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Why doesn't Apple use a lottery for reservations?

R

Retired Cat

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jun 12, 2013
1,210
380
Instead of having people up at 12 Midnight or 3AM Eastern, a lottery would be a better system.

Say, 2 weeks before launch day, have 3-4 days where people can sign up to have name drawn for getting the new iPhone at launch. People indicate the config they want and option for alternate configs. Having this take place over a few days ensures that everyone has a fair chance to enter.

1 week before launch, names drawn. For each person chosen, if the option (or alternate indicated) is available, they get that device for delivery on launch day.

This would avoid late night headaches.

This would give a fair chance to people.
 
Awful idea. Anybody could put their name down and this ending up with a bunch of people who can't even pay for it with a reservation.
 
Trying to do that, in multiple countries, with multiple carriers (all of whom have their allotments already) would be a huge cluster... foul-up.

And of course it's only a late-night headache in North and South America.
 
i get that a lottery system might be more fair, and it would make it so people don't have to wait out in the dark and cold. but i think my chances of scoring a 6 plus in particular are improved by waiting in line, putting up with the cold and the wait when many people aren't.
 
Retired Cat said:
Instead of having people up at 12 Midnight or 3AM Eastern, a lottery would be a better system.

Say, 2 weeks before launch day, have 3-4 days where people can sign up to have name drawn for getting the new iPhone at launch. People indicate the config they want and option for alternate configs. Having this take place over a few days ensures that everyone has a fair chance to enter.

1 week before launch, names drawn. For each person chosen, if the option (or alternate indicated) is available, they get that device for delivery on launch day.

This would avoid late night headaches.

This would give a fair chance to people.
Click to expand...

So you didn't get one for launch day, huh? Sorry about that.
 
We're buying a phone, not Jordan's or Yeezy's. People actually need these to make a living. If they want it bad enough they'll line up.
 
That would be a huge buzzkill.

The anticipation, anxiety, anger, frustration followed by the rush, the thrill and the joy of finally scrambling and managing to find a new iPhone is a large part of the almost ritualistic frenzy that Apple whips up for its customers every year. And most people like that.
 
Retired Cat said:
Instead of having people up at 12 Midnight or 3AM Eastern, a lottery would be a better system. :::snip:::
Click to expand...

No matter what the system, it will inevitably be unfair to someone and favor someone else. It's human nature to prefer the most personally advantageous method. The choice often comes down to merit vs. chance, and our preference varies with circumstance. If you believe that the reward should go to the most deserving, chances are that your definition of "deserving" matches your personal traits. If you prefer chance, you lack the (apparently) favored traits.

I did my homework, so I knew when pre-orders went on sale. I work late hours, so I managed to be awake at 3:01 am EDT, for all the good it did me. I had a noon business meeting, so by 4:01 am, despite my superior intelligence, natural advantage, and hard work, I went to bed empty handed. I gave it another try about six hours later, before I headed out to my meeting. I was in luck! The model I wanted was still available for 9/19 delivery (or 19/9, your pick). Had I wanted a different color and capacity, I'd have snoozed and lost. Shall I attribute the results to, "Winners never quit, and quitters never win," or "dumb luck?" All I know is, early did not get this bird the worm, and I doubt either nature or nurture played a role.
 
Vertigo50 said:
So you didn't get one for launch day, huh? Sorry about that.
Click to expand...


No, and I didn't even bother trying, because I want to try both the 6 and 6+ at the store first.

mtneer said:
That would be a huge buzzkill.



The anticipation, anxiety, anger, frustration followed by the rush, the thrill and the joy of finally scrambling and managing to find a new iPhone is a large part of the almost ritualistic frenzy that Apple whips up for its customers every year. And most people like that.
Click to expand...


Weird. I like convenience. This pre-order process sound like torture from all the angsty stuff I see here and on Twitter.

skyhawkmatthew said:
Or, move to Australia. I ordered my new iPhone when preorders opened at 5pm Friday arvo, beer in hand.
Click to expand...


Haha, that's great! I hope that beer was extra good too :)
 
Retired Cat said:
...This pre-order process sound like torture from all the angsty stuff I see here and on Twitter...
Click to expand...

And THAT is where you went wrong. To think this forum or twitter is in any way indicative of reality.

It's like walking into the insane asylum and asking "anyone crazy in here?" "Gee, based on how many crazy people are in here, the whole world must be nuts!"
 
How is the current system any less 'fair' than a balloting based system?

First come first serves sounds pretty fair to me as it is.
 
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