Indian users are scrambling to electronics stores to buy the iPad 2 which is now available at a good bargain.

Major electronic goods retailers claim that the sales of the iPad 2 have increased by nearly 50 per cent over the last two days. This follows the price reduction on this model after the launch of the new iPad.

After the launch of the new iPad, Apple announced that it was slashing the price of its older version by Rs 5,000 ($100). The cheapest variant of the iPad 2 is now available at Rs 24,500 to Indian users.

“We reduced the prices of the iPad 2 in the morning and we are already seeing very good sales. Although we can't disclose numbers, we have sold more that 50 per cent of the iPad 2 than we sell on an average,” said Mr Arjun Sagar, Store Manager at an ‘iStore by Reliance Digital', an Apple premium reseller store in Mumbai.

Store managers and sales assistants said they had been flooded with queries from customers who wanted to know more about the iPad 2.

Although the new version has been recently launched and awaited eagerly, many customers feel that the iPad 2 is a good deal. “I have wanted to buy the iPad for a long time. Now that the prices are slashed, I will go and buy one soon. I don't care about the new version because my usage is not much,” said Ms Mita Jhaveri, a housewife.

Electronics retailer, e zone sold double the number of iPads than it usually does over the last two days. “We usually sell 2- 3 pieces in a week, but over the last two days we have sold nearly 6 pieces,” said a sales attendant at the Haji Ali store in the city.

Many retailers feel that this price cut has come at the right time. “The 12{+t}{+h} standard HSC exams ended yesterday. Parents are always looking to buy their children something after their exams. So, I feel that the reduced price will definitely make the iPad 2 a good present to give their children,” said Mr Arvind Jain, Store Manager, Magnet Telelinks, Mulund.

>priya.s@thehindu.co.in

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