A recent report reveals that Vision Pro scalpers have been using automated bots to place a large number of orders for the device, with eBay listings appearing even before the official orders open. The eBay listings showed prices reaching as high as $10,000. Despite the requirement of an Apple ID and facial recognition for setting up the Vision Pro system, a company specializing in preventing bot activity, Kasada, states that the bots were able to bypass these security measures. Kasada further mentions that the bot manufacturers were well-prepared for this exploitation. In the past month, there has been increased discussion within bot communities about the interest in Apple’s Vision Pro, as it is anticipated to be one of the biggest opportunities in 2024. There are agents offering All-in-One bots for sale to those willing to pay for them […]
In the lead-up to the launch, individuals seeking to be among the first to own the new device were prepared to pay up to $5,999 for a “confirmed” Pro Max 256GB on the secondary market, representing a markup of more than 70%. All-in-One bots are capable of completing the entire purchasing process without the need for manual intervention. Mr. Kasada explains that upon the opening of pre-orders, they monitored bot activities to assess whether they had been successful in completing thousands of purchases. One instance involved the use of a bot to place 1,592 Vision Pro pre-orders. Vision Pro scalpers were maneuvering to place orders, which previously required an Apple ID and facial scan, making it more challenging than conventional purchases. It was believed that this requirement may have been implemented by Apple to discourage scalpers while ensuring the correct fit. However, it appears to have failed. Apple IDs are available for purchase on the dark web, and some may have been obtained by scalpers prior to placing orders. As for the facial recognition process, the bots were programmed to undergo the scan and then transmit the data to complete the process. This means that all scalpers using the same bot can have Vision Pro units matched to a single face (that of the bot maker). However, Apple’s refund and exchange policies allow end customers to adjust the units for their own accurate measurements. Some bots are set up to reserve units in physical stores – Kasada states that some bots are designed to secure reservations in stores, where facial measurements can be taken to ensure the right fit for the end customer. Users can search for stock based on location and proceed to the store to complete the scanning process using their devices and then make the purchase. If prompted, a user can easily create another Apple ID and repeat the process at another Apple store. Based on the observed trends, this activity is more prevalent in urban areas where Apple stores are abundant, and such areas tend to have more products. Surprisingly, there are still locations where same-day pickups are available. FTC: We use affiliate links to make money. More information.
