Hello, everyone.
Talking about the things that are wrong, of course in my opinion, is much more important than congratulating things done well.
The current fp5 launch makes two serious marketing mistakes.
The first is taking the screwdriver out of the package. It is a really marginal cost, and it is the only real detail that sets the fp apart from the competition. Opening the box and seeing it there is a completely different experience from knowing that you can buy it and use it.
The second mistake (again in my opinion) is continuing to sell the cover for 40 euros instead of 10. For a phone that is promoted as durable, the fact that the main means of making it last is sold separately and at an outrageous price is an own goal. It would make sense for this to be included in the package as well.
Some things could still be corrected. I hope others will agree with me.
I am a happy owner of an FP3+, and I want to make it last as long as possible.
I saw no reason to switch to an fp4, and switching to an fp5 could only be justified by the need for an eSIM or 5G.
So I stand corrected by saying that removing the screwdriver was, in my opinion, a serious marketing mistake in the launch of the fp4.
May I ask what you think about the cover issue?
To clarify the main point of my arguments; it seems to me that Fairphone marketing is favoring “ecological” arguments, which I also agree with, and sacrificing those of repairability and durability, which are why many, starting with me, bought it.
If it is necessary, classify this as a “complaint” as well, but then I would like a full response.
I think no company would add it to the package for free, so why would one expect from Fairphone? At least I dont, especially as not eveyone would use it, so another waste of resources.
So overall I dont see any issue here.
And if you want something cheap, you can buy it from a third party provider that does not share Fairphones values. Else I think its worth the price from the production point of view…
First, let me say I feel you a little negative on my post.
Are you answering ad moderator or as user? Because maybe I made another mistake not clarifying that I’ll be happy to have other users opinion.
But is a good idea. I’ll appreciate to ask for official clarification by Fairphone, but on the site i find no contact for that.
I’ll ask this to the Press contact, before writing on this.
Hi Yvonne, please read all my messages a second time.
I never asked to have something for free, and you are really negative about my arguments. Not expected by an user, absolutely not expected from a moderator.
You never responded to facts; so let me ask it in a direct way; as user (you own a Fairphone, isn’t it?) you consider a good idea to remove the screwdriver, and sell the cover at a price 4x the regular one?
Fairphone is actually giving away a free protective case to everyone who pre-ordered at one of the several resellers. Unfortunately, this pre-order promotion wasn’t available when ordering at Fairphone directly, which is not a very nice move by Fairphone, I think.
We had that topic in another thread already and while I first thought that it would be better for Fairphone if they sell their products directly (better margin) I came to realize that it is useful for them to have their products at many resellers as this increases the chance of selling them. And therefore it makes sense if they encourage those resellers by steering customers to them with such incentives.
I havent ever bought anything in the Fairphone shop, instead I would always go first to vireo or memolife in Germany. I’m a Fairphoner since 2016 so in my eyes where you buy does not indicate your level of loyalty and I personally always welcomed the options that exist depending on ones preference.
Hello, I bought my FP5 right on the day of the presentation at Fairphone. A few days ago it was delivered - without protective case. If I now buy one from memolife, for example, it will be delivered in 1-2 days and I get a protective case for free. You don’t get anything from Fairphone - and the shipping costs are even higher. That is neither customer-friendly nor good marketing. I am now considering returning the FP and buying one from memolife. I have asked support to send me a bumper to avoid the ecologically nonsensical sending back. However, support supposedly takes 5 days to respond to such a simple request. I am quite annoyed (Is this 3rd Fairphone my last?).
Don’t do this. This promotion was an “early bird catching the FP5-worm at resellers” thing and has already ended as you can see here: https://promotions.fairphone.com/gb/retailers-fairphone5-protectivecase/page
I think people would be less annoyed if the case was only 10€, but with 40€ that’s definitely something.
And about loyalty: I do think that people feel somewhat connected to Fairphone if for instance they bought an FP1 in 2013 directly at their website and although in the last decade things have changed they go to Fairphone directly again to buy their FP5 now. But well, it is what it is (and it made my decision easier to go without protective case which would be non-transparent anyway).
Agree.
But this is a detail of the product launch, annoying but limited. in time and impact.
OTOH the things I described in my post affect the FP5 as a product, always and forever.
I do not earn money from the Fairphone success, and lost nothing if it fails, but I’ll be overall happiest if the market share of modular and durable smartphone raises a lot.
Sorry, but You are definitly wrong. here´s the text from Smartphone "Fairphone 5" - öko, fair einkaufen | memo.de just now:
Here’s how it works:
Pre-order your Fairphone 5 between August 30 and October 15 and
register your purchase on www.promotions.fairphone.com
Within 2 working days the registration will be checked and you will receive an e-mail as a reply.
At the latest 30 days after registration your free protective cover will be sent to you!
Eligible are persons who have reached the age of 18 and are resident in the European Union or the United Kingdom. The promotion is only valid within the specified promotion period. A copy of the purchase receipt is required for participation.
That’s a strong statement, you might be just as wrong as I might be. It’s not that I didn’t have an official source, either. But it fits quite well into the “marketing errors in Fairphone 5 launch” thread…
Edit: The Fairphone promotions page has this image in there (read the fine print):
