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QTY available In-store w no pre-order store pick up???

iHeartsteve

iHeartsteve

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Feb 12, 2012
1,572
924
Now that I see the 2-3 week order delay for online orders, I'm really getting worried about getting one in-store. I didn't order one online b/c I didn't want to wait until the 19th ship date but 2-3 weeks now!!! UGH

Will there be enough on hand in store for non-preorders? I guess I should stand in line in the morning now?? Our store opens at 10am.

Another question: Those who have pre-ordered for INSTORE pick up, why you worried about getting one? I thought Apple is supposed to set them aside for you.
 
Last edited:
Wil there be enough in store for non pre-orders? Are you serious? There isn't enough for those that per-ordered......those 2-3 weeks you're currently seeing are still pre-orders!

Of course there won't! Look at every single IOS product since the 3G iPhone and stock has always run short real quick.

Whilst the launch process has been different this time around, presumably by Apple front-loading screen production as much as they could in the lead up to launch, I would expect delays to be worse this time around.

Once the initial stocks are gone the screens are going to be the problem. It wasn't an issue with the iPad 2 as the screen was already available in large quantities thanks to the iPad.......and yet the mild upgrade the iPad 2 offered still resulted in months of general shortages pretty much everywhere.

This time around you'll have all the iPad owners that waited for retina as well as the iPad 2 owners like me that couldn't stand the iPad once I'd used the iPad 2......but I NEED retina!

My advice would be to decide how long you're willing to queue for and go for that. I queued last year but only for around 3 hours thanks to a local Mac specialist having late stock......but even then they only had 40 or so iPad 2's in total on launch day. It then took them weeks to get a new batch in.

Good luck, it's going to be a tough time for everyone in your position again this time around :(
 
what really?

I went in the store a couple days ago and employee told me the alloted preorders were of course sold out but that they still had a lot on hand. Another employee thought this would be a smaller launch.

And a corporate sales rep said dont even bother going over until after morning rush. They suggested to go around lunch time.
 
iHeartSteve, refer to my Queue thread. Why do you think they're lining up now? It's because there won't be any at the stores if you haven't lined up at by this time. LOL, that might be an exaggeration but the point is, you need to be early at your store if you want to get your hands in one. Not 10am when they open. More like, the night before. I'm not kidding.

Last year for the iPad2, I went to my local Apple store around noon of launch day and I was probably #175. I was still lucky to get two but by the time my number is up, they already ran out of 3G models so I have to stick with just the WiFi version

Line up NOW....LOL
 
EVERYONE is guessing right now.......do bear that in mind.

You might get lucky and Apple will have plenty of units.....but the history of IOS devices proves otherwise without exception.

Make of that what you will.

Apple have always enjoyed massive queues and thus massive press coverage for their IOS launches......a cynic would say that an Apple employee is bound to say they have lots of stock ;)

No one is going to know for sure until the 16th roles around.......but IMHO everything is pointing to the same, or worse, supply issues as in the past.
 
iHeartsteve said:
Now that I see the 2-3 week order delay for online orders, I'm really getting worried about getting one in-store. I didn't order one online b/c I didn't want to wait until the 19th ship date but 2-3 weeks now!!! UGH

Will there be enough on hand in store for non-preorders? I guess I should stand in line in the morning now?? Our store opens at 10am.
Click to expand...

No one knows. Those in the know have signed NDAs and manage stock for Apple. Get there early and just keep your fingers crossed.
 
Q Bert said:
iHeartSteve, refer to my Queue thread. Why do you think they're lining up now? It's because there won't be any at the stores if you haven't lined up at by this time. LOL, that might be an exaggeration but the point is, you need to be early at your store if you want to get your hands in one. Not 10am when they open. More like, the night before. I'm not kidding.

Last year for the iPad2, I went to my local Apple store around noon of launch day and I was probably #175. I was still lucky to get two but by the time my number is up, they already ran out of 3G models so I have to stick with just the WiFi version

Line up NOW....LOL
Click to expand...

hahah ok that makes perfect sense. the reason why people are lined up days prior. Well luckily my apple store is 2 blocks away and I have a WHAT A CHAIR. lol.

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RelentlessFruit said:
EVERYONE is guessing right now.......do bear that in mind.

You might get lucky and Apple will have plenty of units.....but the history of IOS devices proves otherwise without exception.

Make of that what you will.

Apple have always enjoyed massive queues and thus massive press coverage for their IOS launches......a cynic would say that an Apple employee is bound to say they have lots of stock ;)

No one is going to know for sure until the 16th roles around.......but IMHO everything is pointing to the same, or worse, supply issues as in the past.
Click to expand...

Good point, that employee is just giving the ':apple:' answer...
 
iHeartsteve said:
Now that I see the 2-3 week order delay for online orders, I'm really getting worried about getting one in-store. I didn't order one online b/c I didn't want to wait until the 19th ship date but 2-3 weeks now!!! UGH

Will there be enough on hand in store for non-preorders? I guess I should stand in line in the morning now?? Our store opens at 10am.
Click to expand...

why not order now, and then still wait in line. you can cancel if you get one.
 
iHeartsteve said:
True, it just sucks that its at 3 week wait now.
Click to expand...

Do you think the wait is going to get shorter?

@bmat gave you solid advice. Put in an order now. If you score one before it ships, just cancel the order. Worst case, you return the online order with minimal fuss.
 
The next question is when the stores run out the first day, when will they get more stock. Looking at the shipping date if you ordered today, it looks like it could be weeks unless Apple held back large numbers of units to keep the stores stocked for weeks.:confused:
 
I don't know about non-U.S. Apple Stores, but generally Apple stocks each store with 1,000s for launch. The online and retail stores each have their own inventory -- it's not one big bucket that both pull units from. The 2-3 online wait has nothing do to with available stock for retail walk-ins. If you are in line a couple hours before the doors open you can get any model you want. Don't let the hype make you crazy.
 
iHeartsteve said:
Now that I see the 2-3 week order delay for online orders, I'm really getting worried about getting one in-store. I didn't order one online b/c I didn't want to wait until the 19th ship date but 2-3 weeks now!!! UGH

Will there be enough on hand in store for non-preorders? I guess I should stand in line in the morning now?? Our store opens at 10am.
Click to expand...

OP, if it helps, I was able to get the original iPad 2 days after its launched. Just happened to be in Best Buy and asked about it, they said they had a ton of units still and was able to pick one up. I suggest waiting until the panic dies down, i.e. a few hours after it launches and the lines are over, then call Best Buy or the Apple store and see if they have some in stock. This is going to be my strategy.
 
Don't forget there are other stores than Apple stores. A good alternative, for example, are AT&T stores - not many people realize there will be iPads there (though they will be the 4g/LTE versions). Radio Shack is another good one - in fact, I believe they are still taking preorders for launch day.
 
deeddawg said:
Do you think the wait is going to get shorter?

@bmat gave you solid advice. Put in an order now. If you score one before it ships, just cancel the order. Worst case, you return the online order with minimal fuss.
Click to expand...

Ordered it!!! went for the 32 g:D

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Chupa Chupa said:
I don't know about non-U.S. Apple Stores, but generally Apple stocks each store with 1,000s for launch. The online and retail stores each have their own inventory -- it's not one big bucket that both pull units from. The 2-3 online wait has nothing do to with available stock for retail walk-ins. If you are in line a couple hours before the doors open you can get any model you want. Don't let the hype make you crazy.
Click to expand...

Yes thats what the employee explained. 2 different inventories available. Gonna wait in line an hour before it opens. Bringing my dog and lunch. lol

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DreamPod said:
Don't forget there are other stores than Apple stores. A good alternative, for example, are AT&T stores - not many people realize there will be iPads there (though they will be the 4g/LTE versions). Radio Shack is another good one - in fact, I believe they are still taking preorders for launch day.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I didn't know about radio shack. those are near me as well!

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BluAffiliate said:
OP, if it helps, I was able to get the original iPad 2 days after its launched. Just happened to be in Best Buy and asked about it, they said they had a ton of units still and was able to pick one up. I suggest waiting until the panic dies down, i.e. a few hours after it launches and the lines are over, then call Best Buy or the Apple store and see if they have some in stock. This is going to be my strategy.
Click to expand...

that's a good idea as well. I feel way more relaxed now. There are plenty of best buy's and radio shacks. I'm sure I can get one somewhere on launch day :p
 
I was at my best buy last march 11. Got there around 3pm for the 5 pm sale. I was about 25th in line. By 5pm there were more than one hundred. They so,d out. Bb didn't have stock again for a couple of weeks. It'll be at least the same this year and probably worse. I hope the 5pm time stands. The store opens st 10 and I don't feel like getting up at six. Last year we waited INSIde the store. If its a ten o'clock sale I'd have to wait outside. Ugh
 
Oh yeah, Best Buy never gets large amounts of stock for launch compared to the Apple Stores.
 
DreamPod said:
Oh yeah, Best Buy never gets large amounts of stock for launch compared to the Apple Stores.
Click to expand...

good point. An apple employee did insinuate that they got more inventory this year than last year so I think if I line up early it should be all good :)
 
DreamPod said:
Oh yeah, Best Buy never gets large amounts of stock for launch compared to the Apple Stores.
Click to expand...

My Best Buy had over 200 last year, not too shabby. I got ther at 3:30 PM and was somewhere around #30 in line. And when I got to the counter to pay, the girl near the front of the line still had a fistful of sheets (one for each iPad) and let me swap out my 16 GB for a 32.

If the OP is so concerned about the 2-3 week wait, why didn't they order sooner?
 
Chupa Chupa said:
I don't know about non-U.S. Apple Stores, but generally Apple stocks each store with 1,000s for launch. The online and retail stores each have their own inventory -- it's not one big bucket that both pull units from. The 2-3 online wait has nothing do to with available stock for retail walk-ins. If you are in line a couple hours before the doors open you can get any model you want. Don't let the hype make you crazy.
Click to expand...

THIS. I think it's also worth it to mention that we also need to know WHERE to go. I'm in NY and I would NEVER go to the flagship store in Manhattan-- and we're talking iPads--iPhones? FORGET ABOUT IT.

For the prior two launches, the lines weren't long at all--so while i'm not worried, I also won't take any chances by waltzing in hours after the scheduled opening.

...have they announced that they will be releasing them at a specific time? I'm scheduled to take the day off but i won't if I won't have to!!
 
Buckeyestar said:
My Best Buy had over 200 last year, not too shabby. I got ther at 3:30 PM and was somewhere around #30 in line. And when I got to the counter to pay, the girl near the front of the line still had a fistful of sheets (one for each iPad) and let me swap out my 16 GB for a 32.

If the OP is so concerned about the 2-3 week wait, why didn't they order sooner?
Click to expand...

hello! to answer your question, my fiance and I just bought the ipad2 a month ago and only yesterday, we were able to return it and get apple giftcard so we could the the ipad3. By the time I tried to order online, it hit the 2-3 week mark.
 
I popped in to the retail store in Bath in the UK last friday as my daughter wants the new Ipad for her birthday.

They told me that, they would have plenty of stock on the 16th but were not sure about the launch time. Its my daughters birthday on Saturday so I have to get one this week. I just hope its not a midnight launch
 
Bazooka-joe said:
I popped in to the retail store in Bath in the UK last friday as my daughter wants the new Ipad for her birthday.

They told me that, they would have plenty of stock on the 16th but were not sure about the launch time. Its my daughters birthday on Saturday so I have to get one this week. I just hope its not a midnight launch
Click to expand...

Awww that's a sweet story!! Hope she gets one ;)
 
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