iPhone 6s Lines Forming at Apple Stores Ahead of Launch Day

[MacsRgr8]

I have attended a couple of these "overnighting" at Apple Stores, usually with a couple of friends and some beers.

Most memorable was the grand opening of the Apple Store in Amsterdam.
Was it about the goodie-bag? Was it about a great discount?
Nope:
It was about the fun of just "being there".
It's like queuing up many hours before a concert to get the best spots.
It's about sharing a common "goal / feeling": Fellow-enthusiasts waiting together for the same purpose.
It's fun.
It comes close to religion.

But, my last "overnighting" was at the Oberhausen Apple Store waiting for the iPhone 6.
That was a disaster: 75% of the "liners" there were not enthusiasts, but aggressive scalpers (mostly from eastern Europe). So, no feeling of a common purpose, but lots of irritation.
That was the last time I did that.

I'll be waiting patiently for my iPhone 6S this time.

 

[macfoxpro]

So people don't have alarm clocks to wake up and preorder? I've gotten every iPhone I've wanted, on release day, delivered to my door. If it's about the social aspect, then they can get on here and chat away with everyone around the world about the iPhone/apple, etc. If it's about the in-person social aspect, well, they need to get out more.

So, long story short, you do not like when people stand in line for iPhones. Do you want them to stop doing it, or does that matter much to you?

 

[bqchamps]

I preordered. One minute after preorders started. My phone will be delivered sometime between 10/16 and 10/23.

Did you have to order through a business account? Like ATT Premier? Because the same thing happened to me. Very frustrating having to go through a business account.

 

[KPOM]

Not at all surprised, but bummed non the less to see the Chicago line started. My bf didn't pre order and we'll hit one of the stores early tomorrow, but with a 4 year old, no dice on the overnight. Ah well.

The sales associate said last year the line started on Tuesday. It was just those same 2 people when I stopped by earlier today (around 1:30). The rep said I could show up at 7:50am for my 8:00-8:30am window and I'd be out of there by 8:30am. I'll find out tomorrow. Oak Brook told my sister that they will hold reservations until the end of the day.

I'm guessing that apart from a handful of stores (e.g. 5th Avenue) things will go pretty smoothly this year. They had lots of stock available for an entire week for home delivery tomorrow, and the reservation system should help them smooth out demand throughout the day.

 

[BuffaloTF]

I'll be lining up too. Behind my cats and dog... Peering out the front window. Waiting for squirrels and the UPS truck.

 

[Daws001]

What do they do if they have to poop?!

 

[MacGizmo]

Thousands of people lined up to get a phone when they should be lined up to get a life!

 

[KPOM]

Apple just re-open reserve to pick up in store like 3 hours ago in Australia. Lucky I didn't go to camping but woke up at 5 am and reserved to pick up at 1 pm.

Seem like there are a lot if stock. But not so good for this marketing. It's like they back stabbing the people who camping over night at the store.

No one is forcing anyone to camp out. I think Apple would rather have a smooth launch with plenty of stock and in-store reservations since it helps them plan staffing needs more accurately.

 

[KPOM]

Chicago is looking pretty pathetic

I'm actually pretty encouraged. Hopefully it means it won't be a zoo tomorrow at 8:00 when I go for my reserved iPhone. I didn't pre-order because I am opting for the Apple Upgrade Program.

On a side note, my guess is that Chicago doesn't get a lot of "reseller" activity. The sales tax is high (9.25%), and it isn't a coastal city that gets lots of international visitors.

 

[mgmusicman94]

Weird. My iPhone is coming to me tomorrow, but I'm strange for doing things the easy way.

Some people either want to pay in cash or want to buy Verizon or AT&T phones outright without an account. Both of which cannot be done with an online preorder.

 

[mgmusicman94]

I don't understand why anyone would do this.

See my previous comment.

 

[KPOM]

The other day I read that no walk-in iPhone 6s sales in 4 US states, Oregon, Delaware, New Hampshire, and Alaska. So I hope you have already pre-ordered and just wait in the line for pick-up?

I guess they are concerned that "resellers" would buy up all the inventory since there is no sales tax in those states.

 

[GrantMeThePower]

I have a reserve time for 8am, when the store opens up. Do I need to get there early or will they let me just walk up and do my thing?

 

[macfoxpro]

Thousands of people lined up to get a phone when they should be lined up to get a life!

Yeah, a life that consists of getting on internet forums and blasting other people. Oh, and trolling.

 

[mgmusicman94]

The other day I read that no walk-in iPhone 6s sales in 4 US states, Oregon, Delaware, New Hampshire, and Alaska. So I hope you have already pre-ordered and just wait in the line for pick-up?

They didn't say all Apple stores in NH.

 

[doelcm82]

I don't understand why anyone would do this.

That's a good reason for you not to be in line. I'd wager that most of those in line want to do this and that they understand why they want to, even if you don't.

 

[KPOM]

I have a reserve time for 8am, when the store opens up. Do I need to get there early or will they let me just walk up and do my thing?

I asked the guy at Michigan Avenue and he said I could get there at 7:50 and be out by 8:30. He said there is a separate line for reservations, and that they would start organizing the lines around 7:30am.

Of course, if the non-reservation line is shorter, I'm hoping we get to go into that line.

 

[Mr. Chewbacca]

I did this when the 4 came out. It was more about having fun with some old friends than it was about the phone. We played games, drank homemade booze (that was a bad idea), talked, caught up... just had a blast.

Then as a bonus I got a new phone, a shiny shiny phone that stayed in a box till I caught up on some sleep.

 

[greytmom]

Did you have to order through a business account? Like ATT Premier? Because the same thing happened to me. Very frustrating having to go through a business account.

Nope, regular account, but wanted the two year contract. Probably the last time I do that!

 

[farohnatt]

No one is forcing anyone to camp out. I think Apple would rather have a smooth launch with plenty of stock and in-store reservations since it helps them plan staffing needs more accurately.

But Apple know how many they have in stock. Why would they wait till launch day to re-open the reservation??

Anyway I'm happy that I don't have to be up till midnight for 2 weeks to make the reservation like the 6 plus last year.

 

[inkswamp]

lame, it's just a phone.

It's not just a phone. It's an event and people love these kinds of things. I don't understand why people disparage these line-ups. I personally wouldn't wait in line for days for a phone but if someone else feels differently, more power to 'em. Why judge something so harmless?

 

[e93to]

Just took a walk to Eaton Centre (Toronto), and there were only several people in the line

 

[cmwade77]

Umm, didn't Apple announce that there would be NO day of orders accepted? So what do people hope that Apple will change their mind and sell them a phone anyway?

 

[farohnatt]

I did this when the 4 came out. It was more about having fun with some old friends than it was about the phone. We played games, drank homemade booze (that was a bad idea), talked, caught up... just had a blast.

Then as a bonus I got a new phone, a shiny shiny phone that stayed in a box till I caught up on some sleep.

Yea it used to be like that but not anymore since the resellers step in. So I stop camping as well. I'm getting older too.

 

[Black Magic]

It's not just a phone. It's an event and people love these kinds of things. I don't understand why people disparage these line-ups. I personally wouldn't wait in line for days for a phone but if someone else feels differently, more power to 'em. Why judge something so harmless?

People disparage them because they themselves are insecure. They want to make themselves feel better by bashing someone else in an effort to feel more "normal". Sad little people.