New Sealed iPhone 5 on Ebay... Where do they come from?

Turnpike said:

I tried to buy an iPhone 5 in the store and online from Apple (by calling in) and both places they tell me I can't get it without having it activated on an existing contract, or a new contract. (I prefer Verizon, but am flexible)

Where are the new SEALED iPhone 5's coming from, that people are putting up on Ebay? Are they from the USA?

I can't even get the iPhone 5 to come up on Apple.com for a full retail price, without the carrier.

Anyway, if anyone knows where the new sealed iPhone 5's are coming from, I'm extremely curious. Thanks!

Click to expand...

People go wait in line at Apple stores really early to buy the phones and then sell them on eBay for more expensive!

Some Verizon/AT&T/Sprint stores are selling them off contract

Also, some people who have fulfilled the terms of their old contract, are now on month-to-month, have an available "upgrade" on their line, and need the extra money more than they do a new phone will buy a new iPhone 5 at the subsidized/new contract price (and so re-up for 2 more years with their carrier) and then turn around and sell the new phone and keep using their old phone. I have a couple of friends myself who have done this in the past.

I personally think it's kind of silly to tie yourself to your carrier for 2 more years without getting the benefit of a new phone out of it, but I think the people who choose to do this view it more like, hey, we don't anticipate changing carriers anytime soon, and depending on how much we can resell the phone for, we are in essence turning our phone upgrade into a cash kickback from the carrier for signing a new 2 year contract. Perhaps that's worth it to some people, especially if they are still happy with their old phone.

-- Nathan

Target / Walmart / Best Buy etc. will also sell it device-only

I have to put it on a plan to get it, that's what I'm saying.