While Apple ’s iPad reigns as thetop - sell tab in China , one-half of the sales for the iconic gadget have derive from unauthorized resellers , according to a Beijing - found inquiry firm .
In the second quarter , 1.07 million iPads , including both first and 2d coevals , were sold in China , according to Analysys International . But 49 percent of those devices were sold through China ’s white-haired food market , where products are bought from overseas and then resold by local seller .
The gamey number of grey-haired - market iPad sales is partly drive by consumers require to buy the 3 G interpretation of the gadget , said Sun Peilin , an psychoanalyst with the research firm . In China , Apple only formally commence selling the 3 G versions starting in September , six month after they had already gone on sale in the U.S.
While the iPad 2 attracted big crowds when it launched in China earlier this year, half of the tablet’s sales still come from unauthorized resellers.
Chinese consumers have often had to expect months at a time , before the newest Apple products are officially launched in the body politic . While Apple ’s iPhone 4S goes on sale in the U.S. this week , the company has yet to say when it will hit stores in China .
While the iPad 2 attracted big crew when it launched in China earlier this year , half of the tablet ’s sales still come from unauthorized resellers .
China ’s gray market has take advantage of the wait in launch date , usually by charging gamy prices to consumers wanting to be the first to buy the product . In the past , Apple products have also show to be so popular that prescribed sellers will incline out of caudex , open gray market seller another opportunity to cash in in , Sun said .
While the iPad 2 attracted big crowds when it launched in China earlier this year, half of the tablet’s sales still come from unauthorized resellers.
Another factor avail the gray securities industry is how Apple products are cheaper to buy in the U.S. , than in China . In the U.S. , a 3 G version of an iPad 2 with 64 GB storage will cost $ 829 . But in China , the terms for the same gadget is at 6,288 yuan or $ 990 .
This dispute allows grey market vendors to price their products lower than Apple , while still earning a gain , Sun say .
Apple has previously said the difference in prices for certain markets is due to currentness rating and government taxes .
Even as Apple has at long last plunge its 3 G translation of the iPad in China , hoary market sales for the gimmick will keep to be high , Sun say . “ The gray securities industry still has many advantages that will draw in customers , ” he added .
