Its going down, down, down, its going down...
Seems like the iPad 2 craze has died, we are slowly losing our market for iPad 2. No demand from indirect sellers, proven by the zero inquiry we are getting lately.
Early on we have identified that the profit generated from buying and selling the iPad 2 is not worth it. It is highly in demand but we cannot supply that demand so that we definitely decided to keep it off our listing in eBay and just focus on selling phones and other electronic accessories. Listing it makes no sense as it would just put more pressure on us to source it out.
Since the tsunami in Japan last month, a lot of businesses have been affected in terms of supply, Apple included. I have the gut-feel that people's interest in the new iPad 2 is not there anymore, its probably because they are waiting for iPad 3. I mean, it has been always like that.
Showing posts with label iPad 2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label iPad 2. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
iPad Smart Cover
Whoever was the proponent who first invented an accessory for something? I wonder what was the first accessory ever invented for mankind because I really feel that we owe our precious possessions of almost all sorts the need to be accessorized. I feel for you iPad 2 owners.
As the demand for iPad 2 was on its peak, so is also the undeniable demand for these cool iPad smart covers. I have posted iPad smart covers on eBay the day after iPad 2 was released, and it was two days after posting when I received an order for a color red. It seemed to me that the red one was the most saleable as people are most easily attracted to that color, and I had a headache when I couldn't source it out anywhere after I sold 2 pieces on eBay and the customer already paid. Problem was, I posted an authentic Apple Smart Cover accessory with a full Apple product description on eBay and it was out of stock and I have a five-day only handling time. I was afraid to tell the customer that the product he just bought from me was sold out, because in the first place I should have only posted products that are on hand, or if not on hand, products that I could easily source out easily if somebody places and order. Just look at this precious in-demand smart cover:
Everybody wants a color red really. I called every Apple Store around to inquire about its availability but only to no avail. It was reported that the manufacturing for iPad 2 and all its accessories were affected largely by the uneventful tsunami that hit Japan early this month.
So you might be wondering how I handled my eBay customer?
I always remind myself to treat customers with utmost priority because they give life to my business. I decided to tell the customer with all honesty and sincerity that iPad Smart Cover color red is currently sold out, but I gave him an option for another color for a discounted price. I was like letting some couple of dollars out of my hands for the sake of compensating for my customer's expectation. It was good to note that the customer was good-natured and thus opted a refund but I promised him I would be of service and get back at him as soon as the color red is made available again.
Now, does anybody know when will it be available?
As the demand for iPad 2 was on its peak, so is also the undeniable demand for these cool iPad smart covers. I have posted iPad smart covers on eBay the day after iPad 2 was released, and it was two days after posting when I received an order for a color red. It seemed to me that the red one was the most saleable as people are most easily attracted to that color, and I had a headache when I couldn't source it out anywhere after I sold 2 pieces on eBay and the customer already paid. Problem was, I posted an authentic Apple Smart Cover accessory with a full Apple product description on eBay and it was out of stock and I have a five-day only handling time. I was afraid to tell the customer that the product he just bought from me was sold out, because in the first place I should have only posted products that are on hand, or if not on hand, products that I could easily source out easily if somebody places and order. Just look at this precious in-demand smart cover:
So you might be wondering how I handled my eBay customer?
I always remind myself to treat customers with utmost priority because they give life to my business. I decided to tell the customer with all honesty and sincerity that iPad Smart Cover color red is currently sold out, but I gave him an option for another color for a discounted price. I was like letting some couple of dollars out of my hands for the sake of compensating for my customer's expectation. It was good to note that the customer was good-natured and thus opted a refund but I promised him I would be of service and get back at him as soon as the color red is made available again.
Now, does anybody know when will it be available?
Saturday, March 26, 2011
People Lining Crazy for iPad 2: The So-Called Scalpers
For whatever personal or business reason, the people seem to have grown in numbers as the days go by. Competition for the iPad 2 is getting tougher.
A week after its release, the lines seen in the Apple store were overwhelming. A lot of locals have already seen the advantage of sourcing this latest hype locally and selling it international. We couldn't keep up with the competition because people are actually lining up in groups! We then decided to contract more friends and acquaintances to line up on our behalf in as early as 9 p.m. the night before to avail of the new iPad 2 shipments the following day. During the first few days this system has worked for us and we were no doubt successful in bringing home a few more tablets, but just lately there is just nobody who would dare line up anymore as the groups started to line up as early as 5 p.m. Its getting real crazy.
At the peak of this iPad 2 craze comes some written posts about "US" Asians or Russians being termed as scalpers. Wow. Scalpers it is, but this is how you do some business you haters!
I would like to make my official written statement, and this is to tell to the world that we, the so called scalpers, are entitled to our opinions and/or ideas also.
First of all, what we are doing is nothing illegal. Buy and sell is a long time trading practice for the business-minded that we have just chosen to pursue. Apple reserves the right to allow or disallow repetitive purchases of its products, and last time I've heard, Apple have been accommodating and lenient. Point is, we scalpers are not breaking any rule here. We are just simply doing buy and sell as we were born with this talent for business.
It shouldn't be taken against "US" Asians or Russians if you couldn't get yourself an iPad 2 at the time you want and at the price you want.
It is not our fault that we were born aggressive and competitive. We decided to make our money work for us in our own legal little way.
By the time I publish this post, people are no longer lining up for iPad 2, but business is still alive.
A week after its release, the lines seen in the Apple store were overwhelming. A lot of locals have already seen the advantage of sourcing this latest hype locally and selling it international. We couldn't keep up with the competition because people are actually lining up in groups! We then decided to contract more friends and acquaintances to line up on our behalf in as early as 9 p.m. the night before to avail of the new iPad 2 shipments the following day. During the first few days this system has worked for us and we were no doubt successful in bringing home a few more tablets, but just lately there is just nobody who would dare line up anymore as the groups started to line up as early as 5 p.m. Its getting real crazy.
At the peak of this iPad 2 craze comes some written posts about "US" Asians or Russians being termed as scalpers. Wow. Scalpers it is, but this is how you do some business you haters!
I would like to make my official written statement, and this is to tell to the world that we, the so called scalpers, are entitled to our opinions and/or ideas also.
First of all, what we are doing is nothing illegal. Buy and sell is a long time trading practice for the business-minded that we have just chosen to pursue. Apple reserves the right to allow or disallow repetitive purchases of its products, and last time I've heard, Apple have been accommodating and lenient. Point is, we scalpers are not breaking any rule here. We are just simply doing buy and sell as we were born with this talent for business.
It shouldn't be taken against "US" Asians or Russians if you couldn't get yourself an iPad 2 at the time you want and at the price you want.
It is not our fault that we were born aggressive and competitive. We decided to make our money work for us in our own legal little way.
By the time I publish this post, people are no longer lining up for iPad 2, but business is still alive.
Friday, March 18, 2011
iPad 2 Craze: Another Business Opportunity!
March 11, 2011 was the day Apple officially released its new and improved tablet iPad 2 in the US market! Announcement was made on March 10 about the official sale to happen at 5 p.m. the next day across the 236 Apple outlets in America and at select authorized dealers.
Me and my friend set up a plan on what to do on March 11 so we could get more iPad 2 as possible. Like everyone else, thinking about business, we need to have more than sufficient iPad 2 in stock so we can supply a large demand from our international buyers. What's good about being here in the US is that we are way way ahead of other countries in almost every aspect. We have the advantage of supply, the advantage of price, and the advantage of being a trusted supplier selling 100% authentic stuff! We have the edge whichever way we look at it, and that means money baby! Here is a new opportunity that we would like to hit big!
On March 11, we formed two groups to line up at the Apple Store and in Best Buy. The line started shortly after 12 noon where it was so amazing to see people of all ages and style lined up for this new tablet innovation. It was a long line, and it was a cold day but we endured it. We have a goal we kept in mind and we were on to hit it in every way we can. The Apple staff were upbeat to keep people alive and interested by sharing more information about the new iPad 2 while patiently and/or impatiently waiting for the gates to open. Complimentary mineral water were given to those who lined up and an open free overflowing coffee was sitting right in front of the then closed Apple Store in Oakridge Mall, here in San Jose California. Finally, the clock hit 5 p.m. and chaos from the people's tension was overwhelming! At Oakridge, there was a 2 tablet limit per person and everybody wanted to have the 16Gb white iPad, but unfortunately at Best Buy, only 1 tablet per person was allowed, and the most number of our group lined up in Best Buy! The adrenaline rush at that very moment was unexplainable, we had a target of 50 iPad 2 for that day, plus there was the possibility of stock shortage which could have meant failure for our goal that day.
At the end of the day we gathered a total of 17 tablets, a mere 35% of our overall target. Lesson learned: focus on the Apple Store!
The next steps we took were far more bloody as compared to the release date as we were on to line up as early as 11 p.m. the day before to avail of the next iPad 2 shipment the following day. More of this story in my next post.
Business from iPad 2 is sure to be doing just great!
Already have your iPad 2? You may want to check out these following accessories to dress it up!
Me and my friend set up a plan on what to do on March 11 so we could get more iPad 2 as possible. Like everyone else, thinking about business, we need to have more than sufficient iPad 2 in stock so we can supply a large demand from our international buyers. What's good about being here in the US is that we are way way ahead of other countries in almost every aspect. We have the advantage of supply, the advantage of price, and the advantage of being a trusted supplier selling 100% authentic stuff! We have the edge whichever way we look at it, and that means money baby! Here is a new opportunity that we would like to hit big!
On March 11, we formed two groups to line up at the Apple Store and in Best Buy. The line started shortly after 12 noon where it was so amazing to see people of all ages and style lined up for this new tablet innovation. It was a long line, and it was a cold day but we endured it. We have a goal we kept in mind and we were on to hit it in every way we can. The Apple staff were upbeat to keep people alive and interested by sharing more information about the new iPad 2 while patiently and/or impatiently waiting for the gates to open. Complimentary mineral water were given to those who lined up and an open free overflowing coffee was sitting right in front of the then closed Apple Store in Oakridge Mall, here in San Jose California. Finally, the clock hit 5 p.m. and chaos from the people's tension was overwhelming! At Oakridge, there was a 2 tablet limit per person and everybody wanted to have the 16Gb white iPad, but unfortunately at Best Buy, only 1 tablet per person was allowed, and the most number of our group lined up in Best Buy! The adrenaline rush at that very moment was unexplainable, we had a target of 50 iPad 2 for that day, plus there was the possibility of stock shortage which could have meant failure for our goal that day.
At the end of the day we gathered a total of 17 tablets, a mere 35% of our overall target. Lesson learned: focus on the Apple Store!
The next steps we took were far more bloody as compared to the release date as we were on to line up as early as 11 p.m. the day before to avail of the next iPad 2 shipment the following day. More of this story in my next post.
Business from iPad 2 is sure to be doing just great!
Already have your iPad 2? You may want to check out these following accessories to dress it up!
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