Apple is apparently rationing the iPhone 4S in Hong Kong in a move aimed at stopping scalpers.
Apple Store sales of the device were suspended temporarily in China when it launched last month to prevent potential trouble from the crowds that gathered to buy it.
MICgadget reports that in Hong Kong now, Apple is giving customers three hours a day to request a device via the on-line Apple Store. If you're lucky, you'll get an email telling you when to pick it up. But, more importantly, customers have to show Government-issued ID that matches details given when ordering.
“Due to high demand, we are accepting a limited number of iPhone reservations per day. To request an iPhone reservation, please choose your store and the iPhone you want. If we have an iPhone reservation for you, you’ll receive a confirmation email by 9:00 p.m. tonight that includes the time when you can pick up your iPhone tomorrow. A government-issued photo ID matching the name and ID number on your reservation is required for iPhone purchases. If you don’t receive an email, we were unable to reserve an iPhone for you, and you can try again another time. Only those who receive an email confirming their reservation will be able to purchase an iPhone; we will not be selling iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S to walk-in customers.”Why the ID? It's claimed it's to stop scalpers - people who travel to Hong Kong from mainland China to buy iPhones and then sell them at a big profit on the grey market on the mainland, where they're still in short supply. The ID will identify buyers as Hong Kong citizens.
(Source: MICgadget)
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