Scalpers Spur Apple To Require Reservations For iPhone

thana103 writes "Apple is attempting to block scalpers by instituting new restrictions preventing walk-in sales of the iPhone at Apple Stores in China. Customers must first reserve an iPhone on Apple's website before visiting an Apple Retail Store to complete the purchase."

Re:Chinese Scalpers? *Squeeee*!

[Anonymous Coward]

China has had "scalpers" before the USA (or the UK for that matter) was even founded.

Re:It's just traffic control

[Anonymous Coward]

You're right... in the long term.

However, looking short term, iPhone4 supply is being overwhelmed by enormous demand from China, Korea, and other Asian countries. Enough opportunities for scalpers.

I live in Korea, so I know that -- over 300k units have been supplied to Korea alone in September. After China joined in the fray, Korea too is suffering from lack of supply -- there are more than 150k unfulfilled reservations right now. You can bet there are people willing (more like desperate) to pay 20-30 % mark-up for one "right now". Problem is there are not too many people willing to offer their precious iPhones even at such a mark-up since KT (the mobile provider) has placed a strict one-reservation-per-person policy. (now relaxed to 3-reservations-per-person)

Re:This is what the zealots do not know yet...

[uglyduckling]

Have you actually seen an iPhone 4? It absolutely does have a raised exterior ridge, and is actually less prone to scratching than the previous designs where the thickness was greatest at the centre. AFAIK, the issue with the glass cracking/shattering seems to do with a sharp object (like a small stone) getting between the iPhone and a case, and scoring the glass just as a glass cutter does.

Re:Ya, right

[Dogtanian]

As if people in China can really afford a real iphone to begin with, they just buy a knock off. Only the snobs in China care about buying a "real" iphone.

You might find this article [mir.com.my] of interest. It's a few years old, but the basic story is that Nikon sell a low-end, mediocre-quality camera made by Cosina under their own name to developing markets like China because people there want to own a leading brand like Nikon, regardless of the actual quality of the camera. (As the article states, the Centon camera- which was intended for expert to the West- was a higher quality device).