Just curious, not far from a store (short walk) but was wondering if it would be better to just hang around and wait till they open for a pair of AirPods or wait until the green dot goes live online? Not sure if they have reserved inventory for opening at 10am. Thoughts?
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If close to a store, better to wait outside for opening or just watch web status? (AirPods)
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Make sure to check for holiday hours. Most Apple Stores are opening at 9am local time.
And it's definitely better to check online. Depending on where you live, there's a very high chance they'll all be reserved before you can flag someone down and check out with your AirPods.
Does iStock now basically mean those items are already 'on the shelf' or 'available to purchase? So any that could be there right now as the store opens could potentially be reserved and just held in the back?
From what I've seen the past few days, they don't even hit the shelves. It appears that they highlight green when the stock is scanned in the back as available inventory. In most cases, when you do that in store pickup for "Today" for that store, you just took that one inventory item. I think one person had a case where they got there and there weren't any for him to purchase, but in pretty much all other cases, you just snagged one if you can get to checkout.
I live in NYC and iStockNow.com is invaluable at finding in-demand items. Stores get stock during the day. When I catch what I want, I grab it online for in-store pickup.
Made a quick trip to CT this morning to pickup AirPods. It was showing as the only store on the east coast with stock when I ordered.
Quick review - I was a doubter, but these things are fantastic. Sound great and so convenient. It will take me a little longer to get used to the look ...
Made a quick trip to CT this morning to pickup AirPods. It was showing as the only store on the east coast with stock when I ordered.
Quick review - I was a doubter, but these things are fantastic. Sound great and so convenient. It will take me a little longer to get used to the look ...
When I checked the other day no stores in the area showed inventory on Apple's website. And it showed stores probably 4-6 hours away.
UPDATE: I just checked and all the stores show an available date of Feb 15. Don't know if that is just a standard thing or if none of the stores in my area are getting stock.
UPDATE: I just checked and all the stores show an available date of Feb 15. Don't know if that is just a standard thing or if none of the stores in my area are getting stock.
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Yes, you're supposed to purchase them online for immediate pick up within that timeframe. If you don't it will certainly sell out.
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This is what a store shows if they have no stock. As soon as they scan a new shipment in the back of the store, it will show up as being available for immediate pick up. You will then have a minute or two before all of them are purchased via online reservations. Almost no AirPods ever make it out of the shipment box and onto a shelf before they're already all purchased.
I find iStockNow to be a few minutes behind the actual stock levels, which is fair since its third party. After my store were out of them (according to apple.com) istocknow still showed available for a few minutes afterwards. That said, It can be useful, as thats how I noticed they were available when I got some, however if you want the best possible chance its better to keep refreshing the Apple Store page where it'll change to "available Today" immediately once stock is receipted into store.
Have to say, the popularity of AirPods have taken me completely by surprise. I didn't bother preordering since I figured they wouldn't be that big a deal (both in demand and how well they work). Happy to say I was wrong about both.
Have to say, the popularity of AirPods have taken me completely by surprise. I didn't bother preordering since I figured they wouldn't be that big a deal (both in demand and how well they work). Happy to say I was wrong about both.