Likelihood of Apple stores in Manhattan having some iPads on 8th April?

[darkpaw]

I'm from the UK, and I'm gonna be in NYC for work a week after the launch (8th-16th). Do you think Apple stores in Manhattan will have stocks of iPads by then so I can just pick one up?

Would I be able to reserve one to collect during that time? I can't see anywhere on the Retail section of apple.com that suggests I can reserve anything to collect from a store.

I would pre-order one now and have it delivered to my hotel or office, but the site says they "ship" by April 12th, not "deliver" by April 12th (and thus, probably not deliver by 16th).

Cheers for the help, guys.

 

[gwynne]

Sorry, I think this is a Magic Eight-Ball question for now. :\

 

[tdream]

If you only found out about your work trip recently then maybe but I wouldn't hold my breath. On the other hand if you knew about it say the 12th of March, well then you should of pre-ordered weeks ago.

 

[nippyjun]

I think they wil have them.

 

[markosb]

I hope for your sake they have them. I almost with I would have reserved two, knowing I only could afford one, so someone else could have had one.

 

[undrpsi]

Uh...can you not order it for 'pick up'

I am not an expert at 'opening day' but can't you order it for pick up at the local Apple store? My local (Charlotte, NC) store has a mini-site for ordering and delivery. Couldn't you work out something like that? Find the local Apple store site and start trolling it? Just a suggestion.

Since you didn't say you were here on business...could you get your 'colonial' friends to reserve or pick you one up from the local store? You could wire them the money...another "just a suggestion"

 

[Lougle]

You will be surprised of the extra attention and stock the NYC stores get (especially 5th ave). I think you have a good chance of picking one up. If not on the 8th, one day during your trip.

Call ahead and call regularly. Good luck.

 

[Mjmar]

Yes, the NYC stores are the first to have stock of pretty much everything. That was the only place you could get iPhone 1g months before the 3g launch. And it was the same with the 3gs at launch. Plus, I don't think the iPad will be as much of a necessity to have on day one as the iPhone was.

 

[Hmac]

I dont' think you can reserve one for pickup any more. I do agree that there's a good chance that the 5th Avenue store will have sufficient stock on hand.

 

[drjsway]

I'm pretty sure the 5th ave store will have them. That store is almost always fully stocked.

 

[Sandy Santra]

I'm pretty sure the 5th ave store will have them. That store is almost always fully stocked.

Don't count on it. I live in NYC and buy tons of Apple stuff from all their stores.

When the MagicMouse came out, it was IMPOSSIBLE to get—for weeks. At all stores. I went frequently and often. I found out that all supplies coming to all stores were selling out immediately.

I had to find someone to give me the delivery times at the different stores.

So then I showed up one morning at 5th Avenue within 5 mins of delivery time. "Sorry, already sold out."

I was crushed. I'd been trying to get one for weeks. Sat down on the large, round granite stoop around the circular stairway with my face in my hands.

A few minutes later, I felt someone tap my shoulder. One of the Apple workers had taken pity on me and found a MagicMouse "in the back."

So I got my mouse (finally). But the lesson was that some items that "seem" to be so available and so easy to get are often not.

 

[anthonymoody]

You will be surprised of the extra attention and stock the NYC stores get (especially 5th ave). I think you have a good chance of picking one up. If not on the 8th, one day during your trip.

Call ahead and call regularly. Good luck.

This. I think your chances are good.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Hard to say but just the same I'd have to bet at least one of the NYC Apple would have at least one model in stock since it's home to a flagship store.

 

[darkpaw]

Your responses make me feel much more positive about getting one!

I only found out about the trip this week so I couldn't have pre-ordered one.

Oh, and you don't know my colleagues - I'm not wiring them any of my hard-earned cash!

Okay, I'll get to the 5th Ave store and pester them all week. Quite handy as it's on my way to the office from the hotel.

Thanks everyone.

 

[chstr]

they will absolutely have one. its not the magic grail lol but seriously, they will

 

[zinka]

You might have to wait on line for a few hours some morning, but you'll probably get one. You could also scout the other stores -- UWS might be a good idea since it's up in the sticks. Or if you really feel like a trek, Staten Island store (a 1/2 hour free ferry ride + hour long bus ride) is almost certain to have stock.