The Apple Vision Pro only just launched and scalpers are already trying to make a fast buck off the new mixed-reality headset. With a starting price of $3,499 for the 256 GB model, along with the need for custom fitting at an Apple Store for optimal light blocking, one might wonder just how much you could get for the latest high-tech item. After all, aside from the fact that some folks can go to their local store and get one either the same day or pick it up on the next, the other question is whether or not there is really enough demand that anybody would be desperate enough to pay a scalper for one.
Well, it turns out that there’s at least one seller hoping to unload an Apple Vision Pro for $10,000 (eBay via Tom’s Hardware), and no, it’s not even one of the 512 GB or 1 TB models which as mentioned above, could be available off the shelf at some locations. Andrew E. Freedman, a writer for Tom’s Hardware, Kotaku, PCMag, and other publications, has been tracking the latest efforts of scalpers with Apple’s foray into mixed reality, went to a store on the night of its launch in an attempt to try a demo of the headset, and lo and behold, it was actually in stock!
Per Tom’s Hardware:
“When I went to my local Apple Store on the evening of the launch for the demo experience, the specialist who gave me the demo told me that if I wanted the 512GB or 1TB models, I could get one immediately. That was right before the store closed.”
Obviously, the Apple Vision Pro is a niche product, at least for now anyway until, if, such types of tech become more common and in demand. Niche products combined with high price tags that are further inflated by scalper’s markups are unlikely to be presently sought after but as of right now, these are only available in North America so potential buyers in other regions could show an interest. The issue of a custom fitting for Apple’s Light Shield may also be a moot point for those with FOMO or who are willing to spend an extra $199 to get it done after the fact.
Why start scalping them now?
Mr. Freedman reached out to Ramon T. Llamas, Research Director for IDC’s devices and display team which focuses on wearables, smartphones, and AR/VR devices, as to why the scalping community is being so quick to jump into moving the new tech. While Llamas offered that while there’s plenty of speculation regarding what consumers will ultimately gravitate towards, and that right now scalpers are essentially competing with a manufacturer’s fixed price and available inventory, there can be other factors down the road that can affect demand.
The PC and gaming industry has repeatedly seen a now recurring history of scalpers managing to get a hold of inventory and unload it for often exorbitant prices. From the crypto-mining craze to next-gen console launches, supply chain issues, and regional regulatory laws, there seems to be no end to giving scalpers an opportunity for a fast buck in the tech industry.
RTX 4090
This phenomenon doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon either, but at least for now, hasn’t managed to hi-jack the latest graphics card launches of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX SUPER series lineup. Unfortunately, it continues to plague those seeking the GPU manufacturer’s flagship model, the RTX 4090, as sellers are still offering it at well over $1,000 MSRP. Recently it was discovered that overseas entities have even begun purchasing prebuilt systems only to remove the highly sought-after top-tier GPU. All this, despite the recent launch of the RTX 4090D, which was intended to both meet regulations and some had hoped would deter further scalping of RTX 4090 inventory plus the added overhead of purchasing an entire system just to remove one component, sellers are still able to turn a profit on the cards.