Apple Pushes Last-Minute Gifts of Watch and Beats Headphones

Companies and Brands

Published: December 16, 2016 1:24 pm

Last Updated: January 12, 2020 4:41 pm

As Christmas Day gets nearer, online retailers spend more time promoting their shipping options so customers can be sure of getting the product in time for it to go under the tree. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) is no different.

The company is offering free next-day delivery on any in-stock iPhone and free two-day delivery on “almost everything else.” That does not include the AirPod wireless earbuds that cost $159 at the online Apple store and do not ship for six weeks. This past Monday the company said the AirPods would be available for delivery to customers and others by next week. Your best bet to get the new AirPods in time for Christmas is to visit an Apple Store near you next Monday.

One item Apple does have plenty of are the Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones for $299.95. Two-day delivery is Free and next-day shipping in Chicago is $17.00. Price and availability vary by location.

The Apple Watch in all its various sizes and colors is also covered for free two-day shipping as are Watch accessories like 42mm woven nylon bands for $49.00. Next-day delivery is $16.00 in Chicago.

The Tech21 Evo Elite Case for an iPhone 7 Plus sells for $49.95 with free two-day shipping and $16.00 overnight shipping in Chicago.

Apple can’t undercut the prices of its channel partners but offering free 2-day shipping and overnight shipping may result in a few more sales direct to consumers. The company surely wishes it had been able to get the AirPods into stores at least a month ago. That could have been some help for the company’s quarterly results.

Apple stock traded about flat Friday at $115.82 in a 52-week range of $89.47 to $118.69. The consensus 12-month price target is $131.84.

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