TL;DR: IUP link is a backdoor, but reps will let you purchase a phone
I was on the fence about getting a 7 Plus for a while but ultimately decided the camera alone would be worth it, plus I love the new black color.
I tried many methods: going to the Apple Store and waiting in line in the morning (only to find out that they had one gold phone in stock), scouring other big box stores (only to have them laugh at me), and trying to reserve a phone only to see "no availability" over and over.
It took me a while to find out that iStockNow linked to the IUP page directly. The page let's you pick a location and a phone/capacity/carrier and tells you if it is available. It is *way* more accurate and reliable compared to the normal "check availability" screen (didn't understand why until later). The phone I wanted was available quite far away from me, so I picked the last reservation time thinking I could always go in earlier (confirmed by apple rep -- you can go in earlier than the time but never later).
I arrived at the store and was promptly greeted by the salesperson. The person took my information and asked if I was on IUP. I told them no but would sign up if I could. The person was confused and asked if I entered in an IMEI and other information about my phone. I actually didn't have to since the page didn't ask. They then went to the back room and I was alone for 10 minutes. After a while, I began to worry that my drive was for nothing. Eventually though, they came out with the phone but told me I *have to* sign up in order to get this phone, as it is reserved for IUP members only. They were not upset by it, just confused as to how I managed to reserve a phone anyway. I apologized (I really didn't know this when I first placed the order... all I saw was the link above and I used it) and said I would happily join. In the end, the mission was a success and I now am a proud 7 owner.
I was told during the conversation that the IUP page shows phones reserved for those on the IUP -- these are priority compared to the "free stock" that Apple may provide later (usually if someone misses an appointment or at the EOD). I feel kinda bad for using the service now, but I tried to reconcile that by joining the program for future use. I can only imagine the scalpers using this service to do the same and then turning around and selling the phone for profit...
I was on the fence about getting a 7 Plus for a while but ultimately decided the camera alone would be worth it, plus I love the new black color.
I tried many methods: going to the Apple Store and waiting in line in the morning (only to find out that they had one gold phone in stock), scouring other big box stores (only to have them laugh at me), and trying to reserve a phone only to see "no availability" over and over.
It took me a while to find out that iStockNow linked to the IUP page directly. The page let's you pick a location and a phone/capacity/carrier and tells you if it is available. It is *way* more accurate and reliable compared to the normal "check availability" screen (didn't understand why until later). The phone I wanted was available quite far away from me, so I picked the last reservation time thinking I could always go in earlier (confirmed by apple rep -- you can go in earlier than the time but never later).
I arrived at the store and was promptly greeted by the salesperson. The person took my information and asked if I was on IUP. I told them no but would sign up if I could. The person was confused and asked if I entered in an IMEI and other information about my phone. I actually didn't have to since the page didn't ask. They then went to the back room and I was alone for 10 minutes. After a while, I began to worry that my drive was for nothing. Eventually though, they came out with the phone but told me I *have to* sign up in order to get this phone, as it is reserved for IUP members only. They were not upset by it, just confused as to how I managed to reserve a phone anyway. I apologized (I really didn't know this when I first placed the order... all I saw was the link above and I used it) and said I would happily join. In the end, the mission was a success and I now am a proud 7 owner.
I was told during the conversation that the IUP page shows phones reserved for those on the IUP -- these are priority compared to the "free stock" that Apple may provide later (usually if someone misses an appointment or at the EOD). I feel kinda bad for using the service now, but I tried to reconcile that by joining the program for future use. I can only imagine the scalpers using this service to do the same and then turning around and selling the phone for profit...