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Wonder why you can't find an iPhone 5 in store?

A

ACint24

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 13, 2011
47
0
It's because there are people lining up the day before buying 2 each to resell them outside the US. I have been to multiple stores where I live and this is the case everywhere.

I even spoke to a "genius" who told me they had to call the cops the other day because two rival "factions" were fighting over who was in line first.

Apple needs to make it so people can only buy ONE iPhone per ID.

*end rant :mad:
 
what I get from this is people buy 2 iPhones and that because some people sell the other one or give it away as a gift that they should change the rules so you can find an iphone 5, correct?
Kind of selfish.
 
No, it's not that.

It's organised gangs buying them in massive quantities, to resell abroad in countries where the iPhone isn't available, at massive profits.

This is exactly the reason you can't find one in store. They even have scripts which take the reservations as quickly as they can.
 
bma said:
No, it's not that.

It's organised gangs buying them in massive quantities, to resell abroad in countries where the iPhone isn't available, at massive profits.

This is exactly the reason you can't find one in store. They even have scripts which take the reservations as quickly as they can.
Click to expand...

Well then power to them. In 4 days the people that bought it will feel stupid when it releases in pretty much the rest of the world. If you want it that bad then just refresh your cart at 10pm or order a 32gb or 64gb and get it in 1-2 weeks
 
Yeah, who gives a crap if some people are profiting from the sensationalism, more power to them. This is America, not Cuba...
 
ACint24 said:
It's because there are people lining up the day before buying 2 each to resell them outside the US. I have been to multiple stores where I live and this is the case everywhere.

I even spoke to a "genius" who told me they had to call the cops the other day because two rival "factions" were fighting over who was in line first.

Apple needs to make it so people can only buy ONE iPhone per ID.

*end rant :mad:
Click to expand...

Don't surf the stores, use the reservation system like the gangs do :)
 
That's why you everyone should use the reservation system until their supply meets the demand. It's the best way without wasting time at the store.
 
Apple is working on offering the iPhone in many other countries to curtail this silliness.
 
for some countries it is still cheaper to buy an iPhone from here than buying it from their own country.
 
How are people even buying more than 2 phones since you technically can't buy an unlocked phone yet
 
I'm sorry, but what you're saying is simply not true. Apple has trouble supplying countries all over the world. Apple simply has trouble meeting the demand. It doesn't matter if the phones are sold by resellers or Apple Stores. No one keeps the phones for themselves, only the people who actually intend to use the phone.

----------
bma said:
No, it's not that.

It's organised gangs buying them in massive quantities, to resell abroad in countries where the iPhone isn't available, at massive profits.

This is exactly the reason you can't find one in store. They even have scripts which take the reservations as quickly as they can.
Click to expand...
I can't tell if you're kidding or not :confused: ?
 
Wonder why you can't find an iPhone 5 in store?

You want to know why I can't find an iPhone 5 in store?

It's because there aren't any Apple stores here (Ireland) :mad:

I ordered mine the second it came online at 1am and had to wait a month from the get go.

So excuse me if I don't feel sorry for you OP.
 
There isn't even an Apple Store in Austria, so I guess not having iPhone here is somehow connected.
But seriously how about: There are no iPhones in the Apple Stores because they are sold out because people LIKE THE DEVICE?!
 
Reservations might work in some places but not where I live. I am close to 2 hours from the closest store and so far I check every night at 10 pm and nothing! Not just nothing from Greenville, SC (the one that's a little less than 2 hours away) but nothing from anywhere within 5 hours. I have one on order from Verizon but the expected ship date isn't until nov. 16. I waited to order thinking the wait times would eventually go down but they haven't. This is getting ridiculous!
 
ladytonya said:
Reservations might work in some places but not where I live. I am close to 2 hours from the closest store and so far I check every night at 10 pm and nothing! Not just nothing from Greenville, SC (the one that's a little less than 2 hours away) but nothing from anywhere within 5 hours. I have one on order from Verizon but the expected ship date isn't until nov. 16. I waited to order thinking the wait times would eventually go down but they haven't. This is getting ridiculous!
Click to expand...

So let me get this straight. You waited so you wouldn't have to wait? Man, that is some rock solid logic right there!:D
 
I agree with ther OP this is happeneing...My girlfriend who lives in Thailand has already asked me to buy two and bring them when I visit in November. and they need not be unlocked they can unlock the AT&T version with no problem...Apple says the limit is two per customer but I know people that have gotten around this...
 
ladytonya said:
I am close to 2 hours from the closest store and so far I check every night at 10 pm and nothing!
Click to expand...
I had no luck when I checked literally at 10pm. I was able to snag mine when I started refreshing my cart at 9:55pm. It appears that many times, the 10pm update goes live a few minutes early, and by the time it literally hits 10pm, that lot is sold.

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bma said:
This is exactly the reason you can't find one in store. They even have scripts which take the reservations as quickly as they can.
Click to expand...
Wonder how the script works?

To make a reservation in the US, you either have to be an existing wireless customer, or sign up for a new plan. Either way, you need a valid SSN, drivers license, and legit billing address.
 
What if you're not eligible to reserve one through the online reservation system (i.e. international student, no ssn, fresh ssn that requires you to put a $500 deposit and that would not allow you to reserve an iPhone...)?

You get screwed.
 
ACint24 said:
It's because there are people lining up the day before buying 2 each to resell them outside the US. I have been to multiple stores where I live and this is the case everywhere.

I even spoke to a "genius" who told me they had to call the cops the other day because two rival "factions" were fighting over who was in line first.

Apple needs to make it so people can only buy ONE iPhone per ID.

*end rant :mad:
Click to expand...

Mad bro? If you can't beat em join em
 
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