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What's the secret to pre-ordering?

I

idealcheese

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 18, 2014
157
93
Last year I set my alarm for 3 am to preorder the jet black 7+ but I got burned. I had pre-favorited the model I wanted to speed up checkout, but when it was supposed to go live all I got was a message that the store was updating and would be back online soon. I refreshed repeatedly and by the time I finally got in, most configs were already at 6-8 weeks shipping. I have no idea why I was not able to access the store while others were busy snatching up the supply.

Like a dumb idiot I plan on trying my luck again for the X because I don't want to wait months to get one. Are there any kind souls here who can spare some advice on the best tactics to snag an X when the mad rush begins? TIA!
 
idealcheese said:
Last year I set my alarm for 3 am to preorder the jet black 7+ but I got burned. I had pre-favorited the model I wanted to speed up checkout, but when it was supposed to go live all I got was a message that the store was updating and would be back online soon. I refreshed repeatedly and by the time I finally got in, most configs were already at 6-8 weeks shipping. I have no idea why I was not able to access the store while others were busy snatching up the supply.

Like a dumb idiot I plan on trying my luck again for the X because I don't want to wait months to get one. Are there any kind souls here who can spare some advice on the best tactics to snag an X when the mad rush begins? TIA!
Click to expand...

Make sure your billing/shipping information is up-to-date. Make sure your credit card information is up-to-date. Preselect the iPhone that you want in your favorites.

I would suggest using the mobile application versus the desktop application. It's easier to navigate through.
 
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Relentless Power said:
Make sure your billing/shipping information is up-to-date. Make sure your credit card information is up-to-date. Preselect the iPhone that you want in your favorites.

I would suggest using the mobile application versus the desktop application. It's easier to navigate through.
Click to expand...

All great advice—except that's exactly what I did last year. The problem wasn't checking out, it was getting into the store! I was even refreshing on my Mac and 2 iOS devices at the same time.

That reminds me to ask: if I want to enroll in the IUP during the order, is that likely to slow down checkout considerably? Is there any way to pre-enroll in the program to ensure a fast checkout?
[doublepost=1506280472][/doublepost]
Newtons Apple said:
Use the Apple App.
Click to expand...

That's what I did last year, but I was locked out for a good 15+ minutes after pre-orders began.
 
idealcheese said:
All great advice—except that's exactly what I did last year. The problem wasn't checking out, it was getting into the store! I was even refreshing on my Mac and 2 iOS devices at the same time.

That reminds me to ask: if I want to enroll in the IUP during the order, is that likely to slow down checkout considerably? Is there any way to pre-enroll in the program to ensure a fast checkout?
[doublepost=1506280472][/doublepost]

That's what I did last year, but I was locked out for a good 15+ minutes after pre-orders began.
Click to expand...

Did you totally close down the app to refresh?
 
idealcheese said:
All great advice—except that's exactly what I did last year. The problem wasn't checking out, it was getting into the store! I was even refreshing on my Mac and 2 iOS devices at the same time.

That reminds me to ask: if I want to enroll in the IUP during the order, is that likely to slow down checkout considerably? Is there any way to pre-enroll in the program to ensure a fast checkout?
[doublepost=1506280472][/doublepost]

That's what I did last year, but I was locked out for a good 15+ minutes after pre-orders began.
Click to expand...
Signing up for the IU program will slow things down for you. You have to fill out paper work and they have to do a credit check. I know that you can go to the site now and pre enroll in the program.

As for the “secret” to pre-orders, there isn’t one. It’s purly based on chance, but there are some things you can do to raise your chances of getting a pre-order.

As others have said, you’ll have best results using the Apple app. I see you’ve already used it and also refreshed on your Mac. That’s exactly what I did last year and I got a launch day 7+.

My only other advice would be to wake up 20 minutes before pre-orders open. That way you’re awake and have time to get to the computer and start checking the store repeatedly. Don’t forget to also check on the phone.

Of course update all your info before hand and favorite your device configuration.
If you’re planning on doing the IU 0program and are a t-mobile customer, you’ll have to go to a store to get signed up.

Best of luck!
 
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No secret. The server is random. Just dumb luck and pray it doesn’t crash between cart and check out.
 
Will it slow down the process to have split screen Apple app and Apple Store? Or 2 websites, Apple and Verizon?
 
The secret is to not pre-order at all and line up the day before launch day. It always works unless you are too far behind in the line.
 
Newtons Apple said:
I have got the last 4 iPhones on introduction day by using the app.

Have no idea why you were locked out. Sometimes life is not fair.
Click to expand...

Had every iPhone I think for the past five years ship to me. Cause of the X launch I didn’t even bother having it shipped. Walked into my Apple store this morning. Walked right out with a phone.
 
deadworlds said:
Signing up for the IU program will slow things down for you. You have to fill out paper work and they have to do a credit check. I know that you can go to the site now and pre enroll in the program.

As for the “secret” to pre-orders, there isn’t one. It’s purly based on chance, but there are some things you can do to raise your chances of getting a pre-order.

As others have said, you’ll have best results using the Apple app. I see you’ve already used it and also refreshed on your Mac. That’s exactly what I did last year and I got a launch day 7+.

My only other advice would be to wake up 20 minutes before pre-orders open. That way you’re awake and have time to get to the computer and start checking the store repeatedly. Don’t forget to also check on the phone.

Of course update all your info before hand and favorite your device configuration.
If you’re planning on doing the IU 0program and are a t-mobile customer, you’ll have to go to a store to get signed up.

Best of luck!
Click to expand...
Why do people keep saying iPhone upgrade program delays. Before you finish filling out he paper work they lock you into a delievery date. As long as you are approved you get that.
 
michael31986 said:
Why do people keep saying iPhone upgrade program delays. Before you finish filling out he paper work they lock you into a delievery date. As long as you are approved you get that.
Click to expand...

Ive heard of people putting the item in their cart with a "Locked in delivery date" and the confirmation email showing a later delivery date. I'm pretty sure you aren't guaranteed a delivery date until your purchase is finalized and paid for.
 
Sounds like it was just bad luck. The server was no doubt very busy. Factors beyond your control kept you from being able to connect while others were more fortunate.
 
In the UK we don’t fill anything out for the IUP online, we have to do it in store so we reserve one online then have to go to the store to fill out paperwork and collect the phone.

I also had trouble getting in last year using the app and website, it was 8:10am when I got in (pre orders go live at 8am in the UK)

I’d love to know if they split stock allocation between IUP and outright purchasing, because it’s quicker to buy it outright so I’d rather do that if it means getting one sooner, but if stock allocation is separate I’d go for whichever has most stock!

In the UK we can only buy sim free from Apple so no messing around picking carriers or price plans, you either do the IUP or pay the full price upfront.
 
deadworlds said:
Ive heard of people putting the item in their cart with a "Locked in delivery date" and the confirmation email showing a later delivery date. I'm pretty sure you aren't guaranteed a delivery date until your purchase is finalized and paid for.
Click to expand...
You are absolutely correct. Until the item purchase is finalized and purchased, a delivery date is not guaranteed.
 
Do a traceroute to compare your home, mobile, and work VPN connections to apple.com. Connect directly to the router.

Use the connection with the lowest packet loss and ping.
 
JPack said:
Do a traceroute to compare your home, mobile, and work VPN connections to apple.com. Connect directly to the router.

Use the connection with the lowest packet loss and ping.
Click to expand...

Wow, people take this very seriously! I'm probably going to order from my bedroom, where the wifi sometimes craps out because the router is in my basement. I'll let you know how it works out for me!
 
democracyrules said:
You are absolutely correct. Until the item purchase is finalized and purchased, a delivery date is not guaranteed.
Click to expand...
Hmm. Sounds strange to do that. I get if not approved to not lock you in but otherwise that’s dumb.

How long is the Apple iPhone upgrade application online
 
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