Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

In-store reservation process on 9/25

K

kjotwani

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 11, 2014
227
79
So i went to the Apple store today and inquired about how the in-store iPhone 6s pick up would work. I was told that there will 2 separate lines.. one for walk-ins.. one for reservations. And for reservations, it won't be according to the time of reservation, but on first come first service basis. I asked whether a 6pm reservation person can come in early and get the phone before a 8:30am reservation person? the store employee told if that 6pm person is standing in front of the 8:30am person.. then he will get it first.

Also, previously they had instructions to hold the phone for 3hrs if the person hasn't showed up on time.. But now they will hold the entire day.

So he told me to come late in evening when line would be lesser..

Anyone has heard something different?
 
Last edited:
I don't have any info, but I've been curious about this as well. I have a time of 8:30am so I think I would be seen by then if I'm there, but who knows. I may just get there earlier and see what's going on.
 
That process sounds like a complete cluster F*** for the morning. Everyone will just turn up in the morning to create a giant bottleneck!
 
  • Like
Reactions: applegeek97
I have a reservation at 2:30. If my store plays that game, I'm going home without a phone. I have no interest in standing and waiting in line. When I saw Apple was giving reservations, I applauded them for finally doing it the smart way. As much as I would like my phone on Friday, it's not that important to me. But I will be livid if they used this ploy to get me to reserve a phone.
 
  • Like
Reactions: aristobrat and mb2008
kjotwani said:
So i went to the Apple store today and inquired about how the in-store iPhone 6s pick up would work. I was told that there will 2 separate lines.. one for walk-ins.. one for reservations. And for reservations, it won't be according to the time of reservation, but on first come first service basis. I asked whether a 6pm reservation person can come in early and get the phone before a 8:30am reservation person? the store employee told if that 6pm person is standing in front of the 8:30am person.. then he will get it first.

Also, previously they had instructions to hold the phone for 3hrs if the person hasn't showed up on time.. But now they will hold the entire day.

So he told me to come late in evening when line would be lesser..

Anyone has heard something different?
Click to expand...

That makes absolutely no sense. Then why even bother with the time reservations if they're not going to honor that?
 
  • Like
Reactions: bronzi
thelookingglass said:
That makes absolutely no sense. Then why even bother with the time reservations if they're not going to honor that?
Click to expand...

You're right. They can't take people out of order at the cost of making people with earlier appointments wait. So if I have a 10am reservation and a bunch of people with afternoon/evening reservations show up early now I have to wait?!?!! That's not going to work and I seriously doubt Apple would do that. I am curious to know how many people are scheduled for the same time slot though?
 
This is exactly why I didn't do in store reservation. Made that mistake for one of the previous iPhone launches and "reservation" line was over 4 hours, with "walk in" line 8+ hours (South Coast Plaza, CA).

I forget what model release it was (maybe 4 or 5?) but no fun at all. Hopefully Apple has refined the system this time!
 
It doesn't sound like something Apple would do. In my opinion, I think they will still honor the appointments but you are allowed to show up early or later if you want. For example, if your appointment is between 4pm-4.30pm and you show up at 10am they will still serve you, however, they will give priority to whoever is in line at their reservation time block.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cheeseburgertaco and MuGeN PoWeR
Historically they've always held it for the entire day. That is simply good customer service. What's the point of having them reserve a phone only to have to stand in an hour (or more) long line?

I wouldn't stress about being there hours ahead of your reserve time. I also wouldn't stress about showing up later in the day. They're going to be going through the line so slowly that I wouldn't want to stand in t anyway; defeats the purpose of getting up early (staying up late) to preorder.
 
I'd be shocked if apple did that with the reservations. It would infuriate a lot of people.

That being said, I tip my hat to those of you who endure the apple store on launch day. I don't have the stomach for it. Of course, my closest apple store is the one in downtown SF so it's really crazy. In addition, there's construction on the underground right in front of the store -- there's only a narrow path for pedestrians right now -- so Friday will be absolutely insane.
 
kjotwani said:
So i went to the Apple store today and inquired about how the in-store iPhone 6s pick up would work. I was told that there will 2 separate lines.. one for walk-ins.. one for reservations. And for reservations, it won't be according to the time of reservation, but on first come first service basis. I asked whether a 6pm reservation person can come in early and get the phone before a 8:30am reservation person? the store employee told if that 6pm person is standing in front of the 8:30am person.. then he will get it first.

Also, previously they had instructions to hold the phone for 3hrs if the person hasn't showed up on time.. But now they will hold the entire day.

So he told me to come late in evening when line would be lesser..

Anyone has heard something different?
Click to expand...
I think whoever told you this is full of crap. There's no point in having reservation times if anybody can just go at any time. First come first serve is the complete opposite of having reservations. There isn't a chance that this is the way it's going to work.
 
  • Like
Reactions: sunking101, potassium404 and cheeseburgertaco
There has been so many conflicting stories on this. I went into my Apple Store today and a employee told me that it will be by reservation only, and that there is no reason to stand in line if you don't have a appointment because all stock has been allocated to said appointments. I know this is not true.
 
memphismeal said:
There has been so many conflicting stories on this. I went into my Apple Store today and a employee told me that it will be by reservation only, and that there is no reason to stand in line if you don't have a appointment because all stock has been allocated to said appointments. I know this is not true.
Click to expand...
So many different answers. They're either badly trained or they do it on purpose to mess with our heads lol. I'm sure besides the reservation phones they have a good amount for walk-ins.
 
OceanMindedBoy said:
So many different answers. They're either badly trained or they do it on purpose to mess with our heads lol. I'm sure besides the reservation phones they have a good amount for walk-ins.
Click to expand...
I think they're badly trained or either don't care. Lol. The lady was like "I think the sore opens at 8". I then said thank you and walked away. She clearly knew nothing.
 
memphismeal said:
I think they're badly trained or either don't care. Lol. The lady was like "I think the sore opens at 8". I then said thank you and walked away. She clearly knew nothing.
Click to expand...
Are you serious? She didn't even know something as basic as what time the store the opens on release day? I would never think Apple employees were badly trained but now I do.
 
I have a 6:30 pm reservation. I’m hoping to get there around 6 after work. I just hope that a phone is indeed reserved and they don’t gave it to someone else :eek:
 
AppleWes said:
This is exactly why I didn't do in store reservation. Made that mistake for one of the previous iPhone launches and "reservation" line was over 4 hours, with "walk in" line 8+ hours (South Coast Plaza, CA).

I forget what model release it was (maybe 4 or 5?) but no fun at all. Hopefully Apple has refined the system this time!
Click to expand...

and this was the exact reason I opted for delivery last minute as opposed to pre-order and reserve. the waiting game is kinda for suckers IMO.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AppleWes
OceanMindedBoy said:
It doesn't sound like something Apple would do. In my opinion, I think they will still honor the appointments but you are allowed to show up early or later if you want. For example, if your appointment is between 4pm-4.30pm and you show up at 10am they will still serve you, however, they will give priority to whoever is in line at their reservation time block.
Click to expand...
I doubt it. My understanding is that the last time they did appointments if you showed up early they sent you packing. Good grief, you can't even jump to the front of the line at the deli if you have a higher number. What makes you think that Apple is just going to have a free for all with people showing up hours before their appointments and people who are there on time waiting behind them. Makes no sense and it ain't gonna happen.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bronzi and OceanMindedBoy
kjotwani said:
So i went to the Apple store today and inquired about how the in-store iPhone 6s pick up would work. I was told that there will 2 separate lines.. one for walk-ins.. one for reservations. And for reservations, it won't be according to the time of reservation, but on first come first service basis. I asked whether a 6pm reservation person can come in early and get the phone before a 8:30am reservation person? the store employee told if that 6pm person is standing in front of the 8:30am person.. then he will get it first.

Also, previously they had instructions to hold the phone for 3hrs if the person hasn't showed up on time.. But now they will hold the entire day.

So he told me to come late in evening when line would be lesser..

Anyone has heard something different?
Click to expand...
Who told you this? An Apple Store employee?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back