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People are Hawking TikTok-Loading Phones for Thousands on eBay, Facebook (apnews.com) 76

Posted by EditorDavid from the TikTokker-born-every-minute dept.
TikTok is still not available for download from U.S.-based app stores, reports CBS News. So "Some fast-acting entrepreneurs are selling phones with TikTok preloaded on devices for thousands of dollars online." The Associated Press notes that New York-based Nicholas Matthews "listed an iPhone 14 Plus with TikTok for $10,000. As of Friday, Matthews said his highest bid was for $4,550."

Another example from The New York Times: An information technology engineer, Mr. Gustab listed his iPhone 15 Pro with TikTok downloaded onto it for $3,000 on Facebook Marketplace. That's about three times the cost of a brand-new iPhone 16 Pro. On Thursday night, he had an offer for $1,200, still more than almost every brand-new iPhone and nearly twice as much as a refurbished iPhone 15 Pro without TikTok.
Business Insider reports the search term iPhone TikTok "yielded more than 45,000 results" on eBay...

People are Hawking TikTok-Loading Phones for Thousands on eBay, Facebook More | Reply

People are Hawking TikTok-Loading Phones for Thousands on eBay, Facebook

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  • TikTok addiction? (Score:3)

    by Z00L00K ( 682162 ) on Saturday January 25, 2025 @12:37PM (#65117849) Homepage Journal

    This seems to me that some people have a TikTok addiction.

    • Re: (Score:3)

      by r1348 ( 2567295 )

      Or they're influencers whose livelihood depends on TikTok access.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by Z00L00K ( 682162 )

        Which is an addiction.

      • If your lively hood rests on a relatively cheap device like a phone. Perhaps you should have a 2nd or 3rd one ready to go with all the apps you need preloaded and put away in a safe location. In the end this is probably all BS news some TikTokers are making up for clicks/views. Not hard to list an iphone for $10k, give your buddy 10k to "buy" it and send the money back over paypal to make it look legit to eBay. Though you'd be dumb as hell to play around with $10k like this. It's going to trigger reporting
        • This all screams of TikToc stupidity like the "free money from chase ATMs" bullshit last year where people were literally just overdrafting their bank accounts. Fucking idiots.

      • Or they're influencers whose livelihood depends on TikTok access.

        Their livelihood also depends on others having access to the app. If it gets banned, then the influencers' business model is wounded fatally.

        I won't share my thoughts on the ban here. Just pointing out it's silly for people to pay so much for an app that may not be viable soon.

        • It would all depend on how much money you're making off TicTok. If you're making $10k a week or even a month it might be worthwhile.
          • This.

            Some people are going to be put to a choice between replacement and retooling.

            Turns out, its hard and time-consuming to get in on the algorithm of other platforms (retooling) while its going to cost $x to get a replacement phone with tiktok already on it.

            But right now I just dont see how a tiktok phone is a scarce resource.

            • You and anoncoward69 missed my point: if the app is banned, then there is no audience for the influencers. The'll have to move to another app, so why pay so much for an app that might disappear?

              • You and anoncoward69 missed my point: if the app is banned, then there is no audience for the influencers. The'll have to move to another app, so why pay so much for an app that might disappear?

                Just opinion with an educated view of Human behavior; it's less mental work to stay with what already works. To put 'work' into retooling with the possibility of change in the results of the alternative, is chemically negative in the brain. There is less of a feeling of collapse and failure if the brain believes that things will succeed if no work is done. Avoidance results from negative feedback.

                I would say this is a hybrid between laziness (desire to tend toward lack of work) and desperation (avoidance

              • Re: (Score:2)

                by r1348 ( 2567295 )

                Again, you're missing the point that it's only banned in the US.

                • Again, you're missing the point that it's only banned in the US.

                  How could I have missed that point when nobody made it?

                  • Re: (Score:2)

                    by r1348 ( 2567295 )

                    RTFA?

                  • Re: (Score:2)

                    by Whibla ( 210729 )

                    Again, you're missing the point that it's only banned in the US.

                    How could I have missed that point when nobody made it?

                    Were you unaware of this fact before posting that influencers still required an audience in order to make money?

        • Lots and lots of people still have access and when Trump is done getting his bribes whoever has still been making content will likely come out ahead.

          • Lots and lots of people still have access and when Trump is done getting his bribes whoever has still been making content will likely come out ahead.

            Likely true. The ultimate benefit would be that Trump is beyond Elvis in the minds of the young (and disenfranchised). Here's the rub - he can't do it. All he can do is extend the judicial decision already made. TikTok-c-whatever will be sold to an American buyer. Not to be an ass, but I think I have a slight little guess who (I'm referring to a single person) has the money and will buy it.

            Fun other fact; the DOGE doesn't exist as a new government entity. The Prez can't do that. He can (and did) rena

            • Ironically, if things were true and real instead of a political game, it would be hilarious for the head(s) of the "Department of Gov't Efficiency" to decide that the United States Digital Service" is unneeded overhead, and successfully end what he/they are in charge of. *snort*

            • Re: (Score:2)

              by jvkjvk ( 102057 )

              >Extension of the fun fact, one of those in charge of DOGE is actually in charge of the renamed "United States Digital Service".

              I wonder if there is going to be a lawsuit over this.

              Surely you can't change the name and purpose of an existing government department just to get around the pesky laws requiring Congress to get involved in that kind of thing?

              That seems idiotic.

              Change the names of the armed forced to "Trump's Soldiers" and their new mission to "Do whatever Trump wants". Why not? They are only de

              • >Extension of the fun fact, one of those in charge of DOGE is actually in charge of the renamed "United States Digital Service".

                I wonder if there is going to be a lawsuit over this.

                Surely you can't change the name and purpose of an existing government department just to get around the pesky laws requiring Congress to get involved in that kind of thing?

                That seems idiotic.

                Change the names of the armed forced to "Trump's Soldiers" and their new mission to "Do whatever Trump wants". Why not? They are only departments in the US Government, malleable as any other.

                I haven't read the law word for word and parsed it to death, but what I was lead to understand with backing information from the source is that Donny can do that - just change the name. Changing its purpose, I do not know. Adding people to it that just do other work at the president's order... Kind of weird because you can just add staff to the white house for "research and proposal" of things to be brought to a vote later. *shrug*

                No matter what, it gets presented and brought to a vote later.

                Site but re

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by tlhIngan ( 30335 )

          Fortunately for the rest of us, companies have discovered AI influencers work just as well as real influencers in generating marketing buzz, so a lot of them are using AI now.

          Which is a good thing because the less money going into the influencer market, the more we're all spared all the crap they produce.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by r1348 ( 2567295 )

          It's only banned in the US. There's a whole world out there, you know.

      • TikTok influencers already have phones with TikTok loaded on them. Why would *they* buy these?

        • If you want to replace your iPhone with a new one. Or if your old one is broken or stolen. Still, what sane person would pay $1,000 more for an iPhone because it has TikTok on it.

          • So your apps don't go with you from one phone to the next on iPhone? They certainly do on Android. If you have an app on Android, even a discontinued one, it will still be installed on any new phone you get, because the app is on your account.

  • I hate humans. Such a garbage species.

    • I hate humans. Such a garbage species.

      I'm trying to psychologically understand why I want to give a hug to/be buddies with someone who says that, me being a piece of that garbage and all. *shrug*

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by Bahbus ( 1180627 )

        Well, like anything, there are exceptions to the rule. There are a few humans I like. But I would gladly give up my "humanity" and live on as a robot or pure energy being or whatever, if it were possible, in order to not be associated with the rest of them.

        • Well, like anything, there are exceptions to the rule. There are a few humans I like. But I would gladly give up my "humanity" and live on as a robot or pure energy being or whatever, if it were possible, in order to not be associated with the rest of them.

          If you find a way, please give me a HOWTO.

  • Reminds me (Score:3)

    by RitchCraft ( 6454710 ) on Saturday January 25, 2025 @12:56PM (#65117883)

    Reminds me of the rush on toilet paper when the pandemic started. Both pretty crappy situations if you ask me.

    • This one's a little worse. The toilet paper thing was just stupidity. As others have pointed out there are lots of people who make their living doing TikTok videos and there are journalists who need access to the information that's on there so they can report on it. That's who are being soaked by this. Not one of the mill users but people who depend on the platform to make a living

      We are all nerds so it's easy to have disdain for those people. But honestly they make a more honest living than just about a

      • The government is not trying to ban the business models of influencers and journalists on TikTok. It's just restricting who can own the platform they're on. If they need to move to a new platform, well that happens in business. They could see the platform disappear for other reasons (e.g., bankruptcy) and would need to adapt.

        • The government is not trying to ban the business models of influencers and journalists on TikTok. It's just restricting who can own the platform they're on. If they need to move to a new platform, well that happens in business. They could see the platform disappear for other reasons (e.g., bankruptcy) and would need to adapt.

          I click to that! *raises click finger* /s ;)

    • Not quite. Toilet paper was a group-caused crisis, the result of an unexpected sudden demand triggering a fear that caused that demand to further skyrocket while supply side didn't anticipate it. This happens from time to time.

      On the flip side this TikTok is not a group-caused crisis. It's a couple of addicts paying to keep their addiction going. There's no demand side group crisis, there's just a regulation which has tanked both the supply and demand, leaving a few rogue people with a desperate need to get

  • AI summary ?

    In case the editors fix it, "Facrebook" was in the title.
    Shouldn't that be misspelled as Fakrebook?

  • Low (Score:3)

    by ihavesaxwithcollies ( 10441708 ) on Saturday January 25, 2025 @01:08PM (#65117905)
    I'm shocked that people who "tiktok" for a living, can't understand the simple act of sideloading an app on an Android.

    • I'm shocked that people who "tiktok" for a living, can't understand the simple act of sideloading an app on an Android.

      Aside from having one of the most useless and pointless jobs on the planet, the "Tiktokers" are some of the stupidest people out there. Look at all the "challenges." They contribute nothing. In fact, I'd be surprised if someone hasn't posted a Russian Roulette challenge where you load one bullet into a revolver and repeatedly put it to your head on camera. "Send me money and I won't pull the trigger again!"

      • Don't give the Chinese any ideas. They'll get this trend started and thin out the american draftable youth without even having to start a war with the US.

        • I wouldn't be surprised. It's kind of like the old meme, adapted: TikTok goes away. And nothing of value was lost. I mean, how many times do I have to see some moron lounging on her bed with her head in a phone camera talking about (insert bullshit here) and proving she has no clue? (For the pronouners, just substitute he/she/it/whatever). Some of the dance challenges were kind of cute, but still stupid. I wish I would get to see more people try some crap like the Tide Pod Challenge and erupt into bubbles o

      • ...that they'd try the Russian Roulette challenge using a single live round in a Glock.

        • ...that they'd try the Russian Roulette challenge using a single live round in a Glock.

          Do that on a TikTok challenge and I guarantee you'd have someone who doesn't understand the irony and actually does it.

    • That is because being an expert at makeup tutorials or being the 14532’nd person to record yourself eating a tide pod doesn’t necessarily grant one any technical chops.

    • Yes, I would think that people who like TickTock would side load the app on Android, much cheaper :-)

    • The "people" who TikTok for a living also believe that "iPhone," "smartphone" and "phone" are synonyms.

    • I'm shocked that people who "tiktok" for a living, can't understand the simple act of sideloading an app on an Android.

      I think it works both ways in conflict with each other. Those that know how to sideload don't get involved in mindless self-imagery for dope rushes, and those who love mindless self-imagery presentation and resulting dope rushes have absolutely no interest in learning something as geeky and time-wasting (read: their time) as sideloading.

      Humans. Psh.

    • I'm shocked that people who "tiktok" for a living, can't understand the simple act of sideloading an app on an Android.

      Who said anything about Android? TFS is about iPhones. The idea of "idiot can't sideload" is very different from "idiot can't change their primary phone platform / doesn't want to have 2 phones on them at all times"

  • Provided the app gets banned (no comment on that)... If your content is aimed only at the US then you will have lost most of your audience (and income / influence). Most people are not going to try to sideload / manually install an app. If content is more rounded, doesn't rely so much on language, culture or region to the point the rest of the world where the app is legal still watches it, then maybe it will be worth it.

  • Anyone, and I mean anyone that does this has a serious social-media addiction. An *actual* addiction, not a "ha ha" addiction.

    • Did you know that in Russia there is such a thing as a "vodka riot" whenever there is a vodka shortage? If you want to fuck with Russia then one of the things you should mess with is the vodka supply.

      It could surely be argued that a population is better off when its members are only addicted to things that are produced by that population.
      Should we ban all addictive behaviors?

      Masturbation? Coffee? Being happy?

      No.

      TikTok? Hard to say, because the content consumed by the USA is mainly produced by the

      • Did you know that in Russia there is such a thing as a "vodka riot" whenever there is a vodka shortage?

        Yep, it's probably a lot harder to successfully plot the overthrow of a repressive government when you're drunk, and the Politburo is counting on that; it's in their best interest to make sure the vodka keeps flowing to the proletariat. Vodka delivery is probably classified as an 'essential service' over there lol.

    • The summary presents 2 examples, neither of which has actually sold. So what I'm seeing here so far is a fake 'trend' story.
  • Yep, he was right.. There is a sucker born every minute.
  • Find an APK and sideload it? I can't imagine it's that hard

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by jonwil ( 467024 )

      You can't do that on an iPhone and most people aren't going to do that on Android.

    • A bunch of TikTokers are learning about the iOS Walled Garden.

      They didn't consider that their favorite app would become "the bad guys" Apple was keeping out.

      Because 'bad' is whom the government dislikes today. Check back tomorrow - Mitch McConnell might let you use other apps. Or take more away, impossible to say.

      Remember, X has 'foreign influence' too. Doesn't matter if your 'team' won the popularity contest or not if you care about the marketplace freedom to choose.

      • Check back tomorrow - Mitch McConnell might let you use other apps. Or take more away, impossible to say.

        Mitch McConnell is no longer the Senate majority leader. John Thune is now. [senate.gov]

        And the Senate majority leader is not in charge of deciding which apps can be used.

    • Re: (Score:1)

      by Yheti ( 843558 )

      Find an APK and sideload it? I can't imagine it's that hard

      You can change the region of your iTunes to Canada, as long as you can find a valid address with a good postal code. Then you can download the application, no need to even add a credit card. After, you can switch your region back to the US. So yeah, I assume it's stupid people with too much money bidding on that...

  • ...anyone who actually gives a tuppenny fuck?

    Thought not...

  • It's dangerous to install programs from untrustworthy sites: you could be installing software that lets people spy on you!
  • Got to admire the entrepreneurial spirit.
  • Very easy, you can switch your region on iTunes to get the Canadian app store, etc. All you need is a valid address with a postal code, you can skip adding a credit card because TikTok is free. I've done this to get UK apps on my iPhone that aren't available in the Canadian region. You don't lose your purchases on your other region either, so yes, this is quite comical...

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