Just Got Screwed By Scalpers...

[Tiger8]

Remember when you had to activate your iPhone at the Apple store? I miss those days..

You miss the days when AT&T was the only provider? When AT&T screwed everyone simply because they wanted an iPhone? When AT&T made you pay for your phone over and over and yet would never unlock it? When AT&T would 'automatically' detect that you have an iPhone and force you to take a data plan for a phone that you already paid for?

No thanks sir, I'd rather deal with a few people who bend the rules than that monster called AT&T.

 

[DSTOFEL]

The rule is 2 per customer. Now I understand that is per transaction, but scalpers are crossing the line and seeing how far they can go. Just because Apple does say you can't jump back in line. It does not mean it right to do. I am sure Apple is going to come up with something different in the next couple of years to try and combat this.

I work at a university bookstore, and we have a computer store that sells Apple products. When the iPad comes out each year we have a group of Ladies that come in and try and buy our entire stock of white/ silver. I will not say what race they are because that would be "racist". I will say that they have told us to our face they are sending them back to China, and selling them. Our computer store now has a rule of 2 per day. If we did not do this. They only people who would get iPads would be these ladies.

Even if these scalpers we are talking about at the Apple Store were buying for their family. They should not be allowed to buy the entire stock. It should be limited.

Play the racist card if you would like, but I see if very different .

I do get your point.

It sounds like there are a number of things going on in the OP's post.

-Yes, it looks like per Apple's on-line site the rule is 2 phones per customer. In the OP's post, they state the Apple Rep stated "we let them get back in line when they are done". So, is the in store policy different than the on-line policy? It's about as clear as mud!! In this particular instance, the Middle Eastern customers were doing what Apple allowed them to do....buy 2 phones per transaction (multiple transactions). So, in this case, it appears the customers were operating within the stated bounds. Yes, frustrating for the average guy wanting to pick up a 6 plus.

- The OP accuses the Middle Eastern guy's of being scalpers. This may or may not be true. How can you know for sure?

- The OP repeatedly denigrates the Middle Eastern Customers based on what appears to be their ethnicity:

"Of course the guys in front of me that could barely speak English says "2 more Verizon 128 Plus Black". Of Course!!

And " the guy was smirking at me and said something in Arabic under his breath that made the 3 of his friends laugh". Really? They said something in Arabic? Middle Eastern guys? I'm shocked!

This is the type of inflamatory language that appears to be what many on this thread are responding to. Is this type of language really necessary? It's not relevant to the point the OP is trying to make and only serves the purpose of being inflamatory.

I wouldn't characterize it as "me playing the race card". I'd say I'm responding to the race card being played.

 

[bmac4]

I do get your point.

It sounds like there are a number of things going on in the OP's post.

-Yes, it looks like per Apple's on-line site the rule is 2 phones per customer. In the OP's post, they state the Apple Rep stated "we let them get back in line when they are done". So, is the in store policy different than the on-line policy? It's about as clear as mud!! In this particular instance, the Middle Eastern customers were doing what Apple allowed them to do....buy 2 phones per transaction (multiple transactions). So, in this case, it appears the customers were operating within the stated bounds. Yes, frustrating for the average guy wanting to pick up a 6 plus.

- The OP accuses the Middke Eastern guy's of being scalpers. This may or may not be true. How can you know for sure?

- The OP repeatedly denigrates the Middle Eastern Customers based on what appears to be their Ethnecity: "Of course the guys in front of me that could barely speak English says "2 more Verizon 128 Plus Black". Of Course!! And " the guy was smirking at me and said something in Arabic under his breath that made the 3 of his friends laugh". Really, this is the inflamatory language that appears to be what many on this thread are responding to. Is this type of language really necessary.

I wouldn't characterize it as "me playing the race card". I'd say I'm responding to the race card being played.

I understand, but what if he had said they were American? Americans scalp things all the time. Maybe the OP was judging, but what I am saying is I don't care what nationality you are. Scalping should be worked on

 

[617aircav]

I understand, but what if he had said they were American? Americans scalp things all the time. Maybe the OP was judging, but what I am saying is I don't care what nationality you are. Scalping should be worked on

Thats the point. Nationality does not matter. Also, people want Apple to change their rules based on their individual needs. Ridiculous.

 

[DSTOFEL]

I understand, but what if he had said they were American? Americans scalp things all the time. Maybe the OP was judging, but what I am saying is I don't care what nationality you are. Scalping should be worked on

But he didn't say they were American (would have to see that type of statement in its full context....as we can see the full context of the OPs post). All I can comment on is what he did say: He said they were Middle Eastern, mocked them apparently for being Middle Eastern and accused them of scalping with no proof! I agree there may be a need to work on scalping. However, how do we know these guys were scalping?

 

[linkgx1]

If you guys want to talk about races and nationalities....aren't we the same country trying to insert capitalist ideals into these very same countries you guys say these scalpers are from? I'm not sure.....what the big deal is.

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A lot of people are quick to shout racism in this forum. I think some of the comments may imply xenophobia, but I haven't seen any indication that people here believe that the scalpers are inferior on account of ethnicity. There is a difference between racism and xenophobia.

The only party that can fix this scalping problem is Apple. If they impose a 2 phone limit per ID within the first 30 days of launch, we wouldn't see people bagging 10-20 phones for resale in China.

People who are upset should write to Tim Cook. Complaining here probably will not get Apple's attention, but a ton of letters and emails might work.

Do you support socialism or communism? Serious question, as I'm curious.

 

[617aircav]

I don't think Tim Cook sees a problem. Millions of phones sold in one day is not a problem. Most people just wait for the phones to be available instead of stressing themselves out over a phone, that's will be replaced by a better phone in 12 months.

 

[djgcue]

The thing that really pissed me off is the guy was smirking at me and said something in Arabic under his breath that made the 3 of his friends laugh.
Y2J

He probably said seeing you pissed is as good as chopping your head off.

 

[lordofthereef]

these guys should adjust too when they're in different countries (the one the OP was talking about), or someone might just punch them in the face for being rude *******s.

And then that someone might spend a day in jail. Something was said in a language the OP didn't understand. My honest suggestion is just to get over it.

I blame Apple for handling lines in a piss poor manner (at least where I am from) and poorly representing what stock they have. People will take advantage of the things they can, and these guys seemed to be doing so. Again, aside from the guy MAYBE saying something rude, I don't feel he broke any code of conduct. And by the way, Apple has the right to refuse service to anyone. Why these "middle eastern men" are the focus of the issue, and not the Apple store, which was clearly allowing these folks to empty them of their stock, is beyond me. My wife works as manager of a Best Buy. When they have deal like $100 gift cards with an iPad (or some such) the scalpers are in full force. They set a strict limit of one per customer. Period. Some try to give their toddlers cash. No go. It's up to the store to set these rules. It's part of customer service.

Slightly off topic, but I read a wonderfully written article about how the iPhone 6 caused one fellow more misery than it was worth. The most beautiful line was, and this is paraphrasing, "Apple is all about customer experience except around launch day. Then they do everything they can to push as many units in as little time as possible."

I have posted many times about the Nashua, NH launch. It was easily the worst launch I have ever experienced. Nothing was in order, they randomly picked a person from a sea of people to be front. I was there for fifteen hours, easily before 90% of those in line ahead of me (I was among the first few dozen to arrive and ended up around 450 in line - basing that number on what one girl in line stated as she walked the line and counted).

 

[linkgx1]

And then that someone might spend a day in jail. Something was said in a language the OP didn't understand. My honest suggestion is just to get over it.

I blame Apple for handling lines in a piss poor manner (at least where I am from) and poorly representing what stock they have. People will take advantage of the things they can, and these guys seemed to be doing so. Again, aside from the guy MAYBE saying something rude, I don't feel he broke any code of conduct. And by the way, Apple has the right to refuse service to anyone. Why these "middle eastern men" are the focus of the issue, and not the Apple store, which was clearly allowing these folks to empty them of their stock, is beyond me. My wife works as manager of a Best Buy. When they have deal like $100 gift cards with an iPad (or some such) the scalpers are in full force. They set a strict limit of one per customer. Period. Some try to give their toddlers cash. No go. It's up to the store to set these rules. It's part of customer service.

Slightly off topic, but I read a wonderfully written article about how the iPhone 6 caused one fellow more misery than it was worth. The most beautiful line was, and this is paraphrasing, "Apple is all about customer experience except around launch day. Then they do everything they can to push as many units in as little time as possible."

I have posted many times about the Nashua, NH launch. It was easily the worst launch I have ever experienced. Nothing was in order, they randomly picked a person from a sea of people to be front. I was there for fifteen hours, easily before 90% of those in line ahead of me (I was among the first few dozen to arrive and ended up around 450 in line - basing that number on what one girl in line stated as she walked the line and counted).

Could you post a link to that article please?

 

[myscrnnm]

Ironically enough people don't like capitalism when it doesn't work for them.

There's capitalism, and then there's being an a**hole. You're perfectly within your legal bounds to buy as many iPhones as Apple will let you, and sell them to the highest bidder. But rubbing it in the face of innocent bystanders? That's crossing the line.

 

[andyw715]

If you were in front of the guys in line you wouldn't have started this thread.

I don't see anything wrong with someone capitalizing on a situation.
If they have the money upfront to buy 25 phones, so be it.
If there is a market that is willing to pay $ > retail, so be it.

A similar argument could be said against the carriers. They most likely get the phones at the wholesale price and then charge what they want.
How dare they reduce stock available to someone who wants to pay full retail!!

With the phones there is a short term supply constraint. It's not like Apple isn't manufacturing more phones. It's a small window of time where selling above retail make financial sense.

Unless you ordered day one you either have to wait or purchase at a higher price. It's how it works.

 

[Val-kyrie]

The best thing to be said about scalpers is that since they are buying much of the initial run of product, it may mean that the iPhone you purchase/receive later may have some of the production bugs worked out (that is, if Apple makes adjustments).

 

[617aircav]

There's capitalism, and then there's being an a**hole. You're perfectly within your legal bounds to buy as many iPhones as Apple will let you, and sell them to the highest bidder. But rubbing it in the face of innocent bystanders? That's crossing the line.

Please explain how they rubbed it in? Also personally nobody can rub such things in my face. If I don't get one today, I'll get one tomorrow. The importance of getting a phone is trivial.

 

[myscrnnm]

Please explain how they rubbed it in? Also personally nobody can rub such things in my face. If I don't get one today, I'll get one tomorrow. The importance of getting a phone is trivial.

"The thing that really pissed me off is the guy was smirking at me and said something in Arabic under his breath that made the 3 of his friends laugh." - If you don't think this is rude, I don't know what else to say to you.

 

[erzhik]

There's capitalism, and then there's being an a**hole. You're perfectly within your legal bounds to buy as many iPhones as Apple will let you, and sell them to the highest bidder. But rubbing it in the face of innocent bystanders? That's crossing the line.

Who said they were rubbing anything? He could've said that he needs to buy sugar and it was funny because he remembered that he is already sweet? Stop assuming just because OP tells you to assume it.

 

[lordofthereef]

Please explain how they rubbed it in? Also personally nobody can rub such things in my face. If I don't get one today, I'll get one tomorrow. The importance of getting a phone is trivial.

He stated they laughed and snickered at him. Not sure I consider that "rubbing it in", but it's not something I would do...

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If you were in front of the guys in line you wouldn't have started this thread.

Probably not... because the guys wouldn't have had the opportunity to laugh at the situation he was in, right?

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Who said they were rubbing anything? He could've said that he needs to buy sugar and it was funny because he remembered that he is already sweet? Stop assuming just because OP tells you to assume it.

Believe what you want... lol

 

[617aircav]

"The thing that really pissed me off is the guy was smirking at me and said something in Arabic under his breath that made the 3 of his friends laugh." - If you don't think this is rude, I don't know what else to say to you.

Said something in Arabic, could completely unrelated to the OP, smirking at him could be his own perception. The interpretation is open to many deductions. Op really thinks these people were thinking of him. They were happy they just scored a couple of phones. Smirking, laughing has nothing to do with the op.

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He stated they laughed and snickered at him. Not sure I consider that "rubbing it in", but it's not something I would do...

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Probably not... because the guys wouldn't have had the opportunity to laugh at the situation he was in, right?

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Believe what you want... lol

It's not about believing. Why would they even care about the op, they don't know him, and he does not know them. Op is grasping for straws.

 

[lordofthereef]

It's not about believing. Why would they even care about the op, they don't know him, and he does not know them. Op is grasping for straws.

OP asked why these guys had bags full of phones
Guy says something under his breath
Friends all laugh

I don't think that's grasping at straws. Either the guy thought of something funny right at that moment, or more than likely he was snickering at the OP's plight.

But whatever. It really doesn't matter. certainly not to the extent we have all made it matter in this thread. I don;t think the OP has even been back to respond yet here we all are discussing this in circles lol.

 

[maflynn]

[MOD NOTE]
I think at this point its best to close it, as the discussion has devolved into race wars.