Has anyone thought about?...

[bluesman87]

Whether the release of this thing is gonna be similar to the whole debacle that thousands of people went through to get those stupid game systems this past fall and winter? I am very interested in getting one of these as I do know have exactly the right amount, but I don't want it to be spoiled by stories of people getting shot or robbed while leaving the apple store. On that note I don't want to have to watch my back as I leave my local apple store with one . Am I giving this thing too much credit, or are mass shortages being considered? Does anyone think that this will happen? Mass amounts of people seemed to be okay to pay 600 for a stupid game system, why not this? I don't remember if anyone had mentioned this during the keynote or not, but do you think apple has a plan for getting these to people, or its it gonna pull a Sony and grossly miscalculate how many people are gonna be a purchaser? I talked to this guy at my apple store here in Colorado and he said that they would only be getting around (10)? That seems low, but he said that they had around that amount for the apple tvs and they sold out the first day within two hours. They now have more he said, but I wonder how long it took. Something to ponder...

 

[kuebby]

I seriously doubt it will be as bad as the PS3 launch. Just a feeling. They are radically different products but both brands have huge followings. So I guess only time will tell but I doubt there will be as big a shortage or anything like that.

 

[DeaconGraves]

Also, note that Apple hasn't set a specific release date for the iPhone yet (just "June").

Sony shot itself in the foot by setting a concrete release date months ahead of time and being forced to go to market before they were ready. Apple can push off the release all the way to June 30th without seeing the stock hurt too much. This gives them plenty of time to get as many iPhones produced to meet demand and will tone down the madness that came with the PS3 launch.

Other factors to consider:

-Most everyone interested in an iPhone likely has a contract to fulfill, either with Cingular or someone else. I'm guess a lot of people will wait their contract out unless they have a lot of money to throw at cancellation penalties.

-It looks like you'll have to get a 2-year contract with AT&T to get the phone. This will cut back on the people who are there to buy the phone simply to sell it on e-bay. Those were the people most likely willing to hurt and steal to get one (although I wouldn't put it past some gamers...)

-Christmas is 6 months away. The reason the PS3s were such a hot commodity was that they came out a month before Christmas and there was no guarantee of how many systems would be around after the launch and before the holidays. People go crazy to make sure little Billy has a perfect Christmas.

 

[bluesman87]

You are very wise...like a little miniature buddha. Thats a good point, I was just remembering the **** that apple went through with the very first imac back in i believe '97? Or was it '99? I remember them getting backed up for months and months.

Also, note that Apple hasn't set a specific release date for the iPhone yet (just "June").

Sony shot itself in the foot by setting a concrete release date months ahead of time and being forced to go to market before they were ready. Apple can push off the release all the way to June 30th without seeing the stock hurt too much. This gives them plenty of time to get as many iPhones produced to meet demand and will tone down the madness that came with the PS3 launch.

Other factors to consider:

-Most everyone interested in an iPhone likely has a contract to fulfill, either with Cingular or someone else. I'm guess a lot of people will wait their contract out unless they have a lot of money to throw at cancellation penalties.

-It looks like you'll have to get a 2-year contract with AT&T to get the phone. This will cut back on the people who are there to buy the phone simply to sell it on e-bay. Those were the people most likely willing to hurt and steal to get one (although I wouldn't put it past some gamers...)

-Christmas is 6 months away. The reason the PS3s were such a hot commodity was that they came out a month before Christmas and there was no guarantee of how many systems would be around after the launch and before the holidays. People go crazy to make sure little Billy has a perfect Christmas.

 

[72930]

You can cancel a phone contract and pretty much block it if your phone is stolen...