Apple Stores Experiencing 'Global' Issue With iPhone and Apple Watch Reservation Pickups

[cwanja]

Showed up at my local Apple Store at 7:10. Was 25th in line. Pre-order pickup for my Xs was 8AM. Got to 4th as they were doing walk-up reservations, moved me to first in the pre-order line and walked in at 8AM to get my Xs and got a S4 stainless steel space black at the same by 8:20AM.

Was home playing with them by 8:45AM. Loved every minute since.

 

[Glideslope]

What’s the appeal to in store pickup?

Cult gathering.

 

[almonde]

Arrived at the store in Sugar Land, TX. Saw the queue, spoke to an employee, was told the wait was likely about 2 hours for my in-store pickup (watch).

Life's too short for that, it'll be waiting for me tomorrow.

 

[840quadra]

That's unfortunate for those using the system. I winged it and showed up at my local store (Southdale Mall Minnesota). Showed up ay 6:50am, and was the 2nd in line before being escorted in the building for the official line. No issues getting a phone and watch today. FWIW, there was a LONG queue behind me once we were inside. it was cold and light rain in MN this morning, lots of people waited in their cars for the mall to open.

Apple is usually really good about making it up to people, so hopefully this is a minor issue overall.

 

[seinman]

What’s the appeal to in store pickup?

I live in Philadelphia. If it’s delivered to my house, I have to pay 8% sales tax. If it arrives when I’m at work, there’s a pretty good chance it’ll get stolen off the porch. But I can do in-store pickup in Delaware, not have to worry about theft, and pay 0% sales tax. Even with the gas to get down there I still save money and stress. I read somewhere that the Apple Store in Delaware sells more iPhones than any other in the world, and this is why. It’s a no-sales-tax state surrounded by high-tax states.

 

[Glideslope]

I've been on phone with Verizon and Apple in a conference call for nearly 3 hours now. Trying to get phone activated. Seems there is a widespread issue with phones purchased via Apple and for Verizon's network. FUN!

Carrier retaliation for the eSims.

 

[madKIR]

I live in Philadelphia. If it’s delivered to my house, I have to pay 8% sales tax. If it arrives when I’m at work, there’s a pretty good chance it’ll get stolen off the porch. But I can do in-store pickup in Delaware, not have to worry about theft, and pay 0% sales tax. Even with the gas to get down there I still save money and stress. I read somewhere that the Apple Store in Delaware sells more iPhones than any other in the world, and this is why. It’s a no-sales-tax state surrounded by high-tax states.

I love Christiana Mall! I bought many Apple products there. I live in NYC and even I drive there sometimes. It's about 2-2.5 hours to get there, but it's worth it if you buy a Mac or a new iPhone (outright nowadays lol).

 

[kudlacz]

What’s the appeal to in store pickup?

You get to pick it up Today vs waiting for delivery in October.

 

[gshock]

Anyone else still waiting for an update still seeing? "Your package was released by the customs agency."

 

[duervo]

Standing here in Houston waiting for Apple to get their **** together. I can’t believe that they could drop the ball this badly. Heads need to roll for this.

Heads need to roll? That’s rather extreme. It’s only a delivery for an electronic device. It’s not like 3000 people are dead or anything like that.

 

[MacGod]

We're hearing from a number of readers over the past hour or so that Apple's retail stores are having problems completing in-store reservation pickups for the new iPhone and Apple Watch models. Multiple customers have been told there is a "global" issue affecting Apple's systems and we're hearing there are some long lines building up as customers wait for the issues to be resolved.
Update: Apple's systems appear to be coming back online and reservation pickups are now being processed. There is, however, still a backlog of customers to work through.

Article Link: Apple Stores Experiencing 'Global' Issue With iPhone and Apple Watch Reservation Pickups

Yes - I was one of the schleps who showed up at my allotted time to pick up my Watch 4 LTE (12:30-1PM pickup time) and their computers stopped processing orders - waited an hour in the reservation line... but it started working around 1:45 PM PST. So happy I got it, but irritated I still had to wait a bit.

 

[seinman]

I love Christiana Mall! I bought many Apple products there. I live in NYC and even I drive there sometimes. It's about 2-2.5 hours to get there, but it's worth it if you buy a Mac or a new iPhone (outright nowadays lol).

My family has spent so much money at that store. Six (my XR will be 7) iPhones, 2 MacBook Pros, and an Apple Watch. All tax-free. Gotta love it!

 

[Hustler1337]

What’s the appeal to in store pickup?

It's perfect for those who crave some attention while they pickup their shiny new iPhone in front of others while getting stares of envy from others in or around the Apple Store.

 

[SoundJudgment]

Ordered last Friday and now both the Watch and Phone are sitting together on the dining-room table... getting acquainted with each other.

 

[ctdonath]

China flexing their muscles sending a message about the trade war?

More I think about it, the more I think so. High profile case.

Risky move, giving Apple more reason to manufacture in the US.

 

[swissglide]

Happened during my walk-in ~3:30 pm EDT. They told everyone waiting that there's a global system issue and that we'll need to wait. Then they resumed pick up appointments about 10 minutes later.

 

[jdclifford]

Don't have to wait for the UPS truck or risk them not delivering the package because you weren't available to sign for it.

You change delivery to "Hold for Pickup" and go to UPS location and pick it up. I always do this.

 

[840quadra]

It's perfect for those who crave some attention while they pickup their shiny new iPhone in front of others while getting stares of envy from others in or around the Apple Store.

Or it could have nothing to do with any of that.

 

[SoundJudgment]

Risk of having it stolen if you are not present when delivered. I had mine sent to UPS store via UPS website so I knew it was safe and I could pick it up after work. I am picking up the watch in store before that...I hope.

In addition to the official UPS stores, there are also tons of authorized 'UPS Access Point' stores in many cities which will also do the 'waiting' for you.

 

[swissglide]

Standing in line for my watch for over an hour now (Lexington, KY). This is crazy. Long line behind me now. I was not given the option to cancel and order from stock... in fact I was told that would mess up their inventory system. Looks like it may be starting to get resolved now though, I just saw the first person in line go through.

Really glad I got my phone from Verizon this morning

There's no "ordering from stock" really. When you walk in, they'll create a pick-up appointment for you, and then you'll be in the same boat as everyone else with an appointment. Whether it was created at 3 am EDT last Friday or 2 minutes earlier does not matter.

 

[now i see it]

I bet none of those poor souls wait in line next year. Learned their lesson.

 

[bdallas99]

Has anyone been able to just walk into their local store and pick up a new Series 4? I was told yesterday that you needed to reserve before walking in.

 

[ctdonath]

What’s the appeal to in store pickup?

It's fun to have it minutes after release.
Home delivery might be problematic: theft, weather, absence.
Business needs: app developers need to test on latest hardware.
May have waited a while to not get near obsolete (i've been without a watch for 3 months, didn't want Series 3 just weeks before 4 for same price), tired of waiting.

Plenty of reason. Don't rain on someone else's fun or needs.

 

[james2538]

What’s the appeal to in store pickup?

Tax purposes and guaranteed delivery.

Same day trade-in with my Apple Watch Series 3 brought the price down to $275, which saved me $18 with 8% sales tax. Plus I'm pretty much guaranteed to get it launch day, whereas UPS/FedEx usually manage to screw up delivery to my address.

Especially if they mark it undeliverable because they're too lazy to come up and have me sign...

 

[Hustler1337]

Or it could have nothing to do with any of that.

Of course, I never said it was the only reason why customers choose in-store pickup. There's many reasons why customers choose in-store pickup.