I don't agree. I think you're really underestimating people's intelligence by thinking this. And on the after-sales tip I recently went to Apple store with a kaput years old iPod and came out with a good-as-new refurbed one for 39 euros and the whole process took 5 minutes. A lot of Apple...
Apple are the complete deal though. Their products are not only technologically brilliant and designed incredibly well but they also have second to none after-sales care. This gives them their competitive edge, not price.