Apple has imposed a strict limit on iPhone Duo orders, capping purchases at two units per customer in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other international markets. The restriction was implemented shortly after pre-orders opened, following reports that estimated shipping dates for the device slipped into January of next year within minutes of the launch.
Combating Scalping and Resale Markets
The decision appears to be a direct response to the growing problem of scalping, where individuals or organized groups purchase large volumes of supply-constrained electronics to resell them at inflated prices. Reports indicate that dozens of iPhone Duo units have already appeared on eBay, with some listings exceeding $5,000, significantly above the retail price.
Testing by Engadget confirmed the restriction across multiple regions. When attempting to add more than two iPhone Duo units to a shopping cart on the Apple Stores in the US, UK, Japan, and Spain, customers received a clear notification. The message stated: “A maximum of 2 iPhone Duo can be purchased per customer. Please adjust the total quantity of iPhone Duo in your order before checking out.” This limit applies regardless of the specific configuration or model selected.
Historical Precedent and Ongoing Challenges
This is not the first time Apple has taken measures to curb bulk purchasing of its devices. The company has previously imposed similar limits in China, applying restrictions to both online orders and walk-in purchases at retail stores. In the United States, Apple has a long history of managing supply constraints, with one of the earliest examples dating back to the iPhone 5 launch in 2012.
Despite these measures, industrial-scale scalping remains difficult to eliminate. Organized groups often use multiple virtual credit card numbers, email addresses, and delivery locations to bypass purchase limits. Others employ people to place orders on their behalf, further complicating Apple’s efforts to ensure fair access for individual consumers.
While the two-unit cap is a clear attempt to reduce the scale of the problem, it is likely that Apple is also implementing behind-the-scenes measures to detect and reject more sophisticated bulk purchase attempts. For customers who have not yet secured a device, some have reported improvements to their estimated delivery dates. Those living near an Apple Store may also consider visiting for a walk-in purchase, though availability on the first day remains uncertain.
Source: 9to5Mac
