Apple’s another way in stopping the leak towards Gray Market
Sep 27th, 2012 by Shawn Li
For the issue of selling unauthorized iPhones is becoming increasingly severe in the past few years, new purchase restrictions were placed by Apple on its latest iPhone 5 in fighting against unauthorized resellers. In Canada, which also has a large gray market for unlocked iPhones, many resellers claimed that they were shocked by the new system which requires specially designated Apple ID and a credit card to order and limits the number of the devices a single customer can buy to be no more than two. It’s no longer just simply lining up, the new purchase restrictions definitely stopped many resellers from making a huge profit as a 16G iphone 5 may easily be sold at $1000 in China. However, the issue of gray market is still severe since resellers begin seeking ways to go around the restrictions. According to my personal experience, many of my friends were hired by those unauthorized resellers. They just need to simply purchase it and give it to resellers; then they can earn at least $100 profit as an exchange. Thus, although Apple’s new restrictions are a brilliant start in fighting against gray market, but further considerations are absolutely needed.
http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2012-09/21/content_15773048.htm