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Smileyboy

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Aug 6, 2008
1,148
131
I'm considering buying a extra iPad to sell on eBay. Anyone else doing the same?
 
Not trying to be snarky or anything... can you explain to me what the purpose would be for doing that? I don't see how you can make a profit from it? Then again I don't understand much about eBay selling.
 
Assuming the iPad sells out and is hard to get then the OP stands to make some money. When the PS3 first came out people were selling theirs on ebay for thousands of dollars. However I don't think the demand for the iPad is going to be that high. But you never know. Worse case scenario you just return the iPad.
 
I'm considering buying a extra iPad to sell on eBay. Anyone else doing the same?

As an avid eBay seller, I would say that this isn't a great idea. With the fact that pre-orders for the iPad were available for 3 weeks before launch date, there is room for everyone to get one on April 3rd or very soon thereafter with little risk from buying on eBay.

It doesn't make sense to do so for two reasons:

1) Anyone can still safely and securely pre-order one with a delivery date of April 3rd.

2) If you just look at the current pre-sales on eBay, none are going for a PROFIT of any type - in fact, the only ones that are actually selling (look at the completed listings, not the ones currently listed) are going for less than retail. Whoever is selling them might either be selling counterfeits or somehow be getting them at discount/wholesale prices.

Rule #1 about selling in the secondary market: Sell things that no one can get.

Some examples I've seen are the Magic Mouse went for nearly $100 when they were announced. People were not guaranteed when they would come out or how many there would be. Playstation 3 had a specific release day, but again - people weren't sure how they were going to get them on release day with stores saying they were only going to get 6-12 units and lines forming three days in advance.

Things that are available for pre-order typically do not fall under the smart secondary market category.

Now, once they come out and people play with them, and stock is low and they are no longer doing pre-orders and Apple pushes shipping dates back a month, then the secondary market value will almost definitely go up.

My experience as a secondary market seller of all types of things.
;)
 
Assuming the iPad sells out and is hard to get then the OP stands to make some money. When the PS3 first came out people were selling theirs on ebay for thousands of dollars. However I don't think the demand for the iPad is going to be that high. But you never know. Worse case scenario you just return the iPad.

People were pre-selling PS3s on eBay for thousands of dollars because no one was guaranteed one (by way of a pre-order). Many stores received only 6-12 units, with a very few receiving up to 24. Even the Sony Style store at the biggest mall in San Diego (Fashion Valley) only had 12 on launch day.

If you watched the secondary market, you'd know that they were released Friday and the price dropped from being worth $2000 apiece on Friday to about $800 apiece by Saturday.

The secondary market fluctuates in a matter of minutes, and I mean that quite literally.

With that being said, the OP DOES stand a chance of making money if stock gets low, but as of right now, Apple is still offering pre-orders for delivery on April 3rd. Only really dense people and internet suckers will pay for something through eBay instead of directly through Apple right now, but I wouldn't even count on that.

---

Although, GadgetX is right - the worst case scenario is that you return the iPad. I just don't think you stand a good chance of selling one for profit (I'm assuming you're doing it for profit, or else why would you buy an extra one to sell). Sorry, not trying to be a downer! =)
 
Their have been many reports that keep saying that Apple will have a low stock for the initial launch of the iPad and many people are worried that they will sell out, but with 11 days to go, they are not only still taking pre-orders, they are still allowing 2 per person and a 10pk for Educational Institutions.

So as far as the U.S., I don't see a reason for a buyer to go the eBay route, but if your wiling to ship overseas, I think some people in Europe might be wiling to pay a premium to own in before it officially goes on sale in that part of the country.
 
Their have been many reports that keep saying that Apple will have a low stock for the initial launch of the iPad and many people are worried that they will sell out, but with 11 days to go, they are not only still taking pre-orders, they are still allowing 2 per person and a 10pk for Educational Institutions.

So as far as the U.S., I don't see a reason for a buyer to go the eBay route, but if your wiling to ship overseas, I think some people in Europe might be wiling to pay a premium to own in before it officially goes on sale in that part of the country.

No one in the US would buy the thing off of you for a penny over retail. Considering you have to pay taxes that aren't covered in an ebay transaction, not to mention final value fees and paypal fees, you will easily end up losing at 13% off MSRP.

Now International is another story. Seeing as the iPad hasn't been released yet overseas, you should be able to find a willing market and turn out a small profit.
 
I hear the Nigerian market is hot for electronics!! Probably get a money order for $3000 for an iPad there! Do it, totally worth it, u will be rich! :rolleyes:
 
You are still going to have about $30 or more in ebay fees for selling it on ebay. Even if you sold the $499+tax version for $600 your profit is going to be low after ebay fees and the tax you paid.
I don't see apple selling out of these anyway.
Seems like a waste of time.
 
I'm considering buying a extra iPad to sell on eBay. Anyone else doing the same?

I don't even understand why people are preordering them. You can still preorder today for delivery April 3rd which means there is plenty of stock.

The only way you could make money is if you are willing to ship internationally to some country that isn't getting the iPad soon.
 
I pre-ordered a second for eBay. I will make a profit, just can't say how much. Time will tell.

EDIT: Just because you can pre-order an iPad now does not necessarily mean that you will be able to easily purchase an iPad 1-2 weeks after their release.
 
the few of you pre-ordering one to put on ebay aren't the sharpest tools in the shed :p. These things are available for pre-sale. they also will be available at launch. they aren't exactly going to be tough to get a hold of. However, its your money to waste and one extra unit sold for apple so good luck!
 
the few of you pre-ordering one to put on ebay aren't the sharpest tools in the shed :p. These things are available for pre-sale. they also will be available at launch. they aren't exactly going to be tough to get a hold of. However, its your money to waste and one extra unit sold for apple so good luck!

Uh, believe it or not, even though this is definitely the case, there's been quite a few on there(pretty large percentage) that are selling for well above what the asking price is from Apple on preorder.

Now, I'd imagine some of that is international, but there is a profit to be made there.
 
I hear the Nigerian market is hot for electronics!! Probably get a money order for $3000 for an iPad there! Do it, totally worth it, u will be rich! :rolleyes:

HAHA...Dirty...Truth is, the scams on ebay make it not worth it. I tried to sell my old 3G when I got the 3GS on ebay and got a few real bids, until someone if Nigeria went over the top and bid 900.00 for the old 3G...I lost all the other legit bids...They will try to get you to send the product to them (with some elaborate story) without paying you first. (fake paypal receipts, etc) I have had this happen a few times with things I tied to sell on there. I am done with ebay...
 
HAHA...Dirty...Truth is, the scams on ebay make it not worth it. I tried to sell my old 3G when I got the 3GS on ebay and got a few real bids, until someone if Nigeria went over the top and bid 900.00 for the old 3G

Can you no longer even cancel bids?

My friend sold his 2G recently for a good price, but he did have some headache getting the money and I agree that my recent seller experiences on eBay have been horrific. They've pretty much screwed everyone but the 'power sellers', and at that point you're just buying from another e-commerce site anyway. You can't leave negative feedback on deadbeat bidders. In fact, you can't even use the word 'deadbeat' in an auction. It's retarded.

eBay used to be pretty awesome...10 years ago.
 
Awesome guys. Thanks for the responses and jokes. I think I will try selling one to pay for some of the 32gb one I'm getting.
 
That's what I'm doing. I've sold on Ebay since 1997. If I don't see a market for the iPad in 13 days, I will return on the 14th day and I won't be out any money. Odds are that there will be some delays for those that did not pre-order. If so...I will probably be able to make $100 or more...especially internationally. If you are careful with how you sell, Ebay is just fine. Follow their suggestions and common sense and you're good to go!
 
There is money to be made...check the completed auctions...

I'm looking at them right now. For the ones that sold, they're at most $60 above what you would pay retail+tax (e.g., $600 and $610 for 16GB wifi, $740 for 64GB wifi)... after eBay fees and PayPal fees, the seller likely profited less than $5 if they paid retail (like OP and others would be doing). :rolleyes:

So yes, there is money to be made. The potential for international selling is greater, so you have potential for making a little more money. But something like a 2% profit with such a big investment is not my idea of "worth it."
 
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