Apple limits iPhone sales to two per person

In an attempt to stop people reselling unlocked iPhones in the US, Apple is limiting sales to customers and stopping cash sales.

According to Yahoo, the new policy started late last week when Apple suspected that 250,000 out of the 1.4 million iPhones sold since June, might have been bought by people planning to unlock them and sell them on for a fat profit.

Until last week, there was no cash restriction on purchases and people could buy up to five devices each. Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris naturally tried to put a positive spin on the decision:

“Customer response to the iPhone has been off the charts, and limiting iPhone sales to two per customer helps us ensure that there are enough iPhones for people who are shopping for themselves or buying a gift. We’re requiring a credit or debit card for payment to discourage unauthorized resellers.”

So the decision had nothing to do with Apple realising people might not want to get an expensive contract with its selected operator partners to get an iPhone, when they could simply buy an unlocked one on eBay.

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