Apple Expects 15 Minute Setup Times for iPhone 3G

[MacRumors]

Bloomberg quotes Ron Johnson, Apple's retail chief, about his expectations for the iPhone 3G launch on July 11th.

Johnson believes that it will take 10-15 minutes to set up a customer with iPhone 3G service, and plans to handle about 100 customers an hour.

Apple stores will handle about 30 customers at a time, Johnson said. While the company will make sure the activation process is quick, he said customers won't be rushed.

"We'll spend as long as it takes with our customers to make sure they're happy with the phone," Johnson said.

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[a1016neo]

10 - 15 minutes.... Not bad...

 

[stagi]

That is much better than when I setup my old AT&T phones, it seemed like it always took 30-45 minutes of just waiting around. Still might make for a crazy day on launch day but sounds like they will be fully staffed.

 

[Some_Big_Spoon]

Do the math: 100 people per hour, with several hundreds, or thousands of people showing up on opening day. You could be waiting 10, 20, 30 hours, etc. if you get thousands of people showing up.

But, no one will care, they'll just want the phone

 

[EricNau]

Do the math: 100 people per hour, with several hundreds, or thousands of people showing up on opening day. You could be waiting 10, 20, 30 hours, etc. if you get thousands of people showing up.

But, no one will care, they'll just want the phone

Thousands? That estimate might be a bit lavish. However, for the stores that might attract that number (such as Apple's flagship locations), they will likely be able to handle more than the average of 30 at a time.

 

[the_wallcrawler]

I've been debating ATT store v. Apple store...I think this clinches it for the Apple Store. I can't see ATT having this kind of manpower.

 

[rickdollar]

Gee. 100 phones per hour. They will be open for at least 12 hours. That is 1200 phones, eh? You think each store will have 1200 phones? And is anyone going to buy the 8 gig?? I doubt it. So let's hope they have enough 16's on hand

 

[DeaconGraves]

With my luck I will be right behind the dope who takes 45 min. to setup his phone.

 

[kjs862]

So does this mean 20-30 minutes?

 

[cloudnine]

So retarded that you can't upgrade your iPhone via the AT&T website.

 

[andyblila]

16 gig

Gee. 100 phones per hour. They will be open for at least 12 hours. That is 1200 phones, eh? You think each store will have 1200 phones? And is anyone going to buy the 8 gig?? I doubt it. So let's hope they have enough 16's on hand

From what I heard, they think that the 8 gig is going to be the big seller.

 

[Leo74]

Has anyone seen any indication of per store supply? If each store will receive, for instance, 400 units on launch day, do they expect they'll be sold out by noon? Or will there be plenty of stock for those of us who plan on showing up mid afternoon instead of camping in line to get it first?

 

[avigalante]

From what I heard, they think that the 8 gig is going to be the big seller.

I agree.

8GB can fit ~2,000 songs (at 4MB each) - for most people, that's more than enough space for music, photos and third party applications. Given the enticing $199 price point, I wouldn't count out the 8GB iPhone just yet.

 

[SirOmega]

Well I suppose that's not too bad. Last year the small store near me did about 200 phones per hour. They were limited by the number of pay terminals they had as there were plenty of staff around to "direct traffic". This time they're limited by the number of macs in store due to the iTunes activation software.

I don't think I'll be going this year. I'll wait at least a week or two.

 

[mgcbp7]

What answers did you receive?
I am in the exact situation. The account is in my dad's name. I know his SSN, but I obviously can't present his Government ID

I called apple too and they said they couldn't even answer that at this time!!

UPDATE: Thanks ESPO for answer..
How do you become "Authorized"? is that something special that requires notification to ATT or did that happen when my dad signed the contract in the first place?

If you are an authorized user you can make changes without the account holder. Just go to www.wireless.att.com and log in. You'll be presented with the Account Overview. On the left-hand side click on ACCOUNT PROFILE. At the bottom of the page you'll see Authorized Users - Retail Store. All you have to do is "add user" and save the changes. This is what I had to do and hopefully it'll work! Good luck!

 

[btcutter]

So does this mean 20-30 minutes?

yeah.

15 min is way too optimistic.

Look at the confusion at this website which probably represents fairly knowledgeable people regarding the iPhone 3G. Imaging people who line up and find out they are not eligible and want to complaint.

 

[Espo]

What answers did you receive?
I am in the exact situation. The account is in my dad's name. I know his SSN, but I obviously can't present his Government ID

I called apple too and they said they couldn't even answer that at this time!!

UPDATE: Thanks ESPO for answer..
How do you become "Authorized"? is that something special that requires notification to ATT or did that happen when my dad signed the contract in the first place?

You have to call ATT speak to a rep. Then tell then that you want to be an authorized user on the account. THey will have to speak to the main accounter user, and that person will have to supply your Name, Birthday, and SS#. You will then become an authorized user on the account. Presto!

 

[lesliegolf]

What answers did you receive?
I am in the exact situation. The account is in my dad's name. I know his SSN, but I obviously can't present his Government ID

I called apple too and they said they couldn't even answer that at this time!!

UPDATE: Thanks ESPO for answer..
How do you become "Authorized"? is that something special that requires notification to ATT or did that happen when my dad signed the contract in the first place?

Make sure you are listed as Authorized on the account
Make sure you have the last 4 of your dads Social Security number
Make sure you have an ID

That is what I was told at least.

 

[SAMTATSICPRO]

yeah thats not counting the dummies that will not know how to activate a phone and technical difficulties with the fast pay method... that happened to me last year.. at the Apple Store. Some Employees will not know what to do at that moment.

 

[rickdollar]

From what I heard, they think that the 8 gig is going to be the big seller.

It could end up playing out that way, Andy.

It's just too easy to fill up 8 gigs. Even 16. The $100 premium is such a small piece of the pie when you add up the cost of the phone + 2 years of AT&T bills, IMO.

I think Apple definitely makes more on the 16 which is good for sharehlders.

 

[jsands92]

Thank you guys for helping me!
I just got off the phone with an ATT representative and I should be authorized now!
That won't keep me from double checking tomorow and thursday with my anxiety of launch (But then again I also live 1.5 hours away from the Apple store which I want to buy it at rather than AT&T so I would hate to wake up at 6 A.M. only to be turned down!)

Thanks again!

 

[VideoShooter]

I'm getting the 16 for sure.

I just wish there was a 32. WAH! WAH!

 

[kissmyaxe]

If you are an authorized user you can make changes without the account holder. Just go to www.wireless.att.com and log in. You'll be presented with the Account Overview. On the left-hand side click on ACCOUNT PROFILE. At the bottom of the page you'll see Authorized Users - Retail Store. All you have to do is "add user" and save the changes. This is what I had to do and hopefully it'll work! Good luck!

Thanks a lot for that tip; I wouldn't have caught that and would have ended up waiting on line for nothing!

 

[JuNxXxReY]

Thank you guys for helping me!
I just got off the phone with an ATT representative and I should be authorized now!
That won't keep me from double checking tomorow and thursday with my anxiety of launch (But then again I also live 1.5 hours away from the Apple store which I want to buy it at rather than AT&T so I would hate to wake up at 6 A.M. only to be turned down!)

Thanks again!

You might want to logon to your account at www.wireless.att.com I talked to an AT&T rep to add someone as an authorized user two days ago and when I called today to double-check, they said that person wasn't. It's easier if you actually register and login. Then click on "ACCOUNT PROFILE" on the left side. Next scroll down to the bottom and see the list of authorized users. This way, you can be sure. Just a thought.

 

[dacreativeguy]

Just wait until Monday when there will be no lines and ATT will have fixed the horrendous server crashes that caused chaos all day Friday.