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iArb

Tyler Durden's picture




 

Given the following chart, it is perhaps no surprise that the demand for iPhones in the US is higher than in the rest of the world. Forget about reaching for yield in CCC-rated cov-lite leveraged loans, ignore the latest internet no-profits-but-lots-of-eyeballs IPO, the real way to make money in the new normal is the 'iArbitrage'.

 

A 38% return would seem just too-tempting for an enterprising hedge fund - and we are sure eBay will be more than willing to provide the transaction platform...

 

Chart: Goldman Sachs

 

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Sat, 11/23/2013 - 15:42 | 4183793 Derf Scratch
Derf Scratch's picture

Don't let i-con see that chart!

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 15:58 | 4183827 Four chan
Four chan's picture

well apple does not pay us taxes so theres that.

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 16:31 | 4183872 noses
noses's picture

Regarding the German prices someone forgot to discount 19% sales tax – someone should have taken a look at the "Apple Store für Business" (Germlish – sounds healthy). But who ever cared for serious research as long as one can compare Apple and Oranges? (Regarding the inclusion of sales tax in price information that *could* be read by the public: It's more or less the same all over Europe, so no surprise there either.)

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 19:00 | 4184107 Running On Bing...
Running On Bingo Fuel's picture

Well now Noses. I think the bigger issue is, all of those countries are taxing the fuck out of the iShit, Why?

They don't want the fucking NSA eaves dropping in on their slaves. Who would!? My slaves are MY fucking slaves not my neighbors down the fucking way!

Why you listening in on my slaves bitch!? What? You trying to steal my bedwarmers??

Over!

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 19:43 | 4184217 thisandthat
thisandthat's picture

Same goes for Brazil, unless it's made locally (generally in the Manaus free trade area), it will be hit with high import taxes.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 06:42 | 4185105 The_merovingian
The_merovingian's picture

Well its not only the VAT that makes up for the difference in price. Electronics in general are cheaper in the US than in other countries of the world. Its called "the exhuberant privilege"of running the world currency.

http://www.german-way.com/travel-and-tourism/telephone-tips-for-germany/...

Cost of an Unlocked iPhone 5s • USA vs Germany

USA

16 GB iPhone 5s: $649, 32 GB iPhone 5s: $749, 64 GB iPhone 5s: $849

 

Gremany:

16 GB iPhone 5s: $944* (€699), 32 GB iPhone 5s: $1,079* (€799), 64 GB iPhone 5s: $1,214* (€899)

 

*Converted from euros (€699/€799/€899, Sept. 2013, euro = $1.35), includes 19% VAT

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 10:52 | 4185320 thisandthat
thisandthat's picture

volume effect, wages, transport, etc.

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 22:45 | 4184579 Sardonicus
Sat, 11/23/2013 - 16:23 | 4183855 thunderchief
thunderchief's picture

Samsung Galaxy phones are better.

Apple is just more Americana Crack.

Where is the Apple high speed rail?

Where is the Apple center for a sustainable world?

Apple,Google,facebook,twitter...Crack Supplied by your street corner NSA pimp!

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 17:11 | 4183933 Jlasoon
Jlasoon's picture

Yes because Samsung phones are made with spiritual-love-soaked-unicorn-love as oppose to the evil Apple. This fanboism for all things neo-slave made is shallow and represents a segment of the population incapable of serious thought.

Fuck the people that died in the Phillipines, will the next iPad Air Super Pro Galaxy Surface Nexus 145282943 Nook be compatible with my Dell Intel Xenon 16 core processor HTPC connected to my OLED 4K ultra slim super retina intense black TV with bluetooth vitual Bose Samsung LG SONOS Vizio surround soundbar with 3 subwoofers? What about my Kindle? Should I upgrade? Is Black Friday this week?

We deserve what's coming people.

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 17:25 | 4183950 max2205
max2205's picture

EU gas per gal vs US gas per gal....

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 17:43 | 4183993 Parrotile
Parrotile's picture

The Manufacturers produce what the Consumers wish to buy. For "visible" consumer products the herd-mentality is a very strong force, almost guaranteeing "product compliance" (Sid's got an iPhone 5, so I've GOT to have one too!)

As to the Philippines (the source of many "Big Name" products sold Worldwide), "as long as America's OK, then no-one gives a damn".

We STILL have no idea of the total casualty list for the Phillippines - and I'll safely wager it'll be a LOT higher than "Official" expectations. "Fortunately the path missed major Manufacturing and Industrial centres" - so Western consumers "won't be inconvenienced by supply chain issues".

"We deserve what's coming people." We certainly do, and the vast majority won't know what's hit them when "it" starts to happen.

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 16:24 | 4183861 Lost My Shorts
Lost My Shorts's picture

Some of the difference is just 25% VAT in Europe, already in the price, vs. a pre-salestax price in the US.  If you try to do any large volume in VAT-dodging black market iPhones, Monsieur Hollande will have words to say about that.

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 17:45 | 4183995 YC2
YC2's picture

Right, the difference is larely taxes, so if you are smuggling electronics across borders you are essentially tying to take the govts cut.

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 16:37 | 4183880 Sudden Debt
Sudden Debt's picture

THE BEST i MOVIE EVER!

iDIOTS
http://vimeo.com/79695097

ps: I like the hint to the IO 7 update that made all older iPads act like they're broken by reducing their speed. That was a noce trick by apple to force their adepts buy a new one...

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 17:10 | 4183930 Parrotile
Parrotile's picture

That seems to be a fairly common occurrence with Apple mobile hardware - "install Apple firmware upgrade, device no longer works properly (if at all), Apple Store advises that replacement is the less expensive option".

Those who "Must have an iPhone, Darling!" will buy another Apple device (and continue the cycle). Those with a brain will avoid Apple in the future and buy cheaper, far better alternative supplier products - such as Samsung, or Asus.

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 15:42 | 4183801 Crash Overide
Crash Overide's picture

iphone is shit, hate the whole snyc everything crap. Plug in my Samsung and drag and drop :)  Just saying.

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 16:34 | 4183881 Sudden Debt
Sudden Debt's picture

I dropped my iPhone last week and turns out he doesn't do that all to well... the glass is cracked..

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 17:15 | 4183941 Parrotile
Parrotile's picture

In Australia, that repair alone will set you back $150 - $180 (generic 'phone repairer vs. Apple Shop repair), which is a large chunk of the US price of a brand new device.

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 18:46 | 4184092 Sudden Debt
Sudden Debt's picture

I've ordered that parts myself on ebay for 16 dollar :)

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 05:34 | 4185073 bullchit
bullchit's picture

Try dropping one down the shitter, feckers can't swim either.

Regards.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 12:22 | 4185548 Sudden Debt
Sudden Debt's picture

and a person would expect it that it would be able after paying 900 dollars for a stupid phone right?

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 17:31 | 4183960 BurningFuld
BurningFuld's picture

If you have not checked out the new Blackberry Z30...You should.

Best email, text, facebook, whatsapp, BBM, etc...all in one integrated Hub

Best reception

Best sound

Super smooth multitasking OS.....the same OS that is in most cars now QNX baby

And if you are keeping up the latest leak 10.2.1.xxxx now runs and installs Android apps over the air...BOOM!

http://www.trustedreviews.com/blackberry-z30_Mobile-Phone_review

 

I know it's a shamless plug. But you don't want to be left behind.....................do you?

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 15:43 | 4183804 CrashisOptimistic
CrashisOptimistic's picture

The real way to make money in the new normal is print it.

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 15:47 | 4183806 material girl
material girl's picture

i don't think this chart fully accounts for the fact that phones are cheaper in the u.s. because it's a contract-based usage system. most of the rest of the world doesn't charge as much for per-month use. they front-load the cost of using a phone by charging more for the phone itself. so the cost of a phone+'mandatory associated contract, if any' might be more even around the world. or more expensive in the u.s., perhaps. plus there are risks involved in buying a u.s. phone and then unlocking it for usage in other countries.

i.e. not convinced.

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 15:59 | 4183828 CuttingEdge
CuttingEdge's picture

20% of the cost in Europe is sales tax. What is the tax in the US?

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 16:04 | 4183834 ebworthen
ebworthen's picture

Depending on the State, I'd guess 6%-10%.

Some Counties within States have add-on taxes.

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 16:14 | 4183848 material girl
material girl's picture

...and purchases online are taxed by the state that the item is shipped to. a small number of states have a 0% sales tax. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sales_taxes_in_the_United_States

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 16:16 | 4183849 CuttingEdge
CuttingEdge's picture

Notwithstanding that, there has always been a 30% - 40% variance on electonics and "designer" in Europe over the US. Can easily cover the cost of a flight over to NY on the savings of a few pairs of 501's and Reeboks. Fucking corporates operating in EU-protected markets charge what they can get away with.

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 16:24 | 4183858 James_Cole
James_Cole's picture

Yep, visit the relatives and buy some iphones.

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 16:23 | 4183860 123dobryden
123dobryden's picture

no sales tax here mate, never was, we call it VAT

 

value added tax

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 15:48 | 4183807 The Heart
The Heart's picture

Turn out the lights...the party's over....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsTAUs_h_uY

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 15:48 | 4183808 ebworthen
ebworthen's picture

No wonder Android is outselling Apple.

Too bad it's all Google'fied; Google has been a pain in the posterior on my Samsung - reminds me of Windows '95 trying to get me to log in and sign up to every add-on mailing list corporate monopolizing whiz-bang gizmo they had.

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 16:26 | 4183867 James_Cole
James_Cole's picture

Android is on many different phones, ios is only on iPhone. iPhone still outsells galaxy by a decent margin.

Hated using android on galaxy.

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 15:50 | 4183810 I am Jobe
I am Jobe's picture

Fuck Smart Phones and crap. Bend over sheeples. You are slaves to crap . They got you by your balls and pussies. Shove that thing alll the way up .

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 16:02 | 4183833 ebworthen
ebworthen's picture

It's true, they are damn contraptions that cost too much and track you and your activity.

Problem being older generations are getting drug along because if people want to communicate with their kids or grandkids they pretty much need one.

I gave in because my girlfriend (and the one before) liked to text; and if I didn't text it was going to be a no-go; this is true for a number of relationships.

A lot of jobs require that you know how to use a smart phone, the apps, connecting to wireless, and/or carrying a company phone.

A technological ball-and-chain it's true.

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 16:42 | 4183893 Miffed Microbio...
Miffed Microbiologist's picture

You need a new GF. I text about one a month " home late @ 7" Mr M responds "K". We find the interaction, cold, impersonal, fucking irritating and intrusive if done too much. We never call on the phone unless it's urgent. Human interaction, especially between lovers, should be in person. When apart, each should have complete freedom and no leashes, electronic or otherwise IMHO.

Miffed;-)

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 17:28 | 4183955 mofreedom
mofreedom's picture

I marreid my wife becasue of her simplicity, and texting or being on the phone for more than 10 seconds is nothing either of us have ever liked.

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 16:52 | 4183905 Professorlocknload
Professorlocknload's picture

 Unfortunately, my iPh is about the only way to log on here while on the road.

 Other than that, I managed 8 years without a cell phone, after I shut the biz down, until a couple years ago when a minor crisis sprang up and I needed one to orchestrate a solution. The thing saved me around $5k in logistical expedience. Bitter sweet, I guess.

 Still cringe every time the damn thing rings, though.

 

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 17:10 | 4183931 Miffed Microbio...
Miffed Microbiologist's picture

Few years back our lab manager instituted a no cell phone policy. It could be kept in your locker but not on your person. The feeling was if you are doing complex testing, an interruption may cause a sentinel event and harm a patient. Many people and their significant others went completely ballistic. They needed to be available in case of an emergency. They needed to take their phone to a private area to talk. Endless excuses. The manager refused and said any emergency must be called on the lab phone. I had no problem with it but people are still petitioning having them back. For 20 years, we all seemed to have lived without having the technology. I think cell phones are more addictive than crack.

Miffed;-)

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 17:26 | 4183953 Parrotile
Parrotile's picture

The general concept of what constitutes an "emergency" sems a lot different nowadays. Most (if not ALL) the "emergency" calls from home to colleagues seem best described as "inconvenience mitigation" events, along with a dreadfully feeble understanding of some very basic science - e.g. if you have a power outage, the freezer contents are NOT going to instantly defrost, and water leaks may be immediately mitigated by simply turning off the mains water supply.

Rocket Science this is not, but it seems well beyond the ken of people who should know better.

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 17:33 | 4183969 mofreedom
mofreedom's picture

Taveling in Europe in the mid 90's multiple groups could coordinate meeting palces from various origins and meet up just fine.  Car used to break down on the highway, ah, hoof it / hitch-hike.  Today I use my phone 98% for the radio, 1% for the internet.

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 16:04 | 4183835 the grateful un...
the grateful unemployed's picture

how much does one share of $100 stock cost me priced in USD, if I am a TBTF bank and I am hooked up to QE? does that mean everyone else is overpaying?

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 16:04 | 4183836 NOZZLE
NOZZLE's picture

I dont quite get that, the typical markup from Chicago to Belgrade is about 10% on apple and Samsung products. 

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 16:04 | 4183837 j.tennquist
j.tennquist's picture

The world subsidizes our infantile fascination with gadgets as we sell out to mindless obedient materialism.

It's one way to wage a war and win without firing a single shot.

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 16:09 | 4183843 PontifexMaximus
PontifexMaximus's picture

Any prices from HK and SING? Apple is doing it the right way, keeping funds outside the US and waiting for opportunities to invest/take over tax free. You don't have to teach them the lesson.

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 16:15 | 4183847 Goldilocks
Goldilocks's picture

'1984' Apple Macintosh Commercial (Full advert, Hi-Quality).mp4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9fx5pcv3GE (1:12)

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 16:21 | 4183854 lolmao500
lolmao500's picture

How in the hell doesn't ZH do a post about this?

http://news.yahoo.com/china-creates-air-defence-zone-over-japan-controll...

China creates air defence zone over Japan-controlled islands

China basically annexed Japan territory!

Or this :

Kings of #SaudiArabia, #Qatar & #Kuwait met today to discuss #Obama sell-out to #Iran. I'd be surprised if the word "dollar" didn't come up.

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 16:24 | 4183862 CuttingEdge
CuttingEdge's picture

I imagine the Prime Minister of #Israel was on conference call to that one...

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 17:34 | 4183971 lolmao500
lolmao500's picture

+1

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 17:47 | 4183998 Bear
Bear's picture

No he's in Moscow looking for a friend

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 17:26 | 4183954 Terminus C
Terminus C's picture

Hang over...

It is the weekend.

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 17:39 | 4183982 Seb
Seb's picture

A chart that does not start from zero on the Y axis is worthless.

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 19:35 | 4184192 Stuck on Zero
Stuck on Zero's picture

The airlines are filled with people from all over the world buying merchandise and carrying it home.  The weird part is that the merchandise was made in their own countries.  Because of VAT and other taxes it's cheaper to pay for the tickets, fly here, buy the product, and fly it home.  Virgin Air is one of the biggest carriers for European shopping sprees in New York.

 

Sat, 11/23/2013 - 23:37 | 4184689 ToNYC
ToNYC's picture

Apple is so cool it's nothing special.

Sun, 11/24/2013 - 09:25 | 4185207 merizobeach
merizobeach's picture

Well, here in Taiwan, the price of an iPhone is... oh, wait, I don't have a fucking clue.  (Fuck you, NSApple!)

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