Heard something interesting at the Apple Store...

[ecujj]

Tonight while I was picking up my phone I over heard an Apple employee tell a customer that they had some returns. Some of those were from people trying to get them through customs to take overseas. For what ever reason they weren't allowed to so they returned them. Apple guy say that they (not sure who "they" is) were cracking down on sellers buying and then taking them overseas.

I take the statement with a grain of salt but I thought it was interesting none the less. It would be nice to see Apple doing something about overseas scalpers.

 

[Hal~9000]

Probably just talking out of his *** to make a customer asking about scalpers feel better.

Not sure how they would even be 'cracking down' on scalpers at all if they allow simple no-contract cash purchases anyways

 

[ecujj]

Probably just talking out of his *** to make a customer asking about scalpers feel better.

Not sure how they would even be 'cracking down' on scalpers at all if they allow simple no-contract cash purchases anyways

That is the weird thing, the customers never mentioned scalpers. They wanted to know if any had been returned and why, since they were still deciding or whether to purchase.

 

[617aircav]

Talking out of his ass as most sales people do.

 

[Bhs1975]

There's no "sales people" there. The phones sell them selves.

 

[TJ82]

If it was true, the buyers would sell on eBay or CL for a quick profit locally. Also the time scale is really short. Customs take ages to do anything, and you won't know what's going on either. At best you'll get a note with a scribble on it after waiting weeks in the dark.

Rule of thumb, if someone's job is remotely sales related, stick your headphones in and listen to some Beiber.

You'll get better info that way.

 

[Phoboss]

Pretty sure this is not true. On what grounds would they (Customs or whoever) not allow people to leave the country with products they bought?

 

[TJ82]

There's no "sales people" there. The phones sell them selves.

So all the guys trained in sales to sell Apple stuff, in Apple's sales stores..

.. magically stopped being sales people as soon as the new phones came out?

 

[alent1234]

Pretty sure this is not true. On what grounds would they (Customs or whoever) not allow people to leave the country with products they bought?

Customs will stop you if they think you aren't declaring goods that you want to resell

The ny times had a story two days ago about how the Chinese black market is over supplied on iphones.

 

[muggerfugger]

Not sure why apple would care too much about where people take them, as long as apple gets the money.

 

[indychris]

Not sure why apple would care too much about where people take them, as long as apple gets the money.

I'd be more inclined to think that people are finding they can't sell them for as much as they thought they would. Maybe scalpers are making excuses as to why they are returning phones.

 

[deeddawg]

Not sure why apple would care too much about where people take them, as long as apple gets the money.

This. A scalped phone ends up in the hands of a buyer who is willing to pay even more than retail. As far as Apple's concerned a sold phone is a sold phone.

It's not like we're talking about generators and chainsaws in the aftermath of a hurricane.

 

[Phoboss]

Customs will stop you if they think you aren't declaring goods that you want to resell

The ny times had a story two days ago about how the Chinese black market is over supplied on iphones.

On my way out of the country? Where I live, they only stop you on your way in.

 

[willmtaylor]

It would've most likely been security, not customs, if they were able to turn around so easily and were checked. Customs is generally entering a country.

Hasn't there been news of the TSA cracking down on phones that are powered off not being allowed onto planes? Perhaps this was the issue or the issue that the Apple associate was alluding to.

 

[koigirl]

I read yesterday on NYT that China's black market for the new iPhones is not robust at all this year, perhaps because of Chinese govt's. crackdown on corruption and officials' excessive lifestyles and are pushing for adoption of Chinese brands like Xiaomi and discouraging flaunting of luxury items (Apple is a luxury in mainland China). Perhaps if black market is not thriving as was expected, the scalpers are instructing their U.S. minions to return phones that have not already been sent overseas. I hope the scalpers lose their shirts. But wouldn't it be just great if they succeed in ruining the return policy for everyone else?

 

[Phoboss]

Hasn't there been news of the TSA cracking down on phones that are powered off not being allowed onto planes? Perhaps this was the issue or the issue that the Apple associate was alluding to.

That's right, that could actually be the reason. There is a new regularity in Europe as well. Every device on a US bound flight must be powered on, or be able to be powered on, before boarding the flight.

 

[erzhik]

Customs will stop you if they think you aren't declaring goods that you want to resell

The ny times had a story two days ago about how the Chinese black market is over supplied on iphones.

There is no Customs on the way out of the country. The guy was talking out of his ass.

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It would've most likely been security, not customs, if they were able to turn around so easily and were checked. Customs is generally entering a country.

Hasn't there been news of the TSA cracking down on phones that are powered off not being allowed onto planes? Perhaps this was the issue or the issue that the Apple associate was alluding to.

It wasn't TSA either. If the guy had receipts, nobody will be allowed to stop him if they were all legal acquired. And phones must be able to turn on only on US bound flights.

 

[Azzin]

It may have an element of truth to it.

For example, I'm a UK resident and if I travel back to the UK from the US I think (from memory), I'm allowed to bring back £399 worth of 'goods'.

If I'm stopped at customs and searched and I have a (just an example) £700 iPhone/iPad, I'd have to pay VAT & Import Duty (I think), thus wiping out any money I may have saved.

That's assuming I only brought back an iPad or an iPhone of course, many UK folks bring back much more from the USA, especially when it's £2 to the $!

 

[HelloMikee]

Not sure how you would return your iphone to an Apple Store in the US if you were stopped at customs in your country?

 

[MacTechnics]

I think there's some truth to this. When I went to exchange my 16GB 6+ in hopes of getting one of higher capacity, the "salesperson" told me to explain my situation and talk to the manager at the Genius Bar cause they might have something they can swap it out for.

Magically, there was one 128GB 6+ left in the store and it was mine. But scalpers were all up in that place and were being told there were no more 6+'s in stock. As soon as some caught wind of my exchange, they were asking all over the place and starting a mini-riot.

I think some stores may be holding back inventory for the "real consumers."

 

[erzhik]

Ok people. Here is the deal.

1. There is no Customs when you leave the US. There just isn't one.

2. TSA cannot confiscate goods if receipts are present to prove that they weren't stolen.

3. Even if TSA confiscates it, they don't return them to you unless you go to court and prove why you need them back. That takes months!!

4. Never listen to sales personnel. They always talk out of their asses.

5. If Customs at entry port confiscate phones in large numbers, returning them is the least of your problems when you are charged with contraband.

6. /Thread.

 

[Blorzoga]

Tonight while I was picking up my phone I over heard an Apple employee tell a customer that they had some returns. Some of those were from people trying to get them through customs to take overseas. For what ever reason they weren't allowed to so they returned them. Apple guy say that they (not sure who "they" is) were cracking down on sellers buying and then taking them overseas.

I take the statement with a grain of salt but I thought it was interesting none the less. It would be nice to see Apple doing something about overseas scalpers.

You don't go through customs when you leave a country, only when you arrive in a country