iPhone 12 Pro Ordering on Apple.com v Buying at Apple Store

[lexikon318]

For quite some time on Apple.com, the 12 Pro has been unavailable to order for pick up at any of the stores within driving distance.

I’d order one to be shipped but I’d rather not wait a month.

If I make a trip to the store, is it possible that I’d be able to buy one in person or would they be unavailable for that as well? Thanks.

 

[Shadowbech]

For quite some time on Apple.com, the 12 Pro has been unavailable to order for pick up at any of the stores within driving distance.

I’d order one to be shipped but I’d rather not wait a month.

If I make a trip to the store, is it possible that I’d be able to buy one in person or would they be unavailable for that as well? Thanks.

Depends. If the store is set up to be store front only with express pick up, they likely will make you order it online for in-store pick up. If you have an apple store near you and shows that it's available for pick up, I'd place an order for in-store pick up and once you pick it up, cancel the other one. Your card won't be charged yet for the one if you choose home delivery.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

You can check to see if a retail store has stock. Put an online order in and you can cancel it if you get a phone from a retail store. One of the advantages of purchasing online is that if the phone is faulty, you can take it to a retail store for a refund or exchange.

 

[lexikon318]

Depends. If the store is set up to be store front only with express pick up, they likely will make you order it online for in-store pick up. If you have an apple store near you and shows that it's available for pick up, I'd place an order for in-store pick up and once you pick it up, cancel the other one. Your card won't be charged yet for the one if you choose home delivery.

As far as I know, the stores within driving distance are open to the public. If I wanted to make the trip to buy in store, I could ... I just don’t know if it’s worth it because when I try to place an order to pick up for a 12 pro, they’re unavailable to order online and be picked up at all the stores in my state.

I’m just wondering if that’s fully indicative of the stock they have to sell in-store.

 

[maerz001]

Via the apple store app it shows u even before you order the availability in your selected store for pickup(at least in Europe)

 

[winterhobbes]

As far as I know, the stores within driving distance are open to the public. If I wanted to make the trip to buy in store, I could ... I just don’t know if it’s worth it because when I try to place an order to pick up for a 12 pro, they’re unavailable to order online and be picked up at all the stores in my state.

I’m just wondering if that’s fully indicative of the stock they have to sell in-store.

Are you in a state (or area) with heavy covid restrictions? All shopping trips are by appointment only here. I am guessing that if iPhones are unavailable for pickup, they are unavailable for general shopping.

Via Apple's site:

Booking a shopping session reserves time with a Specialist but does not reserve any products.

 

[lexikon318]

Are you in a state (or area) with heavy covid restrictions? All shopping trips are by appointment only here. I am guessing that if iPhones are unavailable for pickup, they are unavailable for general shopping.

Via Apple's site:

The restrictions aren’t that heavy here. They take your temperature before going in, ask you what you’re there to look at and then assign someone to shadow while you shop... which I’m not a big fan of ha

 

[Shadowbech]

The restrictions aren’t that heavy here. They take your temperature before going in, ask you what you’re there to look at and then assign someone to shadow while you shop... which I’m not a big fan of ha

Sounds like the store near you isn't an express pick up only setting, so you may be in luck if they have available for walk ins. As for those store front express pick up that has 4 Plexiglas windows, they don't do temp check anymore. They just have you stand in line and when one of the window is open then you are allowed to go it.

You still want to double check because some stores, when you walk in without appointments, they will make you one.

 

[Phil77354]

To restate what others here have said, when you go through the purchasing process on Apple.com, it will tell you if the product is available for immediate (express) pickup at your local Apple store. And if it is not currently available, if you check again in another day or two, they may have it.

You don't need to make the trip to the store, you can find out immediately on the website.

 

[bevsb2]

From what I've been told in the past, Apple has a separate supply of devices for in store customers and another for online buyers which may no longer be the case because of COVID. In the past they wanted to have items available for people that came to the store to shop. I was told this by an Apple sales person when I went to the store to pick up an iPad mini. I mentioned that I really wanted a different color that wasn't available when I ordered online. He said they had several of that color in stock and not everything is listed online. If it's not inconvenient to go to the store it might be worth a try. Otherwise checking the online availability first thing in the morning is the next best bet.

 

[lexikon318]

Thank you. Best answer I’ve gotten.