Big W has big wow on even cheaper iPad 2 pricing

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Friday, 25 March 2011 23:21

Your IT - Home IT

Australia’s version of Walmart, Big W, has come out with iPad 2 pricing that’s between $11 and $51 cheaper than Apple’s own retail pricing, pushing Australian iPad 2 prices even closer to their US equivalents.

Although you’d imagine that stock levels at Big W stores won’t be quite as plentiful as at Apple’s own stores, Big W has nevertheless come out with pricing that’s up to $51 cheaper than Apple itself.

Big W already made waves for offering the iPad 1 a couple of weeks ago at even lower prices than Apple, after Apple lowered the iPad 1’s price in anticipation of the iPad 2.

However, buying from Big W and buying from Apple is two different experiences, even if you ultimately get the same end-product, especially if you’re buying on launch day and weekend – the atmosphere of excitement will clearly be heightened in Apple’s own official environment.

That said, if you want to save money, and can find a participating Big W with stock, then wow! Cheaper iPad 2 pricing than Apple itself, and right from launch day.

I’d imagine queues at Big W stores for iPad 2 models were also a lot shorter than the queues at Apple Stores today. The Sydney CBD store queue reportedly stretched right around King St and all the way down York St to the QVB!

Only Apple has been able to generate such excitement, hoopla and loyalty. Precisely why other companies aren’t striving the heck out of themselves to studiously study and copy Apple’s methods and ways is puzzling.

After all, exactly how do they do it? Naturally it’s a combination of many things, but quality design, attention to detail, software that actually, you know, works nicely and smoothly, and Apple’s first-class support are just some of those “little things” that add up to a lot.

It also explains why you’d stand in a line to get Apple’s latest and greatest as fast as you can, especially if there’s the expectation that if you miss out now, your wait is not over yet, with no precise timeframe on exactly when you can get what you want to get.

We have evolved to a state where instant gratification isn’t instant enough, after all. We expect to be able to get what we want, when we want it. When that doesn’t happen, it’s like a shock to the system.

So, what is Big W charging for its iPad 2 models?

The iPad 2 with Wi-Fi is AUD $558, $678 and $788 for the 16, 32 and 64GB models respectively.

The iPad 2 with 3G/Wi-Fi and GPS is $718, $818 and $898 respectively.

Big W. Big wow!