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Waiting in line for a phone or watch, it's just sad.
Why? I've waited in line for an iPhone a couple of times. I couldn't do it 18hrs before but I once got in line around 4am, so 5 hours early. It was a fun experience. People were cool, it was by a Starbucks so we watched each others spots while we took bathroom breaks and got coffee. I've waited in line with my son to get a couple of Nintendo DS's, that was a great time too. Sure it is consumerism at it's best/worst, but if you have the time why not? Plus some of these people are going to bootleg this stuff and turn a profit LOL.
 
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No it’s not. I wouldn’t do it, but it’s not sad. It’s what they want to do, with their free time, and they will use their money for it. Some people stay in line for hours to watch a football game (which may be even on TV) or a concert, and some people will even pay otrageous amounts for it.
Have you ever been to a big sports game? The experience is extremely different than staying at home and watching it on TV.

What does waiting in line and buying an iPhone so for people? To say they got it first? The experience of waiting in the sun? I don't get it but maybe you can shed some light. Not trying to be combative or anything just curious what do people get out of it?
 
Knowing Singapore, a lot of the people in line are probably scalpers from other Asian countries. Since most people will likely be getting their iPhones directly from carriers.
 
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I think it’s more along the lines of him wishing Apple would fail.
There seems to be a lot of that going around here lately. And when it doesn’t happen...

You get the idea.
What do you mean by lately?
If you mean the last several years than yeah, lately :D
 
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Sad maybe for you. Maybe they just want to mingle among other random people. Maybe they just want to enjoy the fresh air. Maybe they find sad to do everything through UPS with little or no human contact.

Nailed it. I once stood in line at WWDC (I am not a developer) and the experience itself was worth it. Made lots of new friends. Discussed a lot of new ideas and generally enjoyed the sunny SFO morning. OR I could have just stayed online, watched all the WWDC videos and judged random people I don't know.
 
To the Negative...

I've done the LINE thing at Apple -- I've done the midnight video game release purchase at GameStop. I've also went down to midtown Manhattan for Macy's Parade, St. Patrick's Day and New Years Eve. Would I do them again? No, probably not, but I can't fault people who want to do this.

PARTICIPATION is fun, people. You go, you meet people, you discuss your passions and likes; there is nothing wrong with it. Creating a fun memory to look back on is great. Especially if you plan to hold on to your purchase for a little while -- knowing you might not buy another iPhone for 3-4 years, it's cool to know that YOU WERE THERE.

And price -- all of the Samsung folks who laugh at the Apple folks for "spending too much money"... seriously? I don't begrudge someone for buying a $150,000 Tesla. Sure, they're spending more money on a car than I would, but WHO CARES?! It's their money and if they see value in: THAT IS OK.
 
Have you ever been to a big sports game? The experience is extremely different than staying at home and watching it on TV.

What does waiting in line and buying an iPhone so for people? To say they got it first? The experience of waiting in the sun? I don't get it but maybe you can shed some light. Not trying to be combative or anything just curious what do people get out of it?
If you have to ask no amount of explaining will give you a satisfactory answer.
But here goes:
They think it's fun and exciting.
They were not able to pre-order.
Flip the script.
Why do many here who are not on Pacific time stay up at night to pre-order?
To be first?
The better question for you is why do you care enough to even post the question?
How does their standing in line affect you?
 
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Have you ever been to a big sports game? The experience is extremely different than staying at home and watching it on TV.

What does waiting in line and buying an iPhone so for people? To say they got it first? The experience of waiting in the sun? I don't get it but maybe you can shed some light. Not trying to be combative or anything just curious what do people get out of it?

I have been to many many soccer games. Many. I know the experience is different... and not always pleasant.
So is waiting in line compared to be at home waiting for UPS. You meet people, and you might enjoy the unplugged experience. Some people like that. Some might just want to do it for the heck of it.

Heck, in the meditation thread in the Community Discussion forum we are even discussing how slow, unplugged, and almost meaningless experiences are amazing and relaxing. I even described one occasion in which I waited 45 mins or so for my wife in the lobby of a busy hotel just doing... nothing other than sipping a coffee. No phone, no book, no internet, no TV. Just sitting on a chair, waiting, and enjoying a coffee. Let me tell you, it was one of the best experiences I had in a while (I know it sounds dumb) due to the relax I felt. Yet, I bet that if you observed me I probably looked like an idiot that was wasting time but I assure you it recharged me for quite a while.
 
Have you seen the lines for the after Thanksgivings day sales? Still happens, for items that cost a tenth of the watch!
I think this is understandable from an outsider looking in. The sale prices is a once a year thing where if they don't buy the item now they won't be able to get it at that price until the next year. For an iPhone, you can just wait the following week without lines lol. However, as others mentioned, I shouldn't care what people do with their free time which is true.
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If you have to ask no amount of explaining will give you as satisfactory answer.
But here goes:
They think it's fun and exciting.
They were not able to pre-order.
Flip the script.
Why do many here who are not on Pacific time stay up at night to pre-order?
To be first?
The better question for you is why do you care enough to even post the question?
How does their standing in line affect you?
It doesn't affect me and you're right I shouldn't care. Just curious what could the reason be. I could understand if it was a sale, first 100 peopke get 100 off the new iPhone. But I just don't see the benefit of it other than being first. However, if they find it fun and exciting then that makes sense although I'm not able to see the fun in it I'm sure they do.
 
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You think about americans way too much. You know how often I speculate or even bother to consider New Zealand's culture or society? Pretty much never.

Well what can you say? The man won't wait in lines but spends most his time in the company of sheep.
 
I have been to many many soccer games. Many. I know the experience is different... and not always pleasant.
So is waiting in line compared to be at home waiting for UPS. You meet people, and you might enjoy the unplugged experience. Some people like that. Some might just want to do it for the heck of it.

Heck, in the meditation thread in the Community Discussion forum we are even discussing how slow, unplugged, and almost meaningless experiences are amazing and relaxing. I even described one occasion in which I waited 45 mins or so for my wife in the lobby of a busy hotel just doing... nothing other than sipping a coffee. No phone, no book, no internet, no TV. Just sitting on a chair, waiting, and enjoying a coffee. Let me tell you, it was one of the best experiences I had in a while (I know it sounds dumb) due to the relax I felt. Yet, I bet that if you observed me I probably looked like an idiot that was wasting time but I assure you it recharged me for quite a while.
Lol doesn't sound dumb because I do that all the time. To sit and do nothing other than observe the sounds and things around you I find relaxing as well. I just wanted to hear what do other get out of it. I mentioned in a previous post I could understand if it was a sale and it was only available to people who lined up for the iPhone. But I guess some people just enjoy waiting in line for the iPhone. Who am I to judge.
 
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Lol doesn't sound dumb because I do that all the time. To sit and do nothing other than observe the sounds and things around you I find relaxing as well. I just wanted to hear what do other get out of it. I mentioned in a previous post I could understand if it was a sale and it was only available to people who lined up for the iPhone. But I guess some people just enjoy waiting in line for the iPhone. Who am I to judge.

... or maybe they’re all evil scalpers and I am philosophizing too much :)
(Sometimes doing nothing is the best thing we can do. It has definitely one of the most important changes I made in 2018)
 
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Next year the new iPhone at only $1999 lol

How very courageous!!! And don't forget if you don't like that price, they will offer a phone with tech 2 years old for the same price as the latest tech in competitor phones. What a joke.
 
Knowing Singapore, a lot of the people in line are probably scalpers from other Asian countries. Since most people will likely be getting their iPhones directly from carriers.

Yeah at least in Thailand usually the launch is delayed. You can find grey market imports for insane prices until the official launch.
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Have you seen the lines for the after Thanksgivings day sales? Still happens, for items that cost a tenth of the watch!
On Black Friday people don't wait in line they stampede each other to death.
 
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I’ve done the line standing thing before and thought it was fun. It was great being surrounded by other people who enjoy the same thing as you and the conversation. Even standing in line at our UPS distribution center is fun.
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I waited in line for the iPhone 6 or 6S when I was in Vegas. I was awake / out anyway at 3 am. So at about 5 am I walked on over to Caesars / Forum Shops. It was actually a lot of fun. Lots of people were waiting and everyone was chill. Apple staff gave out water and snacks. I scored my iPhone at 8 or 9 am and got some sleep right after.

I can't say I'd wait in line again but wanted to try it once. How is waiting in line for a phone any sadder than all of us commenting on a geeky phone forum?

That to me would be a blast. I need to plan a Vegas trip around a launch one year.
 
With preorders arriving on Friday by UPS or FedEx I am surprised that this is still a thing. Maybe people do it for the fun of it -- there is a certain excitement that comes with showing up on launch day and getting the new iPhone.

I wanted to get my Apple Watch Series 4 by tomorrow, but I wanted the Nike Edition so I have to wait until October anyway.
Well, I want to see the gold xs max in my hand before I buy. Otherwise I would have pre-ordered. So there are still good reasons to go to the store.

No, this is certainly sad that someone decides to use their free time to wait in line for a phone. It's 2018.

It's a poor use of time. UPS is bringing mine tomorrow with no waiting.
No it's not. Leave people alone and stop thinking you know what's good for them.

How can these people who obviously don't have jobs afford these phones?
Maybe they have better jobs than you do and don't need to work as much. Or maybe they're overflowing with earned vacation time. The point is, you should not assume that you know people just because you see a common behavior on opening day.

Why are you white knighting so hard? Give it a rest grandpa.
This is rude. You don't know anybody's age on this forum and just used age to diss somebody for saying something nice. I see this way too often, and always from the same type of mean people. Disagree with somebody, then call them names for what? Are you trying to shame or embarrass them into shutting up just to satisfy your need to have your comments go unquestioned or unchallenged?
 
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