So what’s the deal? Each person got paid $US100-$US200 for two tablets each, and they were gathered up and shipped out to places like Hong Kong where they sell for twice the going rate here. If you negotiate a decent shipping strategy, that’s a pretty large profit for one morning’s line-standing. Sometimes, as the Post says, you can even sell it for three times the price here, since Apple has not rolled out the launch in other countries yet.
Apple has had a problem with people – especially Asian folks – lining up and exporting iPhones and iPads before. The problem is worse in New York, where Apple has larger stores and a bigger stock, coupled with a larger Asian community. Apple wanted to do something about this problem, but:
…the office of then-Attorney General Andrew Cuomo warned the company that holding Asian customers to a higher degree of scrutiny was illegal.
[NYPost]
Bill
Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 10:00 AMThe problem is with the Apple. Apple should launch their products simultaneous worldwide. If there is a strong demand, people just have to wait in line for their turns. Instead of holding off the lauch in certain parts of the world, which create shortage in that area and opportunities for those vendors to jack up the price in the black market. I ordered mine online and have to wait for a month to get mine. I also suspect Apple rushed to launch IPad 2 and did not have much IPad 2 in stock, which exasperate the problem.
huu
Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 10:22 AMYou cant really stop people from buying because you cant tell which one is legit but you can keep them from shipping it out. US Airport is very good at stoping people from what i read, or they only good at harrasing inocent people and large shipment of iPads can be ship out easily without them knowing?
Gazman
Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 12:02 PMThats a bit of a racist headline..?
Unhappy Potential Customer
Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 11:11 PMThey are statements of true facts. Additionally, the author appears to be Asian.
matt
Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 12:33 PMin fairness… they did make them…
Unhappy Potential Customer
Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 11:14 PMAmericans designed and paid others to make them as they directed. Another problem, since there are so many people in the USA that are unemployed.
Leo W'ski
Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 2:13 PMSo…they should release them in Australia first then!
13atman
Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 3:58 PMracist headline is racist.
Ned
Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 4:54 PMThis is so unfair. I waited inline 3 times and went home empty handed in Chicago. And yes the front of the line was full of those damn Asian gangs! Apple should only allow one iPad per person and track it by forcing people to pay with credit / debit card only. This way the same person can’t buy an iPad again until at least a certain time.
Heman
Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 7:06 PMProbably worth Noting the writer of article is Asian. I suppose only blacks in America are allowed to say the N word.
Lupine
Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 9:30 PMRacist headlines from an Australian website.. What’s new?
Unhappy Potential Customer
Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 11:07 PMThis is exactly what has been going on. These are true statements of fact and it is not discrimination. Thanks for this article and for making others aware. It is a real shame.
I’ve realized that I cannot get one anytime soon because I refuse to wait in line at midnight which is when the Asians arrive.
However, I don’t blame them for making such good profits. I think it’s great for them to have this opportunity.
I believe the fault lies with Apple. If worldwide shipping was not possible then what about a limit of 1 per person, online orders only, a list or now implementing a wait list?
I am now wondering if I really need a tablet to begin with as compared to a lightweight laptop. So, I am hesitant in ordering one online and waiting 5 weeks.