Just days after release, grey iPads sold in China

Hong Kong, Apr 9: Just days after the official US release of Apple's newest sensation iPad, the world-famous grey markets of China begun sales the tablet computers.

According to the Financial Times, the grey iPads, which are selling in some mainland China and Hong Kong stores, are priced higher than the American originals.

The grey imports are currently selling for a 50 per cent premium on the USD 500 price in America.
However, the prices are expected to come down in the Chinese markets as the iPads are not only widely available but seem to be suffering weaker-than-expected demand.

"Mainland China and Hong Kong have vibrant grey markets, whereby consumers can buy parallel imports – shipments of legitimate goods not intended for that market – of most foreign products," the Thursday, Apr 9 report noted.

If the customers are ready to shell out more money, then the Chinese grey markets provide everything for them even before the official launch of a product.

Apple's iPhone was available for sale in these markets in 2007, two years before it became officially available, the Financial Times noted, adding that it was sold at a price of 1,300 US dollars, double the US retail price.

However, quoting a Hong Kong shop-owner, the report said that iPads are just 'half as popular' as the iPhones.

“Unlike mobile phones, iPad is not something that people need to use everyday," said, Andus Lau, owner of a store called DHC Mobile, which started offering grey iPads at a 7 per cent discount price in bid to boost sales.

OneIndia News