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GRRR, Still LONG LINES!!!!

M

mm1250

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 3, 2007
327
43
Yesterday I decided to goto the Apple store to upgrade my iPhone to the 3G. Figuring it's been almost a month since release I wouldn't have any issues with stock or long lines.

So I stopped at the Apple Store on Michigan Ave (Chicago). I saw a line of about 15 people outside but just walked. While asking one of the reps to get me an iPhone I was told I had to wait outside than there is another line inside which looked like 75 people easy. She said the wait time was between 2-4 hours.

I didn't want to wait so I just left and saved myself $300. Apple should really just allow people to buy it online like the original version.
 
I just got back from the Apple store at the Mall at Millenia in Orlando and was shocked myself to see a line of about 50 people!

I havent been to the mall since about a week before launch and I know this particular store is always busy, but I couldnt believe it that nearly a month after launch that people were still waiting in line!

Luckily I just had to run in to pick up some new headphones for my daughters ipod, so I was in and out quick.
 
i'm glad i ordered mine through AT&T it took a few weeks for my 16GB in black to finally be shipped to the AT&T store but it beats waiting for hours in an Apple store line and your not even gauranteed an iphone.
 
I stopped in the Cincinnati (Kenwood) Apple Store this past Wednesday evening and there wasn't a line and I saw several iPhones being activated in the store (2 white, and 1 black so not sure if that one was 8 or 16GB). This was at about 7pm or so. Either there was a line earlier and I was just seeing the last of the activations from what they had or there weren't any lines at all and they simply have them in stock now. Not sure which it was.
 
MasonMI said:
i'm glad i ordered mine through AT&T it took a few weeks for my 16GB in black to finally be shipped to the AT&T store but it beats waiting for hours in an Apple store line and your not even gauranteed an iphone.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I totally agree! I got mine through direct fulfillment from att store and while it took 2 weeks, i didnt have to wait in any lines or go through all that hassle. I would suggest anyone who wants a new iphone just go to there local att store, order one, sit back and before you know it you will have a shiny new phone.
 
Think of it this way, those who stood in line saved $200 by doing so.

Although in my case I waited an hour and still had to pay the $200. :)
 
packetjunkie said:
Think of it this way, those who stood in line saved $200 by doing so.
Click to expand...

Wait... how so?

I'm glad I got mine when I did. In line, day 3. Had to go to three places, but the wait in the last line ended up only being about an hour (of course i didn't walk out of the apple store for another hour and 15 mins because of problems with my family plan account...)
 
packetjunkie said:
Think of it this way, those who stood in line saved $200 by doing so.

Although in my case I waited an hour and still had to pay the $200. :)
Click to expand...

The iphone 3G is the same price wether you buy it at the AT&T store or an Apple store.
 
mm1250 said:
Yesterday I decided to goto the Apple store to upgrade my iPhone to the 3G. Figuring it's been almost a month since release I wouldn't have any issues with stock or long lines.

So I stopped at the Apple Store on Michigan Ave (Chicago). I saw a line of about 15 people outside but just walked. While asking one of the reps to get me an iPhone I was told I had to wait outside than there is another line inside which looked like 75 people easy. She said the wait time was between 2-4 hours.

I didn't want to wait so I just left and saved myself $300. Apple should really just allow people to buy it online like the original version.
Click to expand...

Now, did you tell them that you are a demi-god on MR? I hear in some places they move you up to the front for that. ;)
 
I did the DF through a local AT&T store, took all of one day to get my order in. I was in and out in 20 min. Can't beat it.
 
I was fortunate and walked into an empty Apple store and bought a couple, but this is ridiculous.

Apple and AT&T should sell the thing online with contract like AT&T does with all of their other devices. This silly marketing maneuver of long lines generating buzz is really dumb. I feel for those who think waiting 3 hrs for a phone is worthwhile.:mad:
 
To the OP:

Weird, I live in Boston and I never saw such a long line at the Apple Store I go to. I guess it all depends on where you live.
 
DON'T GO ON THE WEEKEND OR AFTER 4PM. THERE WILL BE LONG LINES! The best time to go is on a weekday just BEFORE lunch hour (go between 9:30am to 11:30am) and there will be barely anyone in line. Also, if you go at least an hour after lunch hour (go between 2pm to 3pm), the line will be short.

iphone-scm-line.jpg
 
It's not a $199 iPhone (or $299). The $200 off is the discounted price from AT&T; thats why we have to wait in line to activate. If AT&T is going to give people $200 towards their phones, they want to be sure people are going to actual customers. You aren't going to get a discounted $199 iPhone without giving AT&T your business.

There will always be the option to pay the full price which is more in line with what the old iPhone sold for; they just chose to focus on current customers first and let those who were just buying the phones to resell sit on the sidelines.
 
I'm in Chicago and walked into AT&T and ordered on the evening July 21. I am picking it up today. 16 GB Black. Two weeks door to door is a good deal. No lines, no hassle. I do not know why people are waiting in line to get a cell phone.
 
Hamstring said:
I'm in Chicago and walked into AT&T and ordered on the evening July 21. I am picking it up today. 16 GB Black. Two weeks door to door is a good deal. No lines, no hassle. I do not know why people are waiting in line to get a cell phone.
Click to expand...

I'm guessing because they'd rather wait a couple hours than a couple weeks. :confused:
 
I waited an hour. Waiting two weeks? Ugh. I didnt have the original iPhone (preferring my 3G Blackjack at the time). I was actually stoked to get my 3G and didnt want to endure waiting to see if it came in the mail.
 
Well I'm reading posts where people are running aorund to different stores and certainly wasting more time than ordering and waiting for an email or waitning in line for an hour. I guess I'm just so patient I suppose.
 
packetjunkie said:
It's not a $199 iPhone (or $299). The $200 off is the discounted price from AT&T; thats why we have to wait in line to activate. If AT&T is going to give people $200 towards their phones, they want to be sure people are going to actual customers. You aren't going to get a discounted $199 iPhone without giving AT&T your business.

There will always be the option to pay the full price which is more in line with what the old iPhone sold for; they just chose to focus on current customers first and let those who were just buying the phones to resell sit on the sidelines.
Click to expand...

Actually AT&T or Apple will not let you buy an iphone without signing a 2 year contract.
 
Maybe if Apple wouldn't be pricks and sent stock to ATT's 1,800 stores there wouldn't be line issues!
 
mm1250 said:
Maybe if Apple wouldn't be pricks and sent stock to ATT's 1,800 stores there wouldn't be line issues!
Click to expand...

NO joke... I went to Dallas Northpark this Saturday got there about 10am and had to wait probably 40 min in line. Once I got inside there was no line but had all kinds of other issues so the whole thing took me about 3 hours!
 
MasonMI said:
Actually AT&T or Apple will not let you buy an iphone without signing a 2 year contract.
Click to expand...

Not yet, anyways. There are plans to allow for that, but being "smart" they are offering it to those who are customers or who will be customers first.

Tried to buy a Wii lately? Out of stock. And how long has that game console been out?

AT&T is taking care of its customers first and I can't say I blame them considering the investment they made.
 
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