Reservation a disadvantage?

[slippery-pete]

Ok, you know what, it's not a gaurentee, anything can happen. They could not get the full shipment, found they counted wrong, whatnot.

But, what they are saying is that they plan that everyone who reserved actually gets a phone. It's not just a way of getting first in line (and then after the store opens you're on your own).

They plan on having a set amount aside that will only be sold to those with reserve. No, they don't want to gaurentee that because well, crap happens sometimes. Broken phones come in, people get wrongfully sold a reserve phone when they should not have gotten one, mixups happen in shipping. Which is why I told the Apple guy today who said that I could come late in the day if I wanted to avoid large lines that I wasn't taking that chance.

I'm sure they mean to hold those phones and not sell them unless you have a reserve. The theories I have heard that they will just sell them to anyone anyways, or that reserve only means you get first in line before the store opens, or that reserve doesn't mean a thing at all are wrong.

But yes, people are right that it doesn't necessarily mean you'll get a phone. But you are much more likely (specially if you don't wait til the end of the day where there is more chance stuff will have depleted the reserved phones more than it should) to get one if you have one reserved. Basically you will have one barring some mishap happening or you not showing up on the 24th. And if they only get 175 when they have 200 reservations, I will place my bets that no one who has not reserved a phone will get a phone from that store.

+1

 

[DaveF]

I spoke to reps at all 5 of my local AT&T stores and asked about the 2 lines deal. I missed preorder that's why I asked. Anyway he said there will only be 1 line and that's for walk-ins. He said ALL preorders are being mailed/shipped to those folks so the only people who come to the store will be walk-ins.

Hey buddy there are preorders, which are purchases of the phone via apple's online store that are shipped and then there are reservations which only reserve the phone for you to pick up at an actual store. 2 different things. there will most certainly be people that have reserve phones waiting in line.

Neither of those are what my AT&T is doing: they pre-ordered iPhones for in-store pickup. The store specifically chose to guide people for at-store delivery, rather than home delivery, and essentially requiring in-store activation.

And these are not "reservations". My credit card was charged for two iPhones.

 

[Nykwil]

I think there are some major confusions about how the line and reservations are going to be handled.

1. mall lines and dedicated store lines will be handled differently. Depending on if the mall opens early enough or even lets people in at all at 7 or earlier. Flagship stores will have two lines.

2. I know this as a fact from an Apple Employee that "flagship" stores do get the most stock and will even leech stock from a nearby apple store just to maintain it's flagship appearance of having everything under control. It will most likely be able to fulfill all the reservations, they are also critiqued and held to higher and stricter standards than say, lower population mall sites. Mall sites/less busy stores tend to be more lax and will probably encounter some reservation/non reservation stock issues. But for the most part if you reserved at a flagship store (ie: like me, at one of the biggest stores in the US the Boylston St. location) you should be in good shape. Also, I know for a fact that people who reserve, at least in the case of the Boylston St. store, will be more likely taken cared of than those who didn't. It's harsh, but like I said, these flagship apple employees are held to a higher stricter code, and are more scrutinized to please the customers who reserved than to not. If you didn't reserve, and there's still a reserved line, you will be told to either wait, or come back at the end of the day or the next day.

3. However, although it says on your confirmation if you reserved that they will hold said product until closing time, that does not mean u should just waltz in all willy nilly at 10:45pm and expect after long and hard day to be handed a phone. Not saying you wont get it, but depending on how the day goes, it just might pay off to get it earlier than later.

 

[Runt888]

IF they have enough in stock to cover all the reservations, then yes. But the way I read it is- first come, first served with reservations taking priority over walk-ins, until they run out. I'm not saying this is definitely going to happen, but this is scenario which can happen, thus a reservation is not a guarantee.

Yup. That's why it says "Pre-authorization does not guarantee iPhone availability."

There will be some people who will get lucky and be able to waltz into their store after work and pick up their reserved phone. But considering the fiasco on the 15th (and after), I would say Apple is also going to be relying on that "no guarantee" clause quoted above.

Why do you assume that apple doesn't have enough to cover the reservations?

 

[sampdoria]

I think there are some major confusions about how the line and reservations are going to be handled.

1. mall lines and dedicated store lines will be handled differently. Depending on if the mall opens early enough or even lets people in at all at 7 or earlier. Flagship stores will have two lines.

2. I know this as a fact from an Apple Employee that "flagship" stores do get the most stock and will even leech stock from a nearby apple store just to maintain it's flagship appearance of having everything under control. It will most likely be able to fulfill all the reservations, they are also critiqued and held to higher and stricter standards than say, lower population mall sites. Mall sites/less busy stores tend to be more lax and will probably encounter some reservation/non reservation stock issues. But for the most part if you reserved at a flagship store (ie: like me, at one of the biggest stores in the US the Boylston St. location) you should be in good shape. Also, I know for a fact that people who reserve, at least in the case of the Boylston St. store, will be more likely taken cared of than those who didn't. It's harsh, but like I said, these flagship apple employees are held to a higher stricter code, and are more scrutinized to please the customers who reserved than to not. If you didn't reserve, and there's still a reserved line, you will be told to either wait, or come back at the end of the day or the next day.

3. However, although it says on your confirmation if you reserved that they will hold said product until closing time, that does not mean u should just waltz in all willy nilly at 10:45pm and expect after long and hard day to be handed a phone. Not saying you wont get it, but depending on how the day goes, it just might pay off to get it earlier than later.

+1.
I'm reserved at Cambridgeside and planning to get there by 7am. Better to be safe, than sorry.

 

[sampdoria]

Why do you assume that apple doesn't have enough to cover the reservations?

It's in the fine print (which is very confusing), that lets apple get away with not having enough for everyone including reservations. Though I hope I am wrong.

 

[Nykwil]

+1.
I'm reserved at Cambridgeside and planning to get there by 7am. Better to be safe, than sorry.

I haven't been to that location since the Boylston St store opened, but I went there to pick up a 64gb iPad. It felt like a completely different store At least the food court is right there. Also, yummy cinnabuns.

 

[sampdoria]

I haven't been to that location since the Boylston St store opened, but I went there to pick up a 64gb iPad. It felt like a completely different store At least the food court is right there. Also, yummy cinnabuns.

Yeah, wasn't the Cambridgeside the first apple store to arrive in Boston? If so, I hope they get equal flagship status

I like the Burlington mall location more, but it's out of my way from work on launch day. Good luck to us all!

 

[phpmaven]

Why do you assume that apple doesn't have enough to cover the reservations?

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

 

[Hecklerdanny]

Why don't we all just relax and stop speculating?

It's obvious that we all want this phone. Here's what we know: If you were able to successfully reserve and got a confirmation email- than you're good to go. No more reason to speculate at that point. Just like Apple says, there's going to be an iPhone 4 with your name on it until the store closes that day.

That's good enough for me. What else is there to argue about?

 

[scwinsett]

Why don't we all just relax and stop speculating?

It's obvious that we all want this phone. Here's what we know: If you were able to successfully reserve and got a confirmation email- than you're good to go. No more reason to speculate at that point. Just like Apple says, there's going to be an iPhone 4 with your name on it until the store closes that day.

That's good enough for me. What else is there to argue about?

These people are obsessive and suffer from paranoia! Just because there were AT&T server issues on the 15th doesn't at all mean that Apple is going to fail us on supply. They'll have had over a week to meet the needs of each Apple Store... if you reserved an iPhone, get there in the morning a little before open just to be safe, and I swear YOU WILL GO HOME WITH AN iPHONE 4 UNIT!

 

[BeyondtheTech]

I went to the Apple store in Freehold Mall, NJ and while the store rep was describing the impending chaos that will descend on Thursday, he pulled up a list on the iMac to look for my reservation, and it showed me an exact number of reservations on his system: 907.

Remember, that's just reservations. Not including walk-ins, which will probably be in the hundreds as well.

Be prepared for every Apple store to be proportionally crazy, depending on its location, population density, and proximity to the next nearest Apple/AT&T/Best Buy/Radio Shack stores.

If you go to the store an ask to verify your reservation, watch the system closely. Akin to the Mail app on the iMac, their GUI will pull up a list, and on the left column, you'll be able to peek at the total count.

 

[Olivia23]

I have a reserved phone and I cannot wait till Thursday!!! I do plan on being there at 7am just in case. Worst case scenario is that the Apple store is so packed that in a frenzy of trying to help people they accidentally sell some of the reserved phone to the non reserved people. I mean I'm sure it's happened before. People are human and make mistakes.

 

[aserafin]

Why don't we all just relax and stop speculating?

It's obvious that we all want this phone. Here's what we know: If you were able to successfully reserve and got a confirmation email- than you're good to go. No more reason to speculate at that point. Just like Apple says, there's going to be an iPhone 4 with your name on it until the store closes that day.

That's good enough for me. What else is there to argue about?

+1

I'm taking that approach too... makes my blood pressure go thru the roof if I start thinking about it too much

 

[Hecklerdanny]

+1

I'm taking that approach too... makes my blood pressure go thru the roof if I start thinking about it too much

Exactly. Why not just take Apple at their word instead of 4 pages of speculation about how they're wrong?

We all wants FACTS - heres the only fact: the company who makes the phone and owns the stores says that I'll get one on launch day if I sucessfully reserved, which I do, so I'll see ya on Thursday.

 

[Hecklerdanny]

I have a reserved phone and I cannot wait till Thursday!!! I do plan on being there at 7am just in case. Worst case scenario is that the Apple store is so packed that in a frenzy of trying to help people they accidentally sell some of the reserved phone to the non reserved people. I mean I'm sure it's happened before. People are human and make mistakes.

I think you guys are imagining the scene in War of the Worlds where they're all trying to get on the ferry.

Think of the iPad launch as example. That was a brand new product on a Saturday launch. Did anyone who reserved for in store pickup not get one?......anyone?

 

[sjn419]

Next time, try to READ a post before responding to it. It's been widely publicized since day 1 that orders from AT&T for in-store pick up would not be available until the 25th, and that ONLY walk-ins would be available at AT&T stores on the 24th.

I had a couple drinks, didn't catch the AT&T store part lol. So srry sir

 

[tills24]

For those who think that the reservation is a guarantee, here's the fine print:


Pre-authorization does not guarantee iPhone availability at an Apple Retail Store. iPhone is sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
Your reservation is valid for pickup only at the Apple Retail Store that you selected.
If you do not collect your selected item(s) by the designated date and time, your reservation will be canceled.


I just called my store to verify that my reservation is in, and what time they'll be open. I do have my reservation, and she said to get there early, because it's going to be insane.

 

[scwinsett]

It's only not a "GUARANTEE" because they can't PROMISE you there won't be an error, but for the most part, it's very probable that a reservation will equal an iPhone 4

 

[markel253]

Now I know many of you will question my veracity on this, and that is okay as I get nothing out of it if you believe me or not.

Seeing all of the paranoia that is going on here, I spoke with a friend of mine who is in management at the Apple Store division (above store level).

The answer I received is this:

On the bottom of your confirmation letter, it does indeed say

"Pre-authorization does not guarantee iPhone availability ..."

This is true. The pre-authorization (of eligibility for an iPhone) that happens online is subject to verification in-store. This is included on the reservation confirmation to cover Apple Store Inc. in case some irregularity exists on the customer's account which will preclude a customer from picking up their iPhone.

It does not, however, change the fact that if you have a reservation, that there will indeed be a physical phone sent to the store which is for that customer and that customer only ... until close of business on launch day. Reserved phones are being allocated for shipment to stores first - only then will the remaining current stock be allocated to the stores in the system.

Make of that what you will - but if you have a reservation, and no account issues ... you will get your iPhone 4 on launch day.

 

[speed12]

It's only not a "GUARANTEE" because they can't PROMISE you there won't be an error, but for the most part, it's very probable that a reservation will equal an iPhone 4

Exactly this. Humans will be handling sales which means there may unfortunately be some reserved phones that get mistakenly given to walk-in customers. Add to that the possibility of duff phones etc getting in and there is no guarantee that you will get a phone.

However, it would have been utterly, utterly pointless of Apple to take reservations if they were not going to have allotted a physical unit to you.

 

[scwinsett]

it would have been utterly, utterly pointless of Apple to take reservations if they were not going to have allotted a physical unit to you.

Exactly my point. There is a reason they took reservations, and there is a reason they stopped taking reservations at a certain point. They have an amount set for the reserved customers, so those customers will get phones.

 

[phpmaven]

Why don't we all just relax and stop speculating?

It's obvious that we all want this phone. Here's what we know: If you were able to successfully reserve and got a confirmation email- than you're good to go. No more reason to speculate at that point. Just like Apple says, there's going to be an iPhone 4 with your name on it until the store closes that day.

That's good enough for me. What else is there to argue about?

Nothing, unless you actually want to make sure that you GET a phone on the 24th. IMHO, anyone who thinks that every store is going to hold everybody's reserved phone until closing time and not release them until the next day is being naive. Most stores are very likely to not get enough phones to cover their pre-orders.

Hey, I may be completely wrong, I've been wrong before. If it was me (I pre-ordered for delivery) I would get there as early as possible. As I've said elsewhere, we are in uncharted waters here with how crazy the launch is (no white phones, 10 times the number of pre-orders as last time), Hope for the best, Prepare for the worst.

 

[scwinsett]

Nothing, unless you actually want to make sure that you GET a phone on the 24th. IMHO, anyone who thinks that every store is going to hold everybody's reserved phone until closing time and not release them until the next day is being naive. Most stores are very likely to not get enough phones to cover their pre-orders.

You don't know. EVERYBODY: STOP ACTING LIKE YOU KNOW.
NOBODY KNOWS A DAMN THING!!

Apple has their SH*T covered okay? RELAX... YOU WILL GET A PHONE I PROMISE

 

[Sweetbike40]

I'm only confident to get a phone if I get there early. Very early with even the reservation. Something else I was thinking is that what about all the pre-orders (to be shipped) that are getting cancelled??? Seems like many people ordered 2 or three (when only allowed one) so those are getting caught n cancelled. Also the people that took a shot at getting one even though they bought a 3GS like 3 months ago. They are getting cancelled too. So these cancellations opens up inventory again. I think that day for people without a reserve is going to be about timing. I've read many preordered and reserved. If they get their shipment and don't cancel their reserve, that night phones may become available.