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How is the buying process on release day?Organized or Chaos? Take a number? Any tips

MustangLife

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I'm gonna be going to get a Iphone4S on release day. This will be my first time on release day for a Iphone buying process. I live in a city of 250,000 and we have more at&t stores than we need if that makes since. Like they should probaly close a few. In a 2 mile radius there are 4 at&t stores. The store I am going to the at&t rep said they will have more than enough phones for day1.

On to the main questions. How is the process? Is it organized or just chaos? Do you take a number down. Are there lines or just piles of people. I just don't know what to expect. If my store opens at 9am can I just show up at 9 or get there at like 3 in the morning? Does getting there 5 min before opening vs 5 hours before opening play any roll if you get your phone quicker or slower?

Guys who've done the release day process chime in. Let me know what I'm in for. Tips are greatly appreciated.

FYI. There is only 1 Apple store here so thats a nah on me going there, lol.

Thanks in advance
Josh
 

ilwhana

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1 million pre-ordered Iphone 4S....
There still will be more people trying to buy on first day.
You might going to spend one hell of a time in a long line.
It might be better not to get one from the Apple. Go to local
network carrier.
 

MustangLife

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1 million pre-ordered Iphone 4S....
There still will be more people trying to buy on first day.
You might going to spend one hell of a time in a long line.
It might be better not to get one from the Apple. Go to local
network carrier.

Thats what i said I wasn't going through Apple and I have a at&t store picked out. Have any of you bought a iphone on the first day before no matter what carrier. BestBuy is getting in stores on the 14th also.I just want to know if it matters if I get that when the store opens vs getting there early in the night. Is it gonna matter when I get my phone. Like are the lines organized. Is a guy that got to the store at 9am going to be able to get a phone just as fast as the guy that spent the night?
 

Fausty82

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I've never been to an AT&T store on launch day. Been to the Apple store for several, and they are well organized inside the store. The lines are a party atmosphere, and lots of anxious customers. Free food and water, etc.

The AT&T store nearest to me is chaotic every time I go there - so personally, you would not catch me anywhere near that place on iPhone launch day. Good luck.

Look forward to your report on your experience!
 

Fausty82

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Thats what i said I wasn't going through Apple and I have a at&t store picked out. Have any of you bought a iphone on the first day before no matter what carrier. BestBuy is getting in stores on the 14th also.I just want to know if it matters if I get that when the store opens vs getting there early in the night. Is it gonna matter when I get my phone. Like are the lines organized. Is a guy that got to the store at 9am going to be able to get a phone just as fast as the guy that spent the night?

As far as when to get there, I'd keep an eye on the place - drive by several times and see what the line looks like.
 

xlipstickandbruisesx

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Agreed with the user above! I would maybe go a few hours before the store is going to open and see if there is a line starting to form. If there is, get in it lol and if there isn't I would still go back about an hour before the store opens. I would not wait until even late morning to go if you want it on Friday. I would rather be safe than worry and take a nap when I got home then go later and be without
 

pb&J

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To piggyback on the original question--I am planning to get an apple store gift certificate for a friend of mine and the only day available for me is Friday, no lie.

Is it easy to get non-iPhone merchandise in an apple store on launch day? Also, I'm going to the 5th ave NYC flagship store, am I just asking for trouble?
 

cardfan

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I wouldn't get too worried. It'll be a piece of cake getting an iphone friday compared to past launches.
 

Fausty82

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To piggyback on the original question--I am planning to get an apple store gift certificate for a friend of mine and the only day available for me is Friday, no lie.

Is it easy to get non-iPhone merchandise in an apple store on launch day? Also, I'm going to the 5th ave NYC flagship store, am I just asking for trouble?

Because of all the excitement and the throngs forming for the iPhone 4S, I'd personally stay away from the Apple stores on Friday if you're after anything but the iPhone. I often wondered about that - can you get a Genius Bar appointment for that day? What about the 1-to-1 training. I'm guessing that the GB is available, but the sheer number of people at the stores could make it fun/interesting/difficult.

I've never been to the NYC 5th Ave store, so I have no idea how it's laid out, but again, I'm guessing that they aren't going to be selling a lot of iPods or Macs on Friday.
 

EmceeGeek

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With experience, it will be CHAOS! Apple store is completely out of the question unless you'd like to camp out over night. Best Buy is usually cool if you show up a few hours before (I did that with the iPad 2 launch). AT&T is usually packed as well, so get there as early as you can. They also sell out pretty fast! I'm assuming if there is that many stores in one town, its because almost everyone probably has that service. Think how many people probably have iPhones. Just get there early! After they sell out, you won't find any for 2-3 weeks.
 

MustangLife

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With experience, it will be CHAOS! Apple store is completely out of the question unless you'd like to camp out over night. Best Buy is usually cool if you show up a few hours before (I did that with the iPad 2 launch). AT&T is usually packed as well, so get there as early as you can. They also sell out pretty fast! I'm assuming if there is that many stores in one town, its because almost everyone probably has that service. Think how many people probably have iPhones. Just get there early! After they sell out, you won't find any for 2-3 weeks.

Its already been confirmed the carriers stock is going to be through the roof. at&t reps said they're receiving more phones than they ever have and not possible to be sold out on day 1. I've heard numbers in the 20 million units range as far as phones made and being made.
 

MustangLife

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I will be happy on the sidewalk if I can with a charged up ipod and iphone4 that I'm exchanging and a backup full of goodies, lol.

Josh
 

CalifJewls

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Its already been confirmed the carriers stock is going to be through the roof. at&t reps said they're receiving more phones than they ever have and not possible to be sold out on day 1.

Our stand alone Verizon Stores have also said the same thing, they are going to have a large inventory and if you want an iPhone on launch day, there's no reason to line up hours early. This launch isn't as big as the launch of the iPhone 4 and so many Verizon customers that purchased the iPhone 4 can't upgrade and won't pay retail..

I did just start this thread earlier today though....so it will be interesting to see everyone's experience!

Be sure to let us know.. http://forums.tipb.com/iphone-4s-forum/220346-waiting-line-iphone-4s-release-day.html
 
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jeffym

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This will be my first time going to a store to buy a phone when it's released.

Once it's your turn, will they give you the phone, pay and you can leave? Or will they try and sell you accessories, make sure your plan is correct, etc.

I called the store and asked what it will be like that day and they only really told me they are charging $20 to transfer contacts since it will be so busy. I don't need help doing that.

Hopefully I can get the phone, pay and leave without too much issue.
 

jumpman2033

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I will also be hitting up a local AT&T on friday. I was told by a rep that they plan on getting 4 times the amount they got for the iP4. My local AT&T is inside a mall so people won't be able to line up directly outside. The mall opens at 7:00 and AT&T at 8:00. I will probably be showing up at the mall around 6:50 and if i notice big lines i will be stretching out my hamstrings, lol.
 

MustangLife

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I will also be hitting up a local AT&T on friday. I was told by a rep that they plan on getting 4 times the amount they got for the iP4. My local AT&T is inside a mall so people won't be able to line up directly outside. The mall opens at 7:00 and AT&T at 8:00. I will probably be showing up at the mall around 6:50 and if i notice big lines i will be stretching out my hamstrings, lol.

Luckily my at&t store I have picked is close to a residential neighborhood so maybe it will be the less busier ones. Another note, our Apple store is a mile or so from the at&t store. Best Buy, Apple, 4 at&t stores, 2 verizon stores, 2 sprint stores are all in a 1 to 1.5 mile radious from each other. I think the lines will be shortened because we have so many options.
 

bberrynewbie84

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Well I have no choice but to go to a Verizon corporate store since I'm using my last every two upgrade on this phone so I have too go there. I hoping they won't sale out of them.



Our stand alone Verizon Stores have also said the same thing, they are going to have a large inventory and if you want an iPhone on launch day, there's no reason to line up hours early. This launch isn't as big as the launch of the iPhone 4 and so many Verizon customers that purchased the iPhone 4 can't upgrade and won't pay retail..

I did just start this thread earlier today though....so it will be interesting to see everyone's experience!

Be sure to let us know.. http://forums.tipb.com/iphone-4s-fo...ce-purchasing-your-iphone-4s-release-day.html



Posted from a soon to be Iphone 4s
 

davjaxn

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I don't know the process for AT&T but I purchased my iPad 1 at my local Apple Store on launch day. Huge line, but they came out about an hour before the store opened and got info from those of us who had reserved one on line and those who had not they gave a ticket. That ticket guaranteed them an iPad (although after the reservations there were not many left!).

Honestly, if I were in your position I would simply pre-order one from Apple. If you did you would have it in your hands on or about October 28th. Not bad at all and certainly more certain than launch day. As someone here already mentioned, with over a million of these pre-sold the demand at carrier stores and at Apple Stores is going to be insane this Friday. Either way, good luck and post back to let us know how it went!
 

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