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Apple to Launch Personal Pickup for iPhone 5 Tonight
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Two stores in South Florida, about 40 miles apart, also told me that the online reservations begin at 10pm. This morning at the first store, I was told in person - around the same time they rec'd the info (from corporate?).
Then later in the afternoon as I drove South, I checked with another store near my house to see if they had stock (they didn't) and the person on the phone volunteered the same info and details without me prompting him.
I assumed EST as that was the basis of our conversations (since we were all physically in S FL), but I think that's still a bit unclear...
Then later in the afternoon as I drove South, I checked with another store near my house to see if they had stock (they didn't) and the person on the phone volunteered the same info and details without me prompting him.
I assumed EST as that was the basis of our conversations (since we were all physically in S FL), but I think that's still a bit unclear...
Quote from iPhone page on apple.com
"For Apple Retail Stores, buy online between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. for in-store pickup the next day. Limited quantities available."
I would assume the time is for whatever store you are ordering for, so an east coast store is in EST.
"For Apple Retail Stores, buy online between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. for in-store pickup the next day. Limited quantities available."
I would assume the time is for whatever store you are ordering for, so an east coast store is in EST.
Pretty Good system
This worked out pretty well for me last year in getting an iPhone 4s a few days after launch. It's pretty slick just to reserve it and then go in a pick it up with out any hassels or question about whether a certain unit will be available. Certainly beats being told by some store like Best Buy that you will have a phone on launch day and then have to wait up to a month to get it! Not sure why people even bother with Best Buy, Walmart etc. unless there are no Apple stores in your area.
This worked out pretty well for me last year in getting an iPhone 4s a few days after launch. It's pretty slick just to reserve it and then go in a pick it up with out any hassels or question about whether a certain unit will be available. Certainly beats being told by some store like Best Buy that you will have a phone on launch day and then have to wait up to a month to get it! Not sure why people even bother with Best Buy, Walmart etc. unless there are no Apple stores in your area.
In the past, you will see the option if you navigate to the page of your local retail Apple store via the "Shop In-Store" option. You should be able to see if they will have the model you're looking for and if they do, you can pay for it right then and there and it will be waiting for you tomorrow barring some unforeseen shipping error.
See above.
It seems to be obvious that the folks who are on the other end of the "chats" are instructed to either follow a script and/or only give out info based on whats actually live. In other words, the option does not exist right now, therefore in their world it does not exist, even though it may later this evening.
Sarcasm aside, I don't see the problem with it. Apple always has limited stock available at retail stores immediately following product launches. This is not a new development. This option does not allocate more phones to the retail locations, but rather it just simplifies the sales process and lessens the hassles on employees and customers alike.
So what you're saying is the people who were able to already get the phone and for whatever reason they don't like the color should have priority over people who haven't had a chance to get a phone at all?
I don't understand why you and others seem to think that this is going to magically make the phones sell any different. Chances are that whatever stock there is is selling out everyday. All this does is make it easier on those who are looking to buy one (and as I pointed out in an above post also aims to reduce the amount of people showing up unnecessarily and cluttering the store and making more work for the employees).
Furthermore, I would say that "color exchangers" would be putting more people out in that you already have a phone but you want to exchange it for a different color. Really? There are only two to pick from and the photos online are pretty comprehensive.
So now you return a phone that cannot be sold again as "new" and get a replacement. Now you have essentially taken TWO devices out of the supply chain thereby making it harder on those who haven't gotten one yet.Just a thought.
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Can you buy it without a contract? I am not eligible until May and I had planned on trading in my 4S towards a 5.
I don't mind paying for the thing out right. I just hope that option is there.
anyone with experience able to shed some light?
I don't mind paying for the thing out right. I just hope that option is there.
anyone with experience able to shed some light?
I'm really hoping they let you reserve an iPhone without contract!
I hope I can use Bill Me Later and I also hope its not upgrade only.
I have to do that thing tomorrow where they like... pay me to do stuff... so no way I can be up 'til 1 am EST.