Apple Adds Credit Options for Chinese Buyers

Wednesday January 16, 2013 2:02 PM PST by Juli Clover
Apple Store Sanlitun, Beijing, ChinaApple today added installment payment plans to its online store in China, giving Chinese buyers the option to purchase iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks via credit.

Consumers can choose to pay in installments on merchandise that costs between 300 yuan ($48) and 30,000 yuan ($4,800), through a plan from China Merchants Bank Co.

As Bloomberg notes, the credit option puts expensive devices like the iPad and the iPhone into the reach of Chinese workers, who often cannot afford to purchase Apple's devices.
Apple, based in Cupertino, California, is trying to make its products more affordable in China after being surpassed by local suppliers such as ZTE Corp. and Lenovo Group Ltd. in the smartphone market. The iPhone 5, released in China last month, is priced at 5,288 yuan on Apple's local site, equal to about six weeks' pay for the average urban worker.

"There is an enormous mid-range consumer market that they are not tapping into," said Mark Natkin, managing director of Marbridge Consulting Ltd., a Beijing-based market research firm. "They're trying to figure out how to make products more accessible to that market segment. This is a good step in that direction."
In the Foxconn factories where Apple's mobile devices are assembled, junior level workers make approximately 1,800 yuan per month, which means the iPad and the iPhone are nearly unattainable without an installment option

Apple is currently offering payment plans over three, six, 12, 18, and 24 months. A promotion that lasts through January 23 makes payment plans lasting a year or less interest free. Payment plans with 18 installments incur a fee of 6.5 percent of the selling price, and 24 installment plans have a fee of 8.5 percent.

41 comments


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iLondoner
80 months ago

I would hate to live in China. That is freaking ridiculous. I don't care if they're factory workers or service people; they should earn a livable wage.


They do earn a living wage... for China.

But Chinese living wages are for housing, food and essentials. And the last time I checked, buying BMWs, going on world cruises, or buying the latest techno products aren't classed as essentials.
Rating: 4 Votes
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charlituna
80 months ago
No, no, no. Apple is supposed to make a cheap phone for them. They must. John Sculley said so
Rating: 3 Votes
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velocityg4
80 months ago

How about every employer in the world paying its employees a living wage and then some so people don't have to resort to payment plans? Seriously, how much are some of these payment plans in relation to a Chinese person's monthly income, 20%? 50%?


You can help by not purchasing products from these companies. Then spend more for products from competitors that pay their employees better.
Rating: 2 Votes
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dontwalkhand
80 months ago
So now we are teaching the Chinese the true American way, mounds of credit card debt is the answer to attaining products you can't afford!
Rating: 2 Votes
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Plutonius
80 months ago
Finally, someone is crediting the Chinese :D.
Rating: 2 Votes
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NoMoreSony
80 months ago
Just two simple facts -

"A promotion that lasts through January 23 makes payment plans lasting a year or less interest free."

"Apple will announce its earnings for the first fiscal quarter (fourth calendar quarter) of 2013 on Wednesday, January 23.

Interest free payment plans in one of the biggest Apple markets lasts only through the day when earnings will be announced... Hmm... Looks someone has very big problems with the sales and the figures needs to be improved right now.
Rating: 2 Votes
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charlituna
80 months ago

How about every employer in the world paying its employees a living wage and then some so people don't have to resort to payment plans? Seriously, how much are some of these payment plans in relation to a Chinese person's monthly income, 20%? 50%?


How about you stop acting like having a smart phone is a right rather than a privilege

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I would hate to live in China. That is freaking ridiculous. I don't care if they're factory workers or service people; they should earn a livable wage.


Who says they don't. Just because they can't spend $1000 at the drop of a hat doesn't equal them being immorally underpaid etc
Rating: 1 Votes
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macingman
80 months ago

Next time you hear somebody say China is 3rd world and full of poor people, slap them with an 800 iphone and show them how much of the U.S. China actually owns. (let alone Dubai) Soon we're going to be eating rice and making faux products to keep up with the world economy.

Just because the government is rich and there is a growing upper class doesn't mean that people there are not dirt poor.

When up visit china it is apparent that there is a huge disparity in demographics.
Rating: 1 Votes
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NoMoreSony
79 months ago

No need for the conspiracy theory as the quarter being reported on the 23rd is between October 1 through December 31. Sales from January 1 through January 23 will count in the quarter of January 1 through March 31.

I suggest you get your simple facts right next time.


Almost every time during earning calls Apple also gives some information about current business (especially, if the things in the last quarter looks bad).

Some remarks about great success on one of the biggest markets (based in reality on interest free loans) could help keep Apple shares from crash.

No conspiracy, just pure and simple facts. Keep too much Apple shares? My deepest condolences.
Rating: 1 Votes
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superman23
80 months ago

Junior level workers make 1500 yuan (248 dollars) ( 186 EUR ) a month WITH mandatory over-time. Average rent in Shanghai/Beijing is 2000-3000 yuan per month for a small apartment not to mention cost of basic living essentials like hygiene products and food.


Average rent in Manhattan is $3,000/month for a studio.

junior level workers in the U.S. can't afford that either...
Rating: 1 Votes
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