I figured with all the confusion out there, and the many, many, many pissed off people who went home empty handed this morning, it might make sense to summarise what I've learned so far about the best way to go about locating an iPad locally.
Step 1. Check Target
You'd be surprised how many people have found local Targets with a few remaining iPads in stock, simply because others didn't bother. This probably will not work in heavily populated areas, so for your next step:
2. Check local retailers, specifically college campus bookstores. These locations, authorized Apple retailers, will get shipments on a regular basis throughout the week (mine is getting some in tomorrow). They tend to be pretty open about when they expect to get stock, and some will even take your information down and call you if you ask nicely.
3. Check twitter. I set up an account to help people do this: @iPadLocator, but doing searches for "iPad in line" and "iPad in stock" "iPad picked up" etc, can locate individuals who are kind enough to tweet the status at their local store.
4. Check on here and other websites. People are posting local info on MacRumors forums, but it's a bit disorganized as almost anyone with new info starts their own thread. Search is helpful, but in many cases the information will be stale by the time you find it.
5. Call Apple Stores and ask them point blank if they will have any iPads for sale tomorrow morning, and then get your ass in line at 6AM. I've found some stores that will actually tell you (Monterey, CA is an example), and others that are coy. What we've learned today is that coy ("we're opening early tomorrow" does NOT equal "we will have iPads tomorrow") so take that into account. The last thing you want to do is wake up at 6AM to head to a store where they have no iPads. If a store refuses to give you a definite answer, my suggestion is either "Don't go" or "Go, but be prepared to be disappointed."
6. Remember that you're probably not going to get the exact model you want, unless you've verified over the phone that whatever store you visit has that specific model in stock. That's why I'm not planning to wait in line to buy my own iPad until I'm certain they'll have my 64GB Black ATT 3G model. If you want an iPad this week, odds are good (based on what I've seen on here and on twitter yesterday and today) that you'll end up picking a different color, size or wireless connection.
An option in that situation is to see if local individuals have posted a request for a swap. (see my twitter feed for a guy in LA who picked up a 64 Gig today but wants a 16 Gig) I have no doubt you'll be able to find a buyer for an iPad you purchase, but there will be a hassle factor if you sell it on Ebay or craigslist.
Finally, word has gotten around that there will be (and take this with a big grain of salt) many local shipments arriving at Apple stores and authorized retailers tomorrow, if they didn't arrive today. The color, number, and connection type are unknowns, so like I said, don't stand in line without understanding the very real possibility you'll go home empty handed or with something you don't want. That said, if you have the time, (or, like me, you're willing to do it for someone else because you're a student) it's worth showing up tomorrow if you get there really, really, really F*ing early.
Good Luck!
Step 1. Check Target
You'd be surprised how many people have found local Targets with a few remaining iPads in stock, simply because others didn't bother. This probably will not work in heavily populated areas, so for your next step:
2. Check local retailers, specifically college campus bookstores. These locations, authorized Apple retailers, will get shipments on a regular basis throughout the week (mine is getting some in tomorrow). They tend to be pretty open about when they expect to get stock, and some will even take your information down and call you if you ask nicely.
3. Check twitter. I set up an account to help people do this: @iPadLocator, but doing searches for "iPad in line" and "iPad in stock" "iPad picked up" etc, can locate individuals who are kind enough to tweet the status at their local store.
4. Check on here and other websites. People are posting local info on MacRumors forums, but it's a bit disorganized as almost anyone with new info starts their own thread. Search is helpful, but in many cases the information will be stale by the time you find it.
5. Call Apple Stores and ask them point blank if they will have any iPads for sale tomorrow morning, and then get your ass in line at 6AM. I've found some stores that will actually tell you (Monterey, CA is an example), and others that are coy. What we've learned today is that coy ("we're opening early tomorrow" does NOT equal "we will have iPads tomorrow") so take that into account. The last thing you want to do is wake up at 6AM to head to a store where they have no iPads. If a store refuses to give you a definite answer, my suggestion is either "Don't go" or "Go, but be prepared to be disappointed."
6. Remember that you're probably not going to get the exact model you want, unless you've verified over the phone that whatever store you visit has that specific model in stock. That's why I'm not planning to wait in line to buy my own iPad until I'm certain they'll have my 64GB Black ATT 3G model. If you want an iPad this week, odds are good (based on what I've seen on here and on twitter yesterday and today) that you'll end up picking a different color, size or wireless connection.
An option in that situation is to see if local individuals have posted a request for a swap. (see my twitter feed for a guy in LA who picked up a 64 Gig today but wants a 16 Gig) I have no doubt you'll be able to find a buyer for an iPad you purchase, but there will be a hassle factor if you sell it on Ebay or craigslist.
Finally, word has gotten around that there will be (and take this with a big grain of salt) many local shipments arriving at Apple stores and authorized retailers tomorrow, if they didn't arrive today. The color, number, and connection type are unknowns, so like I said, don't stand in line without understanding the very real possibility you'll go home empty handed or with something you don't want. That said, if you have the time, (or, like me, you're willing to do it for someone else because you're a student) it's worth showing up tomorrow if you get there really, really, really F*ing early.
Good Luck!
