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That's not true unfortunately. When use the Beta version of store inventory it will show availability if they have phones physically in the store but those phones are ONLY for pre-orders. If they actually have any in store for store purchase, when you click on the phone you want, and put in the zipcode, it will show In Store Only in red letters instead of Unavailable. If you call the stores that show availability under the Beta version of store inventory, they will tell you the phones they have are for preorders only so it's misleading and confusing.

Fascinating.. I guess I'll stop checking and just wait for the email from Holmdel. :p
 
Just Cancel

You guys need to cancel with best buy and call around to all AT&T, Radio Shack, and Apple stores everyday until you get one. Stock pops up at all of these places periodically every week.

If you are tied to best buy because you traded your phone and have the money on a gift card in addition to the $50.00 gift card you put down, don't worry. I know best buy won't give you cash in return, but there is another way.

First, find a stock at one of the aforementioned places (I called one of the many AT&T stores in town and found two at one location). Second, cancel your best buy order. Third, take your best buy gift cards, go to best buy, pick up two or three Visa Money Cart gift cards. Go to the counter and put all of your best buy gift card money on those cards (it will cost you $5.00 a card). These cards are just like Visa credit cards. Go to the AT&T store and purchase your phone. It's that easy.

I did all of the above in the span of 30 minutes and walked out with my new iPhone 5.
 
You guys need to cancel with best buy and call around to all AT&T, Radio Shack, and Apple stores everyday until you get one. Stock pops up at all of these places periodically every week.

You can do all these things without canceling your Best Buy preorder. You're under no obligation to buy from BB if your preorder comes in. And if you don't want anything at all from BB, you can return your $50 GC for a full refund. Says so on your preorder confirmation, and many people have done it.

Probably the fastest way to get a phone right now is the Apple in-store reservation system. But you need to be ready at exactly 10pm to check it, and if you see one and hesitate because the store is further away than you'd prefer, you lose.

Radio Shack around here is also taking names; if they get a phone you want, they call you, and if you answer, you're guaranteed the phone if you can get there sometime that day.

..

Has anyone that preordered from BB and wasn't part of the initial shipment actually received a notice that their order finally came in?
 
You can do all these things without canceling your Best Buy preorder. You're under no obligation to buy from BB if your preorder comes in. And if you don't want anything at all from BB, you can return your $50 GC for a full refund. Says so on your preorder confirmation, and many people have done it.

This is true. You are right about the $50.00 card and cancellation while you shop around. I should have been clearer. I was referring more to people who traded in their phones in addition to the $50.00 down...best buy will not give you the money from that card or give you your phone back...you're stuck with that gift card. In my case it was $310.00!

My point was that if this is the case for you and the money you were going to use to buy the iPhone 5, then there is a way to not be tied to best buy, and have to wait for the phone to come in with then to use the gift card. You can do what I explained.
 
I was referring more to people who traded in their phones in addition to the $50.00 down...best buy will not give you the money from that card or give you your phone back...you're stuck with that gift card. In my case it was $310.00!

Are there that many people that elected to go without a phone while playing the iPhone inventory lottery? Yikes. I know I've preferred to take the hit on trade-in value than go without until (date unknown).
 
Are there that many people that elected to go without a phone while playing the iPhone inventory lottery? Yikes. I know I've preferred to take the hit on trade-in value than go without until (date unknown).

Well, I did it because I had a old 3G I could use and my best buy guaranteed me a phone on opening day. I should have know better. Lesson learned. LOL.
 
Seriously just cancel. My friends and family all did the Best Buy pre-order and canceled mid last week. Before you cancel, call around to a few carrier stores, radio shacks, and apple stores to see if your model is in stock. Or you can do the apple store online inventory check and reserve your phone at a local apple store for pick up. All of my friends and family canceled their Best Buy pre-orders and were able to pick up their iPhones from the Apple store the next day. The good news is, they all got their refund for their deposit AND they got to keep their $50 gift cards as Best Buy's way of apologizing.
 
I got put on a waitlist at bestbuy but didn't have to put money down for a $50 gift card. Hopefully they don't take more than 4 weeks for this.
 
this is seriously ****ing ridiculous

I just wish it was Best Buy's fault so I could be mad at them. As it is I'm playing the 10pm game with the Apple Store, but buying from them doesn't really teach or help Best Buy with anything.
 
Yea its not looking good on the iPhone's at Best Buy. Honestly not Best Buy's fault as Apple is giving them no product since launch. I know a couple of Best Buy mobile managers and all have confirmed that they haven't received any stock since launch. They get them drop shipped so they honestly have no idea when they are going to show up. Blame Apple control on that not Best Buy.
 
Probably the fastest way to get a phone right now is the Apple in-store reservation system. But you need to be ready at exactly 10pm to check it, and if you see one and hesitate because the store is further away than you'd prefer, you lose.

..

This system has been sold out since Saturday. I saw stock on Thursday and Friday but none on Saturday through Monday for the 25 stores within 100 miles of me. Of course, I only tried 16GB and 64GB. There could have been some 32GB in there.
 
I just wish it was Best Buy's fault so I could be mad at them. As it is I'm playing the 10pm game with the Apple Store, but buying from them doesn't really teach or help Best Buy with anything.

I don't even live within 3 hours of an apple store so I have no other choice :(

Yea its not looking good on the iPhone's at Best Buy. Honestly not Best Buy's fault as Apple is giving them no product since launch. I know a couple of Best Buy mobile managers and all have confirmed that they haven't received any stock since launch. They get them drop shipped so they honestly have no idea when they are going to show up. Blame Apple control on that not Best Buy.

I know. I've called best buy almost every day since launch... im giving up.

They confirmed yesterday that they haven't received ANY phones since launch day.

They got 1 64 GB AT&T black iPhone for the entire ****ing QCA, you've gotta be kidding me. At this rate of 1 phone for every 2 weeks, I'll get my phone in..... 3 or 4 months?

What happens if best buy doesn't get any in the promised 28 day window?
 
This system has been sold out since Saturday. I saw stock on Thursday and Friday but none on Saturday through Monday for the 25 stores within 100 miles of me. Of course, I only tried 16GB and 64GB. There could have been some 32GB in there.

Last night at 9:55 there were 4 stores in driving distance with my missing White 16GB. By the time I got through checkout with a store selected, and corrected a badly formatted phone # and accepted the terms of service, they were gone.

Trying again tonight, now with more experience lol
 
Last night at 9:55 there were 4 stores in driving distance with my missing White 16GB. By the time I got through checkout with a store selected, and corrected a badly formatted phone # and accepted the terms of service, they were gone.

Trying again tonight, now with more experience lol

I thought the system didn't update till 10 PM. I didn't even try till 10:01 PM. I saw one at Mall of America at half past 10, but that's like 2000 miles away. I'm gonna try again tonight like 10 minutes early.
 
Pre-ordered the first White iPhone at Best Buy on the first pre-order day and got an email for pick up Oct. 2nd. Returned the Apple one and got it from Best Buy since I had various gift cards and certificates.
 
The Best Buy near me hasn't gotten ONE iPhone 5 in since their original shipment for the release date. I preordered on the 14th at 3:00. I assume (although maybe I shouldnt) that I will get mine in the 28 day window they promised in that email, but I doubt people who preordered around the 18th will.

Best Buy or Apple better compensate.
 
The Best Buy near me hasn't gotten ONE iPhone 5 in since their original shipment for the release date. I preordered on the 14th at 3:00. I assume (although maybe I shouldnt) that I will get mine in the 28 day window they promised in that email, but I doubt people who preordered around the 18th will.

Best Buy or Apple better compensate.

Seriously? Compensate you with what?
 
The Best Buy near me hasn't gotten ONE iPhone 5 in since their original shipment for the release date. I preordered on the 14th at 3:00. I assume (although maybe I shouldnt) that I will get mine in the 28 day window they promised in that email, but I doubt people who preordered around the 18th will.

Best Buy or Apple better compensate.

same boat here
Seriously? Compensate you with what?

an iPhone 5.......................


and lots of cash
 
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