How difficult to get on launch day? iPhone 4 experiences?

[TWD98j]

For the 3GS, back in 2009, I preordered one from my local, mall-based, AT&T store on the first day of preorders. Reserved my 32GB model with the quickness and paid it in full. Come release day, walked into that store during my lunch break from work (and I don't/didn't work in the mall) and picked it up.

I remember the iPhone specialist in that AT&T store telling me that several people had tried to come in on launch day and buy one, but they only had a few that weren't reserved already. He swapped out my sim card from my original iPhone, had me sign the "2 year commitment" and I was out. Only change incurred to my plan was data from $20/month to $30/month going from original to 3GS. I didn't have to wait in line to preorder, nor to pickup my iPhone 3GS. I passed on the 4 when it released last year though. But I do plan on buying the 5 from the same AT&T store, on the first day of preorders, if possible. Luckily for me, there's an Apple Store in the same mall, as well as several (like 4 or 5) AT&T stores in my area as well, in case the need arises.

 

[ap3604]

Waiting in line with a bunch of hipster apple tools with soft feminine bodies was a miserable experience. I will not try to get an iPhone on release day in person again. Next one I will order online.

Easy way to tell if someone's a Hipster:
1. Scruffy/patchy facial hair
2. Weigh less than their girlfriend
3. Skinny jeans
Edit:
4. Man purse that you try to call a "book bag"
5. Optional: Ridiculous glasses

 

[mikelegacy]

So, I'm going back to Verizon when iPhone 5 comes out and I was planning on joining a friend's Share Plan and I don't think I can do that online...I would technically be signing a 2 year contract, just adding the 2 year line to his Plan, correct?

Would this HAVE to be done in store? I hate waiting in line...

 

[h1r0ll3r]

I love my Apple products as much as the next guy but I refuse to wait in line for hours on end just to get an item on launch day. Round here, it was pretty bad as people were lining up outside of stores 5-6 hours (sometimes earlier) just get in line for the launch of the phone. I missed out on the initial launch of the 4 and had to wait about a month or so before my online order was in stock. Once in stock, I had my phone within 4 days. I plan on doing this again once the 2012 iPhone comes out.

 

[sulpfiction]

I preordered on Apple, and waited in line for 4 hours at Apple (Ardmore). Being there 4 hours early, I was about 100-150th in line.

Even though Apple guaranteed that anyone who pre-ordered online could come in at any time to pick up the phone, I still went and waited in line for it. It turned out to be a GREAT time and one of the reasons I will be camping overnight for the 5. I think I had just as much fun waiting, as I did getting the actual device. Call me a geek...But hey, I love new tech toys.

 

[boshii]

I will never stand in line for an apple product on launch day again unless there's no preorder with delivery.

I was in line for 7 hours, with a preorder, to pick up the iPhone 4 and promised myself I would never go through that again unless I had to.

 

[danpass]

pedazo de torta

in fact I received it the day before

 

[Iamgort]

I will never stand in line for an apple product on launch day again unless there's no preorder with delivery.

I was in line for 7 hours, with a preorder, to pick up the iPhone 4 and promised myself I would never go through that again unless I had to.

+1

Not to mention the ip4 release day was one of the hottest most humid days of the year for the DC area.

 

[rwilliams]

I will never stand in line for an apple product on launch day again unless there's no preorder with delivery.

What he said. I will never do that nonsense again. And even if there's no preorder, I'll just wait until supplies are at a point where I can walk into the store and walk out with one.

 

[metzy25]

do you have the choice too pre-order and pick up from verizon or the apple store or having it sent too your house?

 

[BowTheMan89]

Easy way to tell if someone's a Hipster:
1. Scruffy/patchy facial hair
2. Weigh less than their girlfriend
3. Skinny jeans

Did you hate hipsters before it was cool?

 

[Vikinguy]

Ok...so I'm eligible for upgrade (bill is over $99 a month). Can I preorder the phone..keep using my iPhone 4 until I get the new one? Then do they just switch the sim card out and send you on your way?

Do you pay for it online or at the store?

 

[boshii]

Ok...so I'm eligible for upgrade (bill is over $99 a month). Can I preorder the phone..keep using my iPhone 4 until I get the new one? Then do they just switch the sim card out and send you on your way?

Do you pay for it online or at the store?

If it's like last year, you can preorder and have them deliver (pay online) or you can pick up in store (pay in store). You'll keep using your iPhone 4 and when you activate the iPhone 5, the iPhone 4's sim will be deactivated.

 

[Vikinguy]

If it's like last year, you can preorder and have them deliver (pay online) or you can pick up in store (pay in store). You'll keep using your iPhone 4 and when you activate the iPhone 5, the iPhone 4's sim will be deactivated.

Thanks!

 

[Consultant]

How difficult is it to preorder on the Apple site? Does the website move extremely slowly? And are there a limited number of preorders available?

There is limited number of pre-orders.

But you can have it delivered to your house if you get in early enough.

 

[djransom]

How difficult is it to preorder on the Apple site? Does the website move extremely slowly? And are there a limited number of preorders available?

AT&T was a hugh PITA. I heard Apple was bit smoother. I was fortunate to get through after about 2 or 3 tries.

 

[chrislaw]

I want to order mine through verizon using my "new every two". I suppose I HAVE to do this through the VZW website? I suppose since we haven't had a new launch on vzw its anyone's guess. I'm hoping i can just preorder mine through verizon using this discount, should this be doable?

 

[iphone1105]

It doesn't take more than a few seconds of observation to notice gynecomastia.

yeah, but you're still staring at dudes. that's all i am saying.