In a bid to enhance the selling of Apple iPhone 3G, Bharti Airtel, country’s largest mobile player has announced to sell it through Easy Monthly Installments (EMIs) scheme as since its introduction in the market, the selling of this so-called magical gadget is not at all impressive due to its high cost price.
This scheme would be available to Visa Credit Card holders only as Bharti Airtel has tied the knot with Visa credit card and four banks – ICICI, HDFC, CitiBank and SBI.
Apple, the renowned software and hardware Development Company known for its unique technology and versatile products, has launched iPhone in India on August 22 with the collaboration of Airtel and Vodafone amid much fanfare. But, it could not succeed to catch up the number in US market due to its extremely high prices for gadget lovers.
In US, the cost of 8GB iphone model is just $200 while $ 250 for a 16 GB model while in India, Apple has set a introductory price of Rs. 31,000 for 8GB model and Rs. 36,100 for 16 GB model, which is 3-4 times more.
Moreover, the unlock Apple iphone is also available in Mumbai gray market at only Rs. 21,000 and Rs. 25,000 for corresponding models. Thus, Indian customers are feeling uneasy to buy the same product at higher cost.
To beat the high purchasing cost, Airtel has followed the move of Vodafone that had already announced to sell iPhone through easy EMI mode.
The 8GB iPhone model with Airtel connection would be available at Rs. 2583/- only for 12-month tenure, while for a 24-month period SBI credit card holders can buy this for Rs. 1654 per month.
CitiBank that is providing this facility in maximum four options: 3-month, 6, 9 and 12-month and the prices are respectively: Rs. 10,680, Rs. 5472, Rs. 3,738 and Rs. 2872.
Similarly for a 16-GB model, the lowest EMI for 12-months mode is available in ICICI and HDFC bank credit card for Rs. 3008, while for a 24-month tenure, SBI is giving it at Rs. 1,926.
Vodafone had too tied the knot with four banks- AXIS, HSBC, Barclays and CitiBank which lowest 12-month tenure EMI is available on Barclays at Rs.2470 for 8GB model and Rs.2,882 for 16 GB model.
However, the processing fee, charges and taxes are different for all the banks.
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Read More: Mumbai
Comments:
arun
September 9, 2008 at 12:00 AM
yasodhar
September 8, 2008 at 12:00 AMif the banks give EMI also, people will not buy as said earlier it is 3-4 times higher price when compared to US market. its better, Apple give it to the same cost or just 2-3 thousand more than US market to make the customers buy Apple Iphones. if not it would be a loss for Airtel and Vodaphone for taking a chance to promote it.
In this era of depreciation rate, especially with electronic gadgets, where you get an updated version every now and then, anybody must be a fool to go for a EMI scheme for a mobile phone!!!!!!! Still these people think Indians are stupid!!?