Stanford Shopping Center (Palo Alto, CA)

[RyC]

Anyone going to the stanford shopping center store or has gone here for a previous iPhone launch? Do they let you into the mall prior to the launch? Thanks!

[oshachal]

Anyone going to the stanford shopping center store or has gone here for a previous iPhone launch? Do they let you into the mall prior to the launch? Thanks!

I'm purchased my 3G on opening day at Stanford and they were by far the best and most efficient at getting people their phones and out the door as quickly as possible. It was a great experience! See you there.

[tivoboy]

I'll be heading there for a pickup (hopefully, did it on the APP as a reservation)

The MALL is open already there are no external doors. The apple store usually sets up a line (with coffee and bagels last time) for "reservation holders" and then "non reservation holders"

There is also a starbucks about 50ft from the store, which makes for a nice breakfast if one gets there early. I'll get there about 06:00 since I have an east coast conference call at 06:30 (listen only!), so standing (sitting) outside isn't a problem until the store opens most likely at what 07:00?

[harry2quinn]

I have to leave the shopping center for work by 8.10 AM at the latest... do you guys know if I'll be cutting it close if I get there at or before 7.15? I know that demand's been much higher this year, so it might be hard to predict; but historically, what's been the turnaround time to pick up reservations?
Thanks!

[RyC]

I called the apple store and the mall and they both said that the mall will allow people to line up starting at 5 AM. I wonder how they enforce that or hold people from entering the mall since it's open air.

[tivoboy]

I called the apple store and the mall and they both said that the mall will allow people to line up starting at 5 AM. I wonder how they enforce that or hold people from entering the mall since it's open air.

They probably have a NO LOITERING or CURFEW policy in the city of Stanford or at the mall.

[eTip]

Went there for the Ipad launch. I arrived about 5:00 but there were people that had been in line earlier and AFAIK no one bothered them. Coffee was available at around 6:30 (?) but no bagels.

[Gonz00]

:apple:Anyone over there? Any problems?:apple:

[Drewtwentytwo]

:apple:Anyone over there? Any problems?:apple:

wondering the same thing....might go over and check it out. do you have pre-order?

[Gonz00]

I pre-ordered - got my confirmation screen, but never got the email..called the store and they didn't have me on file...said to just come in anyway...so not really. Wondering when to go...

[Drewtwentytwo]

o i see.
well according to our friends above 5am looks like best bet....but who knows...

[eTip]

I pre-ordered - got my confirmation screen, but never got the email..called the store and they didn't have me on file...said to just come in anyway...so not really. Wondering when to go...

I am in the same boat - confirmation screen but no email (though I do have a screenshot). I am undecided as to whether to go tonight at all or wait to see how all of the "issues" turn out. If I go, it will likely be between 4 and 5 AM.

Are you getting in the reserved line? At the iPad launch they checked the list as I recall. I still plan on getting in the reserved line since I did my part to reserve and have the screenshot as proof.

[Gonz00]

yeah same - have my screenshot...I was planning to go around the same time. Not sure which line to get in- playing it by ear. The University store already has a ton of people outside...so not sure anymore whats worth it and whats not. Reports are slim on #s of phones available. damn apple - couldn't produce more?!

[RyC]

I'm at the mall now but there's security guards around so I'm afraid to walk in. Can't tell if anyone is inside cause the apple store is buried inside

[Drewtwentytwo]

thanks for the update. security let people line up?

[RyC]

I'm not sure, I'm driving a circle around the mall to see if I see anyone who looks like they're here for the launch but it's pretty early so I haven't walked in

[eTip]

I'm not sure, I'm driving a circle around the mall to see if I see anyone who looks like they're here for the launch but it's pretty early so I haven't walked in

When I was there for the iPad launch the place was desolate - until I got right up to the Apple store. This was ~4:30 AM.

Let us know what the line looks like when you get there....

[Drewtwentytwo]

true, it is pretty early. but looking at the lines in other parts on the country, i would of thought the both palo alto stores would be super crowded

[RyC]

No luck, I called them again and they regurgitated 5 am so I have no idea if there are people already there or if security has kept people out

[eTip]

No luck, I called them again and they regurgitated 5 am so I have no idea if there are people already there or if security has kept people out

Why not just walk in & see what happens? They aren't going to shoot you....I mean you might get tased or something ;-).

Seriously - If you had not called, how would you even know they had such a policy? They may very well have had the same 5am policy for the iPad launch - I didn't call to find out, i just showed up.

[RyC]

Yeah good point. It's 1;45 though so I think it's pushing it by trying to go in

[RyC]

A car went into the parking lot and the security guard told her to leave so the mall is definitely closed right now. It's funny how I can hear the mall music going though

[Drewtwentytwo]

haha at the mall music. good looking out with the updates, thanks.

[eTip]

Weird. What's gonna happen @ 5 AM? There have to be a lot of people circling in their cars or waiting somewhere nearby. The Burlingame store has around 100 people in line already the last time I checked.

Well, since I was planning on showing up 5ish AM anyhow, I guess the fact that they aren't letting anyone in before that works out to my advantage.

[iDabble]

thanks for the updates, i live 5 minutes from valley fair but don't wanna deal with that madness, i'm hoping that stanford will be less hectic. planning on going around 4

[iDabble]

any update?

[RyC]

A mob has forced our way in there's a small crowd but growing fast

[harry2quinn]

Ok, it's kinda ridiculous there. The reservations line is 100+ people (the line stretched off into the horizon, may be well over 150). I didn't really check out the end of the line for purchases, but I'm sure it's as bad or worse.

I got there at 8 AM (was planning on earlier, but people were talking about how you should be able to just walk in and get it if you had a reservation), and decided to come back after work.

Talked to the Apple rep, which was completely unfruitful.

Me: Hi, I have to get to work soon. Do you know what line's gonna be like later in the day?
Her: Sorry, I have no idea.
Me: Ballpark it for me.
Her: There's no way for us to know. I can tell you that we close at 9 PM.
Me: Okay... how fast are you processing people?
Her: As fast as we can.
Me: Ok, that was a highly political answer. Let me put it this way - how many people have you processed since the store opened an hour ago.
Her: Sorry, I can't give out that information.
Me: *sigh* you really can't give out any information, can you?
Her: Sorry, we don't even have that information.
Me: Ok. Thanks.

[RyC]

Yeah they finally let us in at around 4:20 am after some serious arguing (they threatened to call the cops on us!)

The walk in line was already pretty long by 5 am and by 6 or earlier it already reached around the corner to the Starbucks, and by the time the store opened at 7, the walk in and reservation lines stretched out to about the parking lots. Sorry to those who couldn't get in :(

[harry2quinn]

Yeah they finally let us in at around 4:20 am after some serious arguing (they threatened to call the cops on us!)

The walk in line was already pretty long by 5 am and by 6 or earlier it already reached around the corner to the Starbucks, and by the time the store opened at 7, the walk in and reservation lines stretched out to about the parking lots. Sorry to those who couldn't get in :(

How fast did it seem to be moving, for the reservation line at least? I'm just curious how long my wait is going to be this evening...

[akadel]

In the same boat, swung by around 9:00 with my reservation line was 150 deep at least. Going to try after lunch, if anyone has any line updates it would be appreciated.

[harry2quinn]

In the same boat, swung by around 9:00 with my reservation line was 150 deep at least. Going to try after lunch, if anyone has any line updates it would be appreciated.

I would also suggest using Twitter updates (search Google for Stanford line, use the pane on the left to narrow down to 'Updates') as a complement to this. It's also been pretty useful for me.

[tivoboy]

I got their about 06:00, went to the reservation line which seemed about 60-80 persons. There were giving out coffee and croissants. Nice touch!

this line was MUCH longer than the 3gs launch and the poor folks in the NON-reservation line which had about 200+ in it were only being let in 1 for about five+ res holders.

I did talk with a security guard who had BEEN THERE ALL NIGHT and he said they had people present and in line all night? Not sure why others say they were turned away.

There were people with mock tents, sleeping bags, LOTS of folding chairs, etc. So, it would appear than MANY had been there a long time.

[RyC]

Yeah, the line started at about 4:30 am. People were trying to get in before 4:30 but were turned away by security until we mobbed them pretty much

[iDabble]

Took me almost a full 6 hours in line but I got mine. It sucked standing in the purchase line watching everyone else move, but after reading about other stores that were letting people in at a 50:1 ratio, i guess it wasn't too bad.

[akadel]

was just over there, reservation line is 3 hours long, still. Don't think I am going to have 3 hours available today to stand in line, so I am probably SOL.

They close at 9 as well, so if you aren't in line by 6, then probably no dice unless the line thins out but it has been consistent all day.

[harry2quinn]

was just over there, reservation line is 3 hours long, still. Don't think I am going to have 3 hours available today to stand in line, so I am probably SOL.

They close at 9 as well, so if you aren't in line by 6, then probably no dice unless the line thins out but it has been consistent all day.

Wow... are you sure about the second part? I would be surprised if they turned away someone with a reservation, who had been in line since 6.30 because his/her point in the line hadn't reached the store by 9 sharp. I think it makes more sense that they gave out tickets to everyone who got in the reserved line by a certain point (say 8 PM), and made sure to get phones to all those people regardless of what time they had to keep going till.