Serious question, then: do you think that a place in line is a fungible commodity that can be traded? These queues exist because Apple decides to avoid introdu

Serious question, then: do you think that a place in line is a fungible commodity that can be traded? These queues exist because Apple decides to avoid introducing new devices at their true market value (say, at a 20% or 50% markup over their long-term price) and sell them to people willing to pay this exorbitant amount; it's a similar logic to lining up for a concert. I've heard it argued that this kind of pricing for scarce products would damage the brand (e.g. no-one wants to hear about $500 tickets for a concert, and wants a mix of customers rather than the perception that everyone at concert X or buying product Y are rich douchebags). The promoters, or Apple, or whoever, are leaving some money on the table in order to spread early access to the product to people who are enthusiasts, not necessarily those who want to spend the most money. What you've decided to do is to try to take this money off the table yourself, in ignorance of the social conventions that you're violating. I wish your business a slow death, but a speedy journey to hell!