Scuffles disrupt release of Apple iPhone 4S in China
Posted January 13, 2012 8:33 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
China’s Apple stores released the latest iPhone 4S Friday, but the Beijing store launch was cancelled due to fears of chaos given the unruly crowd.
Shoppers and security staff scuffled before daybreak after an announcer with a bullhorn told the surging crowd that the phones would not go on sale and that they should go home.
Hundreds of enraged shoppers, many of whom had waited in line overnight, said they were disappointed with Apple’s decision.
“I have been waiting since four o’clock yesterday afternoon until seven o’clock this morning,” customer Liu Tao said. “Apple has broken a lot of Chinese customers’ hearts. I think Apple has been very unkind by doing so. Anyway, a lot of us will be very disappointed at Apple.”
“I am suffering from cold and hunger. But now they won’t sell (the iPhone 4S). Why?” said another unidentified Apple customer.
Some angry customers even pelted the Apple store with eggs, while others demanded an explanation.
“Apple China must give us a plausible explanation. We have been waiting for very long time. Some of us came here one or two days before while some of us travelled here from Tibet by plane. It’s a long journey and a long time. So they have to give a reasonable explanation,” said Sun Jiaqing.
Directed by policemen, the crowds had left the store by around 10 a.m. local time (0200gmt) and the whole area has been cordoned off.
In Shanghai, thousands of fans lined up in a long but orderly queue outside the Apple store.
However, customers left empty-handed because the Apple store did not accept credit cards.
Jin Long, who has been waiting for over 15 hours, failed to bring enough cash and said he was upset.
“I came yesterday to queue from two o’clock in the afternoon,” he said. “It was fine overnight. I became very excited this morning. After a whole night of queuing, I finally got a ticket (to buy the iPhone 4S). Then we went in and their security guard tore up our ticket because we didn’t bring cash. Very upset now. Given Apple’s attitude, we are no longer willing to buy the handset.”
Apple’s products are wildly popular with Chinese customers, who are eager to be early adopters and get the latest technology first.
Official resellers are opening stores at a fast pace and counterfeit Apple products abound.
Apple representatives in China and the U.S. did not immediately comment on the situation.
