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Lines Begin Forming at Apple Retail Stores Ahead of iPhone 4S Launch

Nielsenius said:
This is by no means official, but last year my friend pre-ordered an iPhone 4 from Best Buy. It took him about three weeks after launch day to receive the phone. When there are waiting customers ready to pay it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to hold an item.
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Did I mention that I drove to best buy to do the pre-order -it wasn't available on line.

AND - they force you to buy a $50 gift card that has to be used later to have the ability to pre-order.

SO - who the hell cares if it makes sense for them to hold them - I pre-ordered, and gave them $50 sort of - to not have to do all the wait in line foolishness.

update : store gm checking my status for me - indicates that in general, a bunch of his phone that come in each day are in fact assigned to pre-order people, with remaining going to the early morning shoppers...
 
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I pre-ordered my iPhone 4S from Verizon while it still said "Ships on October 14th," however now the status says that, as of yesterday, they put it "on hold for 3 days"... And by that, they mean 3 days before they ship it. It better come here tomorrow...
 
mbh said:
If Apple said they were going to hand out tickets at a certain point, people would just start queuing up early to get a low number.

The current situation is the simple solution.
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what would be cruel would be if apple handed out tickets say 12 hours before store opened, people would start lining up 2 days before, then next year the nixed the ticket idea, but didnt tell anyone, lol people would be lining up 1 week ahead for no reason.

i have an idea, just make enough for all, they have prooven year after year they will sell out in a day, just make more. and if the apple site crashes next year that would be so dumb, cause im always there at 3am sharp trying to preorder and it never works, there a tech company, a pretty big one to say the least, i guess they just dont care, they could ready there servers if they really wanted to
 
RalfTheDog said:
Great phone, I plan to get one tomorrow, however, that strikes me as a bit early.
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Ya me to. I got here about 10:00 a.m. today.

DogHouseDub said:
Fantastic! So can you tell me why someone would wait 48+ hours in a line to buy an item that could be ordered online and delivered directly to them?
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Pre-orders are sold out.

WAM2 said:
GAH i wanna goto my Apple Store ^_^ I Just don't have the patience or money!
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It is so much fun, make your way here.
 
My days are over for waiting in iPhone lines. I did it for the 2g,3g and ip4. I don't think I have the patience anymore. Home delivery will do from here on out. Cant wait for the 4s tomorrow!
 
Oh, how I do not envy these poor souls. I will be getting my iPhone 4S tomorrow as well, but unlike them I will be waiting on my couch for it to be delivered.
 
asdubro said:
Sorry to leave this reply, but I think it's a shame how superficial the world turned ... Of course I admire Apple and Mr Jobs for this amazing global cultural change that they made, but I think it's a shame to see a person waiting on lines for over 24h to buy a cell phone, but it's my opinion. A few days ago, here in Brazil, I saw on TV a discussion about how the death of Mr Jobs will affect the technology industry, and one guy (a person how claims to be an expert on the subject), said that nothing will change in the world, but I disagree, I can't see a company or a person capable to convince a bunch of people to sleep in front of a store to buy a product that they don't need to survive...
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mabey people need something recreational and fun to do when the weight of the world got um down, or mabey they have a great life do to hard work and sacrifice and choose to take there time to sit in a line to get a phone because they feel like it. ive never ever seen anyone on here ever in a serious post say that this phone or any product is more important than family friends, or say problems in the world whatever they may be, in addition the general mood of the people here is good, kind and non confrontational. people do what they do
 
I could understand waiting in line for some limited item/event but aside from initial supply constraints anyone who wants an iPhone 4S will be able to get one within a few weeks.

I just pre-ordered mine (2) and they will arrive tomorrow by end-of-day (those of us who do have jobs need to work anyway.)
 
zorinlynx said:
Why the heck can't they give these people numbers and tell them to come back tomorrow? Seems cruel to make them wait all night when all the store needs is proof they were there first.

They're already putting out barriers and such, so they obviously have the fact that people will be waiting in mind. Is it that hard to set up a ticket system?
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When do you start giving out tickets? All you would do is move the time of the line and add complexity.

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Gooberton said:
what would be cruel would be if apple handed out tickets say 12 hours before store opened, people would start lining up 2 days before, then next year the nixed the ticket idea, but didnt tell anyone, lol people would be lining up 1 week ahead for no reason.

i have an idea, just make enough for all, they have prooven year after year they will sell out in a day, just make more. and if the apple site crashes next year that would be so dumb, cause im always there at 3am sharp trying to preorder and it never works, there a tech company, a pretty big one to say the least, i guess they just dont care, they could ready there servers if they really wanted to
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You can only start manufacturing so far in advance. They have increased the supply, but demand is growing too fast.
 
Update 2: Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak is reportedly the first and only person in line so far at the Los Gatos retail store in California.
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Come on get Woz a iPhone already! :p



Ok, so who was saying there wouldn't be lines like the previous release? :rolleyes:
 
zorinlynx said:
Why the heck can't they give these people numbers and tell them to come back tomorrow? Seems cruel to make them wait all night when all the store needs is proof they were there first.

They're already putting out barriers and such, so they obviously have the fact that people will be waiting in mind. Is it that hard to set up a ticket system?
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Part of the experience is just that, if you give numbers and they leave the people coming after will be pissed off that they even though are willing to stay can't move forward. No what you are asking for is something lame Android phones users would want. For fan of the iPhone this type of insurance and togetherness is what it special if not why not just order online and wait a week for it.

No sir I was in one of those lines for the iPad 1 and I would have done a shime wasa ;) on anyone trying to cut line. Do the time and get the adrenaline rush of the crowed :D that is what it is about.

But this time its going to be by mail. ;)
 
dinjin201 said:
Who's to stop you from camping at the front entrance of the mall?
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no one, that is why you ask the apple store what doors they are opening and when. so just go to the entrance they are opening early and make your own line if necessary. ill be outside the entrance at 3:30, the yard opening it at 6 and will be selling at 8 so hopefully I'm first in line and will be gone by 9:30-10.
 
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