US entrepreneurs are seizing an unusual opportunity to cash in on TikTok’s temporary unavailability by selling phones preloaded with the app for hefty prices, some even exceeding $50,000 on platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace.
However, it remains unclear whether buyers are willing to pay such extravagant sums.
Why have people resorted to purchasing phones?
Short video content platform TikTok, which was temporarily inaccessible to US users over the weekend, is no longer available for download from Apple’s App Store or Google Play.
However, those who already have the app installed can still use it, leaving individuals without prior access unable to join the platform.
Many sellers are eyeing this as an opportunity, selling devices, pre loaded with TikTok and other ByteDance apps, such as Lemon8 and CapCut.
Platforms and prices
On Friday, eBay listings ranged from $340 to $50,000, with more moderate priced options receiving the most attention.
Nicholas Matthews, a seller from New York, listed an iPhone 14 Plus preloaded with TikTok for $10,000. Speaking on Friday, he revealed that his highest bid so far was $4,550.
“I’m just expecting to sell this one phone,” news agency AP cited Matthews.
At present, TikTok has a massive user base of around 170 million users in the US, and the ongoing ban does not bar existing users from accessing the app.
Earlier this week, former President Donald Trump directed the US justice department to delay enforcing them until early April.
The future of this app remains at edge for now with uncertainties surrounding whether ByteDance, its China-based parent company, would agree to sell it.
