Texas Woman paid $800 for place in queue to buy $100k of original iPhones before realizing mistake
Published on Feb 24, 2026 at 11:58 AM (UTC-5)
by Daisy Edwards
Last updated on Feb 25, 2026 at 11:57 AM (UTC-5)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
A Texas woman who paid $800 to jump to the head of a queue to buy $100,000 worth of original iPhones realized her mistake too late, although at the time, it looked like a masterstroke.
When Apple announced the very first iPhone in 2007, the hype was unlike anything the tech world had seen before.
Fans camped outside stores for days, determined to be among the first to own the device that promised to change everything.
But one woman in Texas was not just there to buy a phone; she was there to build a small fortune.
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She paid $800 just for a place in a queue
On the biggest gadget launch day ever, the launch of the first-ever iPhone in Dallas, a woman reportedly arrived with $100,000 in cash and a very specific plan.
Instead of waiting like everyone else, she paid a man $800 to hand over his first-place spot in the queue, guaranteeing she would be the first customer through the doors.
The thinking was simple: demand was sky high, resale prices were already climbing online, and being first inside meant she could secure as much stock as she wanted.
With that much cash in hand, she was ready to buy in bulk and flip the devices for a serious profit.
From the outside, it looked like a smart plan.
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Her mistake with buying $100k of original iPhones
But as the doors opened and customers began filing into the store, the scale of her oversight became clear.
Apple had secretly put a strict purchase limit in place for launch day, and customers were only allowed to buy one iPhone each.
Instead of walking out with stacks of boxed original iPhones worth a potential resale fortune, she left with just a single device.
Her $100,000 plan collapsed in seconds, and she was also $800 down for the privilege of learning the lesson the hard way.
Years later, sealed first-generation iPhones have sold for eye-watering sums, which adds an extra sting to the story.
What seemed like a guaranteed flip at the height of iPhone mania became one of the most memorable examples of failures.
Daisy is a technology and automotive journalist covering artificial intelligence, consumer tech, Apple news, cryptocurrency, emerging technologies, and transportation innovation. Since joining the team in 2025, she has reported on everything from AI-powered startups and major iOS updates to viral car stories and the latest developments shaping transportation and the digital economy. Drawing on her background in automotive journalism and a degree in History and Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London, Daisy specializes in breaking down complex topics into clear, engaging reporting for a global audience. Her work spans cutting-edge technology, innovative vehicles, and the people driving change across both industries. Daisy has gained first-hand access to some of the world's most talked-about technologies and innovators, including meeting Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot during its first European appearance in London. She has also discussed the future of space exploration with an astronaut, bringing unique insights and real-world perspectives to her coverage of emerging technology.
