AT&T Stores - How many??

[arcanic]

Well, now that we know the date it is time to start planning our strategy for getting this beautiful device. I've gotten mixed stories from all over the Internet...I've even gotten mixed stories from different employees from the same AT&T store. One employee takes my name down and says they're doing a "preorder" list. A day later another employee says they are not.

I'm wondering, like many of you, how many iPhones AT&T will receive per store?

Do we need to prepare to camp? One side of me wants to think that most people will not dish out that much cash AND swallow a two year/data plan....on the other hand, you never know...this thing has so much hype the average "Joe" may be willing to take the plunge.

Thoughts/advice??

Arc:D

24 DAYS TILL LAUNCH!

[bbplayer5]

I know the manager of a Cingular/ATT corporate store. Im going to talk to him today and ill let you know.

[GodBless]

As far as I know the iPhones will be sold at all AT&T stores (and probably Cingular stores that haven't changed their name to AT&T yet--that is if any still exist by the time that the iPhone is released) as well as Apple stores.

Apple should have made this more clear. I will be surprised if Steve Jobs doesn't mention these types of details about the iPhone on Monday during his WWDC keynote speech.

[edesignuk]

I know the manager of a Cingular/ATT corporate store. Im going to talk to him today and ill let you know.Well praise the lord! Then we'll all know for sure what's going on :rolleyes:

;) :D

[GodBless]

Well praise the lord! Then we'll all know for sure what's going on :rolleyes:

;) :DWell you are right that when you humble yourself before God he tells you what you need to know--just make sure that you NEED an iPhone first. ;)

[arcanic]

I know the manager of a Cingular/ATT corporate store. Im going to talk to him today and ill let you know.

Awesome...looking forward to hearing back!

Arc

[bbplayer5]

Well praise the lord! Then we'll all know for sure what's going on :rolleyes:

;) :D

The least you will know is that he doesnt know yet. Anything more would be news would it not? ;)

[edesignuk]

Well you are right that when you humble yourself before God he tells you what you need to know--just make sure that you NEED an iPhone first. ;)Um, uh huh, that's exactly what I was getting at http://upload.yo-momma.net/uploads/smilies/wtf.gifThe least you will know is that he doesnt know yet. Anything more would be news would it not? ;)I stand corrected, very useful information indeed.

Stand aside ladies and gentlemen, breaking news...

[buymeaniphone]

Supposedly according to iPhoneMatters.com (http://www.iphonematters.com/article/new_estimate_28_iphones_per_store_at_launch_028/), there is only going to be about 28 iphones per store:eek: . Can you imagine how hard that its going to be to get your hands on this phone? I can just see it now, people selling iphones on ebay for double the price just like the PS3. I guess AT&T and Apple want to make sure that the iPhone is a hard to get item, which will make it even more of a status symbol.

[iBlue]

Well you are right that when you humble yourself before God he tells you what you need to know--just make sure that you NEED an iPhone first. ;)
amen, bruv.

http://upload.yo-momma.net/uploads/catmacros/jezuspowa.jpg

[GodBless]

amen, bruv.

http://upload.yo-momma.net/uploads/catmacros/jezuspowa.jpgThat image is awesomely humorous! :D

[Punkwaffle]

.

[AHDuke99]

all the at&t stores here are cingular store. :p

[StrayRooster]

We also don't know how we will handle the campout situation. My guess is we will walk down the line with numbers in a hat and have those people lucky enough to get a low number come back when we are ready.

That's incredibly disturbing. I'll be camping out starting on Wednesday, and you're telling me that someone who shows up on Friday morning has the same chance of getting one as me?

That is the most unfair thing I've ever heard in my life. I pray that you don't run the store that I go to.

[Gonzlobo]

That's incredibly disturbing. I'll be camping out starting on Wednesday, and you're telling me that someone who shows up on Friday morning has the same chance of getting one as me?

That is the most unfair thing I've ever heard in my life. I pray that you don't run the store that I go to.

I would think people would like it. Let's say your store gets 500 phones and 501 bozos camp out. Wouldn't you *want* to know you're the unlucky one, instead of finding out ar 2am?

That's why I'll order online. When it comes, it comes.

[StrayRooster]

I would think people would like it. Let's say your store gets 500 phones and 501 bozos camp out. Wouldn't you *want* to know you're the unlucky one, instead of finding out ar 2am?

Yes, and the store should be responsible enough to know how many units they have, and tell the campers. That way, once the line reaches the max amount, everyone knows it and it saves that 501st bozo from waiting. The phones won't magically just 'show up' at midnight at a random number, they know how many they have.

That's the same way console launches work. They know unit amounts ahead of time. This shouldn't be any different.

It's completely ridiculous to think that the first person in line has a chance NOT to get an iPhone.

[mac jones]

I figure that the people who camp out should get them first



seems unfair IMHO.

(that quote below was out of context)

[r6girl]

Well I do manage an AT&T store and here's what I know.
All Cingular stores (at least in my region) will be getting the final rebranding to AT&T by June 20th. That means the large Cingular signs will be taken down and replaced to AT&T sometime between now and 6/20. My particular store is scheduled to have this done in 2 days.

There will be a DSL line installed and a wifi hot spot installed at most AT&T stores to compliment the iPhone display unit so the iphone can be demoed surfing the web at acceptable speeds.

We fully expect people to camp out and management is toying with the idea of a midnight release. All store staff is expected to work all weekend (6/29-7/1) and a new position is going to be filled at some of the stores. The position is called a "product pro". This is someone who just shows off the newest devices to customers. No sales, just demoing. It is a summer only position.

Haven't received any word as to our store allocation, although I have heard it will be around 40 per store. That may change. We also don't know how we will handle the campout situation. My guess is we will walk down the line with numbers in a hat and have those people lucky enough to get a low number come back when we are ready. This may also change.

iPhone training courses start today. It is an online training. There will be another one released next week. Haven't seen it yet, cause I'm off. I can tell you more tomorrow after I take the course.

That's it for now.

thank you for the information! any more info on the training and the approach the stores might take on distribution would be greatly appreciated! :)

[StrayRooster]

I figure that the people who camp out are pretty stupid so why should they get them first?

Why are campers stupid?

[Gonzlobo]

Why are campers stupid?

Duh, because you can go at noon and get one? Or if you're especially lazy, go at 2...

[mac jones]

Why are campers stupid?

I don't know, maybe they aren't stupid as i'm no genius myself.

It just sort of looks that way.

They all may have high IQ's and are working on camping skills....yeah that's probably it.

To clarify a bit, recently I've seen campers out in front of a Best Buy , I think it was when they released some kind of game console. At first I couldn't figure out what it was, then I realized that these people were so into the games that they would camp out, sort of like a drug addiction. Frankly, it's a bit hard for me to wrap my mind around.

Just is probably a generational thing.

(I've edited this about five times now)

[arcanic]

Duh, because you can go at noon and get one? Or if you're especially lazy, go at 2...

Do you honestly think they won't sell out of them by the time the doors open?

Arc

[indig0blue]

Hi Everyone,

I live in Columbus, OH and after living in San Francisco and understanding how crazy "Apple Country" can be for a launch, I feel optimistic that I will be able to pick up an IPhone on the 29th. I envision lines and what-not, and I definitely think it might be safer to go to an ATT store instead of our lone Apple store here in Columbus.

I love Steve Jobs and love Apple products. I also DO buy into some of the hype of this being the "Jesus phone". Having said all of that, I think that I still will have a fighting chance of getting one on launch day with having to wait in line for an hour or two prior to opening of an ATT store. I think some of the shortcomings that some people feel the phone has, the high price tag, the anal people who would always wait for a rev 2, and pre-existing cell phone contracts that people have, will allow those of us who are adament about getting one to be able to slip in and do so.

Am I way off base here?

Also, my strategy is going to be going to a ATT store in a more "lower income" suburb of Columbus. Does this make sense or should I just go to the ATT store by my house?

Keep up the chatter. This is like a drug tiding me over until the phone comes out. :)

[Gonzlobo]

Do you honestly think they won't sell out of them by the time the doors open?

Arc

Did it occur to you that they're going to restock shelves? I don't know, perhaps it's too obvious.

[arcanic]

Keep up the chatter. This is like a drug tiding me over until the phone comes out. :)

I'm there with ya bro. I'm the same way. I'm completely obsessed with trying to find anything new....ANYTHING..haha.

I think you bring up some interesting ideas. My thoughts are that most people are NOT pda phone users. The majority of PDA users are business people...and lets face it...iPhones will have a hard time being justified being purchased in a real business.

I'm thinking about getting to an AT&T store around 7-8pm on the 28th and camp all night. I'm HOPING this will be good enough to get one.

Arc

[mac jones]

Hi Everyone,

I live in Columbus, OH and after living in San Francisco and understanding how crazy "Apple Country" can be for a launch, I feel optimistic that I will be able to pick up an IPhone on the 29th. I envision lines and what-not, and I definitely think it might be safer to go to an ATT store instead of our lone Apple store here in Columbus.

I love Steve Jobs and love Apple products. I also DO buy into some of the hype of this being the "Jesus phone". Having said all of that, I think that I still will have a fighting chance of getting one on launch day with having to wait in line for an hour or two prior to opening of an ATT store. I think some of the shortcomings that some people feel the phone has, the high price tag, the anal people who would always wait for a rev 2, and pre-existing cell phone contracts that people have, will allow those of us who are adament about getting one to be able to slip in and do so.

Am I way off base here?

Also, my strategy is going to be going to a ATT store in a more "lower income" suburb of Columbus. Does this make sense or should I just go to the ATT store by my house?

Keep up the chatter. This is like a drug tiding me over until the phone comes out. :)


Oh, I'm in Columbus right now passing though. Lovely town.
(just thought i'd chime in :)

[v-ault]

I seriously doubt you'll need to camp out by the AT&T store. This is not a console launch with millions of console gamers. This is a cell phone and is aimed mainly at business people; I doubt business people like camping out.

[Trent0341]

I seriously doubt you'll need to camp out by the AT&T store. This is not a console launch with millions of console gamers. This is a cell phone and is aimed mainly at business people; I doubt business people like camping out.

Millions of gamers vs. 100 million plus cell phone users. Not sure were you got the idea this device is aimed at business people. If anything that segment isn't even clear on whether or not the iphone will be compatible with a lot of current business apps. It seems like people on here are constantly trying to shoehorn the iphone into some preexisting mold. It won't work. The iphone is an entirely new category by itself. Hopefully this translates to better quality in the marketplace with more usable devices.

[v-ault]

Millions of gamers vs. 100 million plus cell phone users. Not sure were you got the idea this device is aimed at business people. If anything that segment isn't even clear on whether or not the iphone will be compatible with a lot of current business apps. It seems like people on here are constantly trying to shoehorn the iphone into some preexisting mold. It won't work. The iphone is an entirely new category by itself. Hopefully this translates to better quality in the marketplace with more usable devices.

100 million plus of those cell phone users laughed at the people camping at Best Buy for a console. Regular people think camping out for stuff is insane. 500-600 on a phone is a lot of money; this isn't going to be as mainstream as you think. I can only see the Apple fanboys camping out and some other tech geeks, nothing other than that. Regular people think they'll be able to go to an AT&T store anytime during the day or the next day and get one. That's just what I think. We'll see.

[Eric1285]

Gotta remember too that a lot of the people who camp out for product launches are hoping to flip the item on eBay for a quick profit. I guarantee that there will be tons of people like that in line when the iPhone comes out.

[constant L]

if its around 28 per store i think it will suffice..in my area alone i can think of a bunch of stores....but the initial supply will probably go fast...at the very least within the first couple days....if not by closing time on the 29th....

but i dont see people camping out at all the att stores around here...we will see who knows...im def gonna get one but wont camp out....not that theres anything wrong with that...just not my thing.....

is there confirmation it will be available online? i will at least try to order online asap if its an option...

[Eric1285]

im def gonna get one but wont camp out....not that theres anything wrong with that...just not my thing.....

is there confirmation it will be available online? i will at least try to order online asap if its an option...[/QUOTE]

You may not be getting one for a looooong time then. If they offer them online, it's almost guaranteed that the servers will be very, very slow due to insane amounts of traffic.

[kumbaya]

...probably a foolish thing to do...

I think the initial run of iPhones will be sold out instantly.

- flippers (buying to sell on eBay)
- fanbois
- superb marketing for Apple/AT&T (iPhone sells out on first day!)

let the games begin!

:apple: :)

[mediaprodguy]

this is soooooooooooooooooooo silly!!!!!!

IPHONE will be great no doubt.

You people keep comparing this to Wii and PS3...... think about it.....

Theres 1) ATT 2) Verizon 3) Tmobile 4) your other companies.

i find it hard to belive that 2, 3 and 4 will BREAK their current contracts at 175-300 per breakage fee......

then drive over to cingular to buy an "iphone" for 600 bucks......

It just isnt going to happen.......

There will be no "black friday" tragic lines.....

maybe 5-6 people outside each store..... but for christ sakes...... get real people......

with Wii and PS3 - you didnt have people being "taxed" to get out of their PS2 or Gamecube.......

[fishkorp]

who's going to flip a phone on ebay when they're tied to a long-term contract? if you break the contract within the first 30 days you have to return the phone. if it's after 30 days you have to pay a penalty. $600 + penalty + first months service + paypal fees + ebay fees = probably no profit. i can't see there being an ebay market for these unless they are unlocked. even then some features are useless.

[Eric1285]

this is soooooooooooooooooooo silly!!!!!!

IPHONE will be great no doubt.

You people keep comparing this to Wii and PS3...... think about it.....

Theres 1) ATT 2) Verizon 3) Tmobile 4) your other companies.

i find it hard to belive that 2, 3 and 4 will BREAK their current contracts at 175-300 per breakage fee......

then drive over to cingular to buy an "iphone" for 600 bucks......

It just isnt going to happen.......

There will be no "black friday" tragic lines.....

maybe 5-6 people outside each store..... but for christ sakes...... get real people......

with Wii and PS3 - you didnt have people being "taxed" to get out of their PS2 or Gamecube.......

Clearly you've been in a cave for the last 6 months. People have been incredibly hyped up about this product. You have to realize that people have been holding out on signing a new contract just so that they can get an iPhone.

[Eric1285]

who's going to flip a phone on ebay when they're tied to a long-term contract? if you break the contract within the first 30 days you have to return the phone. if it's after 30 days you have to pay a penalty. $600 + penalty + first months service + paypal fees + ebay fees = probably no profit. i can't see there being an ebay market for these unless they are unlocked. even then some features are useless.

I think most people will be transferring the contracts. It's pretty simple to do.

[Shamingo]

I'm breaking a contract with Sprint to get the iPhone and damn proud of it, I've been waiting for this moment and don't care how much it costs me.

[marksman]

That's incredibly disturbing. I'll be camping out starting on Wednesday, and you're telling me that someone who shows up on Friday morning has the same chance of getting one as me?

That is the most unfair thing I've ever heard in my life. I pray that you don't run the store that I go to.

You have a weird sense of fairness. :)

[derbystar16]

Is it just me or am I the only one planning on buying the phone through the Apple Store online?

Everyone's freaking out about thinking they won't be able to get one but if you order it and wait 3 days, it's yours.

Am I wrong?

[arcanic]

Is it just me or am I the only one planning on buying the phone through the Apple Store online?

Everyone's freaking out about thinking they won't be able to get one but if you order it and wait 3 days, it's yours.

Am I wrong?

I think the recent Wii/PS3 fiasco is certainly fueling some of the madness. I got both those systems so I experienced it first hand. It's smart I guess from a business angle....ie...stirring up the masses...teasing us....then making them hard to get....but it's SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS for us consumers. I wish they would rely on their product and our word-of-mouth advertisement instead.

Myself, well....I'm a bit scared about launch to be perfectly honest. My original strategy was to take the 29th off only. Now, I'm planning on working a half day on the 28th and having the whole day off on the 29th. I'm going to the beach anyway on the 29th so it works out. Im just hoping I'll be headed for the beach with my new iPhone!!!!

Arc:D

[hatcher146]

i think i have it figured out to how many iPhones will be at each store.

there are roughly 1800 at&t stores and 159 u.s. apple stores

lets say apple gets a shipment of 300,000 iPhones

this means that each at&t store or apple store will get 150 iPhones.

any thoughts??

[lekun]

any thoughts??

Yeah, my first thought is man, I am way to into this iPhone.

My second thought is that you left out online inventory (unless you meant 3k iPhones for retail only).

My next thought is that the Business Week article must have been a little looney if they thought Apple was really going to have 3M iPhones on hand. Apple projects inventory by the quarter. All businesses don't want to have excess inventory. So lets say they reserve 2/3rds of the 3M iPhone inventory for online, leaving 1M for retail. By your numbers that is nearly 510 iPhones (on average of course, some outlets getting more than others) per store. No way, Apple plans on selling that many iPhones in the first production run.

My guess is that Apple, for a while will sell less of these than iPods. iPods are selling at 10M a quarter, and my guess is that iPhones would be lucky to get close to 1% of that.

So I am not predicting a shortage, but not predicting 3M iPhones like the Business Week article.

In reality, production should be short. This device, hardware wise, has been fairly locked-down for months, since a final version of the product had to begin the FCC approval process months ago. Apple could have easily been ramping up production for months, and continuing to work on the software side of the iPhone.

The only reason this wouldn't be so is the oft-cited remark that Apple may restrict supply. I really don't understand how this idea gets thrown out there. If the supply is restricted, Apple loses. People selling for above retail on eBay win, but Apple loses. Apple does best by selling an iPhone to everyone who wants one, especially early on. All the people shopping for an iPhone on the 29th are buying one virtually sight-unseen. Why turn these people away giving them chance to read reviews and second guess their purchase?

By analogy, it seems to me that there are plenty of people out there that would have bought a PS3 but because of short supply couldn't and then ended up getting a Wii on second thought. Why give the BlackBerry Curve or whatever some customers.

Don't believe the hype. If you want an iPhone on the 29th, camping out is probably unnecessary. They will be in stock. IMHO.

[Captain Ken]

I just spoke with a rep at a store in Ocean City who said that each store may have one IPhone for demo purposes only on June 29. He said that anyone who wants one will need to order it from the store and that the phone would arrive in 3 days.

I think the store reps are blowing smoke. I agree with the above post in that Apple wants to sell as many phones as possible. This particular store rep is not helping AT&T, Apple or the consumer by providing this information.

[Gonzlobo]

...if each ATT & Apple store had thousands of iphones, would you still camp out? Would you feel the need to?

[Eric1285]

...if each ATT & Apple store had thousands of iphones, would you still camp out? Would you feel the need to?

What makes you think each store will have thousands of iPhones? That 3 million number touted in BusinessWeek is a joke.

If there really are going to be 3 million units, then yes, each store should have several hundred if not thousands of iPhones. In that case, we should know beforehand because we'll see a huge truck of iPhones arriving at every AT&T/Apple store.

[HitmanX]

I wlll possibly a couple hours early, to ensure I'm able to get a phone. I don't think it will be too crazy. I think a lot of people are still waiting on the data plan prices. It is one thing paying $600 one time, which a lot of people don't mind doing, but its another when you are paying several dollars more every single month for two years, to use it.

[paulyras]

I wlll possibly a couple hours early, to ensure I'm able to get a phone. I don't think it will be too crazy. I think a lot of people are still waiting on the data plan prices. It is one thing paying $600 one time, which a lot of people don't mind doing, but its another when you are paying several dollars more every single month for two years, to use it.

I'm with you. I'll probably get there at 5 or 6AM and have pretty good confidence that I'll be able to get a phone. If I get there and find out that I'm SOL, I'll head over to the Apple Store ASAP, in hopes of getting one there. Either way, I'm not too worried.

As for this stuff about drawing numbers out of a hat, I saw how Target handled the Wii (I'm a 31 year old teenager- Just ask my girlfriend), and it seems much more fair. Some people waited 2 or 3 days, and they got their Wiis. Others (such as myself) got there 3 hours before the store opened. Shortly after, perhaps 2 hours before the store opened, they handed out vouchers guaranteeing one for each of the first 40ish people in line (as many as they had). People were then able to go get breakfast, shower, pee, and all that.

I'd rather see that, where the ones who want it most get it, than something where anyone can wander up at any point casually and have the same shot as someone who obviously REALLY wants one. I would also thing Apple and AT&T would want that too. Get it in the hands of the ultimate disciples ASAP.

Just my thoughts.

Paul

[Affe]

I honestly predict that the majority of stores won't sell out. Yes, there is tons of hype with the iPhone, but with the current price, I don't see people just buying it left and right. I would feel confident walking in after work and still being able to pick it up. (But I won't consider cancelling my current contract and plopping down $500 for Rev. A iPhone plus no at&t coverage here)

[HitmanX]

I have called multiple AT&T stores in my city and the iPhone has NOT shipped yet. Once they start rolling off the factory line, I'm sure some "more official" numbers will be thrown out there.

[beate]

Sales at AT&T just told me 10 per store. I was also told that existing customers could just buy the phone - no need to extend or get new contract (mine is up). I'll post this in the correct thread also.

[fenixx]

Scott Bourne (Apple Phone Show, MBW) is stating 20 per AT&T store, and he is pretty reputable.

As much hype as their is surrounding this product, I don't know if the camp-out lines are going to happen. I can see it both ways though.

Unlike the PS3/Wii, the iPhone is not an evolution product (unless it is evolving from the iPod), and it is $500 + Contract + Data Fees at the MINIMUM. This is not like when console owners went to go "upgrade", and were able to plop down their cash and that was it.

I'm nervous either way, for starters - I'm wondering how reliable these AT&T stores are going to be. Will I really be able to walk in and buy the day of? No shipping errors at the store or late deliveries?

Aside from that, since the AT&T store is only about 3 miles away from me, I'll drive by around 9pm, 12pm, 2am - until I see if a line is even starting. I'd feel a lot more secure in the fact of taking one home same day if I were at an Apple Store, but I'm almost positive their will be a ridiculous line.

And if Apple has any sense, they are going to under-ship these units. I want all of us Mac lovers to have one - but it is going to lose its cache if someone can walk in the following Monday morning and buy one of the twenty they have on the shelf. As great as this product is, Apple needs to keep the level of "wanting it" up for a few months because of its steep price point.

[neven]

And if Apple has any sense, they are going to under-ship these units. I want all of us Mac lovers to have one - but it is going to lose its cache if someone can walk in the following Monday morning and buy one of the twenty they have on the shelf. As great as this product is, Apple needs to keep the level of "wanting it" up for a few months because of its steep price point.

It's something of a business myth that any product is ever intentionally "undershipped". Creating buzz is nice, but the holy grail of all business is a willing customer with money in their hands. If you have one, you sell to them no matter what. This is why rebates are popular - once they have your money they can take a breather and figure out how to give you back some of it. Investing money you already have is always good.

The "buzz benefits" don't even come close to making up for the loss in actual revenue and stock drop on low sales numbers.

[Crager724]

It's something of a business myth that any product is ever intentionally "undershipped". Creating buzz is nice, but the holy grail of all business is a willing customer with money in their hands. If you have one, you sell to them no matter what. This is why rebates are popular - once they have your money they can take a breather and figure out how to give you back some of it. Investing money you already have is always good.

The "buzz benefits" don't even come close to making up for the loss in actual revenue and stock drop on low sales numbers.
This is true, I happened to be a Gamestop the day Gears of War went on sale and they hadn't recieved their deliverly that morning and there were some POed customers. Which I personally think is a little silly considering its not the guy working at the stores fault.

I'll go by my local AT&T store because it is 5 minutes from my house. Granted it doesn't open until 10:00 AM so I'll be curious to see if a line forms on the 29th. And yes they do have the poster hanging in a window. The nearest Apple Store is a good half hour drive so unless I'm really bored I doubt I'll check it out just to see if they have a line.

[fenixx]

It's something of a business myth that any product is ever intentionally "undershipped". Creating buzz is nice, but the holy grail of all business is a willing customer with money in their hands.

Be that as it may [and I agree with you about the second part], product and names such as Harley Davidson, the Wii, etc. - are proof at least on my part that creating and maintaining a buzz by not reaching product demand ups the demand of the product.

Perhaps "undershipped" was the wrong phrase to use.

[adamjohn98]

Just got off of the phone with a local ATT Store rep, he said that he did know that LIMITED quantities would be available at launch. He also told me to call back the week of the launch for details on how many they will receive.

I also got the standard "Apple is being really tight-lipped and secretive, you probably know as much if not more than we do, and all we know is that it is coming on the 29th"

[lilnyc]

Scott Bourne (Apple Phone Show, MBW) is stating 20 per AT&T store, and he is pretty reputable.

As much hype as their is surrounding this product, I don't know if the camp-out lines are going to happen. I can see it both ways though.

Unlike the PS3/Wii, the iPhone is not an evolution product (unless it is evolving from the iPod), and it is $500 + Contract + Data Fees at the MINIMUM. This is not like when console owners went to go "upgrade", and were able to plop down their cash and that was it.

I'm nervous either way, for starters - I'm wondering how reliable these AT&T stores are going to be. Will I really be able to walk in and buy the day of? No shipping errors at the store or late deliveries?

Aside from that, since the AT&T store is only about 3 miles away from me, I'll drive by around 9pm, 12pm, 2am - until I see if a line is even starting. I'd feel a lot more secure in the fact of taking one home same day if I were at an Apple Store, but I'm almost positive their will be a ridiculous line.

And if Apple has any sense, they are going to under-ship these units. I want all of us Mac lovers to have one - but it is going to lose its cache if someone can walk in the following Monday morning and buy one of the twenty they have on the shelf. As great as this product is, Apple needs to keep the level of "wanting it" up for a few months because of its steep price point.

Use Yahoo Live Maps -- don't drive :)