iPhone X Models Flooding Craigslist and eBay Amid Six Week Shipping Estimates

[MacRumors]

It took somewhere around 15 minutes for the iPhone X to begin selling out this morning after pre-orders went live at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time, and for some models, that timeline was much shorter.

Delivery estimates started slipping to one to two weeks within minutes, and by the time 1:00 a.m. rolled around, Apple was listing 5 to 6 week estimates for all models across all carriers in the United States. Orders placed now will not arrive until December.

Unsurprisingly, hundreds of iPhone X models that were purchased via pre-order this morning are flooding Craigslist and eBay at huge markups.

On Craigslist, in the San Francisco Bay Area, for example, people are charging $2000 for a 256GB iPhone X on average, a markup of almost $1,000. Similar high prices are listed for all models and capacities. It's the same story on eBay.

Thousands of iPhone X models are listed, many that already have tons of bids. An auction ending in an hour for a 256GB iPhone X has a current bid of $1,675, for example, a premium of $500.

With supplies so constrained, it's no surprise to see hundreds of people who are hoping to make a few bucks from Apple customers who don't want to wait months to get their hands on a new device, but it's frustrating. Apple limits iPhone X purchases to two per customer, but with some people willing to pay hundreds extra, that limit doesn't put a stop to the scalping practice.

Customers who have not already pre-ordered are looking at weeks of waiting, but Apple does plan to have iPhone X models available for purchase in store on launch day, so for those who don't mind going early and waiting in line, there's still a chance to get a device on November 3 without paying extra to a scalper.

Apple said in a statement this morning that demand for the iPhone X is "off the charts." "We're working hard to get this revolutionary new product into the hands of every customer who wants one, as quickly as possible," the company added.

Article Link: iPhone X Models Flooding Craigslist and eBay Amid Six Week Shipping Estimates

 

[gsmornot]

You have to be in a bad way to pay even more for the phone than the original asking price.

 

[donster28]

Why am I not surprised?

It's sad, but there are wealthy people out there that are willing to fork out that kind of cash just to satisfy their itch. And unfortunately, the scalper benefits from it.

 

[sundog925]

Paying almost twice the amount rather than waiting an extra 6 weeks, that makes almost perfect sense.

 

[sniffies]

People getting rid of them already? Must be a flop

 

[daanodinot]

Wow. People will just pay anything.

 

[44267547]

There is some who will pay a ridiculous and exorbitant price point for the sake of a commodity.

 

[littleredwagen]

I'm not sure what is worse 1) the scumbags do this 2) people actually pay those prices

 

[tridley68]

This is just plain crazy.

 

[max2]

I knew this was going to happen.

 

[tpham5919]

That's why the demand was off the chart.

 

[840quadra]

I understand freedom of this economy, but quite honestly people that do this make me sick. There are plenty of people who want these devices, and it also sucks that people will be willing to pay those prices.

But, that is my use case, and I am only in control of my own actions and conscience .

It also bothers me that some of my favorite tech podcasters are actually participating in this type of activity too.

 

[Appleaker]

The only surprising thing here is the shock in the comments. This has been happening for over a month, since the announcement. It’s only shocking if you’re completely oblivious to it I guess.

 

[vdawgs22]

I guess their attempt to not offer the service free version at launch didn’t help slow this down.

With the phones already being linked to accounts ready to activate upon initial power how are they being sold unopened?

 

[78Bandit]

I can understand scalping things that are truly limited in supply like concert tickets. Paying an extra grand just to get a new phone a month earlier than you could doing a straight order is insane. You could go out and buy a brand new iPhone 8 Plus to tide you over for that month and then get the iPhone X by mid-December. You'd have two brand-new phones and still be money ahead.

 

[Alphazoid]

Meh i dont see the fuss. Not everyone has the chance to stay up late or worse stand in a long queue in cold weather. If you have disposable money then feel free to pay for the convenience. I don't agree with scalping per say but i'm not gonna hate on their hustle. Either way Apple is getting paid. Maybe it affects some genuine customers but eventually Apple will have units for them. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[haunebu]

People will pay money for convenience. News at 11.

 

[IJ Reilly]

It is only frustrating if being one of the first to own the thing is important to your self image. If it is, consider that you are probably a pretty frustrating person to be around.

 

[baller1308]

Well, even Best Buy is getting in on the mark up action

 

[ThisBougieLife]

Dang, I need to get into the scalping business...

Though I don't think too highly of the people that do this, that's freedom for ya. If you're willing pay $1000 markup on the iPhone X, you're an idiot, but you have a right to be an idiot.

 

[Mike MA]

If I remember correctly shipment estimate for my iPhone 6 was 8 weeks, so 5-6 weeks after half a day is not too bad. But people will purchase those nevertheless the ridiculous pric tags...

 

[44267547]

The only surprising thing here is the shock in the comments. This has been happening for over a month.

It's Not about the duration of how long this has been going on for, it's about for those who legitimately want the phone for the current price point and are not able to achieve a device because you have those who purchase for the sole intent of charging an overly absorbent price for it. Given it's their money and they can do what they want with the device, it's rather pathetic. To each their own.

 

[Markiie]

Meh i dont see the fuss. Not everyone has the chance to stay up late or worse stand in a long queue in cold weather. If you have disposable money then feel free to pay for the convenience. I don't agree with scalping per say but i'm not gonna hate on their hustle. Either way Apple is getting paid. Maybe it affects some genuine customers but eventually Apple will have units for them. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

This is all that needs to be said. Close this thread and lets move on.

 

[MarkB786]

This kind of primal frenzy (willingness to pay upward of $1,500+ just to gain about four weeks of possession) over a phone among Apple super-fans is a little scary. I do believe buyer's remorse will kick in once the dopamine wears off and eBay buyers realize that it is just a d--n phone. But it will happen again next year, and the year after that.

 

[OliviaS1217]

Meh i dont see the fuss. Not everyone has the chance to stay up late or worse stand in a long queue in cold weather. If you have disposable money then feel free to pay for the convenience. I don't agree with scalping per say but i'm not gonna hate on their hustle. Either way Apple is getting paid. Maybe it affects some genuine customers but eventually Apple will have units for them. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Free market, baby. I don't get why scalpers get such a bad name. If it was such a concern to Apple, they would (and could) fix the issues, but all this buzz helps them.