iPhone prices on eBay are through the roof, why???

[wildonrio]

I don't get why year old iPhones are selling on eBay for like $200 more than they cost new. What is going on here? Don't these buyers know that the new iPhone will be new, better, and cheaper???

Someone explain.

[iMerlin]

Is it possible that these are selling in areas that dont have 3G? Like overseas?
I would think that would be the only reason why someone would buy the old and not wait for the new.

[macgirl]

i think it's a combination of a number of things:

• not everyone is like us and pays attention to the news and rumors, and they do not know that a new version is coming out soon. plus, if they've recently tried to buy one from an apple store and/or at&t and have been unable to, they perceive that there's a shortage and pay more to get one
• of course, the iphone is not yet sold in all countries, so the people who live where it's not available look for unlocked versions
• even though we know unlocking iphones is easy, not everyone does, and they're willing to pay a premium for iphones that come unlocked so they can use them right away without trying to learn how to do it.

when i put my refurb 4gb up last week, i was willing to ship it out of the u.s. (to paypal confirmed addresses only). i did get a lot of international bidders, which i think drove the price up, but it ended up being someone in georgia who bought it. odd, but i'm not complaining...

[adseguy]

Originally Posted by macgirl

i think it's a combination of a number of things:

• not everyone is like us and pays attention to the news and rumors, and they do not know that a new version is coming out soon. plus, if they've recently tried to buy one from an apple store and/or at&t and have been unable to, they perceive that there's a shortage and pay more to get one
• of course, the iphone is not yet sold in all countries, so the people who live where it's not available look for unlocked versions
• even though we know unlocking iphones is easy, not everyone does, and they're willing to pay a premium for iphones that come unlocked so they can use them right away without trying to learn how to do it.

when i put my refurb 4gb up last week, i was willing to ship it out of the u.s. (to paypal confirmed addresses only). i did get a lot of international bidders, which i think drove the price up, but it ended up being someone in georgia who bought it. odd, but i'm not complaining...

You hit it on the head. People that actively post on this board are less then 1% of the population of iphone owners and many people even here never know what's going on. Simple economics at play really.

[dturner]

Originally Posted by macgirl

i think it's a combination of a number of things:

• not everyone is like us and pays attention to the news and rumors, and they do not know that a new version is coming out soon. plus, if they've recently tried to buy one from an apple store and/or at&t and have been unable to, they perceive that there's a shortage and pay more to get one
• of course, the iphone is not yet sold in all countries, so the people who live where it's not available look for unlocked versions
• even though we know unlocking iphones is easy, not everyone does, and they're willing to pay a premium for iphones that come unlocked so they can use them right away without trying to learn how to do it.

when i put my refurb 4gb up last week, i was willing to ship it out of the u.s. (to paypal confirmed addresses only). i did get a lot of international bidders, which i think drove the price up, but it ended up being someone in georgia who bought it. odd, but i'm not complaining...

This is right on. I would bet that the majority of these sales are overseas.
As for your first point, I was in the break room at work the other day and this guy that I don't really know had his iphone out. I leaned over and ask him if he was getting the new one when it came out and he looked at me and ask "new what". True story. It made me wonder if he was still on 1.1.1. It is amazing the toys people have and no so little about.

[Duckman]

I don't care what the reasons are...this has always baffled me from day one. I could understand the first month MAYBE...but are there that many somewhat, may I say ignorant to the core people on this. Man you watch those auctions are those things are flying out the doors and at ungodly prices...I am sure this has made a few cottage industries in just selling iPhones. Gosh if you sold one a day and just made 150-200 on each phone...not a bad part time job for trip to the post office and a couple minutes on a cradle.

[Youngbinks]

I would say, like macgirl stated, that most of the general public has no idea about the possibility of a new iPhone release in the next month. This causes them to want a product that they can no longer just go and get (at an Apple store) so they are willing to pay more for it. If I didn't have such a connection to my phone I might sell it. I'll be keeping mine as a spare iPhone however when I buy the new one.

[rcclcruise]

Im not sure what to do at this point. The only way my wife will let me get the new phone is if it costs me nothing out of pocket. I see the 8gigs are going for good money on ebay, if willing to ship intl, which I am. I just dont want to be without my beloved phone for too long. I sooo dont know what to do, but if I wait to long the prices might come down on ebay!

[wildonrio]

I thought my phone would be worth little more than $200 by now so I promised my sister I would give it to her for her birthday. Now I see that I could actually sell my old outdated iPhone for MORE than a newer better one will cost, I am instantly regretting my promise, and she's way too excited to go back on it now...

I potentially just lost $700.

[justahsquirrel]

iphone shortage around the world....lol

supply and demand....demand is out-weighing the supply.....

I guess if I didnt have one I would want one...badly at this point....

I think mine will sell for $200, being that the screen is cracked....anyone interested....lol