Like clockwork, hundreds of scalpers have sought to take advantage of the inevitable supply shortage of the latest Apple device – this time, the long-awaited Apple Watch.
Some individuals lucky enough to have had their orders allocated in the first round of shipping, which arrived on Friday, are advertising their bounty on eBay at massively inflated prices.
Apple had limited orders for its first wearable device to two per person.
There were about 30 eager sellers across the globe trying to flog various models of the Apple Watch for at least twice the recommended retail price. Three US sellers were offering 42mm models for more than three times the price – one for $4714.
Australia's most eager scalper on Friday was a Canberra resident, who posted a 42mm stainless steel Milanese Loop model of the watch with a "buy it now" price of $2999.
The same model retails through Apple for $1029, although the next orders won't be shipped until June.
Not even the most audacious scalper from last year's iPhone 6 rush sought to profit quite that much: the top asking price was $2400 for an iPhone 6 Plus, worth only $1129 in the Apple store.
Although the Canberran Apple Watch seller said all offers would be considered for the device on sale, at the time of writing four offers had been knocked back.
I asked the price-gouger for comment but the offer was not-so-politely declined.
In fact, originally sporting the username "hoangcong", the seller promptly went and changed his or her username to "hannahlilyfrancisff".
Thanks.
However, clearly embarrassed at being called out on price-rorting, "hannahlilyfrancisff" promptly dropped the price of the watch to $1800, with a starting bid of $1300.
You're welcome.
And then this happened:
"I wanted to make a point," the eBay user told me by email.
"Little did I know that I can't change the name for 30 days, so it's stuck for the moment.
"I will take the auction down and put it under another account so you don't suffer."
I'm not sure what the moral is, but folks – it's just a watch.
