Report: Apple canceling iPhone 4 orders in Hong Kong

According to M.I.C Gadget, Apple is canceling online iPhone 4 orders in Hong Kong in an attempt to thwart would-be resellers.

Recently, customers have either had their existing orders canceled or been prevented from placing new orders. Many shoppers received this email from Apple:

“Dear Apple Online Store Customer,

Thank you for your recent Apple order.

To ensure that all customers are given the opportunity to acquire iPhone, we have limited the quantity available per customer. Our records indicate that you’ve exceeded this limit for iPhone orders, therefore this order has been cancelled.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused.

Sincerely,
Apple Online Store Customer Support”

That sounds like a message to someone trying to exceed Apple’s one-per-customer limit. However, M.I.C Gadget insists that their “deep research” revealed that all kinds of orders have been canceled, from new ones to those placed back in September, regardless of quantity or purchase history.

Last week, Apple Store security temporarily shut down a Beijing store that had attracted would-be resellers who were buying iPhones 20 and 30 at a time, only to offer them to passers-by right outside the store. Within hours, the store re-opened with the one-per-customer policy in place.

Grey and black market iPhone sales have been an ongoing problem in China, recently made worse by significant supply shortages, despite manufacturer Foxconn’s best efforts. Here’s hoping a resolution can be found.

[Via Mac Stories and M.I.C Gadget]

TUAWReport: Apple canceling iPhone 4 orders in Hong Kong originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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