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Logic Behind 5:00 PM Release For 3Gs

L

Lotus Esprit V8

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 18, 2010
126
0
New England
What is Apples logic for not making the first batch of 3Gs available until 5:00 PM?

Does Apple really care about when people get out of work? If so then why not just wait one more day for the 3Gs model sale to the public.

I find this very peculiar.

Any thoughts?
 
I was wondering the same thing. It's weird they're releasing it literally right when most people leave work, as in walking out the building. I mean, make it at least 6PM so people have time to get to the store. I guess it'll just be a bunch of school kids waiting in line.
 
Unless they are positive they won't have units at all stores for the 10am open, then I don't see the point.. 5pm is a weird time... Now what is really crappy is that if some stores are handing out purchase vouchers to first come first serve and they start handing them out at 10am then it seems to defeat the whole 5pm thing especially if they have the units in stock at open. The die-hard fans and customers who really want a 3G iPad have probably already made arrangements for Friday's launch in hopes to get one when they open at 10am.. Makes no difference who gets one at 10am or 5pm- cuz if you're that serious about getting one then you'll have your 3G iPad by Friday's end. Of course if this is typical for Apple Stores then I guess we shouldn't be surprised, but why does Best Buy have to play by the same rules..?
Lotus Esprit V8 said:
What is Apples logic for not making the first batch of 3Gs available until 5:00 PM?

Does Apple really care about when people get out of work? If so then why not just wait one more day for the 3Gs model sale to the public.

I find this very peculiar.

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
 
Just called my local store (Palm Beach Gardens, Florida) and they said no vouchers, line only. First come, first served. Of course no idea of how many and what sizes. No reservations. Tis store is in a mall, I wonder how they'll handle the lines...if any form. I might go by around mid afternoon and see whats up. I'm this close to getting $550 for my wifi 16GB and Apple Case package deal. If it goes thru today, I'm in line at 10AM tomorrow. :p
 
Leopard was launched at 6pm. Evening launches during the week are nothing new for Apple. If they waited to do another Saturday launch it would have been May Day...which is not late April. 5pm allows them to hit people on their way home from work.
 
Lotus Esprit V8 said:
What is Apples logic for not making the first batch of 3Gs available until 5:00 PM?

Does Apple really care about when people get out of work? If so then why not just wait one more day for the 3Gs model sale to the public.

I find this very peculiar.

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

My guess (and it's only a guess) is that with the pre-orders being delivered tomorrow during the day is why.

If they are released in the stores BEFORE the pre-ordered Ipads arrived, that would be kind of lame to those who committed early.
 
I believe they are trying to stagger the activations. Remember with the iPhone 3G the activations all at once it caused a big mess and brought down servers. I think they are trying to split the load where the deliveries will be activated in the morning, in-stores in the afternoon. With any luck this should make the activation process smooth.
 
Will the stores be open before hand? I'm gonna be trying to get a camera connection kit before everybody buying a 3G iPad gets them...I tried yesterday and they still don't have them out, while some other Apple stores are starting to get stock....

Just wondering because they seem to like to keep the store under wraps if they are going to change product layouts.
 
Some of the people who pre-ordered 3G iPads are very eager to get their hands on one. So eager, that even though most will get their deliveries tomorrow--they may decide to pick one up at the Applestore prior to delivery and then just not accept delivery of the one they ordered online.

Delaying the launch at the stores until 5pm give the courier a chance to get it to those people prior to 5pm thus keeping them away from mobbing the stores. Maybe? I'm just speculating.
 
Honestly, I think it's to be fair to those who pre-ordered. Fedex will have likely delivered all the pre-orders by 5 PM, so that way, it's not like people who pre-ordered could say, "man, I could have just gone and gotten in line and gotten it sooner!"

Rob
 
Why 5 p.m.? It’s convenient for people working normal hours (8-5, etc).

Almost every Apple Friday product launch has been at either 5 p.m. or 6 p.m.
 
jaw04005 said:
Why 5 p.m.? It’s convenient for people working normal hours (8-5, etc).

Almost every Apple Friday product launch has been at either 5 p.m. or 6 p.m.
Click to expand...

Then why launch on Friday? It would seem that Saturday would be better and Apple would get more media attention as well.
 
Lotus Esprit V8 said:
Then why launch on Friday? It would seem that Saturday would be better and Apple would get more media attention as well.
Click to expand...

Saturday = May.

Plus, Apple likes to deliver their pre-orders AND release product in the store on the same day.

Saturday delivery is a mess, as shown by the WiFi iPad launch.
 
C'mon peeps! This is APPLE. Everything the do is marketing based. Nothing suits a marketer better than FREE advertising. And what better FREE advertising than getting a story on the evening local newscasts?

5 PM. Just in time for a live report of the crazed buyers weighting in line at the local Apple store. Also plenty of time for the morning newspaper.
 
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