Apple Not Allowing Lines on Friday? ...Thoughts?

[blakespot]

Rumor seems to be that word from a mall-based Apple Store is that "they" are not allowing camping out the night before or even lines forming for the iPhone until later in the day.

My plan was to arrive at an Apple store pretty early Friday morning and get in line. However, if no line is allowed, what will happen is that a milling swarm of people some distance from the store will form and this mob of people will make a mass break for the area where a line will finally form, later in the day.

Is this what Apple wants? I recall people knocking themselves unconscious on streetlights as they ran, in mob form, to the door when the starting bell sounded for the PS3's launch. Also trampling and broken bones.

The Apple Store I intend to hit (Clarendon, VA) is an outdoor store. I wonder how it will be handled at such stores (outside of malls)?

Thoughts, info? What have you heard?




blakespot

 

[Private Sector]

i haven't heard anything about them not allowing lines to form. it seems like it would be pretty taxing for them to attempt to stop lines from forming, but equally taxing to keep vigilance on a line. time will tell.

 

[McCarron]

i haven't heard anything about them not allowing lines to form. it seems like it would be pretty taxing for them to attempt to stop lines from forming, but equally taxing to keep vigilance on a line. time will tell.

It's a rumor on the front page here, no source listed though. I don't doubt this, but they need a standard policy across the board to avoid confusion.

 

[blakespot]

My alternate, if I choose to use it, is a Cingular store in DC, near my office. They will be selling the phone and will have a security guard there to manage the crowd. Will it be a "line"? I don't know. Surely they'll be getting far less iPhones than the local DC-area Apple Stores, but also will have less of a crowd.


blakespot

 

[TenaciousPZ]

They are not allowing lines because they don't want a bunch of ridiculous people waiting in line to play with the in store model.

People looking to buy the phone, can walk in at 6 PM when they are ready for them.

 

[SirOmega]

It might be an issue with mall management. I pondered this earlier in the Vegas thread - where are they going to put all these iPhone buyers in the mall? A few people in a line will make it grow and it might have a negative impact on neighboring stores in the mall if there is a 200-plus person line all day weaving throughout the mall.

Apple may only let lines start forming at 3PM or possibly when they close at 4 or 430. Although they're going to have a hard time with that because I bet 100 people will all show up and just hanging around in front of the apple store waiting for the employee to form the front of the line. They could just wait there all day, forming a de-facto line (or lines) regardless of what Apple employees or mall security/management want.

I'm going to be down at the store in the morning for a non-iphone related issue and I'll probably ask. If they dont let a line form until 3 or 4, I might wait in line there instead of being out in the heat.

 

[applehero]

Our Apple store said they will not allow overnight camping, due to mall security(it's an outdoor mall), but you can begin a line when the store opens at 10am.

 

[DMK]

Rumor seems to be that word from a mall-based Apple Store is that "they" are not allowing camping out the night before or even lines forming for the iPhone until later in the day.

Good. I think camping out the night before is incredibly stupid and immature. It's not like the stores are opening and selling iPhones at 9am !!!! you camp out all night for what ?! just to wait in line for 10 hours ?!

 

[blakespot]

...
Apple may only let lines start forming at 3PM or possibly when they close at 4 or 430. Although they're going to have a hard time with that because I bet 100 people will all show up and just hanging around in front of the apple store waiting for the employee to form the front of the line. They could just wait there all day, forming a de-facto line (or lines) regardless of what Apple employees or mall security/management want.
...

100 people? I'm guessing that near 1000 people could be milling about in the general vicinity of the Apple Stores when a line finally is allowed to form - if in fact lines will be prevented earlier. Either the people waiting could form their OWN line or it could be a mob that rushes the store.

You could get there at 4am and start milling about but due to such a mob, end up at the end of The Line and also break a leg in the process of getting there.



blakespot

 

[mugwump]

Apparently Apple wants lines to form, or else they would do early online orders like they do for every other product they sell.

 

[paulyras]

100 people? I'm guessing that near 1000 people could be milling about in the general vicinity of the Apple Stores when a line finally is allowed to form - if in fact lines will be prevented earlier. Either the people waiting could form their OWN line or it could be a mob that rushes the store.

You could get there at 4am and start milling about but due to such a mob, end up at the end of The Line and also break a leg in the process of getting there.



blakespot

I don't know about a thousand. If that happened at all of the stores, that would be 200,000 people at the apple stores alone. Say 1/10 of that number (100) show up at AT&T stores. That's another 180,000 people. That's one in every 1000 people in the country.

 

[loudestnoise]

I don't know about a thousand. If that happened at all of the stores, that would be 200,000 people at the apple stores alone. Say 1/10 of that number (100) show up at AT&T stores. That's another 180,000 people. That's one in every 1000 people in the country.

You have to go and use your fancy math. We want to believe there is a 1000 people. It scares away others, and leaves more iPhones for meeeeeeeee.

 

[terrrrrible]

If you're waiting at a Cingular store, they probably won't allow a line to form until they close at 430.

 

[oogje]

... That's another 180,000 people. That's one in every 1000 people in the country.

And another 120+ million in the cities.

 

[Photography]

If you're waiting at a Cingular store, they probably won't allow a line to form until they close at 430.

What makes you say that?

coolosxapps

 

[TenaciousPZ]

100 people? I'm guessing that near 1000 people could be milling about in the general vicinity of the Apple Stores when a line finally is allowed to form - if in fact lines will be prevented earlier. Either the people waiting could form their OWN line or it could be a mob that rushes the store.

You could get there at 4am and start milling about but due to such a mob, end up at the end of The Line and also break a leg in the process of getting there.



blakespot

You are in fantasy land.

 

[terrrrrible]

What makes you say that?

coolosxapps

I'm sure they don't want people hanging around the store while they're trying to deal with their other customers. Plus, wouldn't you rather it be like that, so it's whoever can get to the store at 4:30, instead of who has the most time in the world to wait around.

 

[Rantipole]

Anyone who waits in line for this seriously needs a life.

I fully understand wanting this product as soon as possible. And, yes, initial demand may -- MAY -- exceed supply. But I'm sure they'll restock soon enough.

Hello??? Ever hear of X Box or PS3? Yes, they sold out, but were soon available again. Sheesh.

My point is: I don't think lines will be a problem.

 

[neven]

Anyone who waits in line for this seriously needs a life.

I fully understand wanting this product as soon as possible. And, yes, initial demand may -- MAY -- exceed supply. But I'm sure they'll restock soon enough.

Hello??? Ever hear of X Box or PS3? Yes, they sold out, but were soon available again. Sheesh.

You must be one of those people who wait for movies to come out on video rather than seeing them at the theater.

 

[AirmanPika]

Anyone who waits in line for this seriously needs a life.

I fully understand wanting this product as soon as possible. And, yes, initial demand may -- MAY -- exceed supply. But I'm sure they'll restock soon enough.

Hello??? Ever hear of X Box or PS3? Yes, they sold out, but were soon available again. Sheesh.

My point is: I don't think lines will be a problem.

Because its fun?

 

[blakespot]

Anyone who waits in line for this seriously needs a life.

I fully understand wanting this product as soon as possible. And, yes, initial demand may -- MAY -- exceed supply. But I'm sure they'll restock soon enough.

Hello??? Ever hear of X Box or PS3? Yes, they sold out, but were soon available again. Sheesh.

My point is: I don't think lines will be a problem.

Ever heard of the Wii?

I was in line at 6am and got one. It was months before any of my friends could find one. Can you even find them consistently now?



blakespot

 

[malreynolds]

Anyone who waits in line for this seriously needs a life.

Waiting in line can be fun and very social--people who have lives. When I waited all day in line to see Star Wars I, i wasn't a big Star Wars fan at all. But chilling with people, playing video games and watching movies and chilling with everyone in line, it was way more fun than watching the movie. When we started going in, I actually felt disappointed, sad it was over.

Anticipation and community can be fun things, not pathetic like you make it out to be.

 

[ps49556n]

If you're waiting at a Cingular store, they probably won't allow a line to form until they close at 430.

I dont know about that....I went to my local att store and was told that waiting lines will be set up in the morning prior the the store even opening.

 

[wongulous]

I'll just walk around the outdoor mall where I'll be waiting, then. Passing the AT&T store often. Or head out to the Apple store 'round here, I'm sure I could just chill there. They're nicer.

 

[taberrr]

People looking to buy the phone, can walk in at 6 PM when they are ready for them.

That is some wishful thinking, friend.