Watches selling on EBay being tracked and canceled by Apple?

[camtechman56]

I sent an email to apple about this. Maybe I will be lucky enough to get a response. I will let you guys know what they say if I do.

To start with I ordered 1 watch, but if you read other threads there are many people who ordered more than one. It isn't their fault, it is Apples because they didn't allow customers to see or try the watch before pre-order. Also from what I've read the Apple employees have no clue about their product, so a person could not make an educated decision about their purchase. some of these people are going to have an extra watch they do not need, and won't know which one they want until they arrive. If they sell the extra one on ebay that is their right.

 

[mattopotamus]

you really think apple cares. It is a "free" (semi) country. They cannot cancel an order b.c you want to resell it.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

No, not if customers sell them. If I buy something from Apple as a customer, there's no fine print saying I can't sell it to someone else (unless I make it a business).

No, but if you do it enough apple can and does block retailers from selling to you.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

No, but if you do it enough apple can and will block retailers from selling to you.

That's why I wrote "unless I make it a business."

 

[thejadedmonkey]

That's why I wrote "unless I make it a business."

Even if it's not your business model they will.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Even if it's not your business model they will.

Now we're arguing semantics. Do it enough as a form of making money is all I meant.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Now we're arguing semantics. Do it enough as a form of making money is all I meant.

We're not arguing semantics. Even if you don't do it as a form of money making - hell, even if you do it at a loss, they will still prevent 3rd party resellers as well as their first party stores from selling to you.

 

[dannyyankou]

Good for them for taking a stand.

 

[noobinator]

Good for them for taking a stand.

This hasn't happened. It's a hypothetical the OP posted.

 

[Julien]

Why does apple care? They are getting their money.

They do care about scalping or there would not be a limit of 2.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

This hasn't happened. It's a hypothetical the OP posted.

Yep, hypothetical in hoping Apple will do it so the OP can in theory get his order earlier. To quote the OP, "This seems like an easy way to free up more to me."

 

[Jsmil009]

To clarify, I do hope that they do it. I wouldn't have emailed Apple concerning it if I didn't. I just was posting to see what others thought. I ordered two watches and could have sold the other one on eBay, but it is the wrong thing to do. I decided to give it to a family member instead.

 

[Apfpilot]

To clarify, I do hope that they do it. I wouldn't have emailed Apple concerning it if I didn't. I just was posting to see what others thought. I ordered two watches and could have sold the other one on eBay, but it is the wrong thing to do. I decided to give it to a family member instead.

Why is it wrong? It is a luxury item and not an essential good, if there is demand for it that out strips the supply then the void will be filled by those who have one and are willing to part with it for an increased price. Just because you chose to do otherwise doesn't mean that others who didn't are wrong.

 

[bevsb2]

Regarding presale policy on eBay, the following is the rule: "Guarantee that the item will be available for shipping within 30 days from the purchase date. Be sure to clearly state this information in your listing."

I don't think Apple cares whether the extra watch is sold on the secondary market for profit. They made their sale. Exorbitant prices on the secondary market fuel demand for the watch and provide free marketing for Apple.

Of course they have to make a statement against this type of resale, but pursue it and decline sales because of it - I don't think so.

If you want information on successful marketing look up Ty Warner and beanie babies. Warner became a billionaire by creating scarcity and demand by retiring beanie babies and driving up the price (sometimes $1000 or more for a $7 stuffed toy). His official policy was against resale on the secondary market but nothing was ever done about it. He couldn't produce and sell new beanies fast enough for the tremendous demand he created until one day he did and it all ended.

 

[MeFromHere]

If they want to they can:

From: http://store.apple.com/us/open/salespolicies




But why would they? The hype of the product is only beneficial to them. Many of the higher end perfume houses get excited when their juice hits the gray market because it means that they are getting more sales. I suspect apple uses this clause when it becomes obvious that someone is purchasing multiple (i.e. more than 2) products with an attempt to make a business out of being a re-seller. Of course once you've actually purchased the item and it has shipped it is yours to do whatever you want with in regards to resale.

One reason for Apple to discourage resales is because the ultimate owner may be left without a valid warranty. Later the owner may turn into an unhappy customer.

 

[AdonisSMU]

One reason for Apple to discourage resales is because the ultimate owner may be left without a valid warranty. Later the owner may turn into an unhappy customer.

Yep. That is the problem. Why risk it? Surely there are other ways to make money.

 

[jdogg836]

So in other words, you're hoping Apple will cancel the orders only so you can get your Watch earlier.

I would be ok with it, not because I'm impatient and want my watch earlier, but because I genuinely despise resellers who take products that could go to a legitimate customer and resell it for profit. It's the same way I feel about ticket scalpers. I wish they'd find a way to eliminate that problem all together. The resellers need to find a real job.

 

[bevsb2]

I'm guessing a good percentage of the 2.3 million sold (per Ming-Chi Kuo) are headed for the secondary market. That's a good way to make money.
Just sayin'.

For the record, I'm not a scalper nor do I approve of scalping.

 

[Apfpilot]

I would be ok with it, not because I'm impatient and want my watch earlier, but because I genuinely despise resellers who take products that could go to a legitimate customer and resell it for profit. It's the same way I feel about ticket scalpers. I wish they'd find a way to eliminate that problem all together. The resellers need to find a real job.

The best way to do it is to charge the price the market would be willing to pay for it. Since the Apple Sport Space Gray 42mm are going on eBay for around $650-$700 i'm sure that you wouldn't have a problem with apple just making that the price since it is what the market seems to accept right?

Or concert tickets if a price of $250 for nosebleeds instead of $50 saps the secondary market you're cool with that since it would eliminate the problem?

Or do you just prefer that things are actually sold for their COGS + Development costs? It's okay for apple to make money for their work, but someone who lays out their own capital and stays up late to make sure they get their hands on an extra doesn't deserve anything for their efforts.

----------

One reason for Apple to discourage resales is because the ultimate owner may be left without a valid warranty. Later the owner may turn into an unhappy customer.

why would they be? Apple Warranty says nothing about being limited to the original owner.

http://www.apple.com/legal/warranty/products/warranty-us.html

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

One reason for Apple to discourage resales is because the ultimate owner may be left without a valid warranty. Later the owner may turn into an unhappy customer.

That makes no sense because the warranty is tied to the device, not the buyer.

 

[whatos]

I sent an email to apple about this. Maybe I will be lucky enough to get a response. I will let you guys know what they say if I do.

Remember every penny counts, Apple is not about to spend valuable time and energy with some watches on eBay that gain additional attention AND income for Apple.

Furthermore when the maximum per individual buyer is exceeded online the order cancellation is done automatically via computer. No humans involved, no lost time or focus, simple.

At the end off the day Apple knows it's customers well. They know the customers will wait no matter how long, it's just a fact.

 

[MeFromHere]

...
why would they be? Apple Warranty says nothing about being limited to the original owner.

http://www.apple.com/legal/warranty/products/warranty-us.html

"original retail purchase by the end-user purchaser"

The eBay seller who bought the product from Apple can make a warranty claim. The fellow who bought it from eBay, maybe not. Will the eBay sell provide the necessary documentation? Will he help the buyer make a warranty claim? I wouldn't bet on it.

 

[Apfpilot]

"original retail purchase by the end-user purchaser"

The eBay seller who bought the product from Apple can make a warranty claim. The fellow who bought it from eBay, maybe not. Will the eBay sell provide the necessary documentation? Will he help the buyer make a warranty claim? I wouldn't bet on it.

You left out the rest of the context: guidelines for a period of ONE (1) YEAR from the date of original retail purchase by the end-user purchaser ("Warranty Period")

This only determines the time of the coverage, the warranty doesn't start when a retailer purchases it from Apple and places it into inventory but when the retail purchaser takes possession. In order for the warranty to be limited to the original purchaser it would have to have language that says something like Bose has in their warranty:

Who is covered:
This warranty is extended only to the original end-use purchaser or the person receiving the product as a gift, and shall not be extended to any other person or transferee.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

"original retail purchase by the end-user purchaser"

The eBay seller who bought the product from Apple can make a warranty claim. The fellow who bought it from eBay, maybe not. Will the eBay sell provide the necessary documentation? Will he help the buyer make a warranty claim? I wouldn't bet on it.

You don't need any help from the seller. Apple will be able to look it up and tell you if it's still under warranty. You can also check online using the serial number and make an appointment to bring it in.

Sounds like you have never taken an Apple product in for warranty services.

 

[01silver4]

Maybe eBay found out about it some how, and cancel the order. I have been a member of eBay since 2001 with a 187 teal star rating. The thing is, u are not supposed to sell something u don't have in your possession on eBay. Let's say with the AW someone use a buy it now option. U as the seller is expected to ship the items out to the buyer. With in a certain amount of time, and if u don't then eBay will start to ask questions. When someone buys something from the seller on eBay. The seller is prompted buy eBay to ship as soon as possible. Especially if the seller has received payment from the buyer.

Every transaction is monitored by eBay. and if something is not right, they have the right to cancel the sale and refund the buyer.
I think it would be easy for eBay, find out about the apple watch. Since it's not available until April 24. Resulting in the cancellation of the sale etc. So apple don't have to be necessarily be involved, for this to happen.