Used iPhones Worth $1,000 in Ukraine — Even Scratched Ones

By Leander Kahney (9:50 pm, May 08 2008)

Picture: The president of Ukraine, Viktor Yushenko, yakking on his iPhone. The iPhone is hot in the Slavic country. From iPhone Code.

Used iPhones are worth more than $1,000 in Ukraine, according to the Craigslist buyer who just purchased my slightly scratched iPhone for (get this) $350.

The buyer, named Claude, is heading to Ukraine next week on business and everyone he meets will ask him for an iPhone, he says. He’s sold dozens of iPhones, new and used: It doesn’t really matter.

In fact, I sold him two iPhones: a virgin 16-Gbyte model still sealed in its box, and my slightly worn day-to-day iPhone, an original 8-Gbyte model.

I got $850 for both phones — $500 for the new one (it retails for $500 + $40 tax) and $350 for the used iPhone (it sells new for $400 + $34 tax. I paid $600 minus a $100 rebate).

I felt pretty good until Claude told me he’ll be getting at least $1,000 for the used iPhone in Ukraine, and more for the new one. WTF! — thanks for telling me!

Still, it’s not all gravy. Claude says he has to keep the iPhones on his person when passing through customs, or they disappear from his luggage. Likewise the chargers, cords and everything else. Plus, he has to bribe every official he meets.

Claude wasn’t aware there’s a new iPhone model expected next month (which is why I’m selling). Not that it mattered. He says he’ll take all and any iPhones I can send his way.

Anyone want to get rid of their old iPhone?

8 comments »

About the author

Leander Kahney is the editor and publisher of Cult of Mac, and author of three books about technology culture: Inside Steve’s Brain, the New York Times bestseller about Steve Jobs; Cult of Mac; and Cult of iPod. Leander has written for Wired, MacWeek, Scientific American, and The Guardian in London. Follow Leander on Twitter @lkahney and Facebook.

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Posted in iPhone | Tagged: iPhone |

Hatim
Yes please! email this way :)
http://www.coroflot.com/public/individual_details.asp?individual_id=143693 Deocliciano
Insane!
Church of Apple
“Plus, he has to bribe every official he meets.”
That kinda makes me feel sick.
Orlando
Doesn’t really make me feel sick, unless the bribe is pretty outrageous. A lot of countries put insane duty taxes on consumer electronics. I am talking 100% on top of the value of the item. So if you’re bringing a laptop that costs $1000 you have to pay another thousand to get it past customs. And the the people who are citizens of that country are the ones that have to pay, not visitors or tourists(as long as you promisse the item is not staying in the country) . Now THAT makes me sick…
Mike
Shit. Used iphone doesn’t cost $1000 in Ukraine. You can buy new one for $600.
http://www.deepapple.com Andrey Bessemer
“Anyone want to get rid of their old iPhone?” – Crap. Mr. Kahney, could you be a bit more polite while talking about aborigines across the Atlantic? We do use our Macs too. As well as hammer at “Inside SteveÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s Brain”.
Sauri
What a pile of BS ;). Here in Russia you can buy a new sealed iPhone for 400-500$ and the market is pretty fed up with them so it wouldn’t be easy to find a buyer for a used one. And in Ukraine all gadget/tech prices are usually even less.
http://www.iphoneclub.nl/forum/leden/2730-croiman.html croiman
email me for a iphone mod for sale.
google on “psycho iphone case mod” with a iliminating apple on it.