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Do I need to wait in line for in-store pickup?

HiRez

HiRez

macrumors 603
Original poster
Jan 6, 2004
6,309
2,751
Western US
So I ordered an iPad to be picked up at an Apple Store (which I've not done before) on the 16th. But I assume there's going to be a long line of people who are just showing up hoping to buy one. Am I going to need to wait in that line with the unwashed masses even though I pre-ordered? That seems wrong but how does it work? Do they set up a separate line for iPad buyers who haven't pre-ordered or something? One problem I have is I need to drive out of town for most of the day, so I'm only going to have a short period of time to wait (about 30 minutes after the store opens at 8:00). After that, I won't be able to pick it up. And what about the iOS Apple Store app, does that help you "cut the line" in such situations? Just trying to figure out in advance how it's going to work. Thanks.
 
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In the past there has been a separate line for store p/u.
 
HiRez said:
So I ordered an iPad to be picked up at an Apple Store (which I've not done before) on the 16th. But I assume there's going to be a long line of people who are just showing up hoping to buy one. Am I going to need to wait in that line with the unwashed masses even though I pre-ordered? That seems wrong but how does it work? Do they set up a separate line for iPad buyers who haven't pre-ordered or something? One problem I have is I need to drive out of town for most of the day, so I'm only going to have a short period of time to wait (about 30 minutes after the store opens at 8:00). After that, I won't be able to pick it up. And what about the iOS Apple Store app, does that help you "cut the line" in such situations? Just trying to figure out in advance how it's going to work. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I finally received my "Your order is ready for pickup" email last night, and the online status changed.

Basically, for my in-store pickup email it says:

We're happy to let you know that the items below are available. They can be picked up at your convenience on or after Mar 16.
Click to expand...

And online it says:

Please pick up your items by March 25, 2012
Click to expand...

So I don't think you have to rush.

-Kevin
 
I reserved my iPhone 4 a couple of years ago. They had a separate line for the people who reserved....still waited 2+ hours to get my phone.

You will wait. The time will depend on how many people are there picking up when you are.
 
You have to the 25th to pick it up. If you only have 30 minutes available tomorrow, I would just wait until Saturday, especially if your 30 minutes is only at the time the store opens. You might have better luck later in the day, after the craziness has died down, but if not, I'd just go on Saturday. They will still have it for you, and the pickup line should be a less.

Good luck!
 
There should most definitely be separate lines. You can go whenever to pick it up- they are holding it for you ;)
 
EvilEvil said:
How did you get in-store pickup? It wasn't an option for me when I preordered online. I live in NYC :mad:
Click to expand...

In store pickup was available late the first day (7th). And lastest until the 9th (when dates slipped to March 19).

-Kevin
 
slippery-pete said:
I reserved my iPhone 4 a couple of years ago. They had a separate line for the people who reserved....still waited 2+ hours to get my phone.

You will wait. The time will depend on how many people are there picking up when you are.
Click to expand...

The advantage though is very few people are gonna need them to set up there iPads .
 
i'm doing in store pick up as well..lucky for me i work next door to my local apple store and some of the guys said i should be able to come right in and grab mine..

no different than a normal pick up,unlike the line from the first come first serve ones..and each apple store will not know how many left overs they will have until they receive inventory
 
HiRez said:
So I ordered an iPad to be picked up at an Apple Store (which I've not done before) on the 16th. But I assume there's going to be a long line of people who are just showing up hoping to buy one. Am I going to need to wait in that line with the unwashed masses even though I pre-ordered? That seems wrong but how does it work? Do they set up a separate line for iPad buyers who haven't pre-ordered or something? One problem I have is I need to drive out of town for most of the day, so I'm only going to have a short period of time to wait (about 30 minutes after the store opens at 8:00). After that, I won't be able to pick it up. And what about the iOS Apple Store app, does that help you "cut the line" in such situations? Just trying to figure out in advance how it's going to work. Thanks.
Click to expand...

My Apple store also has had separate lines for preorders and those who just show up to purchase. The line for preorders does take a while to get through, and it will likely be longer than the 30 minutes that you have available. You said that you'll be out of town for most of the day, but will you be back in town before the store closes? If so, you'll probably be able to waltz in and out quickly with your new iPad in the evening.
 
EvilEvil said:
How did you get in-store pickup? It wasn't an option for me when I preordered online. I live in NYC :mad:
Click to expand...

I live in NYC too, and I'll be picking up my iPad at the Fifth Avenue store Friday evening in the hopes that some of the crowds have died down.
 
Pipper99 said:
My Apple store also has had separate lines for preorders and those who just show up to purchase. The line for preorders does take a while to get through, and it will likely be longer than the 30 minutes that you have available. You said that you'll be out of town for most of the day, but will you be back in town before the store closes? If so, you'll probably be able to waltz in and out quickly with your new iPad in the evening.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I can probably make it back late in the day. The only reason I wanted to get it first thing in the morning is I was hoping to swap it for a model with more RAM, and it seems likely they'll be out of stock later in the day.

Thanks for the responses.
 
HiRez said:
Yeah, I can probably make it back late in the day. The only reason I wanted to get it first thing in the morning is I was hoping to swap it for a model with more RAM, and it seems likely they'll be out of stock later in the day.

Thanks for the responses.
Click to expand...

I see. Well, you might as well try to get it at 8:00. Since the iPad doesn't have to be activated, you might get in and out quick. Good luck!
 
HiRez said:
Yeah, I can probably make it back late in the day. The only reason I wanted to get it first thing in the morning is I was hoping to swap it for a model with more RAM, and it seems likely they'll be out of stock later in the day.

Thanks for the responses.
Click to expand...

Well, you'd likely need to stand in the "no pre-order" line in order to buy an iPad with different size -- I doubt they'll let you waltz in and exchange your preordered model for another one.
 
HiRez said:
Yeah, I can probably make it back late in the day. The only reason I wanted to get it first thing in the morning is I was hoping to swap it for a model with more RAM, and it seems likely they'll be out of stock later in the day.

Thanks for the responses.
Click to expand...

a model with more RAM?
 
Yeah sorry, not more RAM of course, more storage. Anyway, I went in today and asked a guy, he said Apple has "given them no guidance" on how to handle swapping models out, but he said if I come in at 8:00 there would be a separate pre-order only line that should move fairly quickly, and I could "probably" swap models. Of course, if he didn't quite know the answer this afternoon, I see nothing but confusion for the same question tomorrow morning, but I'll go in and see what I can do. Worst case is I either live with the 16 GB or wait weeks for a 32 GB (that'll be the decision I have for tonight).

The other option is to go to Walmart at midnight (just a few hours from now), pick up the model I want, then cancel the one from the Apple Store. I'm more comfortable dealing with the Apple Store directly if there's some problem though (like if I need to return it they can't say "go see the other guy"), plus I don't know if there's any kind of restocking fee I'd be hit by from Apple (even though they could sell it to someone else within minutes).
 
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