Help A Canadian Get An iPad

[canadianipad]

So the launch of the 3G iPad (April 30th) works well with my holiday in Seattle. However, being in Canada, I need some advise. With the release time of 5pm at the Apple Stores - what time do you think would be a safe bet to arrive to wait in line?
Thanks for any advise you have for me.

 

[gillybean]

So the launch of the 3G iPad (April 30th) works well with my holiday in Seattle. However, being in Canada, I need some advise. With the release time of 5pm at the Apple Stores - what time do you think would be a safe bet to arrive to wait in line?
Thanks for any advise you have for me.

6am!

Border crossing probably won't be too crowded at 4am heh.

 

[canadianipad]

6am!

Border crossing probably won't be too crowded at 4am heh.

6am!?!?
Oh man - not sure how my wife will feel about that being that we are on our holiday. A whole day in line. Is it that crazy at that location?

 

[Zepaw]

I really don't know that answer for any location. The first guy at the NY store for wifi was there days early, but he was alone almost the whole time.

Wondering that myself for my store. I don't want to go too early, but I do want to be near the front.

 

[gillybean]

6am!?!?
Oh man - not sure how my wife will feel about that being that we are on our holiday. A whole day in line. Is it that crazy at that location?

I don't know how the Apple Store is planning to do it, but Best Buy will probably hand out redemption tickets at opening that you can use to reserve them for 5pm. So then they don't have to worry about people standing in line all day getting in the way.

 

[canadianipad]

I don't know how the Apple Store is planning to do it, but Best Buy will probably hand out redemption tickets at opening that you can use to reserve them for 5pm. So then they don't have to worry about people standing in line all day getting in the way.

Oh, you know Apple - they love the exposure, and if there are hundreds of people waiting in line outside the store, they'll be happy. Not too sure about the other stores in the area, but Apple loves the lines.

 

[Zepaw]

Oh, you know Apple - they love the exposure, and if there are hundreds of people waiting in line outside the store, they'll be happy. Not too sure about the other stores in the area, but Apple loves the lines.

It is pretty funny in Mall of America seeing half of the large hallway taken up for many stores over. I could see it annoying other stores a bit, but of course it helps Apple. Every body who sees wonders why the massive cluster of people.

 

[Soulcrux]

6am!?!?
Oh man - not sure how my wife will feel about that being that we are on our holiday. A whole day in line. Is it that crazy at that location?

Don;t listen to him. He's having fun at your expense.

It was pretty crazy for the wifi release, but now that alot of epople have them, there won't be as much of a crowd. I'd say get there around 10am and see if they'll give you a ticket. If not, go enjoy some time with your wife, and come back around 4 to wait in line.

 

[gillybean]

Don;t listen to him. He's having fun at your expense.

It was pretty crazy for the wifi release, but now that alot of epople have them, there won't be as much of a crowd. I'd say get there around 10am and see if they'll give you a ticket. If not, go enjoy some time with your wife, and come back around 4 to wait in line.

Well, was just trying to give him a safe time to show up to guarantee one if he went to a store that handed out tickets at opening, rather than a store that allowed lines at 4pm-5pm. It's really hard to predict exactly what the demand vs supply will be like for the opening day of 3g, but it makes sense to err on the safer side. It's possible that you can stroll in at 6pm and get one without a line, it's also possible that they'll be sold out by the time they open.

 

[canadianipad]

Well, was just trying to give him a safe time to show up to guarantee one if he went to a store that handed out tickets at opening, rather than a store that allowed lines at 4pm-5pm. It's really hard to predict exactly what the demand vs supply will be like for the opening day of 3g, but it makes sense to err on the safer side. It's possible that you can stroll in at 6pm and get one without a line, it's also possible that they'll be sold out by the time they open.

Hey guys - thanks for all the suggestions. I have a hard time believing Apple will be handing out tickets. I don't think I've ever heard of them doing that.
I think I may take a drive by in the morning to see what the line looks like and make a decision then.
Or maybe I'll get there nice and early and send my wife on a shopping spree. hhhmmm... maybe not such a good idea. She might ring up the credit card before I get the iPad.

 

[canadianipad]

Oh no, my wife says I can stand in line as long as it takes. She says she will just spend the day shopping. Now that sounds dangerous.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

I had a reservation for my WiFi iPad. Arrived at the store at 9AM (when they opened) and was out of the store 30 minutes later. Not sure what differences there will be due to lack of reservations for the 3G model. If I were picking one up on the 30th I'd probably line up a couple hours early, but I wouldn't spend all day in line.

 

[ddarko]

I don't think you will have to arrive early at all. My experience with the iPad launch in NYC was I arrived without a reservation an hour before opening and the lines were gone 30 minutes after doors opened. I stopped by periodically during launch day and the store had stock all day and through the weekend. It turned out I could have walked in at 5 pm and still gotten a model. I think the 3G model will be much the same, even more so because I think a lot of demand has been met by the wi-fi only model.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

I don't think you will have to arrive early at all. My experience with the iPad launch in NYC was I arrived without a reservation an hour before opening and the lines were gone 30 minutes after doors opened. I stopped by periodically during launch day and the store had stock all day and through the weekend. It turned out I could have walked in at 5 pm and still gotten a model. I think the 3G model will be much the same, even more so because I think a lot of demand has been met by the wi-fi only model.

In contrast to your experience, the Apple store I was at had sold out of their non-reserved 16GB models before I was out of the store (30mins after opening) so while they may still have models available, they'll most likely be the more expensive ones.

As for meeting demand, I'm > < this close to ditching my WiFi iPad for a WiFi + 3G version. The iPad is too cool a device to not have network capabilities wherever it is.

 

[soxfanreggie]

In contrast to your experience, the Apple store I was at had sold out of their non-reserved 16GB models before I was out of the store (30mins after opening) so while they may still have models available, they'll most likely be the more expensive ones.

As for meeting demand, I'm > < this close to ditching my WiFi iPad for a WiFi + 3G version. The iPad is too cool a device to not have network capabilities wherever it is.

With the NYC store being a flagship, I would guess they would have higher stock.

If you want the best shot to guarantee yourself one, call up the store and find out if they're going to give away redemption vouchers. If they're giving away vouchers, just go really early (6 AM or before) to get one. If not, you may have to spend the day in line. You could always go at say 7 or 8 AM and check out the line - checking back periodically to see if it's filling up - maybe after breakfast, then after lunch. It may be quite costly to you if the wife spends that entire day shopping though.

 

[foreignconcepts]

@canadianipad, which of the big bad 3 are you planning to use for 3G service - Rogers, Telus, or Bell?

 

[newmacboyoutube]

So the launch of the 3G iPad (April 30th) works well with my holiday in Seattle. However, being in Canada, I need some advise. With the release time of 5pm at the Apple Stores - what time do you think would be a safe bet to arrive to wait in line?
Thanks for any advise you have for me.

12 hours early... be safe!

I am Canadian too! Nice weather we're having, eh?

 

[nasa25]

@canadianipad, which of the big bad 3 are you planning to use for 3G service - Rogers, Telus, or Bell?

Rogers is providing data service for my iPhone and iPad on the same connection. Thanks Nadir!

 

[Sketchr]

It is pretty funny in Mall of America seeing half of the large hallway taken up for many stores over. I could see it annoying other stores a bit, but of course it helps Apple. Every body who sees wonders why the massive cluster of people.

I waited in line for hours at the Mtka Apple store for my iPhone in June08 - can't imagine the mess at MOA. Never again. That was enough to get me to preorder/ship everything.

 

[canadianipad]

@canadianipad, which of the big bad 3 are you planning to use for 3G service - Rogers, Telus, or Bell?

Since Rogers is the only one so far saying they'll have iPad plans, I may have to go that way. I really think Bell and Telus will have plan as well, but who knows when. I'd like to avoid Rogers, but I may not be able to.
I won't have to worry about it until the end of May. That's when the Canadian plans will be announced.
But since I'm on holiday in the US at the time of the 3G launch I thought I'd pick it up. It'll be cheaper buying it in the US because our dollar is on par with the US. Apple hasn't released its Canadian pricing, and you know it'll be at least $50 more than the American price. So cheaper to get it south of the border than wait until the end of May.