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Pre-Order Info: Apple or AT&T? Home or Store Delivery? Pros and Cons!

falconman515

falconman515

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 8, 2010
578
36
I am going to be pre-ordering on the 15th FOR SURE and this will be my first time ever doing this.

Please provide all pros and cons for getting it from AT&T Online vs. Apple Online ..... and also the pros and cons for Home Delivery vs. Store Pick Up.

Thanks so much for all the details you can provide on these options so myself and others who read this make the correct decision when pre-ordering. :eek:
 
There's no difference between Apple and ATT online.

Only people interested in a bizarre social experiences pick them up in the store. Have it shipped and receive it on the 24th.

This isn't rocket science and there are dozens of other threads about this.
 
Leaning away from Apple Store pickup.

Definitely NOT interested in ATT store pickup.

Am going to investigate pre-ordering from Best Buy.

If Best Buy has no pre-ordering, I am going to pre-order for delivery on the 24th through Apple.com
 
MikePA said:
There's no difference between Apple and ATT online.

Only people interested in a bizarre social experiences pick them up in the store. Have it shipped and receive it on the 24th.

This isn't rocket science and there are dozens of other threads about this.
Click to expand...

On the contrary, I've seen these other threads and there a lot of conflicting stories about AT&T vs. Apple orders, So I am wanting to use this thread to get that all cleared up. and there are not a lot of threads talking about the pros and cons of store delivery and home delivery.

Just trying to get a solid thread together on all the details possible about these options so we all make the right decision.

I don't plan on going through the bizarre waiting in line experience that's why I am pre-ordering just want all details on that process as this is my first time doing so.

Thanks for all the help for those who reply with helpful information on this. :)
 
falconman515 said:
On the contrary, I've seen these other threads and there a lot of conflicting stories about AT&T vs. Apple orders, So I am wanting to use this thread to get that all cleared up. and there are not a lot of threads talking about the pros and cons of store delivery and home delivery.

Just trying to get a solid thread together on all the details possible about these options so we all make the right decision.

I don't plan on going through the bizarre waiting in line experience that's why I am pre-ordering just want all details on that process as this is my first time doing so.

Thanks for all the help for those who reply with helpful information on this. :)
Click to expand...

I agree with you. For example, if I can be assured that the Apple Store would have it well-organized so that pre-orders do not have to wait, I might consider that...though my first choice would be a pre-order from Best Buy so that I can get the Reward Zone points.
 
falconman515 said:
On the contrary, I've seen these other threads and there a lot of conflicting stories about AT&T vs. Apple orders, So I am wanting to use this thread to get that all cleared up. and there are not a lot of threads talking about the pros and cons of store delivery and home delivery.

Just trying to get a solid thread together on all the details possible about these options so we all make the right decision.

I don't plan on going through the bizarre waiting in line experience that's why I am pre-ordering just want all details on that process as this is my first time doing so.

Thanks for all the help for those who reply with helpful information on this. :)
Click to expand...
And yet another thread will clear things up?

This is simple - If you Pre-Order online you have 2 options;

1. Get the iPhone delivered to whatever address you specify on the 24th.
2. Specify in store pick up and wait in line to get it either on the 24th (Apple Store) or 25th (ATT).
 
MikePA said:
And yet another thread will clear things up?

This is simple - If you Pre-Order online you have 2 options;

1. Get the iPhone delivered to whatever address you specify on the 24th.
2. Specify in store pick up and wait in line to get it either on the 24th (Apple Store) or 25th (ATT).
Click to expand...

I will be switching over from Verizon - can I still pre order online? How will I sign up for services and ensure my number is transferred?
 
bunger said:
I will be switching over from Verizon - can I still pre order online? How will I sign up for services and ensure my number is transferred?
Click to expand...

I think you give them all of your information when you pre-order so that it shows up in a ready to be activated state when it's delivered.

I would definitely go with home delivery as from what I have read many people have confirmed that it will probably show up on launch day as it did with the 3GS. Why stand in line?
 
On the first iPhone I went to Apple, skipped the 3G. When the 3GS came out I went to AT&T. With iPhone 4 I plan on having the phones shipped to my house.

Each had their advantages.

When I went to Apple I didn't have to worry about sellouts, the phone was expensive enough for it to not be an impulse (for normal folk) buy. I went to AT&T because I was originally worried about my FAN, plus they are only ten minutes away from my house (versus an hour for Apple). This time, since we can activate at home again, I plan on getting them shipped.
 
i too want to pre-order. I have a ATT store behind the house, BB down the road, and a Radio Shack across the street from BB. Apple is about 1/2hr at the mall and no way am I going there. That place is ALWAYS a Zoo and its ultra annoying and obnoxious at the Apple Store so no way.

But I too am getting conflicting info from BB, Radio Shack and ATT stores. No one has it right and its bothering me big time.

I have a Family Plan
I have 2 iPhones
I have a FAN

I want to trade in (if possible) to Radio Shack or BB but I could also just go the eBay route. No one can give me a straight answer. Radio Shack said I have to re-apply for my FAN (28%) after activation? What?! I don't want to mess with that. I just want to keep my unlimited plan w/the FAN in place. The second we start messing w/plans I know things are gonna get messed up.

I only want to get ONE iPhone 4 for now (me) and the wife will get hers at a later date, does this mess up my plan? No one can give me an answer at ATT

I want to pre-order from ATT and just walk over and pick it up vs having it delivered to the house. No one is home so I'm sure they are going to need a signature right? But ATT said the pre-order delivery won't be in until Monday 6/28? BB said they are not doing the pre-order and I'll have to wait in line like everyone else on 6/24 and Radio Shack said they probably won't get them in till 6/28 or later!? The only place that told me they will have plenty on hand on 6/24 is Apple. And no way am I going to that place, its a zoo and its annoying and I don't feel like waiting in line for hours on end.

So as you can see no one has a straight answer really...
 
iMetalG5 said:
I want to pre-order from ATT and just walk over and pick it up vs having it delivered to the house. No one is home so I'm sure they are going to need a signature right? But ATT said the pre-order delivery won't be in until Monday 6/28? BB said they are not doing the pre-order and I'll have to wait in line like everyone else on 6/24 and Radio Shack said they probably won't get them in till 6/28 or later!? The only place that told me they will have plenty on hand on 6/24 is Apple. And no way am I going to that place, its a zoo and its annoying and I don't feel like waiting in line for hours on end.

So as you can see no one has a straight answer really...
Click to expand...

If it's that much of a hassle, and nobody can guarantee in store availability except Apple, then why not have it delivered?

From what I've heard Apple usually gives you an option to print out a "pre-signature" for fedex
 
After work on the 24th I'll be leaving for a weekend trip and won't get back until Sunday. So I don't want to have it delivered and sitting at my door for 4 days until I get back. I am thinking of pre-ordering and can run to the apple store about half a mile from work at lunch and pick it up so that I can have it for the weekend. If I pre-order, I'm guaranteed to get one at the store, right? I don't have to wait in line before the store opens? I should be fine rolling in at noon, picking it up, and making all my co-workers jealous?
 
Built said:
I agree with you. For example, if I can be assured that the Apple Store would have it well-organized so that pre-orders do not have to wait, I might consider that...though my first choice would be a pre-order from Best Buy so that I can get the Reward Zone points.
Click to expand...

+1, although I anticipate they won't offer pre-orders for this especially considering the limited stock they have according to the rumors. Plus I think they like the "line-up" aspect of releases. Best Buy has become huge on these in recent years.

My position is more than likely going to be:

1) pre-order on the 15th

2) Have it delivered to work

3) Keep it under lock and key until I can get it home

4) Enjoy
 
I got my 3G a few weeks after launch at the AT&T store. It was on the weekend and a bit of a spontaneous decision (I early-termed a VZW contract, an act I didn't put much thought into).

This time around I will be preordering and having it delivered, probably to my work address rather than home. There's only one Apple store here in the sticks of Long Island and it's always mobbed. The AT&T stores will undoubtedly also be mobbed. Mobs of unbathed smelly Mac nerds that have camped the night before launch aren't my cup of tea. :p
 
bunger said:
I will be switching over from Verizon - can I still pre order online? How will I sign up for services and ensure my number is transferred?
Click to expand...

when you preorder your phone be sure NOT to select to port your number. if you do that they will port the number when the phone is shipped and then you will be without a phone until you get the new phone in hand.

what you want to do is just pre order the iphone you want for either in-store or in home delivery. they will assign you a temp number then after you get the phone you can make a quick and pretty painless phone call to att they will port the number over for you. All you will need is the number you want ported and your verizon account number.
 
I went to an AT&T store in NY the other day and asked about pre-order. They told me I can't have it delivered and can only pick it up in store. Sounded like BS to me, so I'm going to check at another AT&T store location.
 
GtotheK said:
I went to an AT&T store in NY the other day and asked about pre-order. They told me I can't have it delivered and can only pick it up in store. Sounded like BS to me, so I'm going to check at another AT&T store location.
Click to expand...

if you preorder through ATT the only option is instore pickup i believe. if you preorder through apple you have either option.
 
The easiest method to me seems to be ordering on apple.com and having it delivered, this is what I plan to do.

I wasn't able to do this with the 3GS because my upgrade eligibiliy wasn't showing up properly on the apple website (due to FAN account I think), but this year it's showing up properly so I'm hopefull that I'll be able to do the stress free method of preordering on apples website for delivery.

I really don't want to have to go in and deal with the AT&T monkeys.
 
Makes no difference where you order it from. I preordered a 3GS from both Apple and AT&T... both were delivered at the exact same time (on release day) by FedEx. AT&T ships from Texas, Apple packages lots of orders together and ships them from China to the main FedEx hub -- where they are then broken apart and dispersed. All still delivered at the same time.
 
amann76 said:
when you preorder your phone be sure NOT to select to port your number. if you do that they will port the number when the phone is shipped and then you will be without a phone until you get the new phone in hand.

what you want to do is just pre order the iphone you want for either in-store or in home delivery. they will assign you a temp number then after you get the phone you can make a quick and pretty painless phone call to att they will port the number over for you. All you will need is the number you want ported and your verizon account number.
Click to expand...

Do you know if this process is the same regardless of where I pre-order ( Apple, AT&T, Radio Shack )?

by the way, thanks a ton for the info!
 
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