ifo Apple Store - Gift Bag

Here is the $249 gift bag sold at the San Francisco retail store grand opening, based on the traditional Fukubukuro custom of buying these items on New Year's Day. Apple debuted the tradition at its Ginza (Japan) store last Jan. 1st, and it was reportedly so successful that they brought it to the U.S. The Ginza lucky bag itself was exactly the same one included in the San Francisco grand opening, and in Japan it included an iSight, Keynote, .Mac, discount card, Bluetooth adapter and wireless mouse.

The SF lucky bag consisted of an 18"x24" black vinyl shoulder bag with a zipper closure and handles. Attached to the handles was a black, folded paper sticker with the Apple logo and the words "Do You Feel Lucky?" on one side, and "Apple Store, San Francisco" on the other. Inside were the various items, and attached to each was a round greenish sticker attached with the wording, "Not For Resale." We were also told by an Apple staffer working the waiting line that there were "no returns" on the merchandise--we laughed, and wondered why anyone would try to return it, except to make some green cash.

Total direct value of the items--$674.90. However, the 10%-off gift card will allow you to obtain an unlimited amount of additional value--depending upon the depth of your wallet or credit card account!

The first lucky bags appeared on eBay about noon on Saturday, and the first auctions closed Sunday night-- two for $400 and a third for $420. That gives the sellers about $150 profit, and the buyers about a 31% discount on the merchandise, not including the potential value of the 10%-off card.

In front is the sticker from the handle, and behind it is the Airport Extreme base station;
Then (l. to r.) there's a copy of Keynote, pointing to the 10%-off card, .Mac account and the wireless keyboard behind it,
the wireless mouse in the square box, the D-Link Bluetooth adapter hiding the grand opening T-shirt box (lime green), and
behind that the copy of iLife '04.

What I did not receive was the bonus iPod mini, or 40 Gb standard iPod, which was in one out of every six bags.

For the record, the gift card appears not to have any magnetic stripe or other built-in "intelligence." On the back is this:

10% Off

This Apple Gift Card entitles the holder to a one-time ten percent (10%) discount on the purchase of any product(s) sold at any retail Apple Store in the United States. Discount will be applied at the time of purchase. This card can only be used once, and cannot be exchanged or redeemed for cash. This offer is not valid with the purchase of Gift Cards, cannot be combined with other offers, and is void where prohibited or restricted by law. Other terms and conditions apply. Visit a retail Apple Store in the United States for details. Apple reserves the right to change the terms and conditions or end the offer at any time without notice.