Information is coming from a District Manager for corporate AT&T stores in the Northeast.
- AT&T stores will be receiving stock this Weds and Thurs.
- No Jet Black Plus models (5.5") on launch day. But stores will receive very limited qty for iPhone 7 (4.7") JB.
- iPhone 7 (4.7") will be the plentiful (Compatitively). Plus models (5.5") will all be very limited in all colors (Remember, no Jet Black Plus models on launch day)
- Higher performing stores will receive more stock.
- Plus JB models (5.5") are arriving as they come. But no launch day! Expected shipment date to the stores is week of the 19th. All Store Managers are instructed not to hold any stock for anyone. First come, first serve.
- Stores are instructed not to reveal exact numbers but to answer "Limited quanities"
- Only the larger 3rd party authorized stores will receive limited stock. Very very limited (Best Buy, Radio Shack..). All other 3rd party stores may not receive any stock.
- All locations have black out dates for PTO (Personal Time Off) for the next 2 weeks. Stores will be fully staffed.
- Store Managers are expected to be on the floor assisting all employes (More staff on the floor to assist with the busy launch)
- AT&T stores will be opening at 8 AM on Friday.
- All stores are given petty cash to purchase goodies for people who stand in line (Donuts, water, keychains.. etc..)
- The most Senior Managers of the stores will speak to the local media only. No store associates are allowed to speak with the media without permission from Store Manager.
- All employees are not allowed to set aside phones for themselves to purchase when stock arrives. Must order online or wait in line like everyone else (For the employees that don't have to work that day can go stand in line)
I will be meeting up with him for a drink today. Will update more as days get closer.
***UPDATE 9/14/2016 9:53 AM***
- Stores are already receiving there first batch of stock today. They are receiving them by model. 4.7" phones are arriving today and 5.5" arriving tomorrow. Supplies for all 5.5" models are very very tight. But remember, no Jet Black Plus 5.5" on launch day.
- Remember, employees can not tell you how many they have in stock. If you ask nicely they can tell you "Some" or "Alot" or "Probably very little"
- Please make sure you have your passcode handy. If you did not create one, please call AT&T to create one. You may need that to make changes to the account. You probably don't need it, but you don't want the lack of remembering your passcode to hinder you getting your phone.
- Employees CAN NOT hold your phone for you. They will be passing out tickets as you stand in line, but you need to remain in line to get your phone (Don't walk off and go shopping)
***UPDATE 9/14/2016 11:44 AM***
- Many stores did not receive much quantity for the first batch. Store employees are not happy because they have sales metrics they need to meet per month (If you don't meet them, disciplinary action can occur if you do not meet your numbers every month).
- I was not told exact numbers but here is what my friend said about one of his larger stores (In a major metro area inside the largest shopping mall in the county)
iPhone 7 (4.7")
Jet Black - Extremely Low
Matte Black - Very Low
Silver - Some
Gold - Some
Pink - Low
iPhone 7 Plus (5.5")
No word yet, those will be trickling in today and mostly tomorrow. Will update when I hear word.
Folks, it doesn't look good as far as stock goes for AT&T Stores. Better start queuing up early.
***UPDATE 9/14/2016 1:14 PM***
- Some stores reported no stock on certain colors for iPhone 7 (4.7") such as Pink or Matte Black. Wow.
***UPDATE 9/14/2016 1:31 PM***
- There is major concern among all AT&T stores. My friend will be on a regional conference call shortly about how to handle talk tracks to customers about the low stock.
Not looking good for walk-in launch day folks.
***UPDATE 9/15/2016 10:06 AM***
- Stores began to receive plus models. No Jet Black. Quantities for all models are low. Some stores didn't even receive Matte Black.
Looks like carrier stores are your only hope of getting a Plus model (Except for Jet Black) on launch day. Good luck everyone.
***UPDATE 9/16/2016 8:21 AM***
- Major concerns for all DM's as customers are being turned away due to lack of iPhone models (especially Plus models). An email was sent out this morning that instructed all sales associates to encourage customers to pre-order in store. Depending upon the store, some Store Managers are offering customers "gifts" such as a screen protector or charging cable as incentive to pre-order.
- AT&T stores will continue to receive supplies as phones become available. Store Managers will not know what stock they will have. They can only see "shipments" that are pending to the store. But inside these shipments could be anything like Samsung phones, tablets.. etc.. The best bet is to visit the store or call to see if they have stock.
- The union's representing employees have been pressuring AT&T to lower store sales associates sales goals for the month due to the on-going supply issues of iPhone 7's and the issues with the Samsung Note battery that are turning customers away.
***UPDATE 9/16/2016 8:53 AM***
- Most stores are reporting there wasn't a "crazy" line at most stores. While all stores had at least a few people waiting, most stores did not have many people standing and waiting. That means if you are looking for an iPhone 7 (4.7") you will have a good change scoring one even if you didn't wait in line before the store opened. If you are looking for the plus model (5.5") you will have a much hard time finding one as many AT&T stores didn't even receive any Plus models.
- AT&T stores will be receiving stock this Weds and Thurs.
- No Jet Black Plus models (5.5") on launch day. But stores will receive very limited qty for iPhone 7 (4.7") JB.
- iPhone 7 (4.7") will be the plentiful (Compatitively). Plus models (5.5") will all be very limited in all colors (Remember, no Jet Black Plus models on launch day)
- Higher performing stores will receive more stock.
- Plus JB models (5.5") are arriving as they come. But no launch day! Expected shipment date to the stores is week of the 19th. All Store Managers are instructed not to hold any stock for anyone. First come, first serve.
- Stores are instructed not to reveal exact numbers but to answer "Limited quanities"
- Only the larger 3rd party authorized stores will receive limited stock. Very very limited (Best Buy, Radio Shack..). All other 3rd party stores may not receive any stock.
- All locations have black out dates for PTO (Personal Time Off) for the next 2 weeks. Stores will be fully staffed.
- Store Managers are expected to be on the floor assisting all employes (More staff on the floor to assist with the busy launch)
- AT&T stores will be opening at 8 AM on Friday.
- All stores are given petty cash to purchase goodies for people who stand in line (Donuts, water, keychains.. etc..)
- The most Senior Managers of the stores will speak to the local media only. No store associates are allowed to speak with the media without permission from Store Manager.
- All employees are not allowed to set aside phones for themselves to purchase when stock arrives. Must order online or wait in line like everyone else (For the employees that don't have to work that day can go stand in line)
I will be meeting up with him for a drink today. Will update more as days get closer.
***UPDATE 9/14/2016 9:53 AM***
- Stores are already receiving there first batch of stock today. They are receiving them by model. 4.7" phones are arriving today and 5.5" arriving tomorrow. Supplies for all 5.5" models are very very tight. But remember, no Jet Black Plus 5.5" on launch day.
- Remember, employees can not tell you how many they have in stock. If you ask nicely they can tell you "Some" or "Alot" or "Probably very little"
- Please make sure you have your passcode handy. If you did not create one, please call AT&T to create one. You may need that to make changes to the account. You probably don't need it, but you don't want the lack of remembering your passcode to hinder you getting your phone.
- Employees CAN NOT hold your phone for you. They will be passing out tickets as you stand in line, but you need to remain in line to get your phone (Don't walk off and go shopping)
***UPDATE 9/14/2016 11:44 AM***
- Many stores did not receive much quantity for the first batch. Store employees are not happy because they have sales metrics they need to meet per month (If you don't meet them, disciplinary action can occur if you do not meet your numbers every month).
- I was not told exact numbers but here is what my friend said about one of his larger stores (In a major metro area inside the largest shopping mall in the county)
iPhone 7 (4.7")
Jet Black - Extremely Low
Matte Black - Very Low
Silver - Some
Gold - Some
Pink - Low
iPhone 7 Plus (5.5")
No word yet, those will be trickling in today and mostly tomorrow. Will update when I hear word.
Folks, it doesn't look good as far as stock goes for AT&T Stores. Better start queuing up early.
***UPDATE 9/14/2016 1:14 PM***
- Some stores reported no stock on certain colors for iPhone 7 (4.7") such as Pink or Matte Black. Wow.
***UPDATE 9/14/2016 1:31 PM***
- There is major concern among all AT&T stores. My friend will be on a regional conference call shortly about how to handle talk tracks to customers about the low stock.
Not looking good for walk-in launch day folks.
***UPDATE 9/15/2016 10:06 AM***
- Stores began to receive plus models. No Jet Black. Quantities for all models are low. Some stores didn't even receive Matte Black.
Looks like carrier stores are your only hope of getting a Plus model (Except for Jet Black) on launch day. Good luck everyone.
***UPDATE 9/16/2016 8:21 AM***
- Major concerns for all DM's as customers are being turned away due to lack of iPhone models (especially Plus models). An email was sent out this morning that instructed all sales associates to encourage customers to pre-order in store. Depending upon the store, some Store Managers are offering customers "gifts" such as a screen protector or charging cable as incentive to pre-order.
- AT&T stores will continue to receive supplies as phones become available. Store Managers will not know what stock they will have. They can only see "shipments" that are pending to the store. But inside these shipments could be anything like Samsung phones, tablets.. etc.. The best bet is to visit the store or call to see if they have stock.
- The union's representing employees have been pressuring AT&T to lower store sales associates sales goals for the month due to the on-going supply issues of iPhone 7's and the issues with the Samsung Note battery that are turning customers away.
***UPDATE 9/16/2016 8:53 AM***
- Most stores are reporting there wasn't a "crazy" line at most stores. While all stores had at least a few people waiting, most stores did not have many people standing and waiting. That means if you are looking for an iPhone 7 (4.7") you will have a good change scoring one even if you didn't wait in line before the store opened. If you are looking for the plus model (5.5") you will have a much hard time finding one as many AT&T stores didn't even receive any Plus models.
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