Getting iPhone 7 Plus in Store AFTER Launch Day

[registered]

I'm not sure how the latest news from Apple about running out of Plus models for launch day purchase affects this, but I was hoping to order my iPhone 7 Plus for reservation and pickup in store the day or two after launch.

For people who have done this before, do you have any helpful tips? I was thinking at 8am on Saturday (when we've been told it will be open) ordering online and selecting my local store for the iPhone pickup location. Is this the right thing to do - should I be using the special Reservation page instead of the standard Apple.com order page?

 

[miamialley]

I'm not sure how the latest news from Apple about running out of Plus models for launch day purchase affects this, but I was hoping to order my iPhone 7 Plus for reservation and pickup in store the day or two after launch.

For people who have done this before, do you have any helpful tips? I was thinking at 8am on Saturday (when we've been told it will be open) ordering online and selecting my local store for the iPhone pickup location. Is this the right thing to do - should I be using the special Reservation page instead of the standard Apple.com order page?

I'm confused, have you already purchased the phone online? If not, you won't get the phone for at least 2 or 3 weeks.

 

[registered]

I'm confused, have you already purchased the phone online?

Sorry let me clarify – I have preordered but it's not going to arrive for a while. I hope to get one closer to the launch tomorrow. So I plan to make a new order for the model I'm interested on Saturday and use the pickup in store feature that I've used in years past. Have you used the Pickup in store/Reservation features when ordering something from Apple?

 

[miamialley]

Sorry let me clarify – I have preordered but it's not going to arrive for a while. I hope to get one closer to the launch tomorrow. So I plan to make a new order for the model I'm interested and use the pickup in store feature that I've used in years past. Have you used the Pickup in store/Reservation features when ordering something from Apple?

All you have to do is go to apple.com as if you are going to buy and you will see the pickup options...which at this point are nonexistent. I'm going to try to get one in store, but don't expect to get lucky.

 

[registered]

All you have to do is go to apple.com as if you are going to buy and you will see the pickup options...which at this point are nonexistent.

Yes I understand that, and thank you for confirming it – my original question though is about any tips for this process (like for example, when is best time to order, when does inventory update) and if the standard Apple.com order page or the special Reservation Page Apple has is the better route to take. I'm buying the device outright with no carrier pricing.

 

[miamialley]

Yes I understand that, and thank you for confirming it – my original question though is about any tips for this process (like for example, when is best time to order, when does inventory update) and if the standard Apple.com order page or the special Reservation Page Apple has is the better route to take. I'm buying the device outright with no carrier pricing.

Hmm, I was under the impression that there will be no availability for pick up orders for a while. Is that not correct? I mean, online orders are delayed by weeks, why would they allow next day pick ups of online orders?

 

[OneMike]

Hmm, I was under the impression that there will be no availability for pick up orders for a while. Is that not correct? I mean, online orders are delayed by weeks, why would they allow next day pick ups of online orders?

That's how it always is.

Online orders are guaranteed within a certain time frame. Next day pick up is guaranteed but the stock is limited so it's more of a gamble getting a device.

It's common though for one to have a 2-3 week delivery window and someone else (or that same person) to just go to order online for pickup way before the phone would've shipped.

That's why when dates slipped I said I'd just try my luck reserving.

 

[registered]

Hmm, I was under the impression that there will be no availability for pick up orders for a while. Is that not correct? I mean, online orders are delayed by weeks, why would they allow next day pick ups of online orders?

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that for numerous reasons (people not picking up their reservations, stores getting more stock, etc.) ordering a device online for pickup in store or even being first at the store AFTER LAUNCH can still result in the store having some in stock.

 

[hellopupy]

If its not there on Friday, it won't be there on Saturday...

 

[registered]

If its not there on Friday, it won't be there on Saturday...

Do you have any specific information regarding that you'd like to share or is it just a hunch? I've been told by retail employees this year and in years past that there's always a chance they'll receive new stock every day, it's just unknown (or they are unwilling to share) what exactly that stock will be. I have no reason to believe they wouldn't be receiving any new iPhone 7 stock on Saturday or Sunday. The statement from Apple today only referred to lack of iPhone 7 JB + all iPhone 7 Plus on launch day.

 

[jbachandouris]

Sadly, the answer is: nobody knows. Except Apple and they aren't telling. Apple Stores receive shipments throughout the day. I suspect that they are being held for the Apple Upgrade people.

My ship date is 10/4-10/10. I will check carrier stores throughout the weekend, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

Just try your luck, reservations open Sat 8:00am local time, any stock will be there. Maybe tough for a while, but you could get lucky.

 

[miamialley]

Just try your luck, reservations open Sat 8:00am local time, any stock will be there. Maybe tough for a while, but you could get lucky.

Can you clarify what you mean when you say reservations open Saturday at 8pm? Reservations for whom?
[doublepost=1473988451][/doublepost]

Do you have any specific information regarding that you'd like to share or is it just a hunch? I've been told by retail employees this year and in years past that there's always a chance they'll receive new stock every day, it's just unknown (or they are unwilling to share) what exactly that stock will be. I have no reason to believe they wouldn't be receiving any new iPhone 7 stock on Saturday or Sunday. The statement from Apple today only referred to lack of iPhone 7 JB + all iPhone 7 Plus on launch day.

Of course, you could get one, but it's highly unlikely. I'm returning a 7 tomorrow when it's delivered, so somebody will get lucky (I changed my mind, getting the plus).

 

[Lobwedgephil]

Can you clarify what you mean when you say reservations open Saturday at 8pm? Reservations for whom?
[doublepost=1473988451][/doublepost]

Of course, you could get one, but it's highly unlikely. I'm returning a 7 tomorrow when it's delivered, so somebody will get lucky (I changed my mind, getting the plus).

For anyone looking to order and pickup in the store. Any stock the store has will be available to order to pickup for that day. It usually goes really fast.

 

[slippery-pete]

I'm not sure how the latest news from Apple about running out of Plus models for launch day purchase affects this, but I was hoping to order my iPhone 7 Plus for reservation and pickup in store the day or two after launch.

For people who have done this before, do you have any helpful tips? I was thinking at 8am on Saturday (when we've been told it will be open) ordering online and selecting my local store for the iPhone pickup location. Is this the right thing to do - should I be using the special Reservation page instead of the standard Apple.com order page?

Good luck

 

[miamialley]

For anyone looking to order and pickup in the store. Any stock the store has will be available to order to pickup for that day. It usually goes really fast.

So, that suggests waiting in line will be pointless, because any stock will be sold to someone else online? That is to say I'd be better off checking local store stock in line, rather than going to the stores themselves? This is unusual, as typically Apple stores get stock throughout the day, but we know this year seems to be different.

 

[adammull]

I'll answer the OP since everyone else is being an ass.

Apple has already come out and said that preorders for store pickup resume 9/17. You go online. Search for a model and see if your store has it. If they do you click reserve and go get it. They've done this every year.

 

[BeeGood]

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that for numerous reasons (people not picking up their reservations, stores getting more stock, etc.) ordering a device online for pickup in store or even being first at the store AFTER LAUNCH can still result in the store having some in stock.

You are correct. Online reservations for in-store pickup open up (theoretically) on Saturday, and in past year's it's been the case that people with preorders have been able to find what they want in stores before their preorders shipped, but I good luck this year.

I don't think there has ever been a launch like this before. It looks bleak honestly for anyone without a preorder or reservation.
[doublepost=1473989181][/doublepost]

So, that suggests waiting in line will be pointless, because any stock will be sold to someone else online? That is to say I'd be better off checking local store stock in line, rather than going to the stores themselves? This is unusual, as typically Apple stores get stock throughout the day, but we know this year seems to be different.

That's exactly right. Best strategy is to just start clicking away Saturday morning on Apple.com looking for local inventory.

 

[miamialley]

That's exactly right. Best strategy is to just start clicking away Saturday morning on Apple.com looking for local inventory.

Okay thanks. It sucks, but it's better than driving around from store to store and wasting time.

 

[BeeGood]

Okay thanks. It sucks, but it's better than driving around from store to store and wasting time.

It definitely sucks that people are learning this on launch day eve, but honestly, I kinda wish Apple did it this way every year. If you want the phone, pre-order or make a reservation and Apple tells you when it's available. It's simple.

No more retail-store-roulette. No more camping out to "possibly" get the configuration you want. It would be a lot more civilized.

 

[miamialley]

It definitely sucks that people are learning this on launch day eve, but honestly, I kinda wish Apple did it this way every year. If you want the phone, pre-order or make a reservation and Apple tells you when it's available. It's simple.

No more retail-store-roulette. No more camping out to "possibly" get the configuration you want. It would be a lot more civilized.

All true, but you know Apple loves the huge lines in front of stores. Free pub.

 

[BeeGood]

All true, but you know Apple loves the huge lines in front of stores. Free pub.

Yeah they'd have to give that up. Every year, a local news crew or two shows up at one of the larger stores here.

Wouldn't be quite the same, but they could book most of their reservations for launch day morning. They'd still have "lines", but we'd have less uncertainty.