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Engadget - How to: pre-order the iPhone 4

Olivia23

Olivia23

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Cellphones, Mobile Handsets
How to: pre-order the iPhone 4
By Chris Ziegler posted Jun 14th 2010 4:53PM
How-To
It's now less than twenty-four hours until pre-orders for the iPhone 4 kick off, magic is in the air, and you're feeling good -- but where (and how) do you get your name in the system? There'd be nothing more tragic than waking up on the 24th only to discover that your phone isn't arriving on launch day, so let's get things squared away right now so you know what you need to do tomorrow morning.

Follow the break for everything you need to know!

The most painless way (most likely) will be to pre-order online from the comfort of your home at Apple's site, because you'll be guaranteed delivery on launch day without any hassles of dealing with lines, riots, or uninformed sales clerks. The big question is when exactly the pre-orders will go live, and at this point, no one knows for sure. In all likelihood, it'll happen after the typical "we'll be back soon" outage, but it's unclear whether that'll happen around midnight or tomorrow morning during business hours. Our advice is to hold out until after midnight Eastern tonight, but if you're not at least greeted with "we'll be back soon," hit the sack and get up early. For comparison, iPad pre-orders kicked off at 5:30AM Pacific Time, so we wouldn't be surprised to see the iPhone 4 do the same. You can go into a physical Apple Store if you really want to, but we're being told that you'll just be directed to a computer to go through Apple's website anyway, so there's really no point.

You'll also be able to pre-order in AT&T stores tomorrow, but as far as we can tell, this is going to be a pretty unsavory option -- you'll be required to have your credit card authorized for the full amount upfront, and according to the locations we contacted, you won't even be guaranteed availability on launch day; instead, you'll need to wait until the 25th for some bizarre reason. AT&T's website seems to be a better option, with June 24 delivery available to both consumer and business customers. The carrier won't disclose to us what time pre-orders will start, so keep an eye out.

Major third-party retailers will be getting in on the action, too:

* RadioShack will be accepting pre-orders in stores for a $50 deposit, which will come off the price of the phone when you pick it up; they're throwing in an accessory credit, too (basically the same setup as the EVO 4G launch). Stores will be opening at their normal times tomorrow, but some locations will be opening early on launch day.
* Best Buy is the same deal, basically -- $50 deposit taken in-store at the regular opening time, with most locations opening early on launch day.
* Walmart seems to be pretty clueless about the situation; though they're confirmed for a June 24 launch, we weren't able to find any sales clerks at any of the locations we contacted that knew how, or if, pre-orders would be taken tomorrow (two didn't even know there was a new iPhone, and instead insisted we were referring to the $97 deal on the 3GS). Bottom line: only get in touch with these guys tomorrow as an absolute last resort.

So, what's everyone's game plan?

Update: It seems there's been a last-minute change in plans at some RadioShacks -- pre-orders will no longer require a $50 deposit, and some locations will be opening early in the morning. Our advice? Check with your local store right now.
Click to expand...

Just in case anyone has last minute questions.
 
FTA, Update #2:

Update 2: We've been tipped that Apple may now be blocking third-party retailers from taking pre-orders altogether tomorrow. RadioShack already changed its story on us, and now Best Buy locations have started doing the same, telling us that they definitely won't be taking pre-orders tomorrow but may be by the end of the week. Bottom line -- hit up Apple's website in the morning.
Click to expand...

Looks like I'll be pre-ordering from Apple then... I called my local Radio Shack, and the guy didn't know for sure, and said to check back tomorrow...
 
So what happens to all those people that already pre-ordered through RadioShack (not me) and insisted to me that everything was legit. I knew Apple was going to nip it as soon as they started already getting a list together for pre-orders.
 
you dont think they will wait till midnight pacific time? i mean how else would it be fair....seriously
 
For existing AT&T customers who are eligible for and upgrade and want to order through Apple.com, how does it work? Will I need to give them my account info? Can I have the phone delivered to my house with the SIM card so I can activate it via iTunes? Please advise. Thanks.
 
TimV said:
For existing AT&T customers who are eligible for and upgrade and want to order through Apple.com, how does it work? Will I need to give them my account info? Can I have the phone delivered to my house with the SIM card so I can activate it via iTunes? Please advise. Thanks.
Click to expand...

All these questions have been answered many times over if you'll do a little reading and searching.
 
If pre orders go live tonight at Midnight, I wonder if that will be midnight pacific time or midnight eastern time. I would stay up either way though. ;)
 
Anyone know how long the reorders for the 3GS lasted before Apple could no longer guarantee launch day delivery? I'm unfortunately scheduled in the OR for a solid 14 hrs tomorrow so will probably not be able to pre order till late tomorrow or Wednesday.
 
why the heck do they have to make this such a horrible ordeal, why can't they just state when and where to pre-order instead of wasting time.

I wonder how many handsets they will even have for the launch, seems almost like they will be running out bc a lot of ppl are waiting to get their hands on the i4 instead of a 3GS. I wonder if they will even sell anymore 3 series phones, just think if you can spend $99 for a 3GS why not ante up another $99 and get a base 16gb i4.

Crazy Stuff though it will be interesting on release day :rolleyes:
 
TurboSC said:
FTA, Update #2:



Looks like I'll be pre-ordering from Apple then... I called my local Radio Shack, and the guy didn't know for sure, and said to check back tomorrow...
Click to expand...

Same here...There are just too many question marks with the third-party retailers. If I am going to pre-order, I would like to get my iPhone on launch day, and it appears that BB and RS can't tell us anything definitive.
 
Aboo said:
Anyone know how long the reorders for the 3GS lasted before Apple could no longer guarantee launch day delivery? I'm unfortunately scheduled in the OR for a solid 14 hrs tomorrow so will probably not be able to pre order till late tomorrow or Wednesday.
Click to expand...

Pre-orders for launch day were taken up until the 16th for delivery on Launch day...the 19th.

So all of this obesession over what time is most likely for nothing.
 
My bet on times will be tomorrow morning at either 830est or 9est. I don't think Apple would do midnight because time zones really screw things up. Plus I don't ever recall apple doing midnight for any pre orders.
 
Engadget?

Here's my HOW-TO:

1. Lift your hand
2. Place it on the keybord
3. Launch Safari
4. Start typing 'apple.com'
5. Lift your hand again
6. Place your index finger on the mousepad
7. Move the mouse cursor over the 'iPhone' tab
8. Tap once
9. Set Safari on auto-reload every minute or so
10. Watch for the 'Pre-order' option to appear magically

:rolleyes:
 
The Radioshack down the road claimed they were going to open at midnight Thursday to begin selling, but I think they're full of it. No way does Apple authorize that. I'll likely order form Apple or reserve one instore. I don't want to buy it till I sell my old one, but I can't do that till the unlock tool comes out for the 4.0 software.
 
PBF said:
Engadget?

Here's my HOW-TO:

1. Lift your hand
2. Place it on the keybord
3. Launch Safari
4. Start typing 'apple.com'
5. Lift your hand again
6. Place your index finger on the mousepad
7. Move the mouse cursor over the 'iPhone' tab
8. Tap once
9. Set Safari on auto-reload every minute or so
10. Watch for the 'Pre-order' option to appear magically

:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Want to share how to set Safari on auto-reload? ;)
 
I was a happy ATT retail buyer last year. Sounds like I should go Apple this year and instead spend my day waiting for UPS to show up. Grrr
 
hey guys, out of the topic but do you know if we can get student discount on the pre-orders? probably not but just wondering
 
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