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Apple Retail Stores Launch In-Store Pickup Option for iPhone 5s and 5c with Availability Listings

the iPhone 5 was my latest launch as an Apple employee before i left

i remember that during the last evening, we received orders to announce to the queue that we were out of stock

the truth was that we still had them in stock but were keeping them for the rest of the weekend


Apple creates virtual product shortage to increase demand and spread it through several stores
 
Codyak said:
Those estimates seem pretty conservative, mine originally said the 3rd when ordering, and now it says it'll be here tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Mine said 10th-16th when ordering. Still says 10th-16th. My order (64 GB black) was finished before the clock rolled over to 12:01 PDT.
 
Codyak said:
No love here.
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I never had much luck with it. I tried with the iPhone 5 (ended up not even getting the phone, fed up with waiting and just kept my iPhone 4 until the 5s)

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macchiato2009 said:
the iPhone 5 was my latest launch as an Apple employee before i left

i remember that during the last evening, we received orders to announce to the queue that we were out of stock

the truth was that we still had them in stock but were keeping them for the rest of the weekend


Apple creates virtual product shortage to increase demand and spread it through several stores
Click to expand...

Apple is not alone, lots of retailers hold back stock for other days (either because of a weekend advertisement or for "more important shopping days") Apple has perfected this art, but other stores do the same thing

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mbarriault said:
I'm failing to understand why they're restocking stores at all when launch day online orders (more accurate: launch minute orders) still show 7-10 day wait times. Shouldn't those who already bought one, let alone those who got up in the middle of the night to do so, have some level of priority?
Click to expand...

You would think so. Apple has those sales already, they are looking for new sales in their stores. You can't sell more phones if they are out of stock...
 
mbarriault said:
I'm failing to understand why they're restocking stores at all when launch day online orders (more accurate: launch minute orders) still show 7-10 day wait times. Shouldn't those who already bought one, let alone those who got up in the middle of the night to do so, have some level of priority?
Click to expand...

they have done this since the iphone 4

stores cost money. apple wants feet in stores
 
Local store showed a 64GB silver AT&T was available. I cancelled my online order, and immediately ordered for in store pickup. When confirming, it was no longer available...
 
Dronac said:
Local store showed a 64GB silver AT&T was available. I cancelled my online order, and immediately ordered for in store pickup. When confirming, it was no longer available...
Click to expand...

Ouch, sorry man. I guess you should have done it the other way around - order the in-store pickup, wait for confirmation before cancelling the online order.
 
bchery21 said:
Ouch, sorry man. I guess you should have done it the other way around - order the in-store pickup, wait for confirmation before cancelling the online order.
Click to expand...

I tried. I had to cancel to get upgrade pricing back and/or order it with my phone number. With an existing order in place, I would have to use a different phone number to place an order.
 
alent1234 said:
they have done this since the iphone 4

stores cost money. apple wants feet in stores
Click to expand...

And if they opened a store even remotely near me (a provincial capital no less) then I would have been there. Unfortunately online was my only option.
 
Saw that they had the AT&T version near me. Canceled my order from ATT. Went to check out, was gone.

They have a 16gb silver in stock but not a fan of that. Looking for the space gray.
 
How late are you allowed to cancel an online order?

If its available as in store pickup, I would rather make the drive then wait 2 weeks.
 
macchiato2009 said:
the iPhone 5 was my latest launch as an Apple employee before i left

i remember that during the last evening, we received orders to announce to the queue that we were out of stock
the truth was that we still had them in stock but were keeping them for the rest of the weekend
Apple creates virtual product shortage to increase demand and spread it through several stores
Click to expand...

This seems to be a non sequitor. You state "Apple creates virtual product shortage". But then the example you give is a technique Apple uses to manage a real product shortage. :confused:
 
boshii said:
They should start doing this from day 1.
Click to expand...

I agree completely. However this is a system in favor of the customer.

If it had been in place on day one Apple wouldn't have enjoyed all the free attention from the mainstream press, with huge lines & the drama that produces, which Apple is addicted to.

Apple and throngs of its customers are quite vain and in need of having their ego stroked.
 
guywhoisweird said:
I have an existing pre order for the 5S from Apple (Line 1). I have multiple lines on my account and do not want to cancel my pre order just yet.

Let's say I buy the phone using another line (line 2). The phone would be bought full price. Once I get to the apple store can I return the phone for Line 2 and then buy it immediately using my upgrade for Line 1? I would of course have cancelled my pre order, freeing up my upgrade eligibility.
Click to expand...
You don't know how long the order cancellation would take ot go through. Also, what happens if the order ships after you've bought the other phone.

It's better to not play games, especially when cell phone upgrade pricing is involved. You never know when the cell phone company will much it it up.
 
mbarriault said:
I'm failing to understand why they're restocking stores at all when launch day online orders (more accurate: launch minute orders) still show 7-10 day wait times. Shouldn't those who already bought one, let alone those who got up in the middle of the night to do so, have some level of priority?
Click to expand...

What's the big deal with getting up in the middle of the night? I do it often. Ordering in your pajamas doesn't seem like such a big deal. There should be some love for people who actually bother to get dressed and make the trek to the store... who often buy other things while they are there, BTW.

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boshii said:
They should start doing this from day 1.
Click to expand...

Were there actually US stores that had zero allocation on day 1?
 
Bear said:
You don't know how long the order cancellation would take ot go through. Also, what happens if the order ships after you've bought the other phone.

It's better to not play games, especially when cell phone upgrade pricing is involved. You never know when the cell phone company will much it it up.
Click to expand...

Right, the assumptions for this scenario are:
1. Phone in stock
2. Pre-order hasn't shipped yet

Once the pre-order has shipped then this scenario can't work. I do know though that since I bought it from Apple the order cancellation will be quick and that it would be done after I confirm the in store pickup.

Therefore the only question is whether or not Apple will let me essentially return the phone and immediately rebuy with the upgrade on my other line.
 
Spacial said:
I agree completely. However this is a system in favor of the customer.

If it had been in place on day one Apple wouldn't have enjoyed all the free attention from the mainstream press, with huge lines & the drama that produces, which Apple is addicted to.

Apple and throngs of its customers are quite vain and in need of having their ego stroked.
Click to expand...

I think on Day 1, most if not all, of the US stores (and surely ALL the prominent ones) would have been allocated some stock; so they would have had huge lines, even if this system had been in place.

I'm sure you appreciate my correcting your statement, given that you are NOT one of those vain people who needs his ego stroked.
;)
 
macchiato2009 said:
the iPhone 5 was my latest launch as an Apple employee before i left

i remember that during the last evening, we received orders to announce to the queue that we were out of stock

the truth was that we still had them in stock but were keeping them for the rest of the weekend


Apple creates virtual product shortage to increase demand and spread it through several stores
Click to expand...

This is great business practice to be honest, can't fault it.
 
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