This is a just a thought…sprung from something that was posted here last week. Yes, we have phone snatchers in town. I wondered if we could apply the “demand - supply” rule and see if we can address the market (by making it smaller) for these stolen phones so perhaps we can limit the crime.

Now I know not everyone is bestowed with boundless bounty and most people want to purchase the cheapest good quality item there is… but if we buy the cheaper “second handle” mobile phones in the market, are we creating a market for these thieves to operate in?

I know I do not have a very large disposable income and if/ when (because in Karachi its just a matter of time when this happens) someone were to take away my cell phone, I doubt I would want to buy a spanking new device, after just having lost one, I would want to buy the cheapest one (and perferably one I would not mind losing again)…. BUT if this cycle of us buying the cheaper “second hand” models is what inspires the thieves, should we consider changing our buying habits? (I have not bought such a device as yet but I wonder)

Some folks in the city cannot afford the brand new phones but have the need for the cellular phone so I guess there will always be a market for “second hand” phones, but I wonder if those of us who can afford to purchase the new sealed models, would? For those of us who can afford to buy the new device (even if its an older, less “cool” model) would we? By purchasing sealed goods, couldn’t we ensure that stolen items are removed or reduced from the market? If we reduce the demand for these stolen goods perhaps the thieves will have to move on?

I know there was some talk of mobile phone companies being able to restrict the phone usage or some such thing (if it were stolen) but I am not sure what that was all about.

This is just a thought…. perhaps people out there have some suggestions
(and no I do not work for a cell phone manufacturing or a mobile phone selling retail outlet!)

Related posts:

1. cell phone theives
2. Stark Realities…
3. How to avoid cellphone snatching
4. Melting cell phones
5. The Phone Snatchers!