Cheap iPods??!!? -- a duh realization

[holly-squirrel]

I'm wondering if there is really such a thing as safely buying new iPods cheap. I am relatively new on there forums, and the threads I've seen about this all point to massive problems. I came to this wonderfully useful forum after ordering an iPod from a company that turned out to be fraudulent. I was one of the fortunate people to get my order filled, as so many did not.

This has gotten me thinking about slogans like "something for nothing", "an offer too good to be true," "no such thing as a free lunch," and likely other one-liners I opted to not take seriously enough.

Apple has what they term Authorized Resellers. These are official Apple Stores, and more recently Micro Center, Circuit City, Comp USA, and possibly a few others brick and mortar businesses. There are also specific catalogs that sell Apple stuff, like Mac Mall, and these catalogs also have internet sites/stores. Amazon also sells iPods. All sell at within a few cents of Apple's list price.; Circuit City frequently runs a special, where the $400 iPod sells for $20 off, and you need to click in the cart to see the sale price.

Bottom line is that Apple is incredibly careful to keep their prices level, where they want them to be. I can not figure out a way that any legitimate business can sell Apple products at huge savings unless these items are illegit on some level. The only truly legit deal I can think of is signing up for one of the higher levels of Audible.com membership to get their special discount coupon that can only be redeemed at very specific online store, like Amazon, and possibly Circuit City.com

My original plan had been to sign up for Audible.com and get $100 off of the 60GB iPod. If I'd then used my Amazom credit card, I would have gotten free shipping, and the price would have been a bit lower than what I ended up spending, without all of the sweat and anxiety. I suppose that I decided to go with a start-up internet business so that I wouldn't have the obligation to purchase my audiobooks from them as opposed to ebay or used via Amazon. That's dumb, now that I look back on it.

If I am actually correct about how Apple organizes their retail shops, it is people like me and many others who end up in RR on long threads who make it worth while for scammers and frauds to con us. That sucks!! Talk about owning ones personal responsibility on a reality level…! I just hope that I am able to hold onto my insight the next time I spot a great deal. Or better yet, that some of you folks can show me where safe good deals are found. I'm back to considering joining audible, and getting a Nano for only about $50 after the $100 coupon. They offer some podcasts I'd like that can't be had for free at iTunes…

Holly

[twistedbrntucker]

Apple isnt the only company selling mp3 players.I personally do not own one. I have a Dell DJ 20 gig and an Olympus m:robe 5 gig. Both of which I paid a little over 100.00 dollars for each.So real deals are out there.

[holly-squirrel]

I'm aware of other MP3 players, but since my computer is a Macintosh (Apple), only an iPod is compatible for connecting to the computer.

Holly

[rodgermat]

Originally Posted by holly-squirrel

..................my computer is a Macintosh (Apple), only an iPod is compatible for connecting to the computer.

Holly

What do you mean? My Rio Forge asks for:
"System Requirements:
Windows® 98SE, 2000, ME, XP and MAC® OS X v10.2 or later. Intel Pentium II 233 mhz or higher. 64MB RAM. 35MB available hard drive space. USB Port. CD-ROM drive".
I agree that if you want to use iTunes and all it's bells and whistles, an iPod is a "must", as both the hard- and the software are very proprietary.
That "proprietariness" is probably reason #1 I stay clear from the iPods.
They look pretty slick tho
Btw, I bought my Rio Forge from ComputerGeeks, and it was an all good experience

[holly-squirrel]

Rogermat, thanks! I thought I had researched all of the varieties. Perhaps I'd confused Rio with River...??

You really get around in here, eh. I'll check them out.

Holly

[rodgermat]

Originally Posted by holly-squirrel

.............. Perhaps I'd confused Rio with River...?? ...........
Holly

Well, the Rio Forge 512MB Sport was on of the last models from them before they quit making MP3 players. I bought the very first Rio MP3 player that came out 6 - 7 years ago. It had a whopping 32 MB memory I think. Guess I got the Forge out of nostalgic reasons Anyway, Rio is history, and probably not available anymore.
My preferences when in comes to MP3 players are:
Ordinary batteries. I keep some fresh ones in my pocket, and I need them now and then when I least expect it.
Flash memory rather than harddrives. And flash memory goes cheap these days. 1 Gig for $25. That's a lot of music/podcasts. (Tho far from 30/60Gigs).
Of course the choices are narrowed down if you want to watch Lost, DL.TV or Rocketboom. You need a video iDingy then
Lots of other choices than the Nano also, and I'm retty sure they talk well with the Mac. Office Depot have been pushing good deals on the Sandisk Sansa lately.
But again, iPod+iTunes works great together. For a price and proprietaryness
Good luck, and, uhm, shop safe

[holly-squirrel]

Rogermat, since I have my 60 iPod from out in the great southwest, I am not actually shopping. I'm fanticizing about a nano (which is just a smaller iiPod, when I finally give in and join Audible.

Mostrly my poast was about whether there is any such thig as getting an iPod for a cheap price without tyhe craziness experienced by so many from a fraudulant company which shall remain nameless.

Holly

[goldie79]

Holly,
there are many good deals on ebay. In fact, the few ipods which CG sent were probably purchased on ebay. Of course, the ipod will not begin its warranty from the time you purchase it, but you should still have quite a bit of time left. Anyway, the ipods are not notorious for problems. Its worth the gamble for me. I love the ipod. I was torn over whether to get one, but I can confidently say they own the mp3 player market for a good reason. The are very sleek and super easy to use.
Good luck!

[twistedbrntucker]

There are a few out there that are compatable with Macs. If anything drag and drop only. Tritton makes a couple and so does Epson. Yes Epson.I think jet audio does to.

[twistedbrntucker]

You have to watch out on eBay as well.CG also sold there too.