How quick is picking up a reserved phone?

[KPOM]

I've got a phone reserved in store tomorrow and will be signing up to the upgrade program.

Just wondered if anyone did this in the States last year and knows roughly how long I'm going to need? I've got a 15 minute window so will I end up having to queue at all?

Thanks!

Last year I had an 8:00-8:30 window when the store opened. I got into the store around 8:05 and was out around 8:30. There were a few hiccups last year with the bank underwriting the loan, so the credit check took longer than usual. Otherwise it would have been about 15 minutes.

Since there were more walk-ups available, they had a separate line for those with reservations. I got there around 7:45 and was in the second batch of people in the 8:00-8:30 window they let into the store.

 

[Press22]

When I picked up my 6+ on launch day it was about 30 minutes.
Hopefully it's not too long for the 7 I'm set to pick up tomorrow at 5pm PST.

 

[mattopotamus]

I've pre ordered my phones on 9 September and I've a check in window at 11:30 am - 12:00 pm on Georgetown Store in D.C. But I don't have any time to wait there. Because I've a flight to catch tomorrow. Could you give me any tips? If I have to wait there for a long time, I have to cancel my pre order.

By the way I pre ordered T mobile version and Idont need to activate because I'll use another carrier.

hope you get lucky to be honest. It sounds like some had a fast experience and others waited hours. Maybe show up early and see if they can take you before.

 

[KPOM]

I've pre ordered my phones on 9 September and I've a check in window at 11:30 am - 12:00 pm on Georgetown Store in D.C. But I don't have any time to wait there. Because I've a flight to catch tomorrow. Could you give me any tips? If I have to wait there for a long time, I have to cancel my pre order.

By the way I pre ordered T mobile version and Idont need to activate because I'll use another carrier.

You can try getting there before your window. From my experience they might let those with an earlier reservation in first but will let you in when a rep is available.

 

[SecretNY]

Is an "In Store Pickup" the same as a Reservation? My only option when ordering on the 9th was ISP for the 256 Black. Already paid for it. Thanks!

 

[mattopotamus]

Is an "In Store Pickup" the same as a Reservation? My only option when ordering on the 9th was ISP for the 256 Black. Already paid for it. Thanks!

I do not think that is the same thing. Reservation is for people on the IUP and it reserves a phone for them to buy. In store pick up just means you are picking a phone up in store just like normal in store pick up works. I didn't think you could actually do in store pick up on launch day?

 

[SecretNY]

I do not think that is the same thing. Reservation is for people on the IUP and it reserves a phone for them to buy. In store pick up just means you are picking a phone up in store just like normal in store pick up works. I didn't think you could actually do in store pick up on launch day?

Thanks, it gave me the option for delivery in a week or In Store Pickup at a local store. I wanted the phone tomorrow, so I picked that option. Never did it that way before so I'm just trying to clarify.

 

[mattopotamus]

Thanks, it gave me the option for delivery in a week or In Store Pickup at a local store. I wanted the phone tomorrow, so I picked that option. Never did it that way before so I'm just trying to clarify.

Is it by chance a T-mobile paid in full version of the phone? That could be why it gave you that option.

 

[SecretNY]

Is it by chance a T-mobile paid in full version of the phone? That could be why it gave you that option.

No, it's a ATT Next Plan 12 mo. option.

 

[AppleFan360]

I do not think that is the same thing. Reservation is for people on the IUP and it reserves a phone for them to buy. In store pick up just means you are picking a phone up in store just like normal in store pick up works. I didn't think you could actually do in store pick up on launch day?

I'm wondering that myself. Instead of having the phone mailed to me, I chose the in-store pickup option. I have a pickup time tomorrow and already paid for the phone. I would think it would be a in-store pickup and not a reservation.

 

[MistrSynistr]

It is not a quick process. With a reservation I expected to be dealt with within the 15 minute window. Instead I was "checked in" and asked to join a queue which took an hour to get through. Not impressed.

I have no idea what you thought was going to happen. If you want to have the thing just placed in your hands you have it pre-ordered and shipped to your house on launch day.

 

[darcytu]

Husband and I signed up for the upgrade program (for store pickup) last year. We waited in a line outside the store, and then waited inside the store. The whole thing for both phones took about 30 minutes. We were there early, but they didn't let us in the store before our designated time.

 

[pward]

I have no idea what you thought was going to happen. If you want to have the thing just placed in your hands you have it pre-ordered and shipped to your house on launch day.

I was given a 15 minute window to attend the store to collect my reserved phone. Whilst I wasn't expecting to "have the thing placed in my hands" on my approach, in the absence of any other information from Apple it seemed reasonable to expect to be seen within that window.

Lesson learned; I will not be reserving a phone again.

 

[SisterBlue22]

Last year, my appointment was at 8am to sign up for the IUP, and I was done and out the door in less than 20 minutes. Others weren't so lucky, and ran into credit issues, carrier issues, etc. So, it all depends on your situation.

 

[mattopotamus]

I'm wondering that myself. Instead of having the phone mailed to me, I chose the in-store pickup option. I have a pickup time tomorrow and already paid for the phone. I would think it would be a in-store pickup and not a reservation.

Agreed, otherwise you would have a time. When you get to the store, let them know you are there for an in-store pick up. Do NOT say reservation.

 

[benz240]

It is not a quick process. With a reservation I expected to be dealt with within the 15 minute window. Instead I was "checked in" and asked to join a queue which took an hour to get through. Not impressed.

I had about the same experience last year. Checked in at exactly the time I was supposed to be there, but then stood in line for at least an hour while LATE arrivals were dealt with before me. Pretty annoying.

 

[CAWjr]

I've pre ordered my phones on 9 September and I've a check in window at 11:30 am - 12:00 pm on Georgetown Store in D.C. But I don't have any time to wait there. Because I've a flight to catch tomorrow. Could you give me any tips? If I have to wait there for a long time, I have to cancel my pre order.

By the way I pre ordered T mobile version and Idont need to activate because I'll use another carrier.

Get there when the store opens & hope they let you get in line before your scheduled appointment.

And good luck with them letting you walk out with a non-activated phone. My guess is that if you are not a T-Mobile customer, and you bought a T-Mobile phone, you are setting yourself up for a lot more hassle than less.

 

[newellj]

I was given a 15 minute window to attend the store to collect my reserved phone. Whilst I wasn't expecting to "have the thing placed in my hands" on my approach, in the absence of any other information from Apple it seemed reasonable to expect to be seen within that window.

Lesson learned; I will not be reserving a phone again.

If you're not going to have to deal with carrier activation, you may be out of the store much, much faster than some of the reports in this thread.

Get there when the store opens & hope they let you get in line before your scheduled appointment.

And good luck with them letting you walk out with a non-activated phone. My guess is that if you are not a T-Mobile customer, and you bought a T-Mobile phone, you are setting yourself up for a lot more hassle than less.

I've done that several times and it's quick and painless. OTOH, when I've been activating a phone as part of a contract, it's sometimes taken up to two hours (honestly) to get out of the door.

 

[Shwinnugin]

Last year I got my iPhone 7s+ in the store with IUP on 10/16, well after the release day rush.... It took me a good hour. There was still issues with carrier activation. This was at an Apple store in the middle of Amish country in Lancaster PA

 

[mattopotamus]

Get there when the store opens & hope they let you get in line before your scheduled appointment.

And good luck with them letting you walk out with a non-activated phone. My guess is that if you are not a T-Mobile customer, and you bought a T-Mobile phone, you are setting yourself up for a lot more hassle than less.

If you bought the phone outright they do not make you activate it in store. I have done this quite a few times. The only people they will make activate it, granted different stores could work differently, are people "leasing" phones.

Walking in and buying a phone outright is no different than having it delivered to your home.

 

[spinedoc77]

Last year I got there about 10 minutes before my window. I was put in a line separate from the non reservations. I was about 4th in line. Very smooth process, probably took 30-45 minutes. This year might be a little longer because they don't have any store stock, they are pushing everything online. So there probably will be a lot more reservations. I allotted about 2 hours just to be safe, but I'm hoping it's like last time and quick.

 

[mattopotamus]

Last year I got there about 10 minutes before my window. I was put in a line separate from the non reservations. I was about 4th in line. Very smooth process, probably took 30-45 minutes. This year might be a little longer because they don't have any store stock, they are pushing everything online. So there probably will be a lot more reservations. I allotted about 2 hours just to be safe, but I'm hoping it's like last time and quick.

4th in line and took 45 mins, I would expect a while then since everyone in line will have a reservation.

 

[alperduran217]

If you bought the phone outright they do not make you activate it in store. I have done this quite a few times. The only people they will make activate it, granted different stores could work differently, are people "leasing" phones.

Walking in and buying a phone outright is no different than having it delivered to your home.

Thank you for your reply. I hope I can manage It. May I ask another question? If I could not take my phones on time what will happen to my order?

 

[spinedoc77]

4th in line and took 45 mins, I would expect a while then since everyone in line will have a reservation.

Yeah that's what I'm thinking. I already alerted my staff that I would most likely be late to work. Funny thing is that it's not even my phone, my 7+ is getting UPS delivered to my office tomorrow. This is for my wife who could not wait until the end of the day to get her 7.

 

[alperduran217]

I just talked with Apple and they said We can take our phones without activating. I hope everyone will take their phones without any trouble.