragile design? I see what they did there.

      Propriety connectivity - both hardware and software.

      Thank goodness I have someone who needed a new phone or I wouldn't be able to justify another phone. I think that was the last Apple product I'll buy for a long time.

      • duchy on 26/01/2016 - 08:06

        Interesting. I am using widgets on my 5S right now. Did Apple stop supporting them?

        • [Deactivated] on 26/01/2016 - 12:15

          I should elaborate - widgets that I don't have to flip a page to get to. If I had to flip a page, I my as well press the app.

          I didn't consider the iOS version to be widgets because they function like the notifications tab on android. But I checked, the ios version is still called a widget.

      • punk000 on 26/01/2016 - 08:48
        +1

        But all the cons you have listed in the 6S exist in the 4S, nothing has changed. Most probably your need has changed. I must say the extruding camera lens is an awful design mistake trying to slim down the phone. Could have thicken the phone to make room for more battery storage.

        • [Deactivated] on 26/01/2016 - 12:26

          That's exactly right.

          My needs and expectations may have changed. My need changed because much more had become available whereas back when I had the 4S, neither android nor iOS performed my desired function.

          My expectation (at least with regards to functional deisgn) hasn't changed. I do not expect the phone to rest on its most fragile point, nor do I expect a phone that is designed to slip out of my hand.

          Thickening the battery to flush the camera would have been great, but costly(?). They could have made the lens' frame protrude more. So many things could have been done but they manage to fix none of the physical design issues with their annual S upgrade.

  • antzz on 23/01/2016 - 00:33
    +6

    Some people say if you need to ask the price… You can't afford it. Most of the stuff you look for is in this category.

    Hermes for bag
    A lang and sohne or patek for watches
    Bugatti for car
    Montblanc for pen
    Jimmy choo for shoes
    Private jet for transport
    Yacht for boat

    Just because you can't afford it doesn't mean it is stupid to buy one. Trust me people don't become rich by being stupid

    • duchy on 26/01/2016 - 08:09

      Actually private jet makes perfect sense. Tony Robbins claims it's been the best thing he ever bought. Great time saver. Time he can spend with family or better.

      • antzz on 26/01/2016 - 12:36

        Exactly my point, some of this items are not for your average joe. Birkin Bags even though expensive are actually a great investment.

    • Davros on 26/01/2016 - 09:01

      "Trust me people don't become rich by being stupid"

      Stupid people inherit money and then lose it hand over fist.
      Take Donald Trump as an example.

      • cypher67 on 27/01/2016 - 22:51

        Hey Trump got a "small loan" ($1m) from his Dad

        • Davros on 28/01/2016 - 06:19

          He also received $40-$200 million when his father died in 1999.

  • banzini on 23/01/2016 - 02:15
    +7

    I buy an iPhone as it's amazing and lets me do everything I want. I am happy to pay the price.
    The market sets the price, people pay.
    Don't worry about what other people spend their money on - just what you spend yours on.

    ty.

  • Tafe on 23/01/2016 - 07:24
    +6

    I'll play your game.

    The Nespresso system is the Apple iPhone of coffee

    • Vieira4 on 24/01/2016 - 13:42
      +4

      But you can buy a nespresso machine for under $200. Hardly overpriced.

      • RockyRaccoon on 24/01/2016 - 14:17

        Very much so when you can buy instant coffee and just use a spoon.

        Game still on . :)

        • smartazz104 on 25/01/2016 - 09:22
          +6

          Even if pod coffee isn't considered the best, comparing it to the rubbish labelled as instant coffee is disingenuous at best. But, hey, if you like the taste of Blend 43, by all means, enjoy. Pod coffee is about the convenience which some are happy to pay for.

        • RockyRaccoon on 25/01/2016 - 09:23

          @gokhanh: Better still plain water and a caffiene tablet would be cheaper ;) As the OP said its to do with price, not "Taste"

        • smartazz104 on 25/01/2016 - 09:24

          @RockyRaccoon: Or maybe just take the tablet straight :)

        • RockyRaccoon on 25/01/2016 - 09:25

          @gokhanh: Ok I'll give you the prize for that one.!!!

      • GOFYS on 25/01/2016 - 07:36
        +1

        Then pay $1000 a Kg for the capsule coffee. check it out. you are endorsing the OP.

        • smartazz104 on 25/01/2016 - 09:22

          Now do a calculation for a cafe bought coffee…

        • Brianqpr on 25/01/2016 - 12:10

          Good cafe coffee is far, far better than nespresso, so worth the extra cost.

        • dbun1 on 25/01/2016 - 16:52

          @Brianqpr:

          Not all cafes produces good coffee, so at least they can guarantee consistency in their own home. It's annoying when you pay cafe prices for sub-par coffee.

          Also, not everyone can tell the difference between various levels of coffee, so the Nespresso gets them 'good enough' for their needs.

    • dbun1 on 25/01/2016 - 11:31
      +1

      You can get a machine for under $100 during a sale and cashback period.
      Overpriced, how?

      • Tafe on 25/01/2016 - 11:49
        -2

        I think you just answered your own question. (That you need to wait for a sale and get cashback to pay a 'reasonable' price)

        • dbun1 on 25/01/2016 - 12:02
          +1

          Don't agree…this is OzB after all. People wait for sales before buying anyway.

          Just the same way people wouldn't buy a Caffitaly machine from Woolworths at full price ($119) as everyone knows they often have sales and you can get the machine for 1/2 price.

        • Tafe on 25/01/2016 - 15:21

          I think you've completely missed my point but that's all good. I'm going to go out on a limb and assume you're a Nespresso devotee.

        • ThadtheChad on 25/01/2016 - 16:10
          +1

          @Tafe:

          I think at a $200 price point it's still plenty cheap. And yes, I quite like the coffee. :)

        • dbun1 on 25/01/2016 - 16:44

          @Tafe:

          Not quite - proper machine + grinder setup.
          You've gone too far out on that limb that you've dropped off the other end.

          Your point also fails.

        • Tafe on 25/01/2016 - 16:57

          Lol, OK.

  • randomhero24 on 23/01/2016 - 08:17

    OP, your username suits.

    Quality products get more markup. It's kind of how life works.

    • infinite on 24/01/2016 - 22:00
      +1

      Only products heavily advertised as "premium", get marked-up. There is rarely (if ever) any actual correlation to something being advertised as premium and actually being premium, though.

      • duchy on 26/01/2016 - 08:13
        -1

        Adam Smith and I disagree. "The unobservable market force that helps the demand and supply of goods in a free market to reach equilibrium automatically is the invisible hand."

  • John on 23/01/2016 - 11:14
    +2

    Remind yourself, that the cost of a product isn't reflective of the cost of labor + parts.. you are also paying for the originality, copyright, research, testing, ideas, creativity, after-sales service, etc etc.. Its like buying a tea in a restaurant.. you're not really buying a tea, you're buying a tea with the service and venue. It's far cheaper if you make yourself at home (with the exact same hot water and tea bag)… but its not exactly the same right?

  • congo on 23/01/2016 - 14:50
    +1

    I buy an iPhone because it has good resale value, plus I have many iOS apps, so I am kind of locked in.

  • centrelink on 23/01/2016 - 16:40

    You can also compare a hot girl with a fat girl and judge whose personality is better. In a cliche world the fat girl would wins hands down on personality and all, but the hot girl will get the attention all the time.

    Sega because it has "BLAST PROCESSING".

    Nah Super Nintendo was just far more superior at the time.

    • infinite on 24/01/2016 - 21:58
      -2

      I don't think you've met many fat people………..

      • centrelink on 25/01/2016 - 02:51
        +3

        I said in the "CLICHE" world.

  • nanonoise on 23/01/2016 - 21:44
    +2

    I mean, why wear pants. You don't really need them, but sheesh everyone is wearing them these days. Overpriced waste of time.

  • MasterNoob on 23/01/2016 - 22:58
    +1

    That's way too long for me to read.

    I'd just like to say Apple rocks.

  • Sestrooper on 24/01/2016 - 11:09
    +2

    I' was an iPhone user for a while then went to a Samsung s5. Had multiple issues with it and had to get it replaced 3 times. I really gave android system a chance but it just just didn't seem stable enough for me. Sure it might have been just the s5 and my luck ( I wasn't modding it or anything). I've gone back to the iPhone now because unfortunately 1. The app market for iPhone is much better (for the medical community anyway) and 2. The ability and stability is perfect. I do miss the freedom and the extra modifications that an open platform use but for now I will need to accept that.

    Expensive watches are also usually due to the material as well.. Watches don't exactly loose value if you are buying quality. A DW watch will loose value… But a Rolex, breitling or even a tag huer hold their value well… I know mine has gone up $200 since I got it a few years ago. Most likely due to the Australian dollar
    But you get the idea.

    • no not me on 24/01/2016 - 11:53
      +3

      I got the Samsung Galaxy Note Tab 10.1 (2014) for free from Optus for signing up to their bundle (I was supposed to get the Galaxy Tab 8.4-ish but they were out of stock, with Samsung no longer producing the product). It's the 4G model and allegedly worth >$700 at the time of release. One day it went dead and simply never turned on again. No problem. Take it to Optus, they say they gave me the Galaxy Tab, the 8.4, I explain otherwise. Anyway, we come to an agreement, they take it away for repair, since Samsung don't handle the repairs (Apple would, had it been one of their products). Anyway, two weeks pass and no call, luckily I barely used the thing as it was quite atrocious for note taking due to the awful palm-rejection it has. Some time in the third week they call, tell me its ready, I collect it, ask what the issue was. They explain it was unknown, and that they have simply replaced the motherboard, so everything is new, as it's all soldered on and whatnot. The only "old" stuff is the body and screen. Once again, it is dead, the battery died, and it no longer charges or turns on. Must I wait 3 weeks again to get it repaired, bare in mind I'm apparently paying $20 (of included value) every month for this thing.

      What really sucks is that if I have an issue with anything Apple, I go in and I walk out with a new device, 10 minutes, less than the time I spent arguing with the Optus staff over what they sent me. (I feel I am able to throw Samsung under the bus under Optus' faults because Samsung were happy to dump me onto Optus for repairs). I had an issue with my iPhone 5s, the WiFi was greyed out in settings, indicative of a broken or damaged WiFi chip. They guy simply says "ah, yeah, restoring won't fix this." He comes back with a new phone and I'm off, 2 years warranty under Australian Consumer Law, great resale value, company that values privacy. What's not to like? Of course there is a premium price to pay for this, but hey, when I want to sell the device to someone, they'll be happy to pay the premium too.

    • Dezy on 27/01/2016 - 12:19

      Yeah I agree with this. My first smart phone was a Galaxy 1, got it 8 months after launch. It was cool, being able to customise stuff, however, the thing used to crash on making a phone call. BRICK ITSELF. Would have to restart it VIA A COMPUTER, if it did it when I was away from home I was right buggered. Used to delete message chains on me, never actually send texts, it was a pile. Has ruined my opinion of their phones BECAUSE I spent a little less than an iPhone to suffer for two years until the thing DIED, WHEREAS the iPhone 5 I replaced it with has been going flawlessly for 4 years now. Twice as long, making the iPhone relatively half the cost of the Samsung, AND I still have a working phone at the end of the comparison

      (PS: I realise Samsung phones are solid now, I am not blind. But this is my experience of these brands)

  • [Deactivated] on 24/01/2016 - 11:44
    +4

    What a Stupid post, these things are only over priced if you cant afford them and who cares what other people buy it's their choice.

    • infinite on 24/01/2016 - 21:57
      +2

      Because this is OzBargain.

  • Vulvasaur on 24/01/2016 - 12:52
    +1

    I have a mid-2013 MacBook Air and I consider it great value ($1100 over 3 years, probably 2-3 years more).

    Does its job perfectly. The trackpad is so precise and smooth, a pleasure to use, much better than a mouse for most tasks. The OS has both quirks and great features.

    I built a Windows computer for gaming and for other OS-specific tasks, and the MacBook is my primary machine for everything else.

  • pebee47 on 24/01/2016 - 13:14
    +1

    I am not particularly tech savvy; don't need to be as have a son in law that is. I have a Mac (really old but still works) a MacBook Air, an iPad and an iPhone. they work seamlessly together. Why shoud I buy a supposedly "superior" androod phone, only to have to stuff around making it fit with all the other stuff? Oh, yeah, none of my devices have ever been hit by a virus. The do "just work" for me. I also just bought a car that wasn't a "Ka" or other "Smart" car. Why? - I. Like. It. Simple as that. If DM Pretender can't get over the fact that people will buy stuff because they like it, and it not being necessarily "the best", he/she has a lot of growing up to do. (probably still grumbling about the inferior quality of his/her very first Tonka toy/Barbie doll)

  • Sirocco on 24/01/2016 - 13:16
    +4

    Guise, I'm surprised no one has mentioned the god damn thermomix. Its Totally a keeping up the joneses item. But at $2000! Just ridiculous… we scored one as a gift and honestly i try to use it, but I'm just so sick of soup, risotto and every other meal is steamed. Not to mention every meal looks terrible! Which i don't mind but can do this for a lot less than 2 gorillas.

    I wow the crowds with a $100 frypan and my trusty bbq….

    • outlander on 24/01/2016 - 14:59

      I was scrolling down to make this comment, but you beat me to it.

    • outofdateyesterday on 24/01/2016 - 15:43

      If I had to go back in time, i would have paid $3,000 for my Thermomix!!!

    • dbun1 on 25/01/2016 - 11:40

      Yeah, I don't get the Thermomix either.
      Some friends have one, so have had the chance to taste its 'creations'. I just haven't had a good meal from one yet. Yes, it can make risotto, soup and other meals, but to me they simply just do not taste as good as cooking from scratch.

      I can see how someone that may not like cooking would enjoy it, but for someone like me that loves to cook, I was left disappointed.

      The only thing that impressed me was the gelato. Throw in the relative ingredients plus freshly cut watermelon and 10-15mins later you have fresh watermelon gelato.

      I have a friend that is a chef and apparently a lot of restaurants are using them now for sauces and other prep items. The main reason being you can guarantee consistency.

  • Vieira4 on 24/01/2016 - 13:42
    -4

    Any BOSE product.

    • dbun1 on 25/01/2016 - 11:40
      +3

      Their noise cancelling headphones are the best if you are after active noise cancelling.

  • BartholemewH on 24/01/2016 - 14:41
    +2

    Bugaboo prams.

    actually, half the baby items in the market.

    • duchy on 26/01/2016 - 08:22

      I disagree. Don't own one, but they keep high resale value - probably one of the few brands in this sector. When you don't need them, just sell them on GumTree. It might cost you 200-300$ a baby. Great value in my opinion.

      • BartholemewH on 26/01/2016 - 10:20

        So, you could argue they're like an iphone?

  • fedwood on 24/01/2016 - 14:58
    +1

    What car performs the same as ones for 1/10 of the price?

    • Davros on 25/01/2016 - 15:11

      Where in Australia can you legally get to enjoy that difference in performance?

  • mousie on 24/01/2016 - 18:18
    +1

    Foxtel

  • robb6014 on 24/01/2016 - 21:40
    +4

    OPs mum.

    Step 1 - tried to charge me triple the going rate
    Step 2 - ???
    Step 3 - profit

  • infinite on 24/01/2016 - 21:55

    People who game on consoles instead of a PC.

    Overly priced hardware that's technologically gimped even compared to mid-tier PC's from 5 years ago, laughably expensive games & peripherals, forced advertising on a product/service you already paid for and then the icing on the cake - you HAVE to pay a yearly subscription for the ability to play multiplayer on a shitty peer-to-peer system which doesn't even provide servers to play from……… your literally paying for the privilege of letting someone use you own bandwidth to game with you.

    • Cozza38 on 24/01/2016 - 22:35

      The difference is the entry price on consoles compared to PC. That is a very big detractor for a lot of people.

      It's much easier to save for and justify a $500 purchase compared to $1500 in the short term even though PC gaming is considerably cheaper in the long term.

      • infinite on 25/01/2016 - 10:53

        A mid-tier gaming PC that put's a console to shame is all of is $600. Which is peanuts compared to the long term savings of gaming on a PC.

        • Cozza38 on 27/01/2016 - 09:50
          -1

          You're not factoring in peripherals & at least 1 screen which can easily be as much if not more than the PC itself.

          I'm a PC gamer, my last console was the PS3 which didn't get enough use to justify its cost but even I can see where consoles have an advantage.

        • infinite on 27/01/2016 - 12:59

          @Cozza38:

          This is 2016. You use your TV as the screen. Peripherals are like $20 for a mouse & keyboard, or free if you get a spare off friends.

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