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JayHD

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 23, 2011
75
0
Let me preface this by saying that I have absolutely no problem with anyone of any nationality earning additional income through an international grey market. While this practice may run afoul of US trade/export laws, it's virtually unenforceable, so more power to them.

My question is - Why would Apple create an enviornment in which this kind of scalping can occur? Since they know they can sell out their stock daily, wouldn't it be more sensible to have a "one purchase / ID required" system instead of the current "two per customer, come daily if you wish" policy that's in place now, to keep their loyal customers happy? I mean, they've restricted purchases with many of their previous iOS devices.

Here's my theory:

Apple identified the backlighting problems around the time of the iPad 2 announcement. Hundreds of thousands of units, or more, had already been produced. Internal risk modeling estimates a significant percentage of American buyers will return their units during the one-year replacement period. Apple realizes their profits could be crippled by issuing too many replacements.

HOWEVER - Someone points out that many of the early units will end up being shipped overseas. Very, very few of these - if any - will be returned to Apple under warranty. So Apple decides, internally and unofficially, to make it very easy for foreign buyers to purchase multiple units, as often as they wish. These units will not need to be replaced. More $$ for our benevolent Apple overlords.

Whaddya think?
 
One small flaw in that theory. Apple's warranties are global; foreign buyers can take their American iPad into their local(ish) Apple Store or any Apple Service Center to send for free warranty repairs.
 
I would agree that it's somewhat unlikely, but certainly not "ridiculous".
 
Whaddya think?

tin-foil-hat.jpg
 
I would agree that it's somewhat unlikely, but certainly not "ridiculous".

You're welcome to your opinion of course, but add me to the tally of thinking this is pretty ridiculous.

and the thing is, not only is is completely unprovable one way or the other, it also really doesn't make a bit of difference whether it is true or not.
 
Sounds totally ridiculous, but since Apple's US launch was also totally amateurish and ridiculous, I guess anything's possible.
 
saving107 - How the helll did you get a picture of me?
At least it's a good pic. My owner looks so happy, holding me like that.

Meow...
 
What exactly makes this theory 'ridiculous' or 'unbelievable'? I'm not saying it's the truth, because honestly none of us are privy to Apple's internal workings, but it's definitely not outside the realm of possibility.
 
I wouldn't be surprised if something along those lines came about in conversation at some point behind closed doors.

Anyone who thinks otherwise is quite the fool... But to each his own.
 
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