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Personal Shopping - Set appointment for 5:30 pm Friday, 4/30

S

Scott-n-Houston

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Apr 27, 2008
1,023
338
Houston (duh)
So, I wonder if this will work.
It's not a 'reserve an iPad' reservation, but it's a personal shopper appointment for Friday, 30 minutes after the 3G is released.
I put in the notes that I would like to buy the 3G 64GB. Odds that this 'works' and I can come in at 5:30 and just buy my 3G? :D
 
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Quite creative! I'm curious to see if this will work. Someone should call the Apple Store and find out if they will honor this sort of thing or just cancel your appointment unilaterally.
 
Don't think that will work, since it's 30 minutes after. The appointment is not a pre-order, it's just for help making shopping choices.
 
I suspect you're right about it not being a reserve. I plan on calling Mon to chat about my visit and ask if they might be able to hold one, or what would be the point of my shopping?

We'll see how this goes. :)
 
ovrlrd said:
Don't think that will work, since it's 30 minutes after. The appointment is not a pre-order, it's just for help making shopping choices.
Click to expand...

Actually, I also think it's a great idea. And while no, it doesn't reserve a unit, it should help you skip the possible long line assembled (if it is anything like the last 2 iPhone launches were at my local Apple Store) and get a unit in your hands that much quicker. Since you can't reserve/pre-order a unit for purchase, just helps ensure you get to purchase one that they have in stock.

I'm going to do the same but unfortunately, my local store only presently allows scheduling up to Thursday, April 29--guess I'll try again tomorrow.
 
tbayrgs said:
Actually, I also think it's a great idea. And while no, it doesn't reserve a unit, it should help you skip the possible long line assembled (if it is anything like the last 2 iPhone launches were at my local Apple Store) and get a unit in your hands that much quicker. Since you can't reserve/pre-order a unit for purchase, just helps ensure you get to purchase one that they have in stock.

I'm going to do the same but unfortunately, my local store only presently allows scheduling up to Thursday, April 29--guess I'll try again tomorrow.
Click to expand...

I kinda doubt it's going to help. You're going to walk in there at 5:25 and say you want an iPad and they are going to tell you to get on line (if there is one).
 
iRabbit said:
I kinda doubt it's going to help. You're going to walk in there at 5:25 and say you want an iPad and they are going to tell you to get on line (if there is one).
Click to expand...

+1

That was my first thought. Though it depends on the person helping with the appointment. Maybe they will let it fly.

Heck, I pre-ordered mine for delivery, but I can't wait to hear if this actually worked. Please keep us posted.
 
People tried this with the iPhone 3G and 3GS launches. They would make an appointment at 10:00 a.m. or so, and try to bypass the line that had been there since 4:00 a.m. In every case, it didn't work. There were a lot of angry forum posts.

So, I wouldn't risk it. If it were that easy, everyone would be doing it.

I just don't want you to miss out on your iPad!
 
Alucardx03 said:
People tried this with the iPhone 3G and 3GS launches. They would make an appointment at 10:00 a.m. or so, and try to bypass the line that had been there since 4:00 a.m. In every case, it didn't work. There were a lot of angry forum posts.

So, I wouldn't risk it. If it were that easy, everyone would be doing it.

I just don't want you to miss out on your iPad!
Click to expand...

I understand but the difference is the wifi version has been out for a while already. What if I'm not sure if I want a wifi or 3G, need some assistance with difference in features, etc? Worse that happens is you chat for a bit, decide you want a 3G, and they say fine but because it's launch day for the 3G that you have to get in line. So I lose a few minutes getting in the line I would've had to get into in the first place. I'm not planning on getting there early to try to be first in line so spending a few extra minutes on the off chance they let me get one via personal shopping can't hurt. And also, my local store's website lists that iPad as a product choice for my personal shopping session so I don't see why I couldn't schedule a session---not lying under the guise of a different product.

Hey for my personal circumstances, doesn't hurt to try. Plus, I'm not planning on trying to go right at 5 pm--have another commitment so I'm heading over a bit later.

UPDATE: Well guys, appears you are actually correct. Just checked my local store's (Tampa International Plaza) personal shopping openings again and they have grayed out personal shopping for the iPad for next Fri-Sun with openings again available on Monday so appears Apple is on top of this tactic. Others may have luck at different locations but as you suspected, I doubt it's going to work.
 
Well, my personal shopping appointment was made specifically for the iPad. As I said above, I'll call later this week (like Wed) to confirm and see what feedback the store gives me on whether it will work.

Right now, it's on the books. If they cancel, maybe I'll get a hint on how Fri is going to work.
 
Scott-n-Houston said:
Well, my personal shopping appointment was made specifically for the iPad. As I said above, I'll call later this week (like Wed) to confirm and see what feedback the store gives me on whether it will work.

Right now, it's on the books. If they cancel, maybe I'll get a hint on how Fri is going to work.
Click to expand...

Here's how Friday will work; A line will begin to form hours before. The people in this line will be the fence-sitters who waited too long, and now can't get an iPad until May 7th, normal people who just neglected to pre-order, or resellers hoping to make a quick buck.

I can guarantee you the line will be long-- maybe not as long as for the WiFi, but it will be significant. At 5:00, they'll start selling them, and it'll be first-come, first-serve.

With all the Apple launches under our belts, I don't think there is a lot of mystery anymore.
 
Alucardx03 said:
Here's how Friday will work; A line will begin to form hours before. The people in this line will be the rabid, iPad lusting fence-sitters who waited too long, and now can't get an iPad until May 7th, normal people who just neglected to pre-order, or resellers hoping to make a quick buck.

I can guarantee you the line will be long-- maybe not as long as for the WiFi, but it will be significant. At 5:00, they'll start selling them, and it'll be first-come, first-serve.

With all the Apple launches under our belts, I don't think there is a lot of mystery anymore.
Click to expand...

Fixed it for you! :D

Steve
 
You guys are all so negative. :)

Yes, I agree that's it's somewhat of a long-shot, and out of the norm for Apple's typical release day policy, but I am willing to bet I can get cooperation from an employee to hold one for my appointment. We'll just see. :D
 
Scott-n-Houston said:
You guys are all so negative. :)

Yes, I agree that's it's somewhat of a long-shot, and out of the norm for Apple's typical release day policy, but I am willing to bet I can get cooperation from an employee to hold one for my appointment. We'll just see. :D
Click to expand...
Hold one for you to purchase? I'll take that bet. How about $1000? That should cover a 64GB WiFi+3G for me. Send me a private message and we'll exchange contact info (just kidding). Oh well, you did say "longshot", so I'll give you odds, 3 to 1?
 
qtx43 said:
Hold one for you to purchase? I'll take that bet. How about $1000? That should cover a 64GB WiFi+3G for me. Send me a private message and we'll exchange contact info (just kidding). Oh well, you did say "longshot", so I'll give you odds, 3 to 1?
Click to expand...

Better be glad you're joking. I just got off the phone with a sales rep who said they would have no trouble holding one for me for my 5:30 personal shopping visit. He gave me his name and said to call Friday morning to remind him.

It's not over until I have it in my hands, but so far so good. :D
 
Apple Stores take Personal Shops VERY seriously. If they had appointments open, they will probably hold you one because of your special note.

Enjoy your iPad!
 
ippikiokami said:
Well... I doubt anyone is going to have trouble going straight in and picking up one at 5:30 pm.
Click to expand...

Well I hope your right. I do not expect there to be the types of lines there were on the wifi launch day, especially since you can't generally (OP excluded) reserve unit and since so many people likely already pre-ordered. I walked right in late on wifi launch day and picked up a unit--employee said they had plenty of stock so I'm hoping they have plenty of stock this Friday as well.

Guess we'll just have to wait and see.
 
Scott-n-Houston said:
Better be glad you're joking. I just got off the phone with a sales rep who said they would have no trouble holding one for me for my 5:30 personal shopping visit. He gave me his name and said to call Friday morning to remind him.

It's not over until I have it in my hands, but so far so good. :D
Click to expand...
I'm still extremely sceptical. But stranger things have happened, and yes, I was joking because 1) betting on it is probably illegal and 2) there's no easy way to verify whatever you said happened.
 
pirateRACE said:
Apple Stores take Personal Shops VERY seriously. If they had appointments open, they will probably hold you one because of your special note.

Enjoy your iPad!
Click to expand...

I hope your right! I just followed what the OP did and snagged a Friday 5:00 p.m. time slot. Made sure to add a nice note stating I was there to buy a 16Gb iPad Wi-Fi + 3G and receive a few pointers. Hope it works!
 
Tried it with iPhone 3G

I tried the exact same thing with the iPhone 3G launch...made a personal shopping reservation. 2 days prior, the store manager called me and very politely let me know that they were not able to honor shopping appointments for the launch product. However, it's worth a shot!
 
I got a 5pm appointment on Friday.

Maybe I can sell it EBay for significant profit. :D
 
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