Some Apple stores have had lines form in front of them for no reason at all! It's the psychology of event marketing. Given a reason (3G + GPS, etc.), the likelyhood of lines will be that much higher.
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Why do people think there will be lines?
- Thread starter WhySoSerious
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I thought the commercial shown at WWDC was the one that was filmed at the 5th Ave store?.....
Yea... the general public sees the $199 price point. Suddenly they think they can afford the phone.
They wait in line only to get up to the register to find out that they can't afford the plans for it, or they don't qualify.
The iPhone is pretty much still the same price as the old one. In the long run, anyway.
And I also think that there will be longer lines simply from people wanting to get into the store to try the iphone.
They wait in line only to get up to the register to find out that they can't afford the plans for it, or they don't qualify.
The iPhone is pretty much still the same price as the old one. In the long run, anyway.
And I also think that there will be longer lines simply from people wanting to get into the store to try the iphone.
I certainly hope to be in line at the local O2 on 11th July. Does anyone know if they will be available in the morning or will we have to wait until the US wakes up?
Don't get your vines in a twist, I'd say it's a pretty accurate statement. The iPhone 3G is a standard iPhone with only two new features (3G, GPS), a couple tweaks, and a new price. It's a small (though important) evolution, and as such, it isn't really worth people lining up for. The people who wanted an iPhone but couldn't afford it won't be there at launch, because Apple hasn't really advertised to those people yet, so the potential line-causing people will only be folks who already have an iPhone and really want 3G and/or GPS and the few regular folk who managed to find out about the iPhone 3G.
LOL I agree. At least people here in Orlando seem to have nothing else better to do than wait in line. So, I fully expect lines here. As I've said before in other posts about this, if people in my area camp out a day or two in advance for an IKEA grand opening
they'll camp out for the newest electronic device as well.I wont camp out, but will probably get in line an hour or 2 before open.
I imagine there won't really be lines/queues in areas with no 3G coverage, but in areas where there is, who knows? I hope not, especially if the line is outdoors. I'm photosensitive and can't be out in the sun very long, so that would be a no-go for me.
coupel fo things i don't get.. why do peopel keep saying that when tehy get to the register it will be like 399? taxes and activation fee can t run up 200 bucks..the other thing is, the new phone is "cheaper", i knwo alot of people that can pay an extra 40 bucks a month in their bills but won t be able to toss out 400 or 500 bucks at once, 200 bucks at once, not so much a problem...
I've seen (and stood in) lines for new Mac OS. There will certainly be lines at the Apple Store for this, and subsequent releases of the iPhone. Not just from people looking to buy, but people who want to walk in a play with it. Will there be lines at AT&T stores? I'm sure there will be some, but not as big as the initial iPhone launch.
i'm not sure you're understanding, maybe i can elaborate a bit.
the phone is 199/299 IF you are eligible for that price. not everyone will be able to buy the 3G for 199/299. if a customer isn't qualified for that "special" price, then when they get up to the register, they will have to pay the "real" price, which hasn't been determined yet, but speculation can be set around 399-599.
someone else may be able to clear it up better than i attempted, so keep checking back.
oh okay, so you are talking about non subsidized hardware, as in you are nto a new customer or not eligible, understandable. But also, if you were in line for so long, and really want it, some poeple will just pull out the next credit card and use it for that, im sur ethey thought of that too...some won't caus ethey just dont have the extra cash but some will.. and that some that will are extra customers that they probably would not get if they had not even showed up because teh price was 399 or 499 to begin with, gues we r goignt o have to chekc what the price for the phone without a contract (if availabe i think it will) is..
Everyone is eligible. They require a new 2 yr contract no matter what. No phones will be sold for more than 199./299 period. This has been stated a million times already.
Everyone is eligible. They require a new 2 yr contract no matter what. No phones will be sold for more than 199./299 period. This has been stated a million times already.
really? well, that's news to me! i didn't know that everyone will pay either 199 or 299.
since i haven't heard this for myself, but you say it's been stated already, would you be kind enough to post a link or something for verification?
Everyone is eligible. They require a new 2 yr contract no matter what. No phones will be sold for more than 199./299 period. This has been stated a million times already.
Don't you mean, "This rumor has been stated a million times already."? There has not been an official announcement of this and there has been information that has suggested otherwise.
Up to now I am aware of no official information saying that this is the case, just rumors / suggestions on this site. There are press releases / memos from AT&T stating that there will be qualifications for the $199/$299 price.Everyone is eligible. They require a new 2 yr contract no matter what. No phones will be sold for more than 199./299 period. This has been stated a million times already.
Please share the official AT&T link stating that "everyone is eligible."
Either on the AT&T or Apple website the prices 199/299 are starred and the note on the bottom of the page says this is the price IF you are eligible. So if the price is 199/299 for everyone, why would they say that?
there will probably be lines... it might be almost the same phone, but it's the 3G... a lot of people have been waiting for it... also, it's new and exciting and from apple... i am predicting lines...
Here is my $.02...
I'm guessing there will be lines outside the stores, but likely not the same as in the past. Some folks like lines, others don't. Some folks want the phone, others don't. Some folks can afford the phone (and given the economy right now) other's can't. I do think there will be lines and it will be an exciting day, I just don't expect to see the types of lines that were there last year.
My conern isn't the line to buy the phone, my concern is the line that may form to activate the phone. In my Apple Store (as are other's I'm sure) every emplyoee has a portable card reader and can ring up your order anywhere in the store. My guess is that it will be same on 7/11/08.
So, you purchase your phone, but then what? Do you have to get into another line to have it activated? Will there be ATT folks there to help? Do the Apple Store employees have to do it themselves? Is it through iTunes? etc etc etc
The part that concerns me is the second half of the purchasing process.
Speaking of regional differences (queueing vs lines), here's one for ya...
Waiting 'on-line' vs waiting 'in-line'. Here in the Midwest, we say wait 'in line' but folks in the NE prefer to say to wait 'online'. Seems confusing to wait online cause that makes me think of the internet(s), but heck that's just me!
I'm guessing there will be lines outside the stores, but likely not the same as in the past. Some folks like lines, others don't. Some folks want the phone, others don't. Some folks can afford the phone (and given the economy right now) other's can't. I do think there will be lines and it will be an exciting day, I just don't expect to see the types of lines that were there last year.
My conern isn't the line to buy the phone, my concern is the line that may form to activate the phone. In my Apple Store (as are other's I'm sure) every emplyoee has a portable card reader and can ring up your order anywhere in the store. My guess is that it will be same on 7/11/08.
So, you purchase your phone, but then what? Do you have to get into another line to have it activated? Will there be ATT folks there to help? Do the Apple Store employees have to do it themselves? Is it through iTunes? etc etc etc
The part that concerns me is the second half of the purchasing process.
Speaking of regional differences (queueing vs lines), here's one for ya...
Waiting 'on-line' vs waiting 'in-line'. Here in the Midwest, we say wait 'in line' but folks in the NE prefer to say to wait 'online'.
Seems confusing to wait online cause that makes me think of the internet(s), but heck that's just me!
Now, now. Let's be civil.
Anyway, I have a suggestion.
Everyone stay home the first day so you don't have to wait in line.
I will go and check it out and get mine, then I will give the all clear and you guys can then go get one.
OK?
Hilarious!
They're only lines if you wait in them!i hope there aren't lines. I hates lines. I get really impatient.
LAST YEAR'S iPHONE EXPERIENCE (personal experience):
1. Get in line at Apple Store - wait a bit.*
2. Swipe credit card when at the front of the line.
3. Sign credit card receipt.
4. Leave store.
TOTAL TIME: 2.5 minutes (plus time spent in line - varied by individual).
*Your wait time may vary - mine was ~0 minutes as I waited until Sunday
THIS YEAR'S iPHONE EXPERIENCE (predicted)
1. Get in line at (APPLE, AT&T) Store.
2. Swipe credit card when at the front of the line.
3. Sign credit card receipt.
4. Wait for 15-45 minutes for the phone activation.**
5. Leave store.
TOTAL TIME: 2.5 minutes + 10 to 45 minutes + time in line
**Shorter for existing customers, longer for new customers, potentially even longer for customers porting a number.
PREDICTION: If there are only 1/4 the number of iPhone purchasers as last year, the lines will be longer than last year's.
Here is my $.02...
I'm guessing there will be lines outside the stores, but likely not the same as in the past. Some folks like lines, others don't. Some folks want the phone, others don't. Some folks can afford the phone (and given the economy right now) other's can't. I do think there will be lines and it will be an exciting day, I just don't expect to see the types of lines that were there last year.
My conern isn't the line to buy the phone, my concern is the line that may form to activate the phone. In my Apple Store (as are other's I'm sure) every emplyoee has a portable card reader and can ring up your order anywhere in the store. My guess is that it will be same on 7/11/08.
So, you purchase your phone, but then what? Do you have to get into another line to have it activated? Will there be ATT folks there to help? Do the Apple Store employees have to do it themselves? Is it through iTunes? etc etc etc
The part that concerns me is the second half of the purchasing process.
Speaking of regional differences (queueing vs lines), here's one for ya...
Waiting 'on-line' vs waiting 'in-line'. Here in the Midwest, we say wait 'in line' but folks in the NE prefer to say to wait 'online'.
i like that regional difference you brought up
....anyway, back to the topic.how did the apple and att stores handle activation for the v1 iphone? i didn't buy one, so i have no frame of reference. all i know is, most people bought the hardware, went home, plugged it into itunes and done. but did att/apple do any activations right there in the store if someone wanted it done that way?
if not, how do you think they will activate the 3G? do they just key in a serial and then pass you the phone to finish at home on itunes?
i like that regional difference you brought up
They allowed you to buy the phone in store and activate it via iTunes at home. It took about 5 minutes and I hear it was very easy to do - essentially just like setting up your iPod.
The only reason I think there will be lines is for all the new IPhone buyers (like myself) that will need to activate the phone in the store. My plan is to purchase my phone at the local AT&T store, but if there's much of a line I'll probably wait a few days. While I am excited and looking forward to getting the new phone, a few more days won't matter.