Scalping Resurges as iPhone 18 Pro Hits Shelves, With Burgundy Red 256GB Fetching HK$2,500 Resale Premium

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro series officially went on sale and began shipping on Friday (September 18). Outside multiple Apple Stores across Hong Kong, large crowds of fans queued to buy the new devices, while many suspected “scalpers” waited outside, conducting on‑the‑spot cash transactions — signalling a return of the scalping frenzy. Reports indicate that the iPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB in Burgundy Red commanded the highest resale premium, with each device yielding a net profit of over HK$2,000 upon resale.

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro series officially went on sale and began shipping on Friday.

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro series officially went on sale and began shipping on Friday. Photo by Bastille Post reporter.

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro series officially went on sale and began shipping on Friday. Photo by Bastille Post reporter.

At the Causeway Bay Apple Store, snaking queues persisted inside before noon, with reserved buyers waiting their turn. Meanwhile, the area outside the store was crowded, as many suspected scalpers quoted prices to those who had just purchased new phones and settled in cash on the spot. Some were seen carrying multiple Apple white paper bags in both hands, having secured quite a haul. Over at the Canton Road store in Tsim Sha Tsui, which opened at 8 am, the first person in line had started queuing in the early hours. He said he bought an iPhone 18 Pro in Glacier colour for his wife.

Many suspected scalpers quoted prices to those who had just purchased new phones and settled in cash on the spot. Photo by Bastille Post reporter.

Many suspected scalpers quoted prices to those who had just purchased new phones and settled in cash on the spot. Photo by Bastille Post reporter.

It is understood that this round of new iPhone series scalping market is “active with both demand and supply”. Among the models, the iPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB is the most popular and sees the highest volume of resales. Within this, the newly launched “Burgundy Red” (also referred to as wine red) is the most sought‑after. Reports say that early‑morning purchase prices at Sin Tat Plaza reached HK$14,000; buying and immediately reselling could yield a maximum profit of HK$2,500.

Online retailer proprietor convicted of wrongly accepting payments

A 47-year-old female proprietor of an online retailer was convicted and sentenced to four months' imprisonment and was ordered to pay approximately $160,000 in compensation to five victims at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (September 18), for engaging in wrongly accepting payments in the course of business, in violation of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO). The sentence fully reflects the severity of the offence and carries a deterrent effect.

Hong Kong Customs earlier received a number of reports from members of the public stating that the retailer involved had advertised supermarket vouchers with a face value of $50 for pre-sale at low prices through its online shop and social media platforms. After receiving full deposits, the trader promised to deliver the goods within two to three months. However, after accepting payments, the retailer failed to deliver the goods and did not arrange any refunds. The case involved a total of 4 380 supermarket vouchers with an aggregate amount of approximately $170,000, with the largest individual case amounting to around $70,000.

Customs welcomed the ruling and emphasised that it will continue to strictly crack down on unfair trade practices to protect consumer rights. Meanwhile, traders are reminded to comply with the provisions of the TDO. It is an offence if a trader, at the time of accepting payment, intends not to supply the product, or if there are no reasonable grounds for believing they can supply the product within a specified or reasonable period. Upon conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Customs appeals to consumers to maintain vigilance before pre-ordering products with prices significantly lower than the market rate or making large-amount prepaid consumption, and to patronise reputable merchants. Members of the public may report any suspected violations to the Customs' 24-hour hotline at 182 8080, or via the dedicated crime reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Source: AI-found images