I was thinking about this last night. I’d go to bed early Thursday night and get up and head to the store at the mall and line up. And wait for like 6 hours. It was boring but kinda funny at the same time.
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Other Anyone miss the days of standing in line?
- Thread starter Jumpie
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Never did, and never would. That’s just for young people I guess.
Not really. Ordering online and getting the iPhone shipped to the door at launch day is awesome. 
Absolutely. I remember standing in line for the OS X Leopard release, it was pretty cool.
This is from the iPhone 4 Launch in 2010. That year... I got my iPhone delivered 2 days early... so I had the iPhone 4... recording at the iPhone 4 in person launch. I met up with my cousin, because I snagged an extra reservation... so I was letting him use it to get his iPhone. The funny thing is that I happened to wear a blue t-shirt... and the apple employees were wearing blue shirts... so here I am with an iPhone 4 in my hands... a blue shirt... and people thought I worked for Apple... and kept approaching me asking to play with the phone. 🤣
Oh, I don't know about that -- a friend and I, both beyond middle age, spent several iPhone launches in line at the Apple store -- it was fun and it wasn't tiring if one came prepared with something to sit on, a bottle of water and a snack, whatever else might be needed. Eventually we stopped doing it after the fun went out of it during the period that the scalpers started taking over, and then that woman from Burberry changed how things were done, discouraging people from lining up at the stores on launch days.
Yes, two of my best friends and I would get in line about mid day on Thursday and hang out all night with the crowd. This was back in the 4(s)/5(s) days. So many good memories.
Now we miss the late nights hanging out together until pre-orders open up at 2am, reminiscing about the days of waiting overnight. 😆
Now we miss the late nights hanging out together until pre-orders open up at 2am, reminiscing about the days of waiting overnight. 😆
Interesting reminder of simpler times. The whole smartphone thing didn’t become the norm for 2-3 years more. People back then socialized and were more friendly, as seen in this video. As opposed to everyone staring down at their phones and not acknowledging their fellow human beings today. Technology is a blessing and a curse
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If only for the stories:
For the iPhone 3G launch, there was a huge first-come, first-serve line at an Apple Store while I was on vacation during the summer. This was inside the mall, so lots of activity. Finally got to near the front, and some guy walked up and offered $100 to take someone’s place in line. No takers, so he increased to $300. Some interest, but the five of us in front were now trying to get him to increase. He pulls out $500 and starts waving; meanwhile, the people towards the back were both mad but also offering their spots. Eventually, he bought the front of the line spot for $1000, the former front line person walked away with the cash, and then the Apple Store rep walked up and said that it wasn’t allowed. An argument ensued, mall security got involved, hecklers from the line, etc. The line hopper eventually got their phone, and we all moved on with our black shiny new phone to access the newly-launched App Store.
For the iPhone 3G launch, there was a huge first-come, first-serve line at an Apple Store while I was on vacation during the summer. This was inside the mall, so lots of activity. Finally got to near the front, and some guy walked up and offered $100 to take someone’s place in line. No takers, so he increased to $300. Some interest, but the five of us in front were now trying to get him to increase. He pulls out $500 and starts waving; meanwhile, the people towards the back were both mad but also offering their spots. Eventually, he bought the front of the line spot for $1000, the former front line person walked away with the cash, and then the Apple Store rep walked up and said that it wasn’t allowed. An argument ensued, mall security got involved, hecklers from the line, etc. The line hopper eventually got their phone, and we all moved on with our black shiny new phone to access the newly-launched App Store.
Not for me. I always at least waited until the following week, until online ordering became crazy easy.
questions: so trying to order a Pro max but all local stores say "in store pick up on the 24th" is that their way of saying they are sold out? or can i show up and they may have one? Portland area
Best way to know is contact apple support and ask them to call that particular store to find out if it would be a waste of time to do a walk in. If they do have inventory then get recommendations of when to show up.
I'm old, and I absolutely miss it. Everybody in line always had a lot of fun. I do remember the Snow Leopard launch and still have the t-shirt they gave out. I just left it folded up and stuck it in my dresser drawer. I stood in line for the first iPads, too. I generally choose store pickup if it's available, so I'll still stand in line on launch day. It just won't be quite the same.
Order Day: Wake up 5:00a. Order. Back to bed at 5:04a
Pickup Day: Go to store at 9:15a scheduled pickup. Head back home 920a.
Online ordering is awesome and I definitely do not miss having to “work” in order to spend money.
Pickup Day: Go to store at 9:15a scheduled pickup. Head back home 920a.
Online ordering is awesome and I definitely do not miss having to “work” in order to spend money.
OIS is a blessing these days. That hurt my eyes to watch.
Those are what I like to call the bad ol days.
I only did this one time, which was during the iPhone 5 launch. Coincidentally Facebook reminded me yesterday that I bought an iPhone 5 exactly nine years ago. I remember waking up super early, going down the road to the Apple Store in Cambridge, UK, and waiting outside the mall's gate in the designated queue. I was not too far from the front of the queue, getting my silver 5 not too long after the store opened. When I left the store, the queue had stretched out onto the street. I usually wait a couple of weeks to a month after sales have started to get the iPhone, but this year will be the second time I'm getting it on launch day, and the first time I'll be pre-ordering online (pre-orders only open for my country on 01 Oct).
I loved it, and really miss it. Not having any friends who are as interested in tech as me, it was really fun and special to wait in line and share my excitement and joy with others who were just as excited as me! Made some good friends along the way. It was fun while it lasted, but I’m also not gonna complain about sleeping in and getting my phone handed to me in my PJs 😂