wow. So my friend who works in a Cingular/ATT store said that their expected shipment and the other 2 local stores are 4-6 units...wtf 
So uumm...what?
So uumm...what?
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Cingular Stores getting 4 or 5 units?
- Thread starter illegalprelude
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Your friend, your friend's manager, your friend's district manager, and possibly even your friend's regional manager do NOT know anything about supplied units, much less are they going to tell your friend. No one at your friend's level has a clue right now--at least not as far as unreleased iPhone internal details. I'm sure your friend will have a wealth of interesting information on the 29th, but until then, your friend is just like the rest of us.
Another unnecessary thread.
Another unnecessary thread.
uhh wrong because they do not send that info in advance, that would defeat te whole purpose of the day of fedex shipment hat will occur. 4-6 is just plain stupid, i mean come on.
4-5 units? I wouldn't believe that. Like I've said in other postings, if quantities were that low, there would be no reason to have a big shut down/reopen event. I do think, however, that Apple will purposely keep inventory low to create an even bigger buzz. I'm guessing about 100-150 per store.
Arc
Arc
Grimace, I would LOVE to believe what you're saying. Where did your information? If that's true, it's going to make launch A LOT more enjoyable.
Regardless, your comment made my morning.
Arc
Well, given all of the "I heard from my uncle's ex-wife's pool boy" threads I don't think anyone will really believe anything. For what it's worth, I used to work for Apple and I still "keep in touch". I even had to change my username a while back to be safe (thanks mod/gods) - many of you knew me under a different name for the previous 4 years!
Anyway, each store knows *exactly* how many are in transit. I have no idea about AT&T stores, those seem to be where the ridiculous rumors come from because apparently everyone knows an AT&T manager Geez, they aren't running the show -- Apple is keeping this a secret from its own employees! Only 2-4 people in each retail store (depending on store size) know what is coming and when.
Anyway, each store knows *exactly* how many are in transit. I have no idea about AT&T stores, those seem to be where the ridiculous rumors come from because apparently everyone knows an AT&T manager
Geez, they aren't running the show -- Apple is keeping this a secret from its own employees! Only 2-4 people in each retail store (depending on store size) know what is coming and when.Well, given that SJ advised that your best bet is going to an at&t store, not an Apple store, I'm hoping that means that at&t stores will have a comparable supply. I'm sure it won't be close to 600-700 units, but 150-250 at the larger stores and 50+ at the smaller stores would be nice.
We'll find out next week!!!!
We'll find out next week!!!!
yeah, no idea on the AT&T stores. Even a big AT&T store is dwarfed by a flagship Apple store (like Chicago, NY, SanFran). When did SJ say that it was better to go to an AT&T store?
The one thing I couldn't ascertain was whether you could actually get the phone activate in the Apple stores when they are released. While retail employees are being trained on the iPhone itself just prior to launch, activation doesn't appear that it will come with help from Apple staff. Who knows -- maybe a dedicated phone line or two to help people call it in? T'would seem silly to allow folks to buy at Apple, but then have to go to AT&T.
The one thing I couldn't ascertain was whether you could actually get the phone activate in the Apple stores when they are released. While retail employees are being trained on the iPhone itself just prior to launch, activation doesn't appear that it will come with help from Apple staff. Who knows -- maybe a dedicated phone line or two to help people call it in? T'would seem silly to allow folks to buy at Apple, but then have to go to AT&T.
USA Today said each store will get 150-300 depending on the size of the iPod market in that region.
SJ threw out that advice during is MW keynote and again during an interview with (I think) CNN.
I've heard that Apple will not be handling activations with at&t. They'll sell the phone and then you can either call at&t or go to an at&t store. Not sure if that's true or not (it sure sounds very un-Apple like), but it would be very inconvenient. I know when I get mine, I'll want to get started using it ASAP. I'll have my iPod car charger (hoping it is compatible) so I can plug in and go!
I've heard that Apple will not be handling activations with at&t. They'll sell the phone and then you can either call at&t or go to an at&t store. Not sure if that's true or not (it sure sounds very un-Apple like), but it would be very inconvenient. I know when I get mine, I'll want to get started using it ASAP. I'll have my iPod car charger (hoping it is compatible) so I can plug in and go!
I would bet that Apple stores are handling activations & contracts because I think they might have returns if people bought the phones and found out they could not get an AT&T contract for credit reasons. Also AT&T phone lines would be swarmed with new activations. And last, people want to be able to use their new phones quickly and I cannot imagine Apple would not make it easy to do so. I also think people who are currently with AT&T/Cingular might have an easier time because they have an account already and need not to have credit checks, etc.. - maybe just get a new sim card.
I have been pestering my local Apple store(I am sure I am not the only one) for info and they only info they have given me is that they will be open until midnight on 6/29. That tells me:
1) They should have enough to go around(maybe wishful thinking) and want to make sure they can accomodate everybody who wants one on 6/29
2) They will have a decent number on 6/29, but activation will be done in the store and that is why they will be open 3 hours later then usually(6 hours after they actually start selling the phone)
1) They should have enough to go around(maybe wishful thinking) and want to make sure they can accomodate everybody who wants one on 6/29
2) They will have a decent number on 6/29, but activation will be done in the store and that is why they will be open 3 hours later then usually(6 hours after they actually start selling the phone)
That's funny because here in Clovis, CA one of the store reps told me the same thing.
I don't want to believe that number so I'll probably bug them again sometime during the week.
I don't want to believe that number so I'll probably bug them again sometime during the week.
wow. So my friend who works in a Cingular/ATT store said that their expected shipment and the other 2 local stores are 4-6 units...wtf
I believe you were told that, but there is no way a store is only getting between 4-6 units. There is no way Apple wants to make the same mistake Sony made when they released the PS3(real limited numbers a launch and 2 weeks later stores had them sitting on the shelves collecting dust)
I posted this same thing in the private forums about a month ago.
I have a relative that's a manager at a local ATT store, and he was quoted to get about 5.
I have a relative that's a manager at a local ATT store, and he was quoted to get about 5.
If the stores were getting 5 ... then Apple and AT&T are in some very serious trouble.
Not to mention, why would they stay open late AND hire more people for 5 phones.
Sorry, but that makes no sense what so ever.
Your friend is an idiot. 5 per store equals a total of 13,375 units for launch, spread across 1,800 ATT stores and 175 Apple stores.
I think they could produce this in like a day
Your friend is an idiot. 5 per store equals a total of 13,375 units for launch, spread across 1,800 ATT stores and 175 Apple stores.
Makes no sense - Apple is not stupid and they have quite a bit riding on a great launch of the iPhone. They know that the media will rip them to shreds for the slightest thing gone wrong. They are going to make sure that both AT&T and Apple stores are well stocked on the 29th to prevent backlash.
The stores have a quantity being shipped that corresponds to the size of the store. Standard Apple stores: 250-300, flagships: 600-750;
AT&T stores should be similarly stocked, but scaled down to the size of their stores. Because Apple can handle a greater volume of customers (at once) - more iPhones are going to Apple retail stores for the first two weeks.
AT&T stores should be similarly stocked, but scaled down to the size of their stores. Because Apple can handle a greater volume of customers (at once) - more iPhones are going to Apple retail stores for the first two weeks.
I believe your figures to be a possibility but 700, even 10,000 units split between the Apple 5th ave store and the soho store in manhattan would still not be enough for NYC, Long Island, New Jersey, given the demographics. I would not be surprised if they actually did sell 20,000-30,000 units in these two stores within 10 days.
I just came back from an Apple Store visit during lunch not more than 20 minutes ago. The manager at the counter said that Apple will be activating phones in the store. He went on to say that the store has received some training already. Referenced the lines during Tiger release. Interesting
I just called my local AT&T and I called to ask what time they are allowing lines to start and they said they are allowing any lines to start the night before. Then he told me the manager will be telling anyone that is past #30 in line will be asked to leave as they won't have enough. I can see them getting anywhere from (at least) 25-50 and definitely not 4 or 5.