Are iPods price-controlled?
 

Anyone know if Apple price-controls iPods, like what Bose and Oakley does? Just curious.

Sure seems that way to me. Ever see one on sale ?

I got one for around $100 off, last thanksgiving.

Cheers

Absolutely, just like all other Apple stuff. Any "deals" I've ever seen on them always have something like a free case, never a discount on the device itself.

Controlled within a few bucks, yeah, but sometimes $20-30 off depending upon model. Try Amazon.

For larger discounts you could try factory reconditioned units. They carry the same warranty as new. Available mainly direct from Apple, but sometimes from other dealers.

Also, they mark down fully functional returns at the physical Apple stores by $20-30ish, maybe more. There's usually a table of mixed returned stuff somewhere in the store.

The Apple stores do give pretty nice discounts for government employees. I don't know if it's just feds or other levels too. We saved quite a bit on my son's new iPod that we bought in Decmeber. There are also student and teacher discounts.

I bought 55 of them two Christmas' ago, direct from Apple, which included a custom imprint for my company. Got around a 13% discount from list.

Apple does offer discounts for state and local government employees. ^

Mine must have got lost in shipping. Please resend.
address is
123 Main st...

Sale? No, but I just got a Video iPod at B&H for about 5% less than places like Best Buy and Circuit City.

It can happen:
4gb Nano for $125

But most stores won't bring down the price simply because demand still exists.

If that were the whole reason, I would expect from time to time to see stores offering them for substantially below msrp as loss-leaders.

It has nothing to do with demand. Apple simply does not give the retailer much margin.

Apple has a Minimum Advertised Price for all their products, just like Bose and Oakley. If you want to be an authorized Apple reseller, you need to adhere to it. They frequently allow retailers to sell below MAP prior to introducing a new revision of a product.

Lots of electronic companies have MAPs, which is why you'll see those "price too low to display. Add to your cart" notices on Amazon, Best Buy, etc.

Circuit City has them with a small discount right now - http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/catO...ategorylist.do