Wow. Ever heard of capitalism? He can only sell it for what people are willing to pay whether that be $100 or $1000. If an iPhone 5S is worth $1000 to someone then they will pay it. There's nothing unethical about selling a product for what the market is willing to pay for it.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
5S Instant Re-sale Values
- Thread starter rockitdog
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Wow. Ever heard of capitalism? He can only sell it for what people are willing to pay whether that be $100 or $1000. If an iPhone 5S is worth $1000 to someone then they will pay it. There's nothing unethical about selling a product for what the market is willing to pay for it.
Business does not exist to be ethical. It's there to as you say maximise profits. For most discussions the words business and ethical are mutually exclusive.
Not only that but in Japan, the lines are already long a week in advance. Seems this version will sell well..
http://www.slashgear.com/japanese-i...before-release-others-brave-typhoon-17297959/
I am not sure why you are talking about a factory unlocked phone. The scenario is the person has another phone, say a 4S. He buys the 5S, sells it, and keeps the profit (that portion which is over $200) and keeps using the aforementioned 4S. Who is talking about buying the phone, selling it, and rebuying a factory unlocked unit (aside from yourself)?
Thats the thing, I would NOT be buying another phone outright. I would NOT buy anyphone at all. Id continue to use the phone I have now.
I'll pose the same question to you: is it worth a person's kidney?
If so, the moment a phone, capitalism and market value is worth more than a human's health, we have lost our ethics.
BL.
I remember reading that story. It was for an iPad I believe. And that's so sad that people will sell themselves literally for Apple products.
At the end of the day it all comes down to opinion. I disagree with you.
The iPhone is not limited where day 1 batch is the only we'll ever see. One in this situation would not be vulnerable, but impatient. Capitalizing on someones impatience to me is not unethical.
If we were talking about after a catastrophic event and someone buying all the resources to resell, that'd be different. This is a phone.
Why do you consider selling what you own unethical? You mean when sold at higher price than MSRP?
Let me get this straight...
Somebody sells their own kidney so they can buy an Apple product, and you're blaming the seller?
I can think of a lot of places where responsibility should fall before the person selling the product, principally with the idiot who is carving himself up for a phone, and also, his parents. And whoever carved him up.
None of this is to mention that there's any indication I found that the kid purchased iPad AT ANYTHING OTHER REGULAR RETAIL PRICE. Not from a reseller at an inflated price (although my brief research was primarily cursory Google research about the case).
Last edited:
Do please clarify what's unethical about selling a luxury item to a willing and able buyer at a price mutually agreeable to both parties?
We're not talking about bottled water and flashlights in a disaster area, nobody is going to die if they don't get a brand new iphone in the first days.
In the USA, it's fine to use your subsidy upgrade and sell your phone.
But keep in mind, the inflated prices you pay as a post paid customer is already built into the monthly costs you pay each month.
Carriers in the USA really don't know what to do with the post paid subsidy models these days cause 60% or more are on family plans. Lines 2-5 generate far less profit than line 1.
So go ahead and sell your subsidized phone.
As for those paying full price for the phones in the USA. Unless you are planning to ship international where iPhones go for more, there's very little profit to be gained from trying to pay full price and trying to flip the phone. Most USA people aren't going to want to pay $650 plus taxes to began with. If you buy for $199 plus upgrade fees and taxes, your cost basis is around $240 (or $270 in california since california charges sales taxes on full price).
But keep in mind, the inflated prices you pay as a post paid customer is already built into the monthly costs you pay each month.
Carriers in the USA really don't know what to do with the post paid subsidy models these days cause 60% or more are on family plans. Lines 2-5 generate far less profit than line 1.
So go ahead and sell your subsidized phone.
As for those paying full price for the phones in the USA. Unless you are planning to ship international where iPhones go for more, there's very little profit to be gained from trying to pay full price and trying to flip the phone. Most USA people aren't going to want to pay $650 plus taxes to began with. If you buy for $199 plus upgrade fees and taxes, your cost basis is around $240 (or $270 in california since california charges sales taxes on full price).
What is unethical about it is that if the product is above the MSRP of what the manufacturer or seller prices the product at, you could be in violation of the Clayton Antitrust Act, which is what ensures fair competition between all parties involved: seller, consumer, manufacturer, etc.
Something to think about.
BL.
First, unethical and illegal are two very different things, so you didn't address the question.
Second, I'm curious which specific section of the Clayton Act you're referring to with regards to a private party sale of a luxury item. I skimmed through it and saw nothing relevant, so I must have missed the part you're referring to and would appreciate it if you'd provide a citation.
Sure. I was referring to Sections 2 and 3. Section 2:
Section 3:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clayton_Antitrust_Act#Contents
BL.
Sure because a luxury item like an iPhone is comparable to a kidney right? If we're talking about something that someone NEEDS to live, then that's a different story where ethics come into play. People aren't going to die if a guy puts an iPhone on eBay for $1000 and they can't afford to buy it from him. No one HAS to have an iPhone. It's a luxury good and I have no problem with the OP or anyone charging someone $1000 for one if they're willing to pay that much for it. No one said anything about vital body parts or organs being sold for profit
Even if reselling is a Sherman Act or Clayton Act violation, which it's not (where is the monopolization, tying, or exclusive dealing?), you think Eric Holder is going to prosecute some guy who resold his iPhone for a few hundred dollars profit? Please.
----------
You're totally misapplying both section 2 and section 3.
How does private resale of an otherwise unavailable product lessen competition or promote monopoly?
How does private resale promote an exclusive dealing by tying, regional monopoly or otherwise when the product will be available to purchase through any number of other suppliers on the open market?
I can't believe we're even discussing potential federal antitrust liability to small transactions between private citizens.
Okay, I saw those -- but I'm not understanding how you're applying them this context. They seem to apply to a (presumably) large company acting in a monopolistic/non-competitive manner.
Just go to the apple store friday, be one of the firs to get one. Then hang out until you stop seeing tickets being given out. That is your chance to strike. There are usually a couple hundred people when they start turning the people down. THis will go on all day. You should have no issue selling it at all for $200-$400 above full retail price.
Trust me...been done MANY MANY MANY MANY MANY ....MANY TIMES.
Trust me...been done MANY MANY MANY MANY MANY ....MANY TIMES.
What if someone can't afford an iPhone at the MSRP and sells a kidney to buy it? Is Apple unethical for creating an expensive luxury item and convincing people they have to have it?
Holy crap...GREATEST...THREADJACK...EVER!
And to the folks claiming unethical illegal behavior violating some random act by selling your own property need to settle down, pack your bags, and move to a more socialist country, because the power of our capitalistic structure is too much for you to understand.
And to the folks claiming unethical illegal behavior violating some random act by selling your own property need to settle down, pack your bags, and move to a more socialist country, because the power of our capitalistic structure is too much for you to understand.
Eh. If people are stupid enough to buy it...
That said, I'd be annoyed if I was standing in line behind someone who was in that line for the express purpose of trying to buy a phone to resell and make a quick buck and that person bought the last of whatever size/color I was trying to buy.
I'm not a violent person, but I'm a chick and hormones are always a questionable thing with me.
Just saying.
That said, I'd be annoyed if I was standing in line behind someone who was in that line for the express purpose of trying to buy a phone to resell and make a quick buck and that person bought the last of whatever size/color I was trying to buy.
I'm not a violent person, but I'm a chick and hormones are always a questionable thing with me.
Just saying.
Even better. Get to the Apple Store early. Wait for the line to get really long. Longer than what their supplies will be. Then go to the back of the line & offer to sell your spot at the front for $200-400. You don't burn your upgrade, you don;t have to buy anything, and you walk away with a couple hundred bucks. I have seen it done at both the Apple Store and the AT&T store before.