Okay, so instead of throwing out strawman arguments please explain why you think this guy's estimate of 90% is accurate. Oh that's right, you can't.
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Does scalping really make a difference?
- Thread starter Gregintosh
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Okay, so instead of throwing out strawman arguments please explain why you think this guy's estimate of 90% is accurate. Oh that's right, you can't.
Exactly. Not only that...whiners who like to make up their own facts.
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I ordered it using Next with no problem on the Apple website.
Okay guys, everybody relax. There were obviously a lot of scalpers from what everyone was saying/pictures.
All I can say is I'm sure Apple doesn't like the line experience with the resellers. I think they will try to minimize their participation in the future. How do you think they could do that? Sell it in China day 1?
Maybe for those waiting in line but it doesn't make a difference if you preorder and you can still get it on the first day via delivery or pickup.
That may solve the problem of scalpers exporting the phone, but the real issue is short supply outstripped by demand in the USA. If Apple can't ensure adequate stock of iPhones in this country to meet demand in the first few weeks following release, a market for scalping will naturally emerge. That's not limited to iPhones either, but to any product that's in short supply and high demand.
Ive actually been very impressed with the 4.7" stock in the UK. Its far far better than the iPhone 4 or 5 were
I think you're right. 4.7" inventory in the USA hasn't been as much of an issue compared to stocks of the 5.5". Apple probably didn't anticipate such high demand for the 6 Plus.
Apple would have enough supply of iPhones if scalpers such as yourself weren't buying them all.
They would've sold it on day one if the Chinese government didn't delay rubber stamping it for sale so it's not necessarily within Apple's control.
Yes, you are right and the logic behind the anti-scalpers is flawed and illogical. This is not to condone the scalpers activities, but the argument that scaplers are losing customers for Apple and that iPhones end up in non "fans" hands is nonsense. Scalpers are not hording phones in their basement like an iFort Knox. These phones are going into consumers hands, just via (another) middleman. And who else but the MOST ardent iPhone fans would pay a premium over retail to have the phone?
The argument that scalpers in line caused someone to not get a phone is an "entitlement" argument. No one is entitled to an iPhone. Scaplers have just as much right to buy a phone as anyone else. What they do with it is their business.
Apple not having adequate stock prior to launch is the root of the problem, scalpers are a result of it.
When a company sells a fungible consumer product like a phone there is always a risk a consumer will buy an alternative if their first choice is not immediately available -- it's why these loony theories that Apple intentionally short produces stock to gin up demand are so silly. Apple understood that risk and decide it was better to release a small batch of iPhone 6 Pluses than delay launch. Either way it was going to lose a certain amount of sales, but not a significant amount. Delaying the plus probably would have cause a lot more ire and clouded the entire iPhone 6 launch.
I don't envy the guys at apple dealing with Chinese authorities over the launch. Must be a bureaucratic nightmare.
I just went on the Apple site and there are plenty of models available to ship within 10 days. That's nothing. The plus has a lot of demand because of being Apple's first phablet. Aside from supply issues, there have to be things Apple can do. Require credit card, one unit per customer, have a lottery system. Just a few options that would improve things. You're welcome Apple.
Eventually Apple will have to do something. Not because of who buys the phone but the way opening day sales appear in the media. It use to be the crowd would get as excited as the Apple reps just as they were about to open the doors. Now when they come out and do their rah rah, the people in line just stand there with no emotion. The scalpers in line don't care. It's as if the customers in line are at a wake.
Dude, I can't stand it when people who are absolutely ignorant of the real world situation speak. As I said before this isn't your typical sports event scalpers. I was number 33 (40 after scalpers cut) in line at my Apple Store and number 50 to about 500 or 700 were 90% scalpers. From what other posters are saying is happening in their countries like Australia or cities on the East Coast, I know for a fact this is not an isolated incident. Maybe their aren't any scalpers in the middle-of-no-where America but regardless they are buying up a LARGE percentage of launch day sales, in the double digits (globally) for sure.
In short if the scalpers weren't sending Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T cell phones back to China there would be none to little shortage today.
Even if they sold it on day one in China, you'd still get scalpers galore. These lines don't affext Apple negatively at all. In fact they just enhance the iPhone's image as something that everyone wants and people will go to great lengths to get.
Apple may lose a few customers who couldn't get a phone because of scalpers, but it's not going to be many. Scarcity usually makes something more desirable, not less.
They have done some of these things in the past haven't they? Im sure I remember hearing about card payments only at one launch. I also thought they had a 2 units per customer limit this time?
Are you saying I didn't have to use all those different cards to get my 50 iPhones to ebay? (Im kidding)
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"I base this statement of fact on my own opinion and having seen a few asian people around."
It wasn't a few; It was over 500. Anyways before anyone calls me a racist I am friends with some vietnamese people so I'd like to share a pic from their Facebook.
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Your racism aside, I'll ask you the same question I asked the other poster.
How exactly did you come up with that number of 90%? Because unless you actually were able to determine the intent of every single person in line from number 50-700 you're just pulling that 90% number out of your ***. In other words, you're lying.
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This pretty much hits the nail on the head. "If you're Asian, you're a scalper."
I haven't read anything but the first post.
I kinda keep thinking they should have just had the release dates a month apart like was rumored. There was no surprise that the 6+ supply is contained.
Heck, I was at my local smallest store they have Best Buy today, they hadn't even gotten any 6+'s in, but had 6's in most color/sizes/carriers for you to buy an hour ago!
I kinda keep thinking they should have just had the release dates a month apart like was rumored. There was no surprise that the 6+ supply is contained.
Heck, I was at my local smallest store they have Best Buy today, they hadn't even gotten any 6+'s in, but had 6's in most color/sizes/carriers for you to buy an hour ago!
He is a scalper 99% and Chinese one to boot 100%.
He is butt hurt with people calling out all the Chinese scalper scums.
Enough with the strawmen. Whether I'm a scalper is irrelevant.
I'll ask again since you have yet to answer this question:
How exactly did you come up with that number of 90%? Because unless you actually were able to determine the intent of every single person in line from number 50-700 you're just pulling that 90% number out of your ***. In other words, you're lying.
It's a simple question. I'm just curious to know how you determined 90% of the people in line were going to resell their phones. Funny how questioning someone's "facts" automatically leads others to conclude I'm a scalper.
If you're just guesstimating, then man up and just say that. But making up numbers to support your position doesn't say much for your credibility.
Agreed. Apple has had to change its business model multiple times as a result if scalping. Also keep in mind the returns. The result could negatively affect Apples liberal return policy as it wastes Apple employees time when they could be helping out customers rather than trying to help unauthorized resellers with massive returns. Its harder for Apple to get an accurate accounting of demand. How many people wait to purchase as a result and even entertaining devices from other vendors. Im sure Apple would rather get a return on their investment sooner rather than later. As time goes on people are less likely to pay $700+ dollars for a device later into the release cycle.