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5S Instant Re-sale Values

R

rockitdog

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Mar 25, 2013
2,735
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:confused: I'm thinking about trying to pick up a 5S just so I can turn around and sell it for small profit thanks to people who can't wait and need to have it now! Does anyone think the Space Gray or White Silver will fetch a higher price on Craigslist or eBay?
 
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Also remember, eBay selling fee is 10%, and assuming you use Paypal, that is another 2.9%, which may leave you with little to no profit.
 
rockitdog said:
:confused: I'm thinking about trying to pick up a 5S just so I can turn around and sell it for small profit thanks t:) Does anyone think the Space Gray or White Silver will fetch a higher price on Craigslist or eBay?
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Apart from this practice being highly unethical and I frown upon it, it all depends on how quickly the 5S sells out.
 
This will only work if you are among the first in your area to get one and they sell out or once you have the phone go to the back of the queue and start a bidding auction.
 
For resale get the white. The black ones always have the lowest resale value.

Nothing wrong at all with what the OP is doing. He never said he was breaking a contract or anything to get the phone and ignoring the ETF. It makes perfect sense for people who don't want the latest device but qualify for an upgrade.

Also if 5S supply is constrained like the 5 was last year then you might be able to sell it for above retail. People were paying over $800 for the 16gb model last year.
 
Get the gray one. That one just sold out in China and the there haven't yet.
 
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the8thark said:
Apart from this practice being highly unethical and I frown upon it, it all depends on how quickly the 5S sells out.
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I don't see anything unethical about reselling your individual device. You can only sell for a higher price if someone is willing to pay it.

That said, if I get a 5S on launch day I'm keeping it for myself. If I don't, I'll wait till they are easily available.
 
OneMike said:
I don't see anything unethical about reselling your individual device. You can only sell for a higher price if someone is willing to pay it.

That said, if I get a 5S on launch day I'm keeping it for myself. If I don't, I'll wait till they are easily available.
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Wanting to sell something based on the fact that people who miss out on getting one on day 1 will pay a higher price just to have it? Praying on their vulnerabilities? To me that's unethical.

Just selling the phone though, that's fine.
 
the8thark said:
Wanting to sell something based on the fact that people who miss out on getting one on day 1 will pay a higher price just to have it? Praying on their vulnerabilities? To me that's unethical.

Just selling the phone though, that's fine.
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It's called supply and demand! If I can supply someone's must-have demand, I don't think it's unethical at all. :)

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deeddawg said:
Doesn't help when the ebay buyer claims the box they received was empty or you later get a chargeback... :D
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Good point, I think I'll stick to craigslist. Worst case scenario, I end up with a shiny new 5S :D, best case I make a few bucks.
 
the8thark said:
Wanting to sell something based on the fact that people who miss out on getting one on day 1 will pay a higher price just to have it? Praying on their vulnerabilities? To me that's unethical.

Just selling the phone though, that's fine.
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I don't see this as being any different than asking astronomical amounts for collector's items such as star wars toys, etc. I wasn't there to buy them when the released, I get to buy them for 1000 times the price. (if you didn't guess, I am a star wars toy nut)

Getting an iPhone on launch day you will probably have to stand in a long line. Think of this another way, you are paying someone to stand in line for you.

I respect your opinion, just don't see how it's unethical. Nobody is forcing anyone to buy the phone for more than it retails. The buyer has the freedom of choice here... They can choose to stand in a long line, or they can choose to buy it from someone who did that for them. Hell, they can even choose to wait until Apple gets more in stock!
 
I did it last year. It all depends on supply. Using an upgrade on my plan got a black $199 iphone 5 16gb about 2-3 weeks after it released and sold for $810 the next day. If supplies are more constrained as rumors say, youll easily be selling it in the $1000s. IDC if people look down on this. Its easy money especially if your burning your OWN upgrade for it.
 
thecurryman said:
I did it last year. It all depends on supply. Using an upgrade on my plan got a black $199 iphone 5 16gb about 2-3 weeks after it released and sold for $810 the next day. If supplies are more constrained as rumors say, youll easily be selling it in the $1000s. IDC if people look down on this. Its easy money especially if your burning your OWN upgrade for it.
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If you're burning your own upgrade for it, and are selling it for that price, you'd have enough to buy your own one back, factory unlocked. So your upgrade doesn't matter.

Back to the OP, I would still think that it is unethical, regardless of your sole reasoning being to make money. What you are banking on is someone's want for the phone. When they decide that your price is too high, they walk away still with their money, with nothing spent except the time waiting for the phone they want to come in. You end up standing there looking like a chump because your plot to make money failed.

I'll put it another way: is your wanting to make money off of this worth some kid wanting it so bad that they'd give up a kidney to make the money to pay you? That's what happened the last time someone did this 'just to make money'.

BL.
 
lordofthereef said:
I don't see this as being any different than asking astronomical amounts for collector's items such as star wars toys, etc. I wasn't there to buy them when the released, I get to buy them for 1000 times the price. (if you didn't guess, I am a star wars toy nut)
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I agree there is no difference. It's just as unethical. If you put a reasonable price on for example ebay and the price skyrockets, that's fine but if you expect a very high price initially then that's borderline unethical. But how high is too high is something everyone will have a different opinion on.
 
the8thark said:
I agree there is no difference. It's just as unethical. If you put a reasonable price on for example ebay and the price skyrockets, that's fine but if you expect a very high price initially then that's borderline unethical. But how high is too high is something everyone will have a different opinion on.
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That's the thing. What is a "reasonable price"? It's what people are willing to pay for it. You can ask 10 grand for the thing, and it obviously won't sell. If you ask right around where the phone sells on eBay, I see absolutely no difference between letting the thing go up to a bid versus outright selling it for what phones end up going for via the bidding process. In fact, many buy it now prices are often cheaper than ending bids on devices like this.

I guess your definition of ethics is just different than mine. No worries. But I do recommend you never get into real estate. You should never sell your house for more than you paid for it. That's just not right! ;) (only having some fun here, no offense meant) :)
 
bradl said:
If you're burning your own upgrade for it, and are selling it for that price, you'd have enough to buy your own one back, factory unlocked. So your upgrade doesn't matter.

BL.
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What? No I wouldn't be buying my own back. Id sell the phone, use the upgrade, and keep using my precious phone while pocketing the profit.
 
the8thark said:
Wanting to sell something based on the fact that people who miss out on getting one on day 1 will pay a higher price just to have it? Praying on their vulnerabilities? To me that's unethical.

Just selling the phone though, that's fine.
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That's funny, it sounds a lot like capitalism to me. In fact does not Apple set their prices at what they believe will maximize their profits?
 
thecurryman said:
What? No I wouldn't be buying my own back. Id sell the phone, use the upgrade, and keep using my precious phone while pocketing the profit.
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Use what upgrade? Your upgrade was used on the phone you sold! But if you're selling it and possibly get in $1000, you have enough to buy another phone outright, and factory unlocked. So again, your upgrade is burned, so it wouldn't make a difference.

BL.
 
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