Agreed, however just as Apple apparently cannot penalise the scalpers, they similarly couldn't penalise potential new customers.
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UK iPhone 5s and 5c Thread
- Thread starter Taylor-C
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Agreed, however just as Apple apparently cannot penalise the scalpers, they similarly couldn't penalise potential new customers.
I should imagine they get less stock at Stratford as they are a smaller store and I know in the past the White City has received less stock. Depending on where you live and how you are planning to travel, I'd try Stratford if no joy, go on the Central Line straight to Oxford Circus.
The main issue will be waiting in line.
If one store has low or no stock, by the time you get to the other one, all the scalpers will be out in force.
I've never heard of the word 'scalpers' before. Interesting because on the launch day at Lakeside there was not a single white person in the queue inside, and less than 5% of white people in the outside. Now if this was Stratford or Central London I would just have assumed it was a little bit odd but not unbelievable. However, I rarely see any people of an ethnic background at Lakeside in Essex on a normal day so it was a bit of a shock. I didn't want to post this on forums as I thought I'd be accused of being racist (and I'm sure there were some who were genuine buyers). Not seen this in previous years but then I pre-ordered online last year so perhaps it was happening.
Whilst I get that people will be opportunistic, it's a real shame for the genuine end users who want the device. Everyone leaving the store that day had two phones though and some were selling to bystanders immediately.
Whilst I get that people will be opportunistic, it's a real shame for the genuine end users who want the device. Everyone leaving the store that day had two phones though and some were selling to bystanders immediately.
The main issue will be waiting in line.
If one store has low or no stock, by the time you get to the other one, all the scalpers will be out in force.
White city just told me only 64GB space grey left, and long queue already. Will be gone if you aren't already there.
The main issue will be waiting in line.
If one store has low or no stock, by the time you get to the other one, all the scalpers will be out in force.
I agree. It's difficult to know what to do. That's why I wish Apple would do reservations like previous years or the pay and collect they did for one day (in the US) the other day. It's fairer and linked to your Apple ID so less chance of being exploited. However, I got a little slated on another thread for dare saying that Apple could've handled this better.
I presume you factored in the Chinese National Day holidays? Who is going to be doing the work when it's a minimum 3 day legal holiday?
I'm looking to get a white 64gb, even though a lot of places seem to have greys.
Before, the higher capacities were the ones that was easier to find since they were the most expensive ones to buy.
The scalpers on the other hand seem to buy EVERYTHING.
This is sadly Tim Cooks doing. I don't expect the coming years to be any better!
I think it's clear that there is truth to the policy of increasing Apple store footfall.
I forget when that story broke, but the evidence from this week proves that Apple want customers going into Apple stores to buy the iPhone.
We have seen stock and replenished stock in the UK, whilst online orders from 8 hours in advance of the stores opening/launch remain at 7-10 days despatch.
I don't see any other reason for online orders to be penalised in this way - as usually online orders are the preferred (cost-effective) method of product selling.
I wonder if Apple's press release about 9 million iPhones in opening weekend includes online orders? If so, that is well cheeky!!
I forget when that story broke, but the evidence from this week proves that Apple want customers going into Apple stores to buy the iPhone.
We have seen stock and replenished stock in the UK, whilst online orders from 8 hours in advance of the stores opening/launch remain at 7-10 days despatch.
I don't see any other reason for online orders to be penalised in this way - as usually online orders are the preferred (cost-effective) method of product selling.
I wonder if Apple's press release about 9 million iPhones in opening weekend includes online orders? If so, that is well cheeky!!
That's an interesting question, since they technically put a hold on the money on your card.
I'm not sure they have this time.
I've had a pending charge sitting on my card since when I ordered last Thursday night but it is only £2. I assume that it is Apple preauthorising a charge, but there is no hold for the cost of a phone.
Has anyone else got a hold for the full amount?
to answer your question. no, i don't. do you?
believe it or not, but some companies in china (not just Foxconn) STILL don't give a flying two cents about the chinese holidays.
This is from last year, but I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest, if nothing changed since then
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ers-strike-ordered-work-national-holiday.html
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I still have got a hold for the full amount on my debitcard.
Not sure if this is of any use to anybody, but during my confrontations with the scalpers this morning (see my previous posts in this thread), I discovered the following bit of information suggesting which phones they go after first. For those who don't know how the system works, when you're in line you have to specify which phone(s) you want, for which you're then given a ticket. The tickets are allocated to the number they have in stock, so if a ticket for one model runs out, they have no more and you're asked if you want another or leave. I stood by the card distributor for several minutes and listened out to scalpers as they asked for their models. The priority for them seemed to be as follows:
1. 64GB Gold
2. 64GB Silver
3. 16GB Gold
4. 64GB Grey
5. 32GB Gold
6. 32GB Silver
7. 16GB Silver
8. 16GB Grey
9. 32GB Grey
1. 64GB Gold
2. 64GB Silver
3. 16GB Gold
4. 64GB Grey
5. 32GB Gold
6. 32GB Silver
7. 16GB Silver
8. 16GB Grey
9. 32GB Grey
It's not just Foxconn though, it's the transport company who moves the stock from Foxconn the the distribution point, the staff at the distribution centre who have to process the stock, the transport to the air hub, and then the staff at the air hub who process and pack onto the planes.
Things slow down greatly in China over that week.
I'm sure they do, on the other hand China is one place where a bit of extra cash works wonders in making things happen.
I popped into Regent Street at 12.30 and just as I arrived they had one 32GB Space Grey ticket left.
They were doing a good job with the scalpers though, with security telling a lot of them to leave or staff quickly recognizing repeat customers!
Guess for those of us that can't there before lunch will have to wait for Apple's 7 - 10 day dispatch window!
They were doing a good job with the scalpers though, with security telling a lot of them to leave or staff quickly recognizing repeat customers!
Guess for those of us that can't there before lunch will have to wait for Apple's 7 - 10 day dispatch window!
No, I hadn't factored it in.
I suppose it could feasibly be a reason for the discrepancy between dispatch and delivery dates although you would think that Apple would try to avoid thousands of completed phones sitting around in China.
The 7-10 day dispatch estimate clearly suggests that Foxconn will be open as Apple wouldn't have advised thousands of people of a dispatch date that can't possibly be met. It could mean that the delivery will take longer than usual though.
Has anyone had any luck at the Trafford Centre?
I have a 64GB Space Grey on order ordered at 12.01am online but would cancel if I could get one in store.
I have a 64GB Space Grey on order ordered at 12.01am online
but would cancel if I could get one in store.
THIS!
Also, I wouldn't be surprised if the phones left for europe, before the holidays start! ( I think before the 30th would make the most sense (not only because it would mean 7-10 days dispatch is fulfilled).
Suppliers have asked us at my work to put orders in before the holidays so they could ship before the golden week starts, even though they work some days of the golden week.
7-10 days dispatch means shipping BEFORE the holiday starts (before or on the 30th).
October dispatch means shipping AFTER the holidays (after the 7th of Oct.).
There was a big delivery of phones at Bromley London Apple store. There were still phones available even an hour after opening time.
Debit or Credit?
I think a full hold is always kept on a debit card, but with credit cards it is just a preauthorisation at a small amount and then the full charge when they ship.