Xiaomi has been struggling with the stocking issue facing the Xiaomi Mi 9 series. These smartphones were supposed to be on sale on March 15th but the sale was canceled due to insufficient stocking. The company has since rescheduled March 19th for the next sale saying that it’s better to have enough stock. Even at the rescheduled date, it appears that Xiaomi will not sell the Mi 9 Transparent Edition. However, third-party stores are now taking advantage of the shortage of the Xiaomi Mi 9 series. The price of this series has risen by about 500 yuan ($75) since Xiaomi announced to sell for 3,500 yuan ($521).
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On Jingdong Mall, the Xiaomi Mi 9 is not available for now but there are third-party sellers who offer the Mi 9 standard version (6GB+128GB) for 3,500 yuan ($521). This is 500 yuan ($75) more than the official price. It was only a matter of time before these third-party vendors prey on the high demand of this series.
According to Xiaomi President, Lin Bin, the reason for the unavailability of this series is known. He believes that it is due to lack of experience in the internal process and management of Xiaomi. Lin Bin said, “we were able to equate the shortages with management experience and we hope that this training will change that”. Lin Bin believes that it is necessary to establish a sound product development process.
This isn’t anything new nor newsworthy. Every single flagship that’s released is sold on many popular Chinese electronics sites for $100 or more above the retail price. Only after a couple of months will the price become close to the retail price.
Robbo5ooo, you are getting it wrong. Chinese sites that ships OUTSIDE China are the ones that sell at ridiculous higher prices. Chinese online stores whose target market is WITHIN China will not even think of it. They try to keep up with the competition else everybody runs to JD.com
This was what I was referring to. I have no idea what prices are like within China. I was talking about AliExpress, Gearbest, Light In The Box, etc., etc., where all the non official sellers there charge way above for non Chinese markets.
From the screenshot in the post, I knew that this post is referring to Chinese online stores that ships within China. Actually, when those stores that ships within China begin to add 500 Yuan ($75) to the official price, its only a matter of time before Aliexpress, Banggood, Geekbuying, Gearbest and others add $200 to the original price.
Its actually a bad omen and Xiaomi has to make this phone available ASAP
Xiaomi has to do something about the stocking issue. Online stores in China tries to keep up with the competition of selling at launch price or very near launch price (not more than 100 Yuan). With this current stocking issue, they are now confident that JD.com is frozen out and their prices can hit 500 yuan above launch price.
Why will I buy with additional 500 Yuan from a Chinese online store when JD.com or Xiaomi Youpin has it at launch price?