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

[fathergll]

I think the confusion to the public is based on the fact that historically the intent on waiting in line for anything was to obtain something you couldn't normally get. Concert tickets for example in the past. It made sense to wait in line for Ticketmaster years ago because you had no other way of obtaining good seats without resorting to scalping with high prices.

Now we don't need lines since you can get the exact same product from your home, so on the surface it literally looks a bunch of idiots standing in line for no reason. But people enjoy the anticipation of things just as much as the thing itself so it's purpose has morphed into a social event.

 

[JtheLemur]

All those people in the US store shots are buying up phones to ship overseas, 100% guaranteed.

 

[bladerunner2000]

I don't understand why anyone would do this.

I do, but stating the obvious is grounds for Macrumors mods censoring your comment and banning you.

 

[Leonard1818]

So, long story short, you do not like when people stand in line for iPhones.

Where the hell did you get that from? I don't give a rats @ss full of **** what people do with their time. Doesn't matter one bit to me. My likes and dislikes are NOT present in my post at all. You're missing the point..... but alas, I can break it down for you and will phrase it in another way that, hopefully, you will comprehend without making horrible, inaccurate inferences: "I don't understand the appeal of queuing up in line well in advance (or at all) for something that can easily be ordered online". I went on to try to rationalize or justify why they *may* do it (hence the sentences about the social aspects of waiting in line) but It's obvious that was a bit over your head.

Do you want them to stop doing it, or does that matter much to you?

Again, my whole post must have been lost on you. To pull one from the annals of the internets: reading comprehension > you.

You would be greatly benefited in life to have a less polarized, combative approach to your interactions with others and more of a deep-thinking about the message that other party/parties are *really* trying to convey.

 

[Leonard1818]

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

Intriguing that you accuse trolling but reading your recent posts in this very thread (there are 4 of them) it seems you're bent on antagonizing other posters who are critical of those lining up for a phone. In other words: You're totally trolling this thread bro.

 

[firewood]

I used to alternate between lining up early and ordering the new device online to be shipped. Waiting in line, I met some interesting people, once Woz was there riding around on his Segway, and I got home with the new iPhone several hours before when UPS usually shows up at my doorstep. So I could get to work testing my apps sooner. However, the last time I got in line early, a good portion of the line, especially near the front, were just boring rude scalpers, not even interested in what they were buying. So that was the last time for me.

 

[Flow39]

I really wish I could've camped this year. Drove down to my local store and talked to some people in line, and there were only about 10 in line, so I could've been really far up!

 

[eldo33]

it was fun the first time.... same old the last few release... yawnn... it is now just a phone. nothing special anymore

 

[organizedchaos90]

Everyone knows that (in the US) they are only doing sales by reservation right? As in, if you don't have a phone reserved, you can't just walk in and buy one. You can only get the phone you reserved during the time you reserved it.

 

[Yupper3D]

Everyone knows that (in the US) they are only doing sales by reservation right? As in, if you don't have a phone reserved, you can't just walk in and buy one. You can only get the phone you reserved during the time you reserved it.

Only in certain cities, I believe. Most cities, you can walk in and buy one.

 

[gkarris]

Like....

 

[bladerunner2000]

Looks like a scene out of Idiocracy. I hope these people aren't the same ones that vote or procreate...

 

[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.

 

[BuddyTronic]

lame, it's just a phone.

What's lame is you posting about it

 

[StyxMaker]

I know this has nothing to do with this thread, but, could someone tell me if I use a upgrade from another phone line in my plan to use with a different number (on same plan), can I just switch sim cards to be able to use that number on the new phone? Thanks in advance.

Not sure where i would find this answer in the other forums.

With AT&T the store clerk did the whole process for me. Set the phone up as new on a spare line that was eligible then immediately switched it to my preferred number.

 

[just.in.time]

I doubt anyone in the southern half of Arizona will be wearing coats with a high of 102 today and 104 tomorrow.

 

[adamjackson]

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.

Did you make it down to the Belgian store opening? I'm in Ghent 2-3 times a year and tried to make a work trip out to coincide with the opening. Looks like a beautiful store. I'll be visiting in March to see it.

 

[J. Jizzle]

My phone will be delivered to my front door tomorrow. Why spend 24+ hours in line for a CHANCE to get one on launch day when I'm guaranteed to get mine on release day and won't even have to leave my house

 

[farohnatt]

My phone will be delivered to my front door tomorrow. Why spend 24+ hours in line for a CHANCE to get one on launch day when I'm guaranteed to get mine on release day and won't even have to leave my house

They missed the first batch I guess??

 

[HenryDJP]

Lots of crapping here about Apple geeks waiting in line. Quick story:

I was an assistant manager at an Apple Store and was scheduled to be opener for our grand opening. Get things prepped, start preparing everything for the big day. I had also camped out for opening of every Apple Store in our state so far with a collection of T-shirts they used to give out. I showed up at my store at midnight, got in line (4th place) and had a great time talking to other Mac lovers, chatting, talking about software and just ultimately having a nice time. One of the guys was from my MUG (Mac User Group for you young people).

Then at 7:30AM, I got up, unlocked the doors and started my duties. The guys were surprised but they understood what it means to wait for a store opening. I've camped out overnight for every Steve-Note at Macworld in NY, Boston and SF since 2003. I went to over 15 store openings and I've camped out for every iPhone since the first generation in 2007.

I was first in line for the iPhone 3G in San Francisco in 2008 (photos of me if you guys wanna google it).

Waiting in line is a tradition for me and I love talking to other apple lovers. **** all you want but some of us actually enjoy it. It's the experience.

Unfortunately, most of the people waiting in line these days are just buying phones to sell on the black market in China and the past 2 years of iPhone waiting are lawyer and doctor assistants just getting phones for their boss or a GF holding line for her BF who works nights and all kinds of stories. I haven't met a real die hard line waiter in quite a while. The romance isn't what it used to be.

I'll be lining up tonight in New Hampshire with my Apple hat, shirt and Macbook with charger. I can't wait!

Actually that's not a quick story......but still this is great post and you're spot on.

 

[modemthug]

I really don't like being mean but you have to be an unbelievable loser to do this.

Do these people have jobs?

 

[Jmausmuc]

I remember waiting in line for the iPhone 3G at the century city mall in SM...
It was crazy back than.
I appreciate that pre orders are now possible but back than it was really exciting.
The first "real" iPhone with 3G and GPS.
Can't believe it's been 7 years.

 

[KPOM]

Everyone knows that (in the US) they are only doing sales by reservation right? As in, if you don't have a phone reserved, you can't just walk in and buy one. You can only get the phone you reserved during the time you reserved it.

Only in the 4 states with Apple Stores that don't have sales tax. In every other state they are offering walk-in sales. According to an article in the Oregonian, last year for several weeks after the launch a large number of the walk-in buyers were resellers or those working with resellers. Oregon has no sales tax, compared to about 7% in most other states. That's an extra $45 on a base iPhone.

 

[MartiNZ]

Awesome, so cool to see this still goes on. If we still had queues and I still cared about the product, I'd be there for sure. Such a lot of fun in the 3g and 5 launches. The 4 was screwed up as Vodafone messed up and lost the exclusivity during the night there would have been a midnight launch, but we still tried to queue dammit! Would be amazing to be amongst it in Germany, especially in Munich where it would make a hell of a combination with Oktoberfest!

 

[Paul6s]

Meanwhile I have a nice UPS tracking code and my phone will be delivered straight to my workplace tomorrow and I get to have a nice relaxing evening and sleep in my bed in warmth and comfort

I did the same thing last year. It was very comfy and convenient but it turned out that my wife wanted one that day too which luckily I was off that day so I waited in line for the gold iPhone 6. It turned out that waiting in line was actually more fun and my wife got her phone early in the day while I had to wait to 5:30 pm for my 6 plus to arrive by ups lol!