It's been 10 days, but the North Austin Apple Store had a line of like 25 when I walked by today at about 8 PM
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iPhone 11 Today I tried to buy an iPhone 11 at the Apple Store...
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I had a great experience today over at the Apple Hilldale today. I placed an online order for the Pro Max for my cousin and I choose the 5:30 pm to 6 pm slot as I get off work at 5 pm and takes 15 minute to walk over there. There was absolutely no line whatsoever, and was just like a normal day where I can just walk in talk to the person who has the iPad, told them I have an online order pick up, told me to talk to talk to one of sales who helped me immediately. He scanned, less than 1 minute, runner brings my phone, sales scans and I get receipt and out the door in less than 2 minutes of actually going in. Great service.
They no longer to walk-in reservations anymore, so if someone wants to buy an iPhone and they have it in stock, they will then be queued up on the system and be helped with the next available sales specialist. If they don't have it in stock at point, then they tell them to check online daily.
Of course, YMMV, my store does have Apple express check out line, and normally that line is for online order pick ups and AirPods check out so normally whenever I have an online order pick up, I'm generally placed in that line. I believe most Apple Store should have the express check out.
They no longer to walk-in reservations anymore, so if someone wants to buy an iPhone and they have it in stock, they will then be queued up on the system and be helped with the next available sales specialist. If they don't have it in stock at point, then they tell them to check online daily.
Of course, YMMV, my store does have Apple express check out line, and normally that line is for online order pick ups and AirPods check out so normally whenever I have an online order pick up, I'm generally placed in that line. I believe most Apple Store should have the express check out.
45 minutes seems excessive? I would base your statement based on the overall volume of the store, location (I.e foot traffic), time of day, ect. The advantage being for some, I actually have three Apple stores all less than an hour away, but each Apple Store varies, especially if it’s in a really busy city Or in a downtown district.
I wouldn’t be amazed at all. It’s a shop and people buy things. Apple have just moved the people who would otherwise be waiting in store to a line outside for marketing purposes. All shops could do this if they wanted to but would likely be challenged on the purpose.
the only way we make money is when you either add a line, open a new account or upgrade on installment billing or lease. Otherwise we make $0 selling a phone.
The only Apple store in my area is nearly an hour away and seems to be chaotic on days not anytime near a recent release. Additionally, they have had no Pro models in color/storage I want for one week now. For those reasons, I considered ordering online for home delivery (end of October, I am fine with timeframe), but would like to trade in current phone and after reading threads about mailing in trade ins I am reluctant to do that. How to proceed.........
If you did the online order home delivery, only option is mailing the trade in, can't do it at store. If you did in-store pick up but did not choose the trade in option at check out then you can pick it up in store and then do the trade in at the store.
I walked in to my local Apple Store, checked out the different colours for a while, decided on the one I wanted. Noticed the barriers outside, but I asked the specialist if I want to buy one now how do I do it, and he just asked me which one, asked another specialist to get it from stock, 2 min later paid and walked out. No queue or wait in line. There was no line at the barriers outside, just some specialists hanging about. Always a great experience for me.
You must not live in California. It’s a whole different experience at the DMV.
Sounds like Texas. We do everything better than California. LOL, I'm just playing around so don't get too upset at me.
I find that hard to believe the $0.
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Not to worry. I totally agree with you. Wish I could leave but, I’m in my 70’s and have deep roots here.Sounds like Texas. We do everything better than California. LOL, I'm just playing around so don't get too upset at me.
Tried to make an appointment to go into the store to get my wife an 11 but couldn't figure out how to set an appointment up, so we went into the store, it wasn't too busy but when i said I want an iPhone 11 they said I have to make an appointment (which I tried to do from home) and the next availability wasn't for like 3+ hours. We didn't want to just "kill 3 hours" walking around so we declined, went to the closest Verizon store and was in and out within an hour with her purple 11.
All the stores within an hour of me Providence, Boston, Solomon Pond Mall and legacy Place etc. are all busy even during the week. The best times to go with out an appointment on any day is right before they open. I’ve done it several times and still never waited that long so yes 45 minutes is excessive. I don’t know think that is an incorrect statement.
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we purchase the phones at regular retail. There’s no discount for buying iPhones at all.
Wanting to trade current phone in on 11 Pro model. Reluctant to use the mail in option for the trade in after reading of those sending in a phone in mint condition only to be told value is low for various reasons, so will buy at store. Local Apple store has not had color/storage option I want since release - unless I missed a day checking inventory. How long is it usually until in store stock is available?
Apple Store typically receives shipments on a daily basis. But they don't know what they are receiving until they open the box. Once they do, then they start updating the inventory. So check daily at 6 AM local time (at least in the U.S), that's when the site normally would show what's available for in-store.
Unfortunately we are in the age of “waiting” weather it’s for a cup of coffee or in a supermarket or a bank
So if anyone just walks into an Apple store without a reservation they shouldn’t be surprised that there’s a wait. Apple handles the crowds well even during the crazy times
So if anyone just walks into an Apple store without a reservation they shouldn’t be surprised that there’s a wait. Apple handles the crowds well even during the crazy times
Yeap but Apple for what ever reason gets let off this stupid idea... it’s just sad really and incredibly anti consumer. I literally do not know of any other store where to buy something you have to queue up and go away to queue up again several hours later! That’s one of the most stupid things I’ve heard actually. Well done Angela she must be proud!
I also bet they have deliberately under staffed the stores too though to cust costs, but of course you can get an iPhone in plenty of other places and I’m sure Apple would lose money then.
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Ots been like that for years with the iPhone, people still don’t believe it but Apple force its RRP to be charged for the iPhone, it’s why it rarely goes on sale whilst Android handsets drop in price steadily. That way Apple helps keep those record quarterly earnings.
The wife and I walked in the same store last New Years to “look” at the Max. A specialist walked up to us and asked us if we needed help. We ended up trading our old phones in for two Maxs’ and signed up for the upgrade every year program. The specialist helped us transfer everything over and do the backups. The entire process took only about 30 minutes. No standing in line or appointment. And the store was PACKED! The specialist was a really nice guy too which helped with our decision.
think of it more like virtual queuing. If there aren't enough staff to sell you a phone you have to wait - but instead of literally queuing, you can book a slot when they've predicted a sales person will be available for you, so you can go do something else and come back with your space reserved.
Yes it would be nice to just buy it - but if you're doing trade in, signing up for contracts, settling other contracts etc - it can take a little time.
Maybe they could pre-screen and if you're just buying sim free outright with no finance you can go in the same queue as if you're buying an ipad etc.
Yes it would be nice to just buy it - but if you're doing trade in, signing up for contracts, settling other contracts etc - it can take a little time.
Maybe they could pre-screen and if you're just buying sim free outright with no finance you can go in the same queue as if you're buying an ipad etc.
I picked up mine in 20 min. Prob depends on store, time and location. Also...Did you go when the iPhone 11 was just released?
Well, the original post is from September 25th...