From the Seybold Reseller Seminar: Look for AAPL, in conjunction with its leasing programs to announce, within 30-60 days, a trade-in on older CPUs -- both Mac and *PC*.
AAPL would be working with a national remarketer to price/buyback/resell older units to offset some of the existing lease payments. The arrangement would be available only on selected models (likely laptops.)
I asked if this was a *Y2K* initiative and was told no, it was in response to requests from the field. But, the thought of a PC buyback does conjure the visions of a Y2K trade-in campaign.
Think Virtual PC pre-loaded. Think HAL flaking the deal. (My speculation.)
Wag the dog!
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>As I understand it, the third parties just give Apple the money up front for the value of the computer. They then get all the interest. That money goes to pay costs, make a profit, and cover the bad loans.<
Marc,
That's right. AAPL currently acts as a volume purchaser of leases/loans on the behalf of its clients. As such, they get can negotiate better terms that individual VARS/Resellers.
But AAPL *could* set up its own in-house financing. It's not that simple, but If AAPL were to set up its own shop, a net 5% interest of $1 billion in leases/loans would result in an additional $.30/share. |
