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How to get 15" 2.9 / 1 TB / 460 in Apple Store

malreynolds

malreynolds

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 22, 2007
95
18
I've been trying to call the Apple Stores, using iStockNow (which only lists 512 GB) and using the in-store pickup search online, but I'm thinking this model is sold out across America. Are stores getting shipments of this high-end model?

What's the best strategy here? Keep calling? Walk in every day? Is there a usual time that shipments arrive? How did you guys get yours?
 
Actually the only BTO 15 inches they had in the stores in my area was this exact config. I was looking for the 2.6 ghz but they only had the 2.9. You should go in and check
 
as far as i am aware, the 15 2.9/1tb/460 is a "standard custom" config, and will generally be in stores
EDIT: although i would call first to confirm/order over the phone, because they do not generally have enough stock of those to permit showing that they are available online
 
Clint_Barton said:
as far as i am aware, the 15 2.9/1tb/460 is a "standard custom" config, and will generally be in stores
EDIT: although i would call first to confirm/order over the phone, because they do not generally have enough stock of those to permit showing that they are available online
Click to expand...

The 2.9/1 TB/460 model is the only 15" BTO SKU that Apple retail stores have a "standard". It is not available as a Store-pickup option for Web orders. You'll need to call the store to see if they have any in stock. If the store representative looks for it on the Web page, they won't find it. You need to have them check their internal inventory app. I was able to walk in and purchase mine without hassle.
 
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littlepud said:
The 2.9/1 TB/460 model is the only 15" BTO SKU that Apple retail stores have a "standard". It is not available as a Store-pickup option for Web orders. You'll need to call the store to see if they have any in stock. If the store representative looks for it on the Web page, they won't find it. You need to have them check their internal inventory app. I was able to walk in and purchase mine without hassle.
Click to expand...
Yes, that has been my experience.
 
Called around in Bay Area and at least the 3 Apple Stores I checked didn't have the 15" BTO SKU. Lots of 512 GB came in today.

I guess I'll just keep calling each day.
 
Yup, have to call and get lucky or best bet is to just go by there. Some store employees are generally unhelpful, some are liars and some genuinely have NO CLUE that this model is carried in the store.

I picked up two for the office last Friday locally and they had no idea. I literally had to tell them where to look on their little point of sale iPhone system in the store.

Them: "Sir, we don't carry that"

Me: "Yes, you do"

Them: "Sir, I'm pretty sure I know what we have"

Me: "How about I show you what I'm talking about so I can get the hell out of here"

This stuff boggles the mind...
 
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I recommend calling and saying "manager" to the robot thing, that usually gets you to somebody who knows what they are doing
 
I've had no luck in the bay area. When calling the store phone #s listed on google maps, you aren't talking to someone at the actual store. For them to check inventory on this, they had to call the store themselves (if you can convince them to), which is very slow. Last guy I talked to said these models were only in stores because someone ordered for store pickup but never picked up. Not sure I believe that based on # of reports I've seen on the forums of people finding this model in store but who knows.. Seems we get a different story from every person we talk to.

I've just about given up and resigned myself to waiting for my order..
 
RB.mac said:
Last guy I talked to said these models were only in stores because someone ordered for store pickup but never picked up.
Click to expand...

That guy made that up on the spot, most Apple stores that have mbp stock are the stock base mid which you couldn't even order for in store pickup. until like two days ago. The phone reps even told me that the retail stores won't have stock for 4-5 weeks!!!! even after MR reported that there was some retail availability (which is how I got mine). How is it that millions of dollars worth of expensive laptops can sneak into stores and no one knows how to get one. we shouldn't have to tell these guys about their own product availability.
 
RB.mac said:
I've had no luck in the bay area. When calling the store phone #s listed on google maps, you aren't talking to someone at the actual store. For them to check inventory on this, they had to call the store themselves (if you can convince them to), which is very slow. Last guy I talked to said these models were only in stores because someone ordered for store pickup but never picked up. Not sure I believe that based on # of reports I've seen on the forums of people finding this model in store but who knows.. Seems we get a different story from every person we talk to.
Click to expand...

As someone mentioned above, when you call the local number, the magic phrase is "speak to a manager" and this will route you past the retail support center and directly to the store. Not necessairly a manager, but at least the store.

That is phase 1...

Phase 2 is more challenging...getting the people on the phone to STOP ****** thinking they know what they have in stock and actually referencing their damn POS (point of sale) system.

Can't elaborate on the number of times I've been told that an item is not in stock or a specific configuration isn't sold in stores. Convince them (or someone else) to just look up the damn thing in the system and BOOM...there it is!

"Oh, must be new"..."I didn't see that there before"...same old BS story...people need to learn to do their jobs. No excuse for this kind of experience.
 
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ckeck said:
Yup, have to call and get lucky or best bet is to just go by there. Some store employees are generally unhelpful, some are liars and some genuinely have NO CLUE that this model is carried in the store.

I picked up two for the office last Friday locally and they had no idea. I literally had to tell them where to look on their little point of sale iPhone system in the store.

Them: "Sir, we don't carry that"

Me: "Yes, you do"

Them: "Sir, I'm pretty sure I know what we have"

Me: "How about I show you what I'm talking about so I can get the hell out of here"

This stuff boggles the mind...
Click to expand...

This is exactly how things are currently playing out. I tried calling individual stores (the only way to get through to the actual store is to say "manager" to the automated call system) and I received a mixed bag of replies too.

One store was helpful, 4 stores said that they would never get anything in but the base model (and I could not convince them otherwise), and 1 store/Apple employee insisted they had a 15" MBP in stock with Touch ID, but no Touch Bar. o_O

Just today, I scored exactly what I wanted: 15" Space Gray 2.9, 1 TB, 460. Like everyone has said, this is the upgraded model that stores are receiving. The seemingly impossible question though is do they have one in stock for sale? It's very, very difficult to get a real answer...
 
I would be happy to call store for people as I have had luck with getting people to check the inventory. Just pm me the store location
 
I've been calling the stores direct–thanks for the advice. They are checking stock in their inventory, sometimes physically, and I don't think these models have come in for a few days in the Bay Area. But I will keep checking by phone now that I know online is fruitless.
 
Thank you guys for unlocking the secret code, formula, handshake to obtain true availability of these computers. At least 2 stores in the NYC area have them in stock. Garden State Plaza confirmed that they had 5 in stock. Picking up my 2.9, 1 TB, 460 as I type.
[doublepost=1479861726][/doublepost]And there she goes:

IMG_1718.PNG
IMG_1720.jpg
 
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I have an Apple Business account. I am in Canada btw. I have this model on order right now with a Dec. 12 -19 delivery window but my Business Consultant at our nearest store is watching incoming models for me to see if one comes in so I can get it sooner.
 
Mega thanks to Clint and others for help and advice! I was able to find this model in the bay area. Emeryville, Walnut Creek, and Union Square in SF all had one unit in stock today but 2 of them were gone within a couple of hours.
 
RB.mac said:
Mega thanks to Clint and others for help and advice! I was able to find this model in the bay area. Emeryville, Walnut Creek, and Union Square in SF all had one unit in stock today but 2 of them were gone within a couple of hours.
Click to expand...

Very nice! I'm in the South Bay, nothing here yet. But still working on it.
 
MartyCan said:
I have an Apple Business account. I am in Canada btw. I have this model on order right now with a Dec. 12 -19 delivery window but my Business Consultant at our nearest store is watching incoming models for me to see if one comes in so I can get it sooner.
Click to expand...
I also just picked up mine with these same 2.9/1TB/460 specs in Space Gray after creating a business account. It was great to cancel my 14-20 Dec order!
 
I did not need a business account to purchase mine. An appropriate payment method was all I needed to complete the transaction. I was in an out of the Apple store within 15 mins. If not for the magic words - 2.9, 1 TB and 460, I would still be waiting for my order from apple.com, which was scheduled to be delivered during the period of 12/22 to 12/28.

An inventory specialist at one of the stores I called suggested that these laptops are not listed as available on the website because of the limited quantities on hand. It was stated that the website generally does not list any available quantities when the stock on hand is 5 or less. I am not sure if that information is accurate, but it appears that quantities available in the stores I contacted all ranged in the 5 or less group.

When contacting the stores, as noted in the earlier posts, make sure you request to speak with a supervisor at the automated prompt. And once connected, ask for an inventory specialist or a supervisor. Further, do not be afraid to be persistent. The store I purchased my laptop from insisted that my requested configuration is a customized unit, which are not available in stores. Then the individual stated that they are not allowed to discuss inventory or provide availability over the telephone. My persistence paid off, and saved me a potential 1-hour trip to a store who also confirmed availability for me.

Happy hunting!
 
It's been dry the last week in South Bay, California. Even iStockNow shows the other models completely dry right now.
 
I would reccomend calling them as they may have some in stock but not sufficient numbers to post it online
 
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