14 DAY TRIAL // Auction site Smokoo is running a “daring” campaign in which bidders can win a trip to New York and the chance to get a free iPhone 5, which the company’s marketing team will allegedly buy from the flagship Fifth Avenue “iStore” in New York City. The auction allegedly lets customers get one at a much cheaper price.
At first glance, the campaign may appear legit, but we have reason to believe it is not.
The graphics (iPhone concepts, people holding Apple packaging etc.) and the wording used in this campaign are extremely misleading, as the iPhone 5 is not even confirmed yet, and there’s no “iPhone 5 event” on Apple’s roadmap.
The campaign is most likely Smokoo’s way of capitalizing on the hype of Apple’s unconfirmed smartphone.
“The final touches are being made to the new iPhone 5 and as per usual, you’ll get it first right here on Smokoo,” the site states.
“The iPhone 5 is set to become the best-selling iPhone of them all. Be the first to own one by securing this auction. Place the final bid and the iPhone 5 is yours,” reads the enticing marketing material.
They actually put out a press release that says “Smokoo are offering the iPhone 5 on auction long before a release date has been given.”
The piece is made to look like an interview with the company’s co-founder Li Jian in which he says “We’ve learned in this business that we will always have critics with whatever we do, but those that choose to take part, always benefit.”
“The person that won that iPhone 4 competition was probably the first to own one in South Africa. I see she’s also taking part in our new iPhone 5 competition on Facebook,” Li claims.
Li says they’re sending one person to join a Smokoo team member in New York City where they will allegedly buy the iPhone 5 for them “at the famous iStore on 5th Avenue.”
Needless to point out, Apple Stores don’t have any special names like “iStore.” The fake ones in China, however, do.
Oh and, Concorde planes have been grounded for some time now. Even if there were a trip to NYC, you wouldn’t be flying that handsome turbojet-powered supersonic passenger airliner pictured above.
“The rest of our users that secure the iPhone 5 auctions will receive their iPhone 5’s when we get back from the Big Apple,” Li claims.
On Facebook, Smokoo advertises the campaign with the following message:
“Click ATTEND on this event and you could be chosen to fly to New York City to pick up the first iPhone 5 to be sold in the world. FOR FREE!!! Its cool enough owning an iPhone 5 but imagine owning the very first one AND being flown to New York City to get it personally!”
Their auction site says the current bid for an iPhone 5 is $1.96, with a (likely fake) bidding history showing similar figures from multiple (likely fake) auctioneers.
They say the iPhone 5’s retail price is a whopping $1998.03, whereas Apple is even yet to confirm the existence of the handset.
When it is confirmed, however, the iPhone 5 will most likely take the place of the iPhone 4 with a similar pricing scheme - $200 with a contract, or $700 without contract.
In addition to posting fake graphics, Smokoo is also posting misleading system specs for the iPhone, advertising them as “most wanted-features on the iPhone 5.”
The device shown in the graphics is said by Smokoo to be the 32GB version of the iPhone 5.
It is also worth noting that Apple doesn’t allow such giveaways without its written consent.
Those who wish to use the company’s products in giveaway competitions must do so after signing an agreement with the Cupertino technology giant.
Softpedia advises readers to steer clear from such campaigns.
No matter how badly you want the iPhone 5, be sure to buy it at your local Apple retail store when Apple launches the thing officially.