Feeling smarter for delivery after my trip to the Apple Store tonight!

[TraceyS/FL]

LOL, i had to "run down there" for a stupid cable.

You know, 55 miles each way....

So i left the kids with the other parental unit, did my Apple Store thing and then spent my Cheesecake Factory gc

Anyway, i made a comment about people thinking we were missing out on having our iPad delivered. Both the Genius's i was dealing with said, "No, you are the SMART ONE."



The store was insane today - i can tell it is high season of Tourists. The parking lot was impossible.... the shopping going on crazy.

And i have to go back on Friday for a computer appointment. UGH. At least it isn't Saturday morning right? They were great about booking that and wanting to help, so we shall see how it goes (I have a Customer Care ticket on the computer - this will be an out of warranty repair on them).

ANYWAY, at least i got confirmation i wasn't nuts to think it would be nuts to go to the store! LOL!!

 

[alia]

Did you go to the Millenia store? I could have told you that one was going to be nightmarish. It is even on non-ipad launch days. I am waiting for the 3G but just want to play with one. I was thinking I might go to International Plaza in Tampa on Sunday with my mom, but I'm not sure if it will be worth it. I will probably just go to Millenia some time next week while people are at work and the lines will be as small as possible (although probably not great).

 

[TraceyS/FL]

Yup, i knew it would be crazy - i just forget that extra spring break layer in there right now. I haven't been there in forever where it was "empty" either. Consumerism at its finest at that place!

If i hadn't needed the cable - NO WAY would i have gone near there though.

I will apparently be there friday, and then the following friday to drop the computer off on my way out of town. Am i having fun yet????

 

[touchmonkey]

I'll be sitting on my porch sipping....errrr coffee....waiting for a uniformed deliverer to put it in my hand(s).... instead of fighting a mob scene....I'm picturing a pleasant Saturday....

 

[TraceyS/FL]

I'll be sitting on my porch sipping....errrr coffee....waiting for a uniformed deliverer to put it in my hand(s).... instead of fighting a mob scene....I'm picturing a pleasant Saturday....

I had a slight panic when they mentioned leaving the computer with them for a week....

Um, nope, CAN'T. It's my main iTunes computer and if something goes wrong with the iPad->mini connection, i need it here.

They "got it" at least and said i could leave it the following week....

But ya, going to be a nice saturday - provided UPS comes thru for us!

(oh, they hadn't heard the UPS thing - they were excited to hear it either! LOL!!)

 

[gwynne]

Ok, to be fair, Mall of the Millennia has got to be at least among the Top Ten Apple Stores You Really Don't Want to Be At On April 3rd. I mean, it's the closest ritzy mall to DisneyWorld.

(I used to live in downtown Orlando. I so don't miss the I-4 traffic.)

 

[harry*333]

smart to get it delivered, Im waiting on 3g
but at least for the iphone it's kinda of a badge to say that you waited in line on opening day
I think it will be similar for the ipad but not quite as honorable because there was preordering unlike the iphone

 

[RMXO]

I'll be sitting on my porch sipping....errrr coffee....waiting for a uniformed deliverer to put it in my hand(s).... instead of fighting a mob scene....I'm picturing a pleasant Saturday....

I'm starting to wish I did the same. I got greedy & went for the bag of goodies during Apple's new release experience.

 

[alia]

smart to get it delivered, Im waiting on 3g
but at least for the iphone it's kinda of a badge to say that you waited in line on opening day
I think it will be similar for the ipad but not quite as honorable because there was preordering unlike the iphone

If I had to wait in line, I think my badge of honor would be a migraine, especially at the Mall of Millenia. I am waiting for the 3G as well, although I haven't decided whether to pre-order or just pick it up. My birthday is between now and its release, so I'm waiting either way. I doubt there will be as much of a mad house when the 3G finally comes out, but I will probably just pre-order anyway. (hopefully, I will order in time to still make the first wave of 3G pre-orders)

 

[Nexus4144]

well if i lived 55 miles away from an apple store, i would have gotten it delivered as well but i live in Vegas and it has three stores so im expecting it wont be as bad as everyone is predicting which all the shoving, pushing and stuff and i had having to wait for the delivery guy! rather just pull up go thru the line and get one!

 

[alia]

well if i lived 55 miles away from an apple store, i would have gotten it delivered as well but i live in Vegas and it has three stores so im expecting it wont be as bad as everyone is predicting which all the shoving, pushing and stuff and i had having to wait for the delivery guy! rather just pull up go thru the line and get one!

Hehe, there ARE three stores in Orlando too. OP just happened to go to the biggest and most popular one with all the tourists.

 

[OneMike]

I would've had delivered, but I was still undecided so better to reserve. Now that I'm sure if I could I would reserve but either way no big deal.

Apple store is just about 3 miles from me. Takes under 10 minutes.

I bet I'll have my iPad before most who ordered and will be in line for a short time.

 

[spyker3292]

I won't be home on Saturday, heck, I'll be out of state. I reserved my iPad pickup in Albany.

 

[xraydoc]

My local Apple store - less than 15 miles from home and less than 2 miles from work - won't be that crowded. Crowded, yes. Unmanagable, no.

As long as they manage the reserved line well, it should be no problem.

 

[ukcolinr]

I'm picking mine up in Florida Mall on Saturday. My guess is that will be just as hell like as Millenia! At least I won't have to deal with getting there, staying in Florida Hotel night before (not for iPad, that's where my company always puts me up lol) Not sure what to expect, not been on a product launch day before! Do they usually open the malls early especially? Anyone know how does that work?... Florida Mall doesn't normally open til 10.

 

[AJsAWiz]

I'm picking mine up in Florida Mall on Saturday. My guess is that will be just as hell like as Millenia! At least I won't have to deal with getting there, staying in Florida Hotel night before (not for iPad, that's where my company always puts me up lol) Not sure what to expect, not been on a product launch day before! Do they usually open the malls early especially? Anyone know how does that work?... Florida Mall doesn't normally open til 10.

Don't know how it works where you live but here the mall (but not the stores) was open early for the iPhone launch. There was a line that spanned from the Store to the end of the mall!

 

[ipoddin]

Hehe, there ARE three stores in Orlando too. OP just happened to go to the biggest and most popular one with all the tourists.

LA has a few as well. I know the most popular one and I plan to visit some of the others on Saturday (I didn't reserve one) to try my luck.

 

[bossxii]

Half the fun is talking to other Apple users and fans that line up for hours to get their new toys. I even found a new customer as I talked to a guy for a few hours in line for the 3G launch back in 08. It's suppose to be a decent day and I only waited 4 hours to get an iPhone which was a PITA considering the AT&T servers went down a few times while we waited. I expect a few hour wait tops, lots of interesting convo and a easy checkout process.

I'd rather wait in line with people than sit at home anyday, I have to spend more then my share at home working to be stuck here on a Saturday.

 

[ipoddin]

This is why I think I'll be able to walk in to a store on Saturday without a reservation, and buy an iPad. Though I may have to wait in line.

To be fair, those numbers are all cited as "awareness" -- only 9% of those surveyed said they were "extremely or very likely" to actually buy one. Price was cited as a major concern, and many of them, as we reported the other day, said they'd be just as happy with a netbook anyway.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I got greedy & went for the bag of goodies during Apple's new release experience.

Bag of goodies? I think you may be disappointed. Apple has never given out a bag of goodies during a prod. launch. A single item, yes, but nothing worthwhile in years. There have been rumors of a gift, but nothing confirmed. Apple has not gifted buyers of the past three iPhones though so outlook is cloudy.

 

[sheaitisnotso]

Jobs did say that the first iPad owners in store will be getting a "gift" but obviously no one knows what it'll be.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Jobs did say that the first iPad owners in store will be getting a "gift" but obviously no one knows what it'll be.

Do you have a link? I've read several rumor sites suggesting the gift but I've yet to find a single official confirmation from Apple.

 

[sheaitisnotso]

Do you have a link? I've read several rumor sites suggesting the gift but I've yet to find a single official confirmation from Apple.

Not off the top of my head but I know I definitely read/heard it somewhere. I'll do some searching to find it.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

Ok, to be fair, Mall of the Millennia has got to be at least among the Top Ten Apple Stores You Really Don't Want to Be At On April 3rd. I mean, it's the closest ritzy mall to DisneyWorld.

(I used to live in downtown Orlando. I so don't miss the I-4 traffic.)

I'd rate it at #2 behind the Florida Mall store for the 3rd

I live up the Turnpike - my I4 driving is as limited as I can - i'm not afraid of toll roads

If I had to wait in line, I think my badge of honor would be a migraine, especially at the Mall of Millenia.

It would be a 4 advil every 4 hour kinda day! LOL!!

Hehe, there ARE three stores in Orlando too. OP just happened to go to the biggest and most popular one with all the tourists.

Actually, i'd rate the Florida Mall store as the biggest and most popular. I have some great tourist pics - guys pushing strollers with overflowing bags - and I don't see that kind of consumption at Millenia.

I'm picking mine up in Florida Mall on Saturday. My guess is that will be just as hell like as Millenia! At least I won't have to deal with getting there, staying in Florida Hotel night before (not for iPad, that's where my company always puts me up lol) Not sure what to expect, not been on a product launch day before! Do they usually open the malls early especially? Anyone know how does that work?... Florida Mall doesn't normally open til 10.

You Sir, have earned my Bravest Shopper Award of the day!

The mall will be open early - a few months ago i had an 8am genius appointment and all the doors were open. That was a bizarre visit... the store was.... SILENT. No one talked, just did their stuff.

It all ended when the old people showed up for an iPhone Class at 9am. But it was the nicest hour i have ever spent in that store! LOL!!!

I'm going to attach a couple of my crappy Treo camera tourist pics. The best one didn't take - 1 Brazilian "dad" sitting at the table guarding the COVERED top and chairs of pink VS bags. It was a crack up!

The picture of the parked stroller is outside the Apple Store ( i should add, i took these because i had a friend in the states from Australia and I wanted to assure her that it was normal to have to buy a suitcase to get home )

 

[CanonicalKoi]

I'll be one of the "nuts" standing in line. That means that I:
a) won't be waiting until 6pm to get my iPad if they're using UPS.
b) won't have to worry about it sitting in the rain if it's delivered by our doorbell-cover-phobic Fed-Ex guy if Fed-Ex handles it. Or have to play Easter Egg Hunt in order to find where he left it this time.
c) don't have to worry about damage seeing that boxes from both tend to arrive held together only by their packing tape with the box in tatters.
d) will have thump-chest stories of great adventure to share:
"...and gentlemen in the US now abed
will think themselves accursed they were not here
and hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
who fought with us upon iPad Release Day." (cheers)

(With all due apologies to William Shakespeare.)