Iphone 5 Grey Market

[boxman]

Does anyone know the best place to look for an iPhone 5 in Bangkok near the release date. I really want to buy one right before the official release date so I can show it off to my friends.

Typically when Apple announces a new product release date it ships the products to retailers so they can have it ready to sale on the official release date, but I have a feeling that since things in Thailand are run a bit differently, I'm sure a gratuity payment underneath the table could shave off around 24 hours from release date.

For obvious reasons I thought of the MBK but I'm not sure if any of those small shops would have access to it. I've also heard there was a night market that might have it. Thoughts?

[negreanu]

MBK. They will source from HK as usual with the appropriate markup expect around 45-60k each on the first batch to arrive in BKK. Some stores even hit 65k for 32gb version (And they were selling!).

HK initial sources were italy and uk models.

I am thinking of bringing a few from HK I will only charge 40k

Actually it depends on the yet to be disclosed initial country roll-out from Apple and the state of unlocked us versions on rollout.

Edited September 16, 2011 by negreanu

[shepsel]

I Phone 5's (I don't know if they are copies or not) are available in certain shops in Mai Sai.

[boxman]

Wait so you both are saying that the iPhone 5 is already being sold? How can that be. Apple hasn't even announced a release date, and there is a very strong indication that the release date is in October.

And is HK Hong Kong?

[negreanu]

Let me clarify of course we are talking about the iPhone 4 grey import supply from before. Everyone knows the iPhone 5 is not released..... .... ..... ....

Anyone stating they are selling them or have them in Thailand or otherwise is full of sh1t. There is some shenzen copies floating around that are nothing like the iPhone 5 software or design wise but people buy them for some reason.

HK is Hongkong.

Edited September 16, 2011 by negreanu

[boxman]

Great. I'm gonna ask the obvious question and just ask which shops would you go to in the MBK to get a iPhone 5 a bit before the release. Would you just go two days before the official release and simply ask every shop on the fourth floor if they have an iPhone 5 to sell?

This is all assuming that the iPhone 5 release will be very similar to the iPhone 4 release.

[negreanu]

MBK won't have stock until after the official release (Country depending) then they will arrive in HK most likely first and MBK buyers will source them from HK shops add their margin and sell them.

Some of course will take your money as a deposit but this will in no way ensure that you get it anywhere near the release date or indeed be the first to get it when some stock arrives at MBK.

No MBK shop will have them prior to release. Would expect unto 7 days after release in MBK depending on countries of release.

You could go a couple of days after official release and check lots of stores at MBK some may have 1 or 2 in the 60-80k range in the first few days. 2 weeks later expect them to be in the 40k range and 3 weeks later mid-high 30k range.

Edited September 16, 2011 by negreanu

[Jimi007]

LOL! Did you get your iPhoney 5?

[jybkk]

LOL! Did you get your iPhoney 5?

Haha!

The only noticeable difference between iPhone4 and iPhone4S is the the speaker: there are now 2 slits instead of one. Yesterday, I've seen they already are selling screen protections that include a printed second slit so it looks like you already got the latest model.

[watcharacters]

MBK. They will source from HK as usual with the appropriate markup expect around 45-60k each on the first batch to arrive in BKK. Some stores even hit 65k for 32gb version (And they were selling!).

HK initial sources were italy and uk models.

I am thinking of bringing a few from HK I will only charge 40k

Actually it depends on the yet to be disclosed initial country roll-out from Apple and the state of unlocked us versions on rollout.

I know Apple plans to have a few carriers other than A T & T but this "unlocked us versions on rollout." is news to me. Weill Apple sell unlockedUS versions? I'd for sure buy one when I go back to the USA to bring back with me on my return.

[Crushdepth]

I can sell you an iPhone 5, no problem. Going cheap.

[Jimi007]

MBK. They will source from HK as usual with the appropriate markup expect around 45-60k each on the first batch to arrive in BKK. Some stores even hit 65k for 32gb version (And they were selling!).

HK initial sources were italy and uk models.

I am thinking of bringing a few from HK I will only charge 40k

Actually it depends on the yet to be disclosed initial country roll-out from Apple and the state of unlocked us versions on rollout.

I know Apple plans to have a few carriers other than A T & T but this "unlocked us versions on rollout." is news to me. Weill Apple sell unlockedUS versions? I'd for sure buy one when I go back to the USA to bring back with me on my return.

Apple already sells unlocked iPhones in the US. Look at the US Apple Store online. But it will be an iPhone 4S, not a 5. There isn't a 5 still...

[nikster]

The fact that the 4S looks pretty much exactly like the 4 should keep the grey import prices down a bit, I think.

Are you really going to pay 60k for a phone that looks just like a phone anyone else has had for a year? SIRI won't work in Thai / Thailand so that's not new either...

[sfokevin]

If someone is willing to spend 60k I would suggest buying a plane ticket to HK or Singapore to buy one when they are released there

[outdateIT]

Just buy an iPad 2 you get the same stuff with bigger screen if you want to make a call just use the old phone.

[buzz]

SIRI won't work in Thai / Thailand ...

Why not ?

[Gary A]

A lot of you guys are way behind the times. A friend of mine bought an iPhone 5 several weeks ago in Cambodia. He paid 30 dollars for it. I was teasing him and he insisted that it worked great. Yesterday he told me that it would no longer charge and now is dead. He admits that it was a waste of 30 dollars. At least he didn't have to worry about hacking his new phone.

[watcharacters]

.

Edited October 21, 2011 by watcharacters

[watcharacters]

MBK. They will source from HK as usual with the appropriate markup expect around 45-60k each on the first batch to arrive in BKK. Some stores even hit 65k for 32gb version (And they were selling!).

HK initial sources were italy and uk models.

I am thinking of bringing a few from HK I will only charge 40k

Actually it depends on the yet to be disclosed initial country roll-out from Apple and the state of unlocked us versions on rollout.

I know Apple plans to have a few carriers other than A T & T but this "unlocked us versions on rollout." is news to me. Weill Apple sell unlockedUS versions? I'd for sure buy one when I go back to the USA to bring back with me on my return.

Apple already sells unlocked iPhones in the US. Look at the US Apple Store online. But it will be an iPhone 4S, not a 5. There isn't a 5 still...

You don't mention that the unlocked phone is tied to a two year contract.

[Jimi007]

I know Apple plans to have a few carriers other than A T & T but this "unlocked us versions on rollout." is news to me. Weill Apple sell unlockedUS versions? I'd for sure buy one when I go back to the USA to bring back with me on my return.

Apple already sells unlocked iPhones in the US. Look at the US Apple Store online. But it will be an iPhone 4S, not a 5. There isn't a 5 still...

You don't mention that the unlocked phone is tied to a two year contract.

When they first came out with the unlocked iPhone in the US and I looked at it I didn't see the part: The unlocked iPhone 4 requires an active micro-SIM card that you obtain from a supported GSM wireless carrier. I'm not sure what they mean by supported ( I guess one that the phone will work with), but where do you see that it requires a two year contract? http://store.apple.c...duct/MC603LL/A. But I was wrong as I didn't look lately, only the 4 is available not the 4S at this time.