In store stock available vs delivery

[illitrate23]

Is the online Apple Store’s stock availability reliable?
Going to get an iMac, but it seems all the Apple Stores near or even kinda far, the earliest they’ll have the model I want is 10 days away, whether I get it delivered or pick up in store.

Is there any chance that if I turn up at the store, they might have some stock for selling to walk-in customers?
Or is that wishful thinking ?

 

[mreg376]

They usually have only base models in stock.

 

[ab22]

It's wishful thinking.
You'd have to be lucky enough to turn up when a matching configure-to-order device for another customer, was cancelled; & be helped by someone who knew that, & was willing to figure the correct price & get someone else to approve the transaction.

Larger / busier stores have more choice for some models.

 

[Fishrrman]

You can "have it their way" (i.e., buy a base/stock model)
or...
You can "have it YOUR way" (order through Apple's web page).

If you want it "your way", either have it delivered to your home,
or...
Have it delivered to the Apple Store, and then GO THERE to pick it up in person.

DO NOT choose the "get it today for an extra $9" option. There was a long thread here about someone who used that (the delivery is done by uber eats drivers), and had his MacBook Pros (2 of them) stolen.

 

[sjnuss]

I ordered a custom configuration on an iMac on Jan 16 with an expected arrival of Jan 28-30. It arrived yesterday! Get what you want and the wait won't be long.

 

[colodane]

Ordering online for pickup at Apple store is the way to go. I've done it several times. You get exactly what YOU want and it only takes a few days to a couple weeks. Also, no anxiety about carrier delivering to your house (FedEx, which they often use, is terrible).