SINGAPORE - The iPhone 6 launch frenzy drew many rowdy tourists to Apple retail outlets on Friday, many buying with the aim of flipping the phone for immediate profits of a few hundred dollars.
A man who bought a 64GB gold-coloured iPhone 6 from Nubox at Raffles City was seen trying to sell it at the back of the snaking queue of more than 100 people for $1,600. This is $452 higher than the cost price.
"He's so blatant about it. Then he dropped his price to $1,500, but it's so silly to patronise him," said homemaker Mrs Wong Meiping, 48, who was in the queue.
Fans waiting in line at Marina Bay Link Mall, Tampines Mall and 112 Katong said there were arguments that erupted over people cutting queues.
In comparison, the phones were launched with few hiccups at the three telcos SingTel, M1 and StarHub. Only customers who managed to make pre-orders online were allowed to collect the phones today, eliminating the need for long queues.
Over a hundred SingTel customers turned up before dawn at the telco's iPhone 6 and 6 Plus launch event on Friday morning for their phones.
First in line were friends Justin Chow, 28 and Jessica Koh, 26. They arrived at 5.45am despite having secured fixed appointment timings starting at 8am.
Mr Chow, who is getting a 64GB space grey iPhone 6 said he didn't expect to be first in the queue. "I just wanted to get the phone, and from the previous launches, I knew you had to show up early. Plus I need to be at work by 9am," the strategy consultant said.
The Apple fan added that he was attracted to the tech giant's latest phone not because of its bigger screen size, but its curved design. "It's a throwback to the very first iPhone," he said.
Ms Koh said she was more excited about getting the Apple Watch, which will be launched only next year.
SingTel said more than 50,000 customers who had earlier registered their interest for the phone on its website logged on at 3pm on Wednesday to try to book an appointment to collect the phone. More than 15,000 slots were snapped up in less than 15 minutes. About 5,000 customers are expected to purchase their phones at the event on Friday.
The demand for the bigger iPhone 6 Plus was higher, the telco said. All units available for the weekend launch were reserved within three minutes.
