Thanks to the OP for helping me snag an iPad 2 at Best Buy. Their inventory showed available, got out of work, walked in, and eventually walked out with a new Black iPad 2 WiFi.
I talked with a regular sales person first, kind, but told me no they didn't have any. Found a manager walking the floor, asked her, she told me that they did and they only had black. Originally I wanted white, so I said, "No thanks", and walked away. I then googled "Best buy return policy" which is now 14 days, no restocking fees. So I thought, I can just pick up the Black 32 Wifi, and exchange it in 14 days for a white one. I found another regular sales person, and he also just told me no. I told him I just talked to a lady in a black shirt who said that they did. He was surprised, checked the SKU, and sure enough, in stock. After I made sure he brought it out, I asked about the return policy, and I can actually exchange for up to 30 days. Verified this with 2 additional other employees there. So I can get my iPad fix now for a month while I wait for these to be fully in stock to swap for a white one later.
So two things of note:
1. Talk to a manager when asking about inventory, or politely ask the employee to check inventory when you know they have it.
2. If they don't have exactly what you want, with Best Buy you have 14 days to return it or 30 days to exchange it for what you do want.
Hope this helps. I honestly didn't believe Best Buy would have it and any inventory would be going to fill reserves. They've stopped the reserve list on Thursday, so there's a better chance to grab one now.
Thanks to the OP for helping me snag an iPad 2 at Best Buy. Their inventory showed available, got out of work, walked in, and eventually walked out with a new Black iPad 2 WiFi.
I talked with a regular sales person first, kind, but told me no they didn't have any. Found a manager walking the floor, asked her, she told me that they did and they only had black. Originally I wanted white, so I said, "No thanks", and walked away. I then googled "Best buy return policy" which is now 14 days, no restocking fees. So I thought, I can just pick up the Black 32 Wifi, and exchange it in 14 days for a white one. I found another regular sales person, and he also just told me no. I told him I just talked to a lady in a black shirt who said that they did. He was surprised, checked the SKU, and sure enough, in stock. After I made sure he brought it out, I asked about the return policy, and I can actually exchange for up to 30 days. Verified this with 2 additional other employees there. So I can get my iPad fix now for a month while I wait for these to be fully in stock to swap for a white one later.
So two things of note:
1. Talk to a manager when asking about inventory, or politely ask the employee to check inventory when you know they have it. I think they're so used to not having it, and when they do, they only have it for a short time. 9 times out of 10, they're right.
2. If they don't have exactly what you want, with Best Buy you have 14 days to return it or 30 days to exchange it for what you do want.
Hope this helps. I honestly didn't believe Best Buy would have it and any inventory would be going to fill reserves. They've stopped the reserve list on Thursday, so there's a better chance to grab one now.
I want to say thank you to the person who initially posted this thread.
My story:
I read the post yesterday and proceeded to check the links for the item I wanted (one 32gb black wifi device). It was sold out everywhere but a few Target stores near me listed them as available. I called the store closest to my house and they confirmed that they had 5 in stock. I took the train and got to the store within 35 minutes. Unfortunately they sold the last one 5 mins before I got there.
Frustrated, I went back to work. Called up a few other Targets in Queens and Manhattan. One of the Targets in Queens told me that they had none. "But it says available online" i replied. They then said, ok well we likely got some in but they are not processed yet. Call back later tonight. Ok fine.
So I call back around 10:30pm, near when this Target would close. Yes, we have Ipads, still not processed, just call back tomorrow. "What if I come in right when you open", I said. "Will they be available for sale?". "They should be" the store rep replied.
So I take the train at 6am, get to Queens at 7:15am. Of course I am lost. Find a cab which takes me to the right location. Get to the Target and there are 2 ppl waiting for it to open (its about 7:45am).
After me about 6 ppl arrive. There is no semblance of order. The gates open at 8am and ppl, literally, start RUNNING. Now this was like a super target. Electronics are on the 2nd Floor of the Target, and you have to take the escalator. I was lucky I didnt get pushed to the floor.
Since i refused to run, when I got to the electronics section all 10 ppl were just mulling about the electronics section, looking for the Ipads. I decided that I would take a different approach. I asked one of the Target staffers if there was a line for Ipad purchases. He replied, good idea, everyone form 1 line starting right here in the center lane, gesturing to an aisle near me. Perfect, that made me number #2 in line. The person in front of me just kept repeating that she wanted a white ipad. Uhm, well they didnt have any (and the guy said as such). But thats all she kept asking for, however. Since I needed to get to work, I just said, listen, can i just purchase a 32gb wifi black if you have it? Sure, the Target employee said. Rang me up and I walked out the door at 8:02am.
I know this was a long reply but I just wanted to say 1. thank you to the person for posting the links and 2. just wanted to share my experience.
Good luck all.
I want to say thank you to the person who initially posted this thread.
My story:
I read the post yesterday and proceeded to check the links for the item I wanted (one 32gb black wifi device). It was sold out everywhere but a few Target stores near me listed them as available. I called the store closest to my house and they confirmed that they had 5 in stock. I took the train and got to the store within 35 minutes. Unfortunately they sold the last one 5 mins before I got there.
Frustrated, I went back to work. Called up a few other Targets in Queens and Manhattan. One of the Targets in Queens told me that they had none. "But it says available online" i replied. They then said, ok well we likely got some in but they are not processed yet. Call back later tonight. Ok fine.
So I call back around 10:30pm, near when this Target would close. Yes, we have Ipads, still not processed, just call back tomorrow. "What if I come in right when you open", I said. "Will they be available for sale?". "They should be" the store rep replied.
So I take the train at 6am, get to Queens at 7:15am. Of course I am lost. Find a cab which takes me to the right location. Get to the Target and there are 2 ppl waiting for it to open (its about 7:45am).
After me about 6 ppl arrive. There is no semblance of order. The gates open at 8am and ppl, literally, start RUNNING. Now this was like a super target. Electronics are on the 2nd Floor of the Target, and you have to take the escalator. I was lucky I didnt get pushed to the floor.
Since i refused to run, when I got to the electronics section all 10 ppl were just mulling about the electronics section, looking for the Ipads. I decided that I would take a different approach. I asked one of the Target staffers if there was a line for Ipad purchases. He replied, good idea, everyone form 1 line starting right here in the center lane, gesturing to an aisle near me. Perfect, that made me number #2 in line. The person in front of me just kept repeating that she wanted a white ipad. Uhm, well they didnt have any (and the guy said as such). But thats all she kept asking for, however. Since I needed to get to work, I just said, listen, can i just purchase a 32gb wifi black if you have it? Sure, the Target employee said. Rang me up and I walked out the door at 8:02am.
I know this was a long reply but I just wanted to say 1. thank you to the person for posting the links and 2. just wanted to share my experience.
Good luck all.
I want to say thank you to the person who initially posted this thread.
My story:
I read the post yesterday and proceeded to check the links for the item I wanted (one 32gb black wifi device). It was sold out everywhere but a few Target stores near me listed them as available. I called the store closest to my house and they confirmed that they had 5 in stock. I took the train and got to the store within 35 minutes. Unfortunately they sold the last one 5 mins before I got there.
Frustrated, I went back to work. Called up a few other Targets in Queens and Manhattan. One of the Targets in Queens told me that they had none. "But it says available online" i replied. They then said, ok well we likely got some in but they are not processed yet. Call back later tonight. Ok fine.
So I call back around 10:30pm, near when this Target would close. Yes, we have Ipads, still not processed, just call back tomorrow. "What if I come in right when you open", I said. "Will they be available for sale?". "They should be" the store rep replied.
So I take the train at 6am, get to Queens at 7:15am. Of course I am lost. Find a cab which takes me to the right location. Get to the Target and there are 2 ppl waiting for it to open (its about 7:45am).
After me about 6 ppl arrive. There is no semblance of order. The gates open at 8am and ppl, literally, start RUNNING. Now this was like a super target. Electronics are on the 2nd Floor of the Target, and you have to take the escalator. I was lucky I didnt get pushed to the floor.
Since i refused to run, when I got to the electronics section all 10 ppl were just mulling about the electronics section, looking for the Ipads. I decided that I would take a different approach. I asked one of the Target staffers if there was a line for Ipad purchases. He replied, good idea, everyone form 1 line starting right here in the center lane, gesturing to an aisle near me. Perfect, that made me number #2 in line. The person in front of me just kept repeating that she wanted a white ipad. Uhm, well they didnt have any (and the guy said as such). But thats all she kept asking for, however. Since I needed to get to work, I just said, listen, can i just purchase a 32gb wifi black if you have it? Sure, the Target employee said. Rang me up and I walked out the door at 8:02am.
I know this was a long reply but I just wanted to say 1. thank you to the person for posting the links and 2. just wanted to share my experience.
Good luck all.