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What is your personal gut feeling about launch stock numbers of the 5S?

  • Plentiful stock: apple will have plenty of stock on hand to handle demand of the launch day

    Votes: 20 6.9%
  • Ample stock: apple stores can accommodate early shoppers; many online orders shipping right away

    Votes: 84 29.2%
  • Low stock: very limited numbers of phones available in store and long ship times for online orders

    Votes: 170 59.0%
  • None of these poll options represent my feelings; what a horrible poll :)

    Votes: 14 4.9%

  • Total voters
    288
I'm willing to bet that it is true and the main reason for not releasing it for pre-order like they did with the 5C.
 
I'm willing to bet that it is true and the main reason for not releasing it for pre-order like they did with the 5C.

Yeah... I kind of suspected that was the case, too.

I will be amazed if these phones are plentiful.
 
Yeah... I kind of suspected that was the case, too.

I will be amazed if these phones are plentiful.

The only reason it still might be OK is that a lot of people seem uninterested that there's enough here to warrant an upgrade. I am not in that camp, but there are a fair amount.

Then, you have to wonder how many people will actually take the day(s) off to camp out.
 
I expect it to be in limited supply for many reasons:
a) the marketing push is behind the 5C as it's easier to make
b) new components in the 5S might have yield issues
c) no pre-orders of 5S is a worrying sign
d) there are just more places selling it now. T-Mobile is a new carrier in the US since the 5 launched and there are a lot more stores carrying it from Day 1
e) more launch countries, particularly China

Personally, I'm going to be online as early as I can as I think that's the best chance. If they're sold out there by 3:30am Eastern, it's probably not worth going to join the line at the store.

It's a far cry from the original launch in 2007. I went to the local Apple store at about 9pm once all the fuss had died down just to see the demo models and find out what it was all about. They still had stock and I walked out with two..!
 
I have the same feeling that it's all going be sold out on friday. But, I'm going test my luck and see if I can still grab one at 11am on friday...
 
I expect it to be in limited supply for many reasons:
a) the marketing push is behind the 5C as it's easier to make
b) new components in the 5S might have yield issues
c) no pre-orders of 5S is a worrying sign
d) there are just more places selling it now. T-Mobile is a new carrier in the US since the 5 launched and there are a lot more stores carrying it from Day 1
e) more launch countries, particularly China

Personally, I'm going to be online as early as I can as I think that's the best chance. If they're sold out there by 3:30am Eastern, it's probably not worth going to join the line at the store.

It's a far cry from the original launch in 2007. I went to the local Apple store at about 9pm once all the fuss had died down just to see the demo models and find out what it was all about. They still had stock and I walked out with two..!

We did the same thing around 7pm on launch day in 2007. I bought one and so did my teenaged son (with his own money, even).

Good times, good times. :)

----------

The only reason it still might be OK is that a lot of people seem uninterested that there's enough here to warrant an upgrade. I am not in that camp, but there are a fair amount.

Then, you have to wonder how many people will actually take the day(s) off to camp out.

I would not take off more than a day. If it gets crazier than that, might just as well wait.

LOL.
 
The 5s is first iPhone that doesn't feel like a "must have" in my opinion. My advice would be to order it and just wait to receive it next week. Does your 4s or 5 suddenly not function because a new iPhone was announced?

That fingerprint scanner is definitely the cause of the manufacturing issues.
 
If the supply is constrained even if you order online you will not get it next week. First thing you will see for all online order is ships in 2-3 weeks. All people will flock to stores if you want to score one on 20th.

If Apple wanted to do this for publicity stunt they would have done it a long time ago with previous phones. Why now?
 
I'm annoyed that Apple's OWN FREAKING CASE is incompatible with the 30-pin to lightning adapter they also sell.

It would be a very nice case if not for that obvious bit of fail. How can they miss that??
 
listen, Apple would not allow it for in store pick up only if they had very limited numbers. There's no way they'd allow people to wait in line for hours only to run out of supply within a few hours, you know how many people would be pissed off? That only hurts Apple and their reputation -- maybe 3rd party retailers will have low stock (like VZW and ATT stores), but I have to assume Apple stores will be stocked to the hills.


Good good good, very good, point.
 
Does your 4s or 5 suddenly not function because a new iPhone was announced?

I think some people are worried about waiting because they are getting new contracts and the sooner the better. It will make it more likely that we can upgrade when the model comes out in 2 years. So, waiting a week for a new phone is fine, but we know how limited stock can be, and that 4 week delay now can really put a damper on our next upgrade down the road. Not eligible on launch day and you're waiting a few weeks a minimum.

Of course, some people just can't wait to have it just because.
 
LOL I remember the fools on here were saying apple took off pre orders to gain hype about their lines smh. Saw this coming, every man for himself Friday.
 
It seems like where you live is going to play either for or against you. I don't live in a city nearly as big as NYC, but I am right next to an army base. So I'm hoping most soldiers are just gonna go to the PX to get theirs, meaning there will still be (hopefully) adequate supplies at carrier stores. Thought about reserving one at the PX as well, but already did with Target. Yes, I'm one of the ones that wants the phone ASAP. So I guess my best bet will be to check the AT&T company stores Thursday and see how they're looking, line wise.
 
I have a friend at the apple store who is working a late shift thursday night to help prepare the store for friday. He said he'd let me know if it was worth going to the store (I was planning on going at 11am) to get it. He also said he tell me if they had a lot of stock of the 5s or not.
 
Last year I ordered my iphone 5 directly from verizon on saturday, and got it quicker than those who ordered from Apple on friday.
 
Just a few days away and it's just a personal feeling, but I have a bad feeling about the actual stock that will be available of the 5S. At first, I took the lack of pre-orders as a sign that apple will have ample stock for th launch, but I'm starting to switch sides. What is your personal guess about the stock at launch day?

Having a bad feeling implies you are not sure but think there will be stock available.

Just accept there will be NO stock available. You will feel much better. :)
 
Just reserved one at a Target near me. They said that Apple would not guarantee any stock on launch day (to Target) because their supplies were so low. No commitment to reserve one from Target so if they don't get it in Friday, the Apple store is right across the street :)
 
If there is stock issues, flip side I guess is that it gives me more time to save for a 5s. New job + being paid monthly = pain.
 
Amazing how many news outlets have dire reports of a "severely constrained supply" and "extremely limited inventory" for the 5S at launch.

It's like they're reporting food shortages during some natural crisis.

Anyway, it's a phone. Folks want it soon. This I understand and lovingly embrace.
 
Supply sounds limited albeit not that limited as it is launching in several countries at one time. If supply was really short Apple would have staggered launch dates.
 
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