Best Buy iPad 2s

[afellowlinguist]

I have a $650 gift card for Best Buy (a result of their poor return policy on items over $500), and noted that the amount should be perfect for covering a 32GB WiFi iPad + sales tax.

I've read up on a few sources -- including Best Buy's official confirmation - that the iPad 2 will be stocked tomorrow on launch day, but can't predict whether or not there will be lines or even whether Best Buy will have a decent number of iPads in stock. I remember that Apple kept Best Buy on a relatively short leash when the first iPad was launched, and as it's a pretty long bus ride for me (college student in Ann Arbor), I don't want to get all the way there only to find out that Apple only sent them 18 iPads total, or that the lines are overflowing out the door.

I've given my local Best Buy a call, but the sales associates on the phone were extremely unhelpful (although I suppose that they're not to blame).

Any information / thoughts on this? I know I could just wait a few weeks until they have a continuous stock, but I can't deny that I'm pretty excited.

 

[tomandshell]

You can't preorder one or purchase it online for in store pickup. They won't hold one for you or confirm how many will be available or how long the lines will be. There are so many variables that it's impossible to say what will happen--you can either wait in line and take your chances or get it later. If you want a guarantee that you won't be taking a bus ride in vain, nobody can offer you that unless you wait a few weeks.

 

[Davichi]

32GB wi-fi will be one of the hottest selling ones...

16GB wi-fi and 32GB wi-fi will be the first one to go.

You need to wait at best buy early like really early. Best buy will have limited stocks. Also, you might want to go to best buy store that sells apple laptops. Those best buy stores are considered as big best buy stores. In other words, they will get more units in. Good luck to you.

 

[ucfgrad93]

I would order it online through Best Buy. Yeah, you won't get it on Friday, but at least you won't have made the trip for nothing.

 

[NEBaghead]

It really depends on how many Best Buys are in your area and how close you are to an Apple Store or other places selling iPad 2's. I don't think there will be some ungodly rush for iPad 2's compared to iPhone 4's which people can justify more easily because cell phones are becoming more of a necessity now a days. Also, they are only 199 versus 499. You can easily just drive around a couple of locations around noon and see if lines are outside and/or go inside places and find out what is up.

One of the Best Buy's in my area said they are getting 100 iPad 2's with an undetermined amount of covers/accessories. There could be a 100 ppl waiting or just 10, you don't know.

 

[lisheran]

I live in a small area and my best buy is getting 15 16gb and 10 32gb wifi models I didnt ask about colors or the 3g.

 

[CaniTouchUrMac]

Frd ordering in NYC I will pick it up in Florida

My friends is gifting me the 32gb 3g Ipad, a black one. Im going to have him order it online and I will go to Best Buy and pray that they still have the one I need in stock. I figured this is my best option to be able to get my hands on the ipad on its release day. Its my 1st Appl product, besides the ipod, so im pretty pyched.

 

[djransom]

My friends is gifting me the 32gb 3g Ipad, a black one. Im going to have him order it online and I will go to Best Buy and pray that they still have the one I need in stock. I figured this is my best option to be able to get my hands on the ipad on its release day. Its my 1st Appl product, besides the ipod, so im pretty pyched.

Best Buy will not allow the in store pickup option until the day after http://www.bby.com/2011/03/10/ipad-2-available-at-best-buy-march-11/

 

[afellowlinguist]

It really depends on how many Best Buys are in your area and how close you are to an Apple Store or other places selling iPad 2's. I don't think there will be some ungodly rush for iPad 2's compared to iPhone 4's which people can justify more easily because cell phones are becoming more of a necessity now a days. Also, they are only 199 versus 499. You can easily just drive around a couple of locations around noon and see if lines are outside and/or go inside places and find out what is up.

One of the Best Buy's in my area said they are getting 100 iPad 2's with an undetermined amount of covers/accessories. There could be a 100 ppl waiting or just 10, you don't know.

Out of curiosity, you mentioned "how close you are to an Apple Store." Do stores closer to an Apple retail store generally see a lesser amount of people, or more?

 

[NEBaghead]

Out of curiosity, you mentioned "how close you are to an Apple Store." Do stores closer to an Apple retail store generally see a lesser amount of people, or more?

Less since a lot of ppl will go there because of the Apple Experience and that they will have more of them on hand. There were huge lines for the iPhone 4 here at the Apple Store compared to Best Buy or the ATT stores.

*****This is all based on what I've seen in the past so take it with a grain of salt.

 

[HXGuy]

I think I should be ok...I've got 3 Best Buy stores within 7 miles or less of my house.

 

[MJedi]

When the iPad 3G was released last April, I went to my local Best Buy at 4:30pm (it was to go on sale at 5pm.) They had a place to line up inside the store, and I was 3rd in line. I don't know if the fact that the Wi-Fi version was released the 3 weeks earlier affected the length of the line, or that there is an Apple Store in a mall 1 mile away. My guess is that on Friday, there will be a longer line because both versions will be released at the same time. I just hope that many of them will want the Wi-Fi because I'm getting the 3G version.

 

[Kadin]

I've got an Apple Store, Best Buy, Target, Walmart and Sam's Club all within 1/2 a mile of each other. I'm still trying to decide which option is gonna be the best...