“Major computer retailers Harvey Norman and Next Byte are heavily discounting current-model iPods, indicating that a new iPod release may be imminent,” Dan Warne reports for APC Magazine.
“Harvey Norman took its discounting to TV audiences last night, with ad spots spruiking the iPod Shuffle 512MB for $67 rather than the regular price of $99 — a full 30 per cent reduction in price,” Warne reports.
Warne reports, “Apple retailer Next Byte sent out a newsletter to customers, offering up to 80% off its entire range of iPods, this Saturday only… Heavy discounting is very unusual between iPod retailers: they have been able to sell iPod stock so easily that the point of competition between them has largely centred around whether they have iPods in stock or not.”
Warne reports, “Apple Australia spokesperson Fiona Martin said she was not aware of an upcoming new version of the iPod. ‘I didn’t even know they [Harvey Norman and NextByte] were discounting the current models,’ she told APC.”
Full article here.
We can’t wait for Apple to introduce us to this year’s real “iPod killers!”
Related article:
Apple to hold special media event on September 12th? – August 31, 2006
So, can we buy an 80% off iPod over the internet? I’ll wait till Saturday.
Clever retail…
The Next Byte site says “up to 80% off iPods and accessories” and when you click through the link you see that those higer discounts are all on accessories, no iPod models are specifically mentioned.
Then up in the banner graphic it says “discounts on iPods” without mentioning amounts or percentages. It’ll probably end up being a dollar fifty off.
MDN- up rather late, eh?
Good times, to those of us on the west coast.
yes i did notice that harvey norman was selling shuffles for $67. i was wondering what the go was there…
i would like the new iPods to be coming, but i dont think they are. Apple doesnt tell anyone. let alone harvey norman. i’d say that they are both just guessing that the new iPods are coming, so there taking there chances.
i do hope that they release a new iPod soon tho. Preferably an iPhone/iTalk/iChat Mobile, whatever they’re guna call it.
“Up to. . .iPods AND accessories”
Worlds most common sales double talk. Oh well.
I was at Harvey’s yesterday or the day before here in Sunshine Melbourne, and noticed that they still had 4th generation iPods for sale including a U2 Special edition 4th Gen. Perhaps they are just trying to clear out old inventory.
Making room for Zune
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it does seem weird harvey norman would know anything to be honest. but you never know.
More like 10%
good one HAL. retailers would have to eliminate the big screen tv’s to make room for that big ugly non selling zune LOL
“Spruiking”?
OK, that’s a new one on me….
Something BIG is a brewin’, folks!!!
Can’t wait.
Let’s see $67 for the shuffle, plus $300 for postage to the USA. Great deal. Wonder if they offer a quantity discount.
Sorry to point out the obvious, but why would Australian retailers know something US retailers don’t?
Shops have sales all the time. Often misleading, generally for competitive reasons rather than product-cycle reasons. The iPods are hot sellers so they discount them briefly to bring in the crowds – hoping the crowds will see lots of other stuff they just HAVE to have and walk out leaving much of their money behind.
When your local Office Max has a sale on copier paper you don’t suspect a new line of paper is on the way … or do you?
New 16:9 aspect ratio, larger screens iPods are coming.
I do, DL, I do!
US retailers wouldn’t know because everything is made outside of the US. The people building Apple stuff will go home and tell their familys, who don’t live in the US.
Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!
oy! oy! oy!
Aussie!
oy!
Aussie!
oy!
Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!
oy! oy! oy!
that’s right…
Shuffle is dead.
Scott, Apple “stuff” isn’t made in Australia, either.