Illegal overpricing in mall?

[anthonium]

One of our fanciest malls here in Miami has had a kiosk for the longest time that sells unlocked phones. Many of these phones are being sold for a ridiculous higher amount than retail. Just recently I was there and the smaller pixel 32gb was $800! The regular oneplus 3 not the 3T was $500! Not even the new one is that much. This place takes advantage of the many tourists that come to Miami. I called them out for it and they say their prices are like that because they unlock the phones and in the case of the pixel they flat out told me you can't get it anywhere because it's sold out!

Is this not illegal? It infuriates me how they take advantage of people.

 

[sulla1965]

Buyer beware, they can charge whatever they like, the consumer is under no obligation to pay it.

 

[SactoKingsFan]

Why would it be illegal?

 

[Ry]

One of our fanciest malls here in Miami has had a kiosk for the longest time that sells unlocked phones. Many of these phones are being sold for a ridiculous higher amount than retail. Just recently I was there and the smaller pixel 32gb was $800! The regular oneplus 3 not the 3T was $500! Not even the new one is that much. This place takes advantage of the many tourists that come to Miami. I called them out for it and they say their prices are like that because they unlock the phones and in the case of the pixel they flat out told me you can't get it anywhere because it's sold out!

Is this not illegal? It infuriates me how they take advantage of people.

Unless they acquired the devices illegally, there is nothing wrong here.

 

[Almeuit]

Unless they acquired the devices illegally, there is nothing wrong here.

This.

 

[robber]

Given it is Miami, most are probably heading to South America and markets where they are much more difficult to acquire through normal channels.

 

[Javier P]

Given it is Miami, most are probably heading to South America and markets where they are much more difficult to acquire through normal channels.

Yeah, that's exactly what I think. They are taking advantage of foreigners from countries where it's almost impossible to get those devices. Those people don't have time to buy the phones through the normal channels and, even with those outrageous prices, they are still cheaper than going through the hassle of importing them in their countries. I can imagine a few Brazilians being happy paying those prices

 

[anthonium]

As far as Google goes, weren't they recently locking people's accounts recently for a similar situation? Or was it just because the Pixel phones being resold had been initially obtained through project Fi?

 

[steveh552]

Law of supply and demand, they have the product people want and they can charge it. Nobody is forcing anyone to buy them, but if they are still in business people obviously don't mind being taken advantage of. If i had a car worth 1500 and I put it up for sale for 5k and someone bought it, would that be illegal? Things are only worth what someone is willing to pay. Welcome to America, free market

 

[18t]

It's Miami... What do you expect? What mall? Dadeland?

 

[anthonium]

It's Miami... What do you expect? What mall? Dadeland?

Aventura Mall.

Well based on what everyone has said I suppose that's just the way it is! And yes that is usually the case with brazilian and south american tourists here. They walk out with tons of shopping bags.

More than anything I'm glad I'm a little informed to not be suckered by these people though. They make it sound like THEY unlock the phones...

 

[jackdubl]

Is this not illegal? It infuriates me how they take advantage of people.

It's a little thing called capitalism, my friend.

 

[gone down south]

I'd be concerned about warranty etc when buying from a grey market reseller like that, but if you're leaving the country anyways probably not as big a deal.

 

[88horizon5speed]

It's against Google's policy to RE sell the pixel for profit and avoiding the taxes. So ling as the phones weren't bought in say new Hampshire and drove to Miami for sale with sales tax added then I believe they are legal?