Firstin.co.nz misleading ERP pricing

A while back I blogged about the misleading prices shown on a New Zealand web site 1-day.

Well today I saw another classic misleading “ERP” (estimated retail price I can only guess) on a similar site Firstin.co.nz (it’s up today only).  Image on the right.

This was for a refurbished iMac 24″.  The supposed ERP is $2499. Now I know my Mac prices, so thought that sounded steep for a refurbished unit of that age (24″ are the last generation).   So I checked on the NZ Apple site, and for $2499 I can get so much more than this unit (and for a lot less you can get better on most specs).

Heres what you CAN get for $2499 from apple.

Heres a comparison table. (I have edited the text on each so they use the same terms, but not changed anything).

So, for a start, the $2499 ERP is totally misleading.  For $2499 you can get SO much more machine than they claim – a whole generation up (i.e. latest generation), faster processor, 3″ larger screen, double the ram, more than three times the hard drive, a new wireless mouse/keyboard combo, and a better graphics card.   Even the special price of $2199 seams like a rip off since for $500 LESS you can get a machine that is FAR higher in specifications in every respect except it’s 2.5″ smaller screen and graphics card (and this unit the latest generation from Apple too, not like the one from First in).   The later gen units have extra wee benefits like having dual-link DVI inputs, so you plug your laptop in and use the monitor from the iMac. Either way, the ERP is just wrong.

As an aside, both the $2499 for the 27″ is a SUPER deal, as is the $1699 for the 21.5″, but I guess it all does depend of if you like (or need?) a larger screen.

Black and White Version: The claimed discounts on so many of these “super deal” web sites are way over inflated.  We warned!