What time to go to Apple Store?

**mtmjr90** · 03-13-2012, 11:11 PM

Hey everyone,

Last year, there were no pre-orders so I just waited in line for 11 hours, but this year I pre-ordered. Does anyone out there know about how long a pre-order line is early in the morning?

I ask because if stores open at 8 and I have to be gone by 10am, will there be enough time? I'm thinking of getting there around 7-7:30... (and it's not a major metro area)

Thanks!

-mtmjr90

**alex.shimp** · 03-13-2012, 11:18 PM

Originally Posted by mtmjr90

Hey everyone,

Last year, there were no pre-orders so I just waited in line for 11 hours, but this year I pre-ordered. Does anyone out there know about how long a pre-order line is early in the morning?

I ask because if stores open at 8 and I have to be gone by 10am, will there be enough time? I'm thinking of getting there around 7-7:30... (and it's not a major metro area)

Thanks!

-mtmjr90

I reserved a iPhone 4 here at the Tampa apple store. I decided to go over the night before to "check it out" already had a sizable line at 9pm by the time the store opened the line was INSANE wrapping around the mall. Having preordered and reserved my phone and getting there the night before I was out by like 9 am.

**mtmjr90** · 03-13-2012, 11:20 PM

Did they separate the preorder line from the non preorder line?! If so...wow that's insane!

**alex.shimp** · 03-14-2012, 07:15 AM

they actually did, once you got into the mall, they had a line for those of use that reserved, and one line for walkups. The staff came out starting about like 5. 5:30am, and started checking everyone in who reserved, and checking in those that were walkups by giving them a little card representing their phone.

**kiwiruss** · 03-14-2012, 09:41 AM

I walked into the local Best Buy store in the evening of IPAD 2 launch day and and asked about IPADs and they have one 64GB wifi only model left, so I bought it.

**Xm_jdm** · 03-14-2012, 02:52 PM

I underestimated the 4S launch and decided to wait until the day of launch. That was a mistake. It was sold out everywhere. IF I were to be getting one on launch day I would call it an early line up

**Garz** · 03-14-2012, 03:31 PM

Get there as early as you are willing to get there. People will camp out. Others will get there a couple hours early. How bad you want one?

**mtmjr90** · 03-14-2012, 05:52 PM

Well I'm guaranteed one cause I preordered...I called an they said there would be a separate line for preorders so I figured getting there an hour or so before opening would be okay=/

**dandbj13** · 03-14-2012, 07:50 PM

You mean you're not already there?

**Joelist** · 03-14-2012, 11:41 PM

The website is not allowing preorders for Apple Store pickup, so it seems the only option is to line up.

**mtmjr90** · 03-15-2012, 01:17 AM

It did allow store pickup on the first day of preorders

**alex.shimp** · 03-15-2012, 11:06 AM

The mall that the Tampa Apple Store is located in has already blocked off parking spots. May have to swing by after work and see how many people are lined up

**mtmjr90** · 03-15-2012, 11:47 AM

Of course there has to be a torrential downpour today/tonight/tomorrow where I live. Typical.

**decarlo4** · 03-15-2012, 11:02 PM

Originally Posted by XM_JDM

I underestimated the 4S launch and decided to wait until the day of launch. That was a mistake. It was sold out everywhere. IF I were to be getting one on launch day I would call it an early line up

On launch day I walked into my local Apple store around noon and bought 2 iPhone 4s. I returned 3 days later and swapped out one for a different color and there was available stock. My local store had a huge stock and stayed busy the first few days.