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Jun 29, 2007 11:53 pm US/Eastern
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iPhone Campers Sell Places In Line For Hundreds
Craiglist Classifieds Covered With Dozens Of Ads
By WCBSTV.com Producer Steve Fink
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
This is getting iRidiculous.
First it was AT&T stores closing down early to prepare for the iPhone launch. Then it was AT&T stores hiring professional security guards to maintain crowd control.
Now the iNsanity over the iPhone has spread to Craigslist, where dozens of people who have camped out in hopes of purchasing Apple's revolutionary cell phone are offering up their spots in line for hundreds of dollars.
That's right, for just $150, one buyer -- who claims he's 25th in line at the Flatiron AT&T store -- will sell you his spot in line. "Only 40 available at 5th & 24th AT&T store. You are guaranteed to get one today! Will hold position till 6 p.m.," the ad states.
To some, that stands a bargain. Another buyer, who says he's third in line at Long Island's Walt Whitman Mall, will make the purchase for you for $1,000. That's an 8 gigabyte iPhone for cost, plus an additional $400 for sitting in line.
Looking through the numerous listings, it seems the average iPhone camper will sell his or her spot in line for an average of $300 to $600.
And some will purchase the phone for you and hand deliver it to your residence for as much as $900 over cost.
Not to mention the cost of trust. The buyer says you give him the grand up front, and he'll give you the phone as soon as he leaves the store.
Does that come with a written guarantee?
Whether or not the seller comes through with the offer, anyone who buys into this craziness is getting duped one way or another. Most iPhone reviews agree that Apple will likely be lowering costs and offering improved versions of the phone as soon as within in the next year.
That being said, I'm heading over to the Union Square AT&T location now. I'll probably be 90th in line, but hey, at least I won't have to pay anything for that spot.
Of course, for just $50 it can be yours, instead.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)