A shortage of stock placed a slight dampener on the midnight sales of Apple's iPhone 4 in Cape Town, today, but those that bought them appeared happy.
While mobile network operators MTN and Vodacom tried to out-party each other at elaborate launches in Johannesburg last night, there was a more subdued scene at the Victoria & Albert Waterfront, where the first Cape Town iPhone 4 sales were made.
Just before midnight, groups of between 20 and 40 people gathered in front of the MTN and Vodacom stores and in front of independent resellers iStore (which sold MTN contracts) and CelluCity (which is an independent Vodacom reseller).
“I wish we had more stock. Tonight was as we expected, but the next few days will be hectic,” said Bruno Lopes, CelluCity media manager.
MTN branch manager Shihaan Jakoet said she was satisfied with the stock levels at the time, but she was a little worried about the days to come.
No comparison
However, independent Apple reseller Digicape, which retails the iPhone 4 with Vodacom contracts, was still waiting for its consignment of 60 units today.
“It has been very frustrating for us, because we do have clients waiting and our consignment has not arrived yet,” said Gaynor McArthur, Digicape director.
Pricing of the iPhone 4 and the contracts did not appear to be a factor for the early adopters. Neither Vodacom nor MTN were selling the iPhone 4 for cash, only on contract. The lowest value contract from Vodacom was the Talk 500, at R929 per month, which includes 500 free voice minutes, 250MB data, and 100 SMSes. MTN's lowest package was the Anytime 200, at R479 per month, including 300MB data and R200 airtime.
However, sales staff pointed out that the contracts were not directly comparable and that other options were available.
The independent resellers were prepared to sell the iPhone4 for cash, however, they emphasised they were giving preference to those who were buying contracts. The iPhone4 16G was quoted at R7 999 and the 32G at R8 999. These prices are R500 higher than the cost of the previous model iPhione3G(s).
“Most of the customers seem to know exactly what they want. They go for the more expensive packages at around R750 per month as they know they will be using data a lot,” said Jakoet.
Lopes said: “The iPhone 4 is a prestige product and goes along with the BMW car keys that are thrown on the table to impress friends and family.”
Customers seemed happy to have got their phones at last.
Android geeks
“I have been waiting for this for a while,” said one customer, who would only identify himself as Quin. “My friends have been using this for sometime and I really like it. It is an awesome product.”
However, customers felt the management of the product's debut could have been better.
“There was no feeling of comfort or of having the 'Apple experience',” said one customer. “They could have communicated better with us saying that our phones are definitely booked.”
While retail staff said they admired the look and feel of the iPhone 4, they personally preferred Android phones.
“It is about the philosophy of the applications,” one store staff member said. “Everyday there is a new Android app and you can choose if you want to pay for it or have the adverts on it or reject it.”
Another store staff member said he felt that Android offered better options for the techies or geeks.
“The iPhone 4 is great for the ordinary person. But if you want to be a real geek then get an Android phone,” he said.
Related story:
Midnight debut for iPhone 4
Share