No Walk-in iPhone 6s Sales at Apple Stores in 4 U.S. States, China, Japan, and Hong Kong

[MacRumors]

While Apple has ended launch-day pre-orders and in-store reservations for the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, the company is suggesting that those customers still intent on purchasing one on launch day visit an Apple retail store Friday for a chance at scoring some of the remaining launch-day stock at those locations. But for customers in four U.S. states, China, Japan, and Hong Kong, these walk-in sales are not an option, notes The Oregonian.

The disclosure was made in a footnote on Apple's press release this morning making a final announcement about Friday's launch plans and reporting record adoption of iOS 9: "iPhone is available by reservation only in China, Hong Kong, Japan and US stores in tax-free states."

The four U.S. states with Apple retail stores that are affected by this policy include Oregon, Delaware, New Hampshire, and Alaska. Montana is the fifth U.S. state without a statewide sales tax, but Apple does not have any retail stores located in the state.

The reason behind the ban on walk-in sales in these states is likely their attractiveness to scalpers.

Because Apple limits the number of unlocked phones, the brokers – sometimes called "sharks" – recruit homeless people and the elderly to wait in line and buy phones on their behalf. The phenomenon lasted for months outside Apple's downtown Portland Apple Store after last year's September launch of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

While sharks patrol Apple stores all over the country, they are especially visible in Portland. That may be because Oregon doesn't have a sales tax, so sharks operating here can add several percentage points to their profits by getting their phones.

Hong Kong has long been a popular location for iPhone scalpers to operate as they attempt to move gray-market phones into China, but with China having taken on increased importance for Apple and in fact being included in the first wave of iPhone 6s launches, both countries are likely in Apple's crosshairs this time around as it hopes to limit those snapping up limited supplies of the new devices to resell for significant profits.

Article Link: No Walk-in iPhone 6s Sales at Apple Stores in 4 U.S. States, China, Japan, and Hong Kong

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

This will just slow their effort.

 

[naeS1Sean]

Probably a good idea. Just get up at 3am and preorder like the rest of us, people!

 

[Solarioc]

The description of the issue is absolutely true. I have been camping out for iPhones for a while now. It often becomes pretty heated in line.

 

[k3ith]

what does apple care? They sell a phone either way ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[boshii]

This is great and I wish this would be a nationwide policy.

Making it reservations only means nobody is turned away because their phone choice is sold out, among other things.

 

[jonfarr]

This is so true and why I have never attempted to wait in line for one of the launches. At the store here at Washington Square mall, the sharks were there for a couple months, it was ridiculous.

 

[Dookieman]

U.S. States??? lol

 

[thespazz]

what does apple care? They sell a phone either way ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Because they're trying to eliminate the exploitation of the homeless. I don't see anything wrong with this.

 

[peterdevries]

This is good. I remember buying the iPhone 4 in London and standing in a 1 hour line with a number of people that basically rotated around to the back of the line each time after they had bought one iPhone. They had bags full of the things, paid cash Sopranos style (several thousands with a rubber band around them) and the staff didn't care at all.

 

[bradl]

U.S. States??? lol

Yes, and understandable at that. The states in question don't have a state sales tax. So less out of scalpers' pockets and more of the markup when they sold it. They are curtailing that.

For those in the Portland area, the downside of it is that this screws over anyone in the southwest Washington area (Vancouver, Cowlitz, Battle Ground, Camas, Scappoose, etc.) from walking in on day one to buy an iPhone. All of Oregon's Apple Stores are in the Portland area. So they'd have to make the drive north to the Seattle/Tacoma/Olympia area, or hit up a carrier.

Sucks for them, but is a valid issue in those states.

 

[budselectjr]

Better include New York city as well.

 

[peterdevries]

Because they're trying to eliminate the exploitation of the homeless. I don't see anything wrong with this.

No, they are trying to eliminate others profiting from their product through unjust methods. The buying up by brokers limits supply and thus prices go up on the gray market. There are very many people prepared to pay a bit more to get it a few weeks or months before they become more available. Look at the developed Apple TV's that have just started to surface. People pay thousands of dollars for them. Crazy.

In the end these prices are bad for Apple's brand image and that is what Apple wants to avoid. This is not about homeless people.

 

[bradl]

Better include New York city as well.

Does NYC have sales tax?

BL.

 

[jesusplay]

U.S. States??? lol

There are 50 states in the united states, which is a country.

Texas as an example at a time was a country, an independent state: The Republic of texas.

 

[budselectjr]

Does NYC have sales tax?

BL.

Yeah, but people were very angry about what occured at the stores in the city last year.

 

[jybrick]

Because they're trying to eliminate the exploitation of the homeless. I don't see anything wrong with this.

NO, they just don't want homeless people hanging out in front of their fancy stores.

 

[The Doctor11]

Better include New York city as well.

I think I read somewhere that there won't be any iPhone 6s in NYC on launch day because of the popes visit.

 

[Shanpdx]

I think that was issue when apple did not launch in multiple countries (mainly china).

Do not think there is going to be long queue and expect scalpers. Yes I live in Portland, seen that happen with iPad sales. (not much for iPhone sales).

 

[KnighsTalker]

I live in Alaska. While it's true you will not be able to get the new iPhones at the Apple retail store here on launch day. You will be able to get them on a walk in basis at the cell phone carriers here.

 

[tbayrgs]

I think I read somewhere that there won't be any iPhone 6s in NYC on launch day because of the popes visit.

Great, now Catholicism will be blamed for people's inability to get a new iPhone in NYC.

 

[Shanpdx]

Yes, and understandable at that. The states in question don't have a state sales tax. So less out of scalpers' pockets and more of the markup when they sold it. They are curtailing that.

For those in the Portland area, the downside of it is that this screws over anyone in the southwest Washington area (Vancouver, Cowlitz, Battle Ground, Camas, Scappoose, etc.) from walking in on day one to buy an iPhone. All of Oregon's Apple Stores are in the Portland area. So they'd have to make the drive north to the Seattle/Tacoma/Olympia area, or hit up a carrier.

Sucks for them, but is a valid issue in those states.

and I think, some guys from Canada also, they can drive and buy bunch of them (due to USD to CAD exchange rates and Taxes there, I believe)

 

[mloffa]

U.S. States??? lol

Just like saying ATM Machine

 

[Shanpdx]

I live in Alaska. While it's true you will not be able to get the new iPhones at the Apple retail store here on launch day. You will be able to get them on a walk in basis at the cell phone carriers here.

That is the strategy apple using to spread out the iPhone inventory to multiple sales points (to beat the scalpers/make sell more within in few days)

ATT/Best buy/Target/Apple stores and so on...

 

[budselectjr]

I think I read somewhere that there won't be any iPhone 6s in NYC on launch day because of the popes visit.

That just affects UPS deliveries.