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Why doesn't Apple use a lottery for reservations?

"First come, first served?"...Those of us who ordered via AT&T know not of this madness ye speak!
 
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...

First come first serve is better and gives the best chance IMO
 
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...

People would line up anyway to get their name in the lottery so whats the point?

Some crazy people just like to line up, one day they will figure out you can order online and get the phone on your porch.
 
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...

How is this any different now? It is by chance that you get in an pick the correct way to order.

Some years it was better to go with your carrier site or apple.com. This year the best way was with the apple store app.

So it is still a lottery.
 
They do use a lottery. It's called the "luck of the internet server"

I usually have good luck. This year I couldn't get in for hours :(
 
this works for things like shoes because its very limited supply and once they are gone they are gone.

Doesn't work for phones because everyone will eventually get theirs sooner or later. Why have apple gain extra headache by coordinating such efforts if they know they are going to sell to everyone in the long run anyway?

Also, people could practically sell to the highest bidder if they won a lottery -- no matter how you establish payments prior etc etc.


Just doesn't fit this model of product at all. OP should feel sorry for himself for thinking of such a ludicrous idea, and spend the rest of his week in complete shame and embarrassment.
 
Korican100 said:
this works for things like shoes because its very limited supply and once they are gone they are gone.
Click to expand...

The people who didn't get launch day delivery would have option to be placed in line for soonest available delivery. Or they could opt out and go to the Apple Store in hopes of buying an iPhone in person.


Just doesn't fit this model of product at all. OP should feel sorry for himself for thinking of such a ludicrous idea, and spend the rest of his week in complete shame and embarrassment.
Click to expand...


Hahahahaha! I trade in crazy ideas. That's just who I am and I'm too old to change my ways.
 
Retired Cat said:
They aren't insignificant when it comes to network connections. The issue was so critical in stock exchange transactions that companies actually built fiber optic lines designed to give them this advantage in securities trading.

Ok, based on the majority of responses here, I get that most people don't want a lottery system for getting their phone delivered on launch day.


I thought that given all the complaints and angst over this year's pre-order website crash and headaches, people would have at least considered a system that avoids all of this hassle.
Click to expand...

.....coaxial cables, copper wires (RJ11 & RJ45) and fibre-optics all transmit at the speed of light.

I live in Singapore and it only takes me 0.18s for a signal to travel halfway across the world to the USA and back. If you're wondering how long 0.18s is, that's about the time you take to double-click your mouse.
 
What a flat out terrible idea. OR a person could just get their ass out of bed at 12/3am if they really want the phone.
 
cathyy said:
.....coaxial cables, copper wires (RJ11 & RJ45) and fibre-optics all transmit at the speed of light.



I live in Singapore and it only takes me 0.18s for a signal to travel halfway across the world to the USA and back. If you're wondering how long 0.18s is, that's about the time you take to double-click your mouse.
Click to expand...


It's not that simple. Internet traffic can have different speeds depending on how packets are routed and capacity of nodes to move packets around.

Maybe someone who is into FPS gaming can explain this better than I can, but fractions of a second count. Lag can make you lose.
 
ZBoater said:
Because as long as they sell out, Apple doesn't really care who gets one and who doesn't. Nor should they.
Click to expand...

This.

Everyone who wants one will get one eventually. Apple could care less what order. They care more about your credit card. :D
 
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