“TJ Maxx is ‘not an authorized reseller’ of the iPad, an e-mail from Apple CEO Steve Jobs is quoted as saying,” MacNN reports. “The message comes in response to a person asking why a near $100 price difference exists between TJ Maxx’s iPads and those sold by Apple and other official vendors.”
“If authentic, Jobs’ comment raises the question of where TJ Maxx’s stock is coming from. It’s speculated that the units may be leftovers from a falling out between Apple and Costco,” MacNN reports. “Costco’s management is believed to be angry at being passed over for an iPad deal.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: We didn’t need iPads to question where some of TJ Maxx’s stock is coming from. Have you seen some of those shirts?
Uh, so Apple had some sort of falling out between it and Costco, and thus thousands of iPads were just left sitting somewhere? I seriously doubt Costco would have received ANY iPads until a reseller agreement was in place, and then if there was some sort of dispute, Apple would take back the units and/or Costco would be prohibited from selling them to anyone else. There’s something fishy about this story.
this is not hard to figure out. they are using them as a loss leader. They are willing to lose a $100 if it means trapping you in their store on black friday, instead of somewhere else. While there people will buy other stuff and they make big profits on those clothes they get from other stores.
@ fred
You might be right, but like most people I’d buy my $399 iPad and get the hell out of there as soon as humanly possible.
@ MidWest Mac
Exactly why would you buy something for 100+ more than something you could be buying
But personally I think this is just a way for apple to make more money and TJ Max only did this for money as well. Probably not considering this would happen. I think this is good for apple. They have taken shiiot for years for many different reasons. Seeing them finally step up, is also a step forward!
Mistery solved: when iPad came along people bought any iPad available in store cause they wanted the product. When apple could satisfy the demand some models became top sellers and others stay in shelves. These r the products being move to tj max so that stores can have the real top sellers for the holidays.
Since I don’t have an iPad yet… (waiting for the camera for facetime)
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So tempted to run up to Tj maxx tonight, grab one for $400 and sell it when iPad 2 is released.
Sell it for $400
So tempted…..
Lol MDN magic word “plan”
They fell off the back on the truck.
From what I’ve been reading elsewhere this isn’t particularly a Black Friday deal. Some reports are stating that some stores are already sold out.
I have to wonder just what the “falling out” between Costco and Apple is about. Especially if Costco is dropping iPods and iTunes cards are true.
Even though Costco is similar to Apple in that it has very direct and driven, personality-type head honcho running the company, Costco has never struck me as a capriciously run company. Maybe it’s just a clash of corporate personalities.
It’s too bad as I prefer shopping at Costco. I’ve always wondered why I could hardly ever find Macs there.
@ Backlash
If it’s not “official,” then very few (if any) TJ Maxx and Marshalls stores are going to have this deal, and there are A LOT of those stores everywhere.
I think it was a clever marketing ploy. Apple “unofficially” gives TJ Maxx a small number of iPads to sell for $399, to get some free publicity and to get people to think about getting one if the price was $399. Once those potential customers realize it’s not really available for $399, having considered getting one, many of them with be willing to buy one for $499. The whole point is get the “idea” of buying an iPad into the minds of more people.
And you can REALLY get one at the halfway point, at $449. Apple Certified Refurbished (with “brand new battery and other shell”)…
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/ipad?mco=OTY2ODY4NQ
Oh well, the nearest TJ Maxx is 150 miles away. Guess I’ll just wait for iPad 2.
Was in COSTCO the other night; zero authentic Apple items, but several iPod compatible speaker sets.
Called my local TJ Maxx, they confirmed the Durham NC store had some, but was the only store to get any and they were all sold out. So it seems it is true, which leads us back to the original question of where the stock came from.
I didn’t see the “select stores” part…
So odds are 1-2 stores are selling them cheaper. I’ll still check it out anyway tonight.
As for refurbished iPad… No way in hell I’d buy one.
Not because of apple, because of my state. I have to guarantee the refurb computer for 30 days. Yes… Even a private citizen selling it.
If it has that refurb tag on it… It’s poison in my state.
Maybe the cheaper ones are only supported (repairs or help) by TJ Maxx.
@ Backlash
That law in your state (or your interpretation of it) seems ridiculous. Once you take ownership of a “refurbished” item, it is no longer in refurbished condition. It is USED, unless you plan to keep it unopened until iPad 2.0 is released. Was your plan to buy one now for $400 and not even use it, then sell it for $400?
Also, Apple provides the same one-year warranty on refurbs. If you re-sold an iPad bought today some time early next year, Apple’s warranty should still be in effect.
Backlash:
Apple’s refurbished hardware is under standard one-year AppleCare, exactly like their bona-fide new stuff. I don’t even understand what exactly do you mean by having to guarantee a refurb computer… to whom? Yourself?? If you buy it, then immediately re-sell it, the new buyer inherits the original, manufacturer’s (Apple’s) warranty anyway, so what am I missing here?
Back in the old days we used to have grey market products. Those were Macs that were supposed to be in transit to India/Asia but were redirected back to the US and then sold below market value.
If apple says NO you screwed up the iPad, to the new seller I would sell it too. Guess who is liable for the price now?
Me.
My niece went through this with a refurb iPod that crashed last year.
I would have to guarantee that I’m not screwing them over by selling an item that in fact has a history of some sort of problem.
I agree it’s stupid, but welcome to idiots making laws to “protect” the people.
Oh the humanity…
Nothing wrong here. You don’t have to be an authorized reseller to sell Apple products. You just can’t get them from Apple (wholesale).
Obviously they bought them retail and are selling them as lost leaders. As they have posted on Twitter, “The rumors are TRUE! Select (unadvertised) locations/limited quant @ajdelao whats this i hear of @tjmaxx carrying IPADS for $399? #maxxfinds” they are not available in all their outlets.
So what? You don’t want $399 ipad for this holiday season? Don’t you? Everybody wants that. Plus, it is black Friday. Why is it news?
In case anyone was wondering.
Sale/whatever was east coast stores only. They will NOT be getting any more in. Sold out etc.
I called one of my stores and was given the lengthy speech. She was not happy to be reading the whole thing. (you could tell she was reading) obviously a few people tried to get one today
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@Backlash
You’re wrong about east coast stores only. The TJMaxx in Cedar Rapids, Iowa had ten which were sold out on Thursday.
From Fortune:
Update: Sherry Lang, SVP of Global Communications for TJX told us:
“We have received many inquiries about a particular famous maker high tech item recently sold in our stores. As an off-price retailer, our business provides an ever-changing selection of great finds of famous maker apparel and non-apparel categories at excellent values. In other words, our mission is to offer a treasure hunt of great values, every day. Earlier this week, a small number of T.J.Maxx and Marshalls stores received a very limited quantity of first quality electronic tablets that were sourced from a retailer. Our customers have come to know and shop us for the exciting and unexpected values we offer on a daily basis.”
The consensus seems to be that TJ Maxx bought around 80 units total from Apple’s authorized retail outlets (and perhaps even the Apple Store) and sold them at a loss to generate traffic.
@Backlash
and the other guy “waiting for iPad 2”
Why do you guys deprive yourselves like that? The great thing about ANY apple product is that with a little care, and a couple good photographs you can almost always sell an Apple product on eBay for 80-90% of your purchase price after one year… and 70% plus even after two years (which boggles my mind every time). Not only that, but prices for each product line tend to decline over time… So there is almost no reason to ever “wait” for the next version… every time a new product comes out on a 1-year cycle you can easily find somebody who will give you most of the price of the next one, for selling them the last one. (Assuming you treat your stuff nice and dont drop it!)
You won’t get anything that cheap at Marshall’s or TJ Maxx! I’m a huge fan of Goodwill, Saver’s, ARC, Salvation Army, and Target.
The thrift stores might have stuff that’s about a dollar, but it’s going to be slim pickings, and only on the half-price tag days. Slower, older stores that are nearish affluent areas can have nice stuff for cheaper.
Nox Edge
Wait let me under stand this… MacNN is saying because Costco didn’t get iPads, they got mad and transshipped (sold wholesale) the iPads (that they didn’t get) to TJmax.
I’m not sure, but something about that tale just doesn’t wag
Pretty wily marketing on TJ Maxx’s part. Kudos to them for generating so much publicity for themselves. I think it’s funny.
I can also understand Apple’s annoyance with it strictly from the point of the CEO’s of Best Buy, Target, Walmart, etc. calling up Jobs and yelling “What the hell are you guys doing?!?!?” Haha.
The Costco story is pure crap speculation.
@ alexkhan2000
I would suggest that Jobs was not annoyed at all. Certainly not at TJ Marxx.
If anything, it would be to the idiot that from 9ToFiveMac* who emailed Jobs and then from the reply speculated† on where the iPads came from. “We have a new theory on where these came from. Remember Apple’s falling out with Costco? Perhaps this is the leftovers from that.”†
Then in true form, a staff writer from MacNN further dumbs down the media by compounding and elaborating the rumor without verification.**
Needless to say, MacDailyNews and the rest of media continue the ‘prostituting of the literature’ by not doing what true journalist are supposed to do, i.e., confirm the source before publishing it. Thus making idiots of those who comment on such crap.
*
† http://www.9to5mac.com/36682/steve-jobs-tj-maxx-isnt-an-apple-authorized-dealer#more-36682
** http://www.macnn.com/articles/10/11/19/calls.source.of.ipads.into.question/
@alexkhan2000
But Costco has completely stopped selling Apple iPods. Very strange, whatever the reason.
@alexkhan2000
No, they did not buy them at retail and sell for a loss
they do not do that
they do not need to generate traffic in that way
I have it from the source
Well first off..
That’s what the Tj maxx clerk read to me… Which probably came down from a regional hq or something.
An I would like an iPad, but I don’t need one.
I always said I would get one the day they put a facetime camera in it. I use mine alot in my iPhone.
I’m not an impulse buyer. I can wait a few months for it to be how it honestly should have been from the start, but I understand why they waited and had the iPhone get the camera first.
@ Synth
Costco was angry that they couldn’t get iPad when Walmart and Sam’s Club did. Costco had a falling out recently with Coca-Cola as well.
How could Costco sell or dump something that they never had?
@ ploogman
I assume that you’re being sarcastic?
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