Scalpers at Apple Stores

[GoLeafsGo]

I have no problem with the idea of it. They should be able to make a profit anyway they want. What I do have a problem with is them coming to my apple store and taking all the supplies ALONG with the american scalpers. Plenty of american scalpers were at the apple launch intending to sell the phone on ebay. To have american scalpers AND scalpers from other countries its a wonder I got a phone at all--its likely only because the store I went to is a flagship store.

This is why they should release the phone in their country at the same time. This would prevent this from happening as much. It would still exist, but it would be at a lesser frequency. If it has to delay launches to get supplies high enough, so be it.

 

[ozziegn]

Can you elaborate how they're "scumbags?"

Because they're tring to make a living. I guess that makes them scumbags.

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because of this many of us left out in the cold couldn't get one.

Let me cry a tear for you. boo-hoo

 

[mashinhead]

One of the stupidest things about this is. They are flown in from China, only to be bought and sold at a premium and flown back there.

The environmental cost...

 

[stasha]

i feel sorry for myself and other real iphone fan who have to wait a month to get one. those people do they even know what ios 8 is?

 

[IllIllIll]

I have no problem with the idea of it. They should be able to make a profit anyway they want. What I do have a problem with is them coming to my apple store and taking all the supplies ALONG with the american scalpers. Plenty of american scalpers were at the apple launch intending to sell the phone on ebay. To have american scalpers AND scalpers from other countries its a wonder I got a phone at all--its likely only because the store I went to is a flagship store.

This is why they should release the phone in their country at the same time. This would prevent this from happening as much. It would still exist, but it would be at a lesser frequency. If it has to delay launches to get supplies high enough, so be it.

Ah, so only Americans should be able to buy out iPhone stock and resell them in America. Got it.

 

[acctman]

first video : and cops wonder why they're hated so much... 2min 20sec

 

[ozziegn]

Ah, so only Americans should be able to buy out iPhone stock and resell them in America. Got it.

Pretty much. Americans are typically people that always seem to express the feeling of entitlement. It doesn't matter weither they try to work for it or not. They still have that "gimme gimme gimme" attitude just because.

Oh, and before anyone asks. I am an American born and bred. Difference with me is, I have ALWAYS had the attitude of, you want it? You work for it.

Unfortunately this isn't too common practice now in days.

 

[LostSoul80]

Thought I'd share this video. Gives some insight on what's going on at lines at Apple stores. It's getting worse and worse every year. Sadly, it ruins that "Apple" experience for many people who truly do want to buy a phone for their own personal use.

Scalpers also truly do want to buy a phone for their own ******* business, don't you think?

 

[GoLeafsGo]

Ah, so only Americans should be able to buy out iPhone stock and resell them in America. Got it.

Never said they shouldn't, just said that it should be reduced. Too much competition for someone who genuinely wants the product to get it in some cases. All I suggested is that they should release it in China at the same time, therefore lessening the problem.

Wouldn't it make sense, and be more convenient, for scalpers to line up in their own country? Have we heard scalpers from America going to other countries to get the phone? No. Thats because its here. Thats the only reason why they come here. So it has nothing to do with that.

 

[cnev3]

People are willing to pay 4x over retail to get it early. People are willing to camp out to make that profit. Basic business transaction. Neither party is more guilty than the other.

The difference between them and a concert/event ticket scalper is you don't have the option to receive the same product a few weeks later for regular retail price.

 

[patricem]

Thought I'd share this video. Gives some insight on what's going on at lines at Apple stores. It's getting worse and worse every year. Sadly, it ruins that "Apple" experience for many people who truly do want to buy a phone for their own personal use.

YouTube: video
YouTube: video

Wow great videos...thank you for posting them. Amazing. I had no idea it was like that.

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Have you seen the ads on Swappa? Like one guy has like 10 phones he's selling. http://swappa.com/buy/apple-iphone-6-unlocked/us

 

[w4rmk]

This is the power of a free market economy and is an example of what happens when the government tries to control what people can and cannot own.

 

[ET iPhone Home]

That's a lot of iPhones for just one person to buy. They do know, an iPhone 6S is just around the corner?

 

[biscuitsxluv]

I'm asian. My dad is half Chinese.
I want to say I'm sorry on behalf of the Chinese people. Some people are truly money hungry and ruin the experience for many people. Know that many asian people work very hard. My dad works 8-10 hours each day and doesn't ever complain. He would never do dishonest stuff. And always tell me to live right and stay out of trouble.
Once again, I'm sorry for this embarrassing behavior.

Signed,
Born and raised in America.

 

[ozziegn]

That's a lot of iPhones for just one person to buy. They do know, an iPhone 6S is just around the corner?

Yeah, that corner is only 365 days from now. lol

 

[Deacon-Blues]

This really others me. These phones were designated for the US market. There is enough competition for these phones as it is without bottom feeders like this flooding the lines with straw buyers. They are diminishing the supply available for other Americans, the intended market.

 

[IllIllIll]

This really others me. These phones were designated for the US market. There is enough competition for these phones as it is without bottom feeders like this flooding the lines with straw buyers. They are diminishing the supply available for other Americans, the intended market.

Then all you had to do was get in line earlier than these people. Problem solved.

 

[anthonybkny]

Can't knock the hustle

 

[Retired Cat]

Scalpers at Apple Stores

While at first I disagreed with the term "scumbags", a majority of them actually were. I stood outside of the Upper West Apple store for 5 hours and didn't make it anywhere, but the way that the streets were trashed was beyond belief. Cardboard boxes, cups, food anything you could think of was just left there. They didn't even bother to throw anything into the trash cans.

My point being how much effort and willingness do you have? It better be more than those "scumbag" you are quick to accuse. Don't blame other for what they are willing to do; whether it's for themselves or to profit. This is a free capitalist country. Why do you have a right to blame them for trying harder than you? It's not fair? Life is not fair stop crying about it.



Someone mention they littered and trash the sidewalk. Sure that's disrespectful and uncivilized, but that is beside the point of the video. Stay on point of what you are arguing.

Trashing a public space IS a valid complaint against the group of scalpers in question. It IS a valid complaint for law abiding citizens who don't want the smell of trash in a public space.

It is ILLEGAL to litter in most municipalities. I support free markets, but not at the cost of anarchy, which seems to be something that a lot of libertarian-leaning kids embrace these days. Few of the pro-market people here acknowledge that this is a problem, though I credit you for being fair about it. Market actors have to behave responsibly for markets to function properly. I don't care if some Asians want to camp out a week to get an iPhone, but they damn well better clean up after themselves.

The fact is that this scalping has lead to a disgusting problem with people who clearly have no regard for law and order. This doesn't even get to the matter of wasted tax dollars needed to pay overtime for cops to patrol the lines, and the cost of municipal cleanup. The complete disregard for personal responsibility cannot be tolerated.

 

[Steviejobz]

They are doing nothing illegal. These folks do not earn a lot of money and this is an easy way to make $200. That could be several weeks worth of salary doing what they do. Yet they can just wait in line in a nice neighborhood and but a gadget.

 

[GoLeafsGo]

Pretty much. Americans are typically people that always seem to express the feeling of entitlement. It doesn't matter weither they try to work for it or not. They still have that "gimme gimme gimme" attitude just because.

Oh, and before anyone asks. I am an American born and bred. Difference with me is, I have ALWAYS had the attitude of, you want it? You work for it.

Unfortunately this isn't too common practice now in days.

"you want it you work for it" is an unfair principle. little kids are born into wealth and little kids are born into poverty. so if those little kids from poverty cant get up in the world because their parents cant pay for college and they can't pay for scholarships, or other job training, thats their fault?

anyone who believes "entitled" to an iPhone obviously has the wrong idea. Its the competition to get the phone that makes it an issue. Its popular overseas just as it is popular here. Releasing more phones overseas would help all of it. Something that was a fun event for apple fans in past years has turned into a pure money grabbing machine. Its a shame. I'm sorry I find it annoying that I had to wait 6 hours because the apple employees had to run everything through google translate just to make the purchase so scalpers could try to smuggle them into their countries. what if those phones get seized by government employees anyway while trying to go through customs?

Its also one thing to come here and scalp, but to litter the streets with your garbage in the process? There are trash cans everywhere--there is no reason to be a slob. Its embarrassing. It made me feel a little embarrassed to be at the launch myself--because it was so clear what it was about. I saw handoffs go down mere minutes after they walked out of stores. Its a shame a phone is so glorified.

 

[Deacon-Blues]

Then all you had to do was get in line earlier than these people. Problem solved.

I pre-ordered. Got mine yesterday. But there are a lot of people who lined up and didn't have a chance because of all the drones deployed by the Chinese resellers.

Not to mention they trashed the streets. Looking at past Apple release line-ups, you didn't see this kind of trashing of the streets.

 

[Rogo117]

I agree that cutting in line and not cleaning after oneself deserve to be call scumbags, however with his statement he implied the minority that do clean up after themselves and do wait patiently in line are scumbags too.

I should've clarified my post a little more, I don't agree with his comments that they're all scumbags for standing in line and scalping. While it's frustrating to me that that's why they're doing it, it no way makes them scumbags.

The scumbags are still the ones I've mentioned in my post with regards to trashing and littering, which unfortunately were a lot of them.

 

[C. Robert]

Its life, you need to get over it.

 

[IllIllIll]

I pre-ordered. Got mine yesterday. But there are a lot of people who lined up and didn't have a chance because of all the drones deployed by the Chinese resellers.

Then quit your bitching. You have no skin in the game. And it still doesn't change the fact that all people have to do to beat scalpers is to get in line earlier and the problem is solved.