# Why is there a market for empty Apple product boxes? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 4, 2012, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-market-for-empty-apple-product-boxes/614692 "2012-03-04T01:54:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2012, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-market-for-empty-apple-product-boxes/614692/1 "2012-03-04T01:54:07Z")
Here’s a [fast search](http://www.ebay.com/csc/i.html?_sacat=See-All-Categories&_from=R40&_nkw=apple%20box%20only&LH_Complete=1&_sop=16). Yes, it includes products, but if you look closely you will see how many successful auctions feature boxes only. Or boxes and other packing/manuals. The obvious answer would be to fake someone out, but over and over and over again? There’s a lot of fishy weird auctions but here’s [history](http://offer.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBidsLogin&_trksid=p4340.l2564&rt=nc&item=270903080862) on one… bidders don’t seem to be high volume scammers. [Nor this one.](http://offer.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBids&_trksid=p4340.l2565&rt=nc&item=260957737817) Are there a bunch of Apple box collectors out there? What the hell? ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2012, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-market-for-empty-apple-product-boxes/614692/2 "2012-03-04T02:09:24Z")
How else are you going to move your wooden iPads? ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2012, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-market-for-empty-apple-product-boxes/614692/3 "2012-03-04T02:36:27Z")
Putting “box only” in quotes displays it better. That’s… weird. I’d assume you’re trying to rope in people who don’t read closely but I saw one iPhone 3GS box sell for $122 and the buyer left positive feedback on it. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2012, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-market-for-empty-apple-product-boxes/614692/4 "2012-03-04T02:51:57Z")
I think there was a discussion about this before and it was speculated that these auctions for empty boxes could be some kind of money laundering scheme. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2012, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-market-for-empty-apple-product-boxes/614692/5 "2012-03-04T03:52:58Z")
A portion might be people who want to sell their used Apple product, or perhaps gift a used one, both of which increase in perceived value with a box. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2012, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-market-for-empty-apple-product-boxes/614692/6 "2012-03-04T12:28:43Z")
Perhaps they’re used by [these](http://www.edibleapple.com/2012/02/27/chinese-police-seize-apple-iphone-branded-gas-stoves/) people. For those that don’t want to follow the link; It’s a story about how popular Apple branded crap is in China, and how the logo is stolen and used on unrelated products. In this case, it’s gas stoves with the iPhone logo on them. They even have counterfeit Apple stores there. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2012, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-market-for-empty-apple-product-boxes/614692/7 "2012-03-06T16:48:16Z")
I dunno, but I have kept a couple of mine - the damn things are GORGEOUS! Apple’s product boxes are more nicely made than most of their competitors products. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2012, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-market-for-empty-apple-product-boxes/614692/8 "2012-03-06T18:29:35Z")
> [@Napier](#): > > I dunno, but I have kept a couple of mine - the damn things are GORGEOUS! Apple’s product boxes are more nicely made than most of their competitors products. A 5-star classic: [Microsoft Re-designs the iPod Package.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUXnJraKM3k) ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2012, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-market-for-empty-apple-product-boxes/614692/9 "2012-03-06T18:34:21Z")
Could it be the same reason that Tiffany boxes are so highly valued? ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-market-for-empty-apple-product-boxes/614692/10 "2012-03-08T15:33:02Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Could it be the same reason that Tiffany boxes are so highly valued? So for the oblivious amongst us, why are Tiffany boxes so highly valued (amongst people that apparently value them at all)? ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-market-for-empty-apple-product-boxes/614692/11 "2012-03-08T15:47:58Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > So for the oblivious amongst us, why are Tiffany boxes so highly valued (amongst people that apparently value them at all)? I don’t know if I could tell you. Cache? A quick Internet search doesn’t seem to turn up a black market in them, but they have value. I know this: If you ever give a woman jewelry from TIffany, DO NOT throw away the box. That’s 90% of the value. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-market-for-empty-apple-product-boxes/614692/12 "2012-03-08T15:50:14Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > So for the oblivious amongst us, why are Tiffany boxes so highly valued (amongst people that apparently value them at all)? Because they’re distinctive and usually contain good stuff in them. I suspect that you’d find Tiffany boxes for sale, too. The better to package your cubic zirconia ring in and sell to some poor schlub trying to impress his girlfriend without actually spending all that money at Tiffany. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-market-for-empty-apple-product-boxes/614692/13 "2012-03-08T15:52:25Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I don’t know if I could tell you. Cache? A quick Internet search doesn’t seem to turn up a black market in them, but they have value. Tiffany sues people who sell their empty boxes online, and reports them to ebay and the like, so their accounts get suspended or closed. [http://forums.ebay.com/db1/topic/Fine-Jewelry-Gems/Authentic-Tiffany-Co/510183796](http://forums.ebay.com/db1/topic/Fine-Jewelry-Gems/Authentic-Tiffany-Co/510183796) They’re more likely to be found at flea markets than on-line, and Tiffany’s been known to send people in to flea markets to look for sellers there, too. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-market-for-empty-apple-product-boxes/614692/14 "2012-03-08T16:10:47Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I don’t know if I could tell you. Cache? A quick Internet search doesn’t seem to turn up a black market in them, but they have value. I think you mean [cachet](http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/cachet), as opposed to [cache](http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/cache). But I agree that Apple’s packaging is very nice. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-market-for-empty-apple-product-boxes/614692/15 "2012-03-08T16:13:12Z")
Yeah, I’ve heard that they jealously guard their boxes and that color. Don’t they have a copyright on the color? I wonder if that’s what makes them so valuable. Make something rare and hard to get, and suddenly everyone wants one. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-market-for-empty-apple-product-boxes/614692/16 "2012-03-08T16:13:53Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > A 5-star classic: [Microsoft Re-designs the iPod Package.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUXnJraKM3k) That is thoroughly awesome. Apple does design some excellent packaging. I like everything from the minimalist design to the little “fssh” of escaping air when the lid settles onto the box. I wouldn’t freakin’ BUY one, though. Jeez. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-market-for-empty-apple-product-boxes/614692/17 "2012-03-08T16:14:18Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I think you mean [cachet](http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/cachet), as opposed to [cache](http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/cache). Oops! But either way, you’re not getting one without cash. ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-market-for-empty-apple-product-boxes/614692/18 "2012-03-08T16:22:55Z")
I’m going to guess there are people who want to keep their i-devices in the original packaging and have somehow damaged theirs. A couple of people I know might be that way. I had a really hard time throwing away my iPod box. It was so smooth and solid, like an actual product, not just packaging. Wish I’d known there was a market. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-market-for-empty-apple-product-boxes/614692/19 "2012-03-08T16:30:10Z")
My spouse dumped the box to my desktop mac. If we ever move, I may have to buy a box to pack it in. Don’t know if that helps. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-market-for-empty-apple-product-boxes/614692/20 "2012-03-09T01:01:50Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Tiffany sues people who sell their empty boxes online, and reports them to ebay and the like, so their accounts get suspended or closed. [http://forums.ebay.com/db1/topic/Fine-Jewelry-Gems/Authentic-Tiffany-Co/510183796](http://forums.ebay.com/db1/topic/Fine-Jewelry-Gems/Authentic-Tiffany-Co/510183796) > > They’re more likely to be found at flea markets than on-line, and Tiffany’s been known to send people in to flea markets to look for sellers there, too. Are they looking for _fake_ Tiffany boxes, though? We generally follow the first-sale doctrine in the USA, meaning that I sure as heck have the right to sell a legitimate Tiffany box. > [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > My spouse dumped the box to my desktop mac. If we ever move, I may have to buy a box to pack it in. Don’t know if that helps. I keep my iMac boxes for this specific purpose. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-market-for-empty-apple-product-boxes/614692.md?page=2)