Guangzhou Daily: "Apple" Hunger Trap Flicker China Market

Knowing that Apple Computer is engaged in "hunger marketing" and is aware of a series of practices that discriminate against Chinese consumers, it still has a soft spot, madly chasing after it, and fueling its tyrant-style sales arrogance.

Apple's two major official channels in China are completely cut off, and the market price of the iPhone4S continues to be soared. It is understood that in Beijing, even Apple's authorized channels are being sold at a higher price, ranging from 500 yuan to 1,500 yuan. Sold out! out of stock! Suspend retail! Starting from the first generation iPhone, Apple played "hungry marketing" and the sales of iPhone4S still followed this old routine.

Consumers in the Mainland of China have been waiting hard for it, but they have no fruit. In fact, since the iPhone was first introduced, the mainland market has always been listed by Apple in the world's later regional and national markets, and the price is much higher than other markets. Take the iPhone4S as an example. After the US was listed on October 14, 2011, the price of the 32GB unsecured version was US$749 (about RMB4,774 based on the then exchange rate). The Chinese mainland market, which is more than 3 months later than the US time-to-market, is priced at 5,888 yuan.

However, even if Apple has discriminated against the Chinese mainland market, it still can not stop the "fruit powder" enthusiasm. On the first day of listing on January 13, the “Apple” rushed across the country. Beijing even had a “cattle” fight and alerted the police. As a result, “Apple” angered and cancelled the farce sold at the store. And because the stocking was rushed on the day of the launch, Apple also announced the suspension of iPhone4S sales of five mainland China direct-operated stores. In a time of buyer's market, dare to be so big for "God", this imagining is not what ordinary vendors can do.

Why did Apple choose this time for listing in mainland China? The reason is also worth pondering. A period of time before the arrival of the Spring Festival is the peak period for the Chinese people to give gifts. There are also many queues for iPhone 4S. Although the original sin of the gift-giving style cannot be completely attributed to "Apple," when the "Apple" departs from the essence of the commodity and focuses more on its added value - showing off and extravagance, it is worthwhile for the people of the country to reflect on it.

Behind the "Apple" sold out of stock, more or less still hides the Chinese people's blind obsession. Knowing that Apple Computer is engaged in "hunger marketing" and is aware of a series of practices that discriminate against Chinese consumers, it still has a soft spot, madly chasing after it, and fueling its tyrant-style sales arrogance. In this enthusiasm, how many consumers are succumbing to "conformity" consumer psychology? It is not denied that Apple's products have been technologically innovative, but they have constantly exposed various technological loopholes in the Chinese market. Some Shanghai media reported that some fruit powder has encountered "mobile doors", some mobile phones and China Mobile (microblogging) sim Cards are not compatible and you need to upgrade your system to make calls. Apple customer service also admitted that there is indeed this loophole. Technology is not the perfect "Apple" what captured the hearts of Chinese consumers? Is it true that we are “motivated to be a lot of people stupid” or have Apple’s consistent monopoly-style “hunger marketing” flunk to lose consumer rationality?

According to media reports, in the European market, consumers have shown considerable resistance to the high profits of “Apple,” and the market share has been declining. Italian anti-trust agencies even believe that they mislead consumers and impose a fine of 900,000 Euros on them. The Chinese market has become the second largest market for "Apple." While China is opening its doors to "Apple," "Apple" is still playing a tricky bastard game and the arrogance and prejudice behind it is not only for Chinese consumers. The mockery is even more of a "quiz" for the international competitiveness of Chinese companies.