Hi, for each shipment, do they set aside a few so that those who are willing to line up in the morning can walk in and buy them in-store? This seems to be the only recourse for those who want to buy full price at the moment. I'm just not sure if Apple is selling them all to people who reserve the night before. Because they surely will sell out, every single day, every single time, for the foreseeable future unless they set aside a few for daily purchasers. Anyone able to confirm? I of course get conflicting things from different Apple stores.
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Do Apple stores set aside a few iphones for walk-in purchase?
- Thread starter lamenramen
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That was then. They have started the reserve process.
As to the original question,.. maybe, but you would have to the person there when they came available... but as you know, they sell out FAST.
It MIGHT be possible to walk in and get one, but only if a reserved purchase for that day falls through for whatever reason (customer changes their mind, a no-show, bad credit check, etc.). At that point, I think that reserved iPhone is up for grabs. Or, the store might just hang on to it for the next batch of reserves.
Until supply meets demand, don't expect Apple to specifically have any set aside for walk-ins.
The stores DO have a small amount of iPhone 5 units set aside for warranty exchanges, and at least for now, they're just as new as the ones for purchase. But these units are white-box models that don't come with a charger, cable or headset. They're meant JUST for warranty or AppleCare+ swap-outs.
Until supply meets demand, don't expect Apple to specifically have any set aside for walk-ins.
The stores DO have a small amount of iPhone 5 units set aside for warranty exchanges, and at least for now, they're just as new as the ones for purchase. But these units are white-box models that don't come with a charger, cable or headset. They're meant JUST for warranty or AppleCare+ swap-outs.
Launch day is always different. After the initial stock runs out, it becomes reserved buying only. Every night (forgot what time) you go onto Apple's website and you must reserve the model you want. There is limited stock and it's first come first serve basis. (Registering wise)
OK, so basically no one knows, not even Apple. It may be store-specific.
What I was told is that they do set aside a few per shipment for walk-in purchases. That is, if they get 100 phones, they may set aside 10 for walk-in purchase and 90 are reservable using the online system.
I called two stores and both of them said that there was a line of people who got the few set aside for walk-ins when the store opened. They had lined up since before 8:30 am. And there were only a few.
But who knows what the real story is. If you missed launch day and you want to buy the device outright, I think that it may better to wait a month.
What I was told is that they do set aside a few per shipment for walk-in purchases. That is, if they get 100 phones, they may set aside 10 for walk-in purchase and 90 are reservable using the online system.
I called two stores and both of them said that there was a line of people who got the few set aside for walk-ins when the store opened. They had lined up since before 8:30 am. And there were only a few.
But who knows what the real story is. If you missed launch day and you want to buy the device outright, I think that it may better to wait a month.
I'm pretty sure they set some aside for walk-ins simply because you can't assume everyone knows about the reservation system. Some people may decide to purchase the i5 after a demo in the store or even on a whim. As far as numbers that I don't know. It doesn't hurt to try it.