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eBay scalpers out in force within minutes of Apple Watch selling out

It didn’t take long for almost all models of the Apple Watch to sell out, and with sad predictability it didn’t take that much longer for the eBay scalpers to take advantage of this fact.

At the time of writing, the second most expensive ad was $1700 for a 42mm stainless steel model with Milanese Loop bracelet (a cool thousand bucks over the retail price), the same model with a link bracelet has a starting bid of $1350 and a buy-it-now of $1900 – and even the $349 Sport is being advertised for over $800.

The most expensive Apple Watch advertised isn’t the Edition, however …

Someone who definitely deserves points for optimism is hoping to persuade someone to part with $2500 for this model …

Similar ads can be seen on ebay sites in other countries where the watch went on sale this morning.

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Comments

  1. OneOkami (@OneOkami) - 9 years ago

    All people need is to have some patience to crack down on inventory gobbled up for the purposes of flipping as opposed to consumption. The more viable to you make such acts (i.e. actually buying these items from flippers at prices like this), the more you encourage them to make it harder for you to buy items at retail.

  2. 89p13 - 9 years ago

    I can only hope that NO ONE buys from these clowns on eBay and they have to eat the watches. I know that’s not going to happen – but , if there was justice in the world . . . :(

    • Ben Lovejoy - 9 years ago

      I think some may get caught out. With shipping immediately slipping into May, it’s not the same as the iPhone scalpers who can offer immediate delivery. I share your hope that they do …

      • PMZanetti - 9 years ago

        Caught doing what? Buying a product fair and square and selling it for actual market value?
        Or just not being able to deliver said goods due to shipping slipping?

        People always seem so bothered by scalping, yet no one seems to lambast the idiots who pay high premiums for scalped items and therefor creating the industry of scalping.

        There is absolutely nothing wrong with scalping…I really don’t get the whining about how it makes things “unfair” for “real” customers. I see no distinction.

        I have just as much claim to purchase an AppleWatch as someone who intends to sell it, instead of wear it.

        I think scalping evokes some kind of jealously in some people, who wish they were benefitting from selling something at an egregious price…and actually getting it. I don’t know. All I DO know is that scalping only exists because of the people will to pay for scalped items.

      • proudinfidelusmc - 9 years ago

        @PMZanetti “Cought out”, not caught. Meaning they will be stuck with the watch(es) or not be able to sell for a ridiculous price.

      • cleesmith2 - 9 years ago

        In other words, “stuck with.” ;)

  3. While I appreciate and agree with your sentiment regarding blind materialism, keep in mind there are people who will find REAL utility and happiness in this purchase. For example, I ordered a sport version last night because I’m training for my first marathon. The idea of no longer needing an armband to carry my phone (for measuring distance and playing music) was a deciding factor, for me. And while I cannot argue over the need vs. want (the watch is still an expensive convenience), I’m confident other people will have similar stories that show the real utility they will get.

    • wooloomooloo2 - 9 years ago

      I hate to break it to you, but you’ll still need your phone with you when you train. The Apple Watch has no GPS or any other way of measuring distance (the step counter will be inaacurate with GPS calibration, and when you do different training runs; tempo, easy run, long run, strides, fartlek etc, your stride distances will be very different.

      I wanted one for the same reason as you, but in the absence of GPS (or even the ability to play music BTW), I’ll stick with my Garmin for now.

    • kadajsouba - 9 years ago

      Errr you do realize that in order to measure distance you still need the Iphone? Where are you going to put it? Running a marathon with a phone in your pants or hanging from your neck is really unconfortable. You will still need the armband to carry the phone.

  4. bogger (@alphashot) - 9 years ago

    if you ask me I could imagine a big chunk of the 1st orders where only made for this propose – make money on ebay. Some may get their Apple Watch for free with this method.

  5. Will Van Gelderen - 9 years ago

    Absolutely disgusting that these scalpers do this. Pre orders are not meant to be used this way

    • houstonche - 9 years ago

      Preorders are meant to secure sales. What people do with it is their business.

      • kadajsouba - 9 years ago

        Definitely. And as already mentioned, the problem is the people willing to pay for the products from the scalpers. Nobody is forcing them, yet this business “model ” is on the rise.

  6. kjl3000 - 9 years ago

    Free market economy.

    • r00fus1 - 9 years ago

      Exactly. If Apple wanted more of this money they could have increased inventory. We’ll soon find out how many they sold…

  7. charismatron - 9 years ago

    I see “scalping” as having distinct characteristics, and don’t have a problem with flipping an Apple Watch on eBay. But I am sympathetic to those that do.

    Where there are a limited number of available tickets, for example at a concert or live show, scalpers are the worst. They are literally taking opportunities from fans, who may never get another chance to see their favourite actor or artist again. Barring scalpers, fans have an increased opportunity to see the show in most cases.

    However, if someone buys an Apple watch and decides to flip it on eBay, there are literally and endless supply of watches in a short matter of time. Everyone that wants a watch can get one. No one is missing out on a Watch, but they are missing out on the “claim to fame” of owning one earlier than–which will be meaningless in a very short period of time.

    So, I get it when you’re an early adopter: you’ve missed out on something special. But you’re not missing out on getting an Apple Watch

    • Howie Isaacks - 9 years ago

      Right… so where’s your eBay auction? I don’t agree with your point at all. These people are taking advantage of other people who wanted an Apple Watch. Who knows? Had these a-holes not ordered an Apple Watch, their would-be victims may have been able to get their own orders in without having to wait until June to get it.

  8. Howie Isaacks - 9 years ago

    These scalpers should get the death penalty. $179.99 shipping???!!?? WTF.

  9. Are all of these scalpers complying with eBay’s presale policy?

    http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/pre-sale.html

Author

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


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