By Tessa Wong
Retailers and even individuals are turning a quick profit by bringing in the iPad, as some buyers cannot wait for Apple to release it here.
GADGET-MAD Singaporeans and tourists have been snapping up iPads sold in shops here, with some paying double or close to three times the going rate in the United States for the touchscreen tablet.
At least 10 stores in Far East Plaza, Lucky Plaza, Funan the IT Mall, Sim Lim Square, City Square Mall and Mustafa department store have been hawking the iPad since Apple launched it two weeks ago in the US.
Prices quoted range from $1,070 to $1,950 for a 16GB Wi-Fi model. The same model is going for US$499 (S$685) in the US.
Retailers interviewed yesterday said they are doing a small but brisk trade. Mustafa has sold about 20 sets of the 16GB model and five sets of the 32GB model so far.
Photography store Aik Seng Photo in Lucky Plaza has been selling the 16GB model for $1,950 since last week. Four have since been sold to Asian tourists.
Salesman David Lim said they decided to bring in the device after making a profit from selling the iPhone 3G before its official Singapore launch two years ago.
