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Other Possible to Buy Phone at Store no Pre-Order?

4sallypat said:
Yes, Friday around midnight the store inventory should be filled up.

You should check Thursday all day to look for store inventory - it depends on when the employees scan the store inventory.

When you see store availability, grab it and pay for it immediately, otherwise you have others that will get it and you may be out of luck waiting in line.

You may have to travel to further distance Apple Stores to find your trim, model, color and storage.
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If you're using one of the carrier trade-in options, do you have to go through all of that when trying to get one from the app, or can you just reserve it and take care of all that in-store?

Also, to OP, I have already seen a device or two pop up on the apple site as being available at a store in my area when starting the preorder process, so maybe these are preorders that were canceled or otherwise became available.
 
T4t3r said:
If you're using one of the carrier trade-in options, do you have to go through all of that when trying to get one from the app, or can you just reserve it and take care of all that in-store?

Also, to OP, I have already seen a device or two pop up on the apple site as being available at a store in my area when starting the preorder process, so maybe these are preorders that were canceled or otherwise became available.
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I assume you don't have an order pending at Apple.com ?

Are you going to go into your carrier store for the trade in?

Because if you are going into an Apple store, you should have your phone picked out ahead of time and have your trade ready for either in store or wait for the return box.
 
4sallypat said:
I assume you don't have an order pending at Apple.com ?

Are you going to go into your carrier store for the trade in?

Because if you are going into an Apple store, you should have your phone picked out ahead of time and have your trade ready for either in store or wait for the return box.
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Correct, I haven't decided what I want to do yet in regard to sticking with my current carrier or switching, but either way trading in is a good deal for me right now because I am using an Xs Max. Apple's trade-in values for my device are terrible so any trade-in would be to my carrier to get the trade-in as bill credits.

My question is just essentially, if the phone I want is available from an Apple store on Friday, is that route an option for me? I would only be going this route if I can get a phone via the app later this week for store pickup, I wouldn't be waiting in line at the store.
 
T4t3r said:
Correct, I haven't decided what I want to do yet in regard to sticking with my current carrier or switching, but either way trading in is a good deal for me right now because I am using an Xs Max. Apple's trade-in values for my device are terrible so any trade-in would be to my carrier to get the trade-in as bill credits.

My question is just essentially, if the phone I want is available from an Apple store on Friday, is that route an option for me? I would only be going this route if I can get a phone via the app later this week for store pickup, I wouldn't be waiting in line at the store.
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Much better to go with your carrier.
Your carrier has better trade in prices than Apple.

If you insist on picking up at Apple store, then expect a lower amount for your trade in.

If you want to maximize, call your carrier - they offer a better deal.

I would do that, but my carrier (TMO) wants me to change plans from my old $25 unlimited family plan to a Max Magenta plan which is pricier and less features.
 
4sallypat said:
Much better to go with your carrier.
Your carrier has better trade in prices than Apple.

If you insist on picking up at Apple store, then expect a lower amount for your trade in.

If you want to maximize, call your carrier - they offer a better deal.

I would do that, but my carrier (TMO) wants me to change plans from my old $25 unlimited family plan to a Max Magenta plan which is pricier and less features.
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Perhaps I'm not being clear enough or you're not understanding my question(s).

I'm aware of the difference between carrier trade-in versus Apple -- if I want to try to get a phone from an Apple store on Friday, can I leverage that carrier trade-in pricing (like I can by doing a preorder through Apples website) or can I ONLY trade in to Apple? If I go through Apples website now with a preorder, it gives me the option to pick up in-store if available using carrier trade-in, so I have to believe that is the same if wanting to do it on Friday with 'live' inventory.

If that is true, my original question was -- do I have to select carrier trade-in on Friday through the app, or can I just reserve the phone and handle everything else when I get to the store (I'm asking this since there will be other people trying to reserve the same phones).
 
T4t3r said:
Perhaps I'm not being clear enough or you're not understanding my question(s).

I'm aware of the difference between carrier trade-in versus Apple -- if I want to try to get a phone from an Apple store on Friday, can I leverage that carrier trade-in pricing (like I can by doing a preorder through Apples website) or can I ONLY trade in to Apple? If I go through Apples website now with a preorder, it gives me the option to pick up in-store if available using carrier trade-in, so I have to believe that is the same if wanting to do it on Friday with 'live' inventory.

If that is true, my original question was -- do I have to select carrier trade-in on Friday through the app, or can I just reserve the phone and handle everything else when I get to the store (I'm asking this since there will be other people trying to reserve the same phones).
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From my understanding after a lot of reading here of what people have found out, as well as some info I’ve learned from reps throughout this experience; if you select carrier financing, it should allow you to still take advantage of the TMO promo. The credits would show up a bit differently than stated on the TMO website.
And from my own experience, if you don’t choose to do the trade in during the order process, TMO says you have to cancel the order and place a new order to take advantage of the promo.
I did not do a trade in during checkout and found this info out, but I’m still going to attempt going into a store Saturday most likely and try to trade in and get the promo still.
I hope this helps?
 
T4t3r said:
Perhaps I'm not being clear enough or you're not understanding my question(s).

I'm aware of the difference between carrier trade-in versus Apple -- if I want to try to get a phone from an Apple store on Friday, can I leverage that carrier trade-in pricing (like I can by doing a preorder through Apples website) or can I ONLY trade in to Apple? If I go through Apples website now with a preorder, it gives me the option to pick up in-store if available using carrier trade-in, so I have to believe that is the same if wanting to do it on Friday with 'live' inventory.

If that is true, my original question was -- do I have to select carrier trade-in on Friday through the app, or can I just reserve the phone and handle everything else when I get to the store (I'm asking this since there will be other people trying to reserve the same phones).
Click to expand...
If you go thru Apple.com and pre-order with a trade in, you can choose your carrier and get the lower monthly which will give you a higher trade in value, but locked into a "contract" that may be different than what you have now.

When I try to trade in using the carrier, I see the lower amount, but at the bottom of the page, I see that the trade in varies with the plan that I am on vs new plan.

Here is my TMO offer at $8.30 month for the phone ($200 net phone cost after 23 months) but I don't want to change 5 lines over to the new plan - will actually cost me more.

Screen Shot 2022-09-13 at 7.46.35 AM.png
 
Starfyre said:
Right now app shows everything as not available for pickup, but your saying by Friday availability will actually show up throughout the day for online reservation? (so no need to have remorse for missing out on a pre-order timeframe?)
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Correct. You won't see availability for pick-up until Friday morning.
 
4sallypat said:
Yes, Friday around midnight the store inventory should be filled up.

You should check Thursday all day to look for store inventory - it depends on when the employees scan the store inventory.

When you see store availability, grab it and pay for it immediately, otherwise you have others that will get it and you may be out of luck waiting in line.

You may have to travel to further distance Apple Stores to find your trim, model, color and storage.
Click to expand...
Thanks. So is it midnight, 5am, or depends? Read both here. When did they move to this model? Wish I just did it right the first time around haha.
 
alee said:
Correct. You won't see availability for pick-up until Friday morning.
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So Apple makes stock available to store for pre-order leading up to release, but also sets aside extra stock intentionally for people who ’miss’ out on the preorder period for people to reserve online, and have another set for people that are in line. That sounds promising.
 
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SR42 said:
Last time I waited in line was for the iPhone X (I don't remember why, maybe no pre-orders that year?)
This was at an apple store in Houston, I got there at noon on Thursday (day before launch) and I was around 20th in line. First guy got there Wednesday night apparently.
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I always wondered what people do if nature calls when lining up for days like that.
 
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capitanbuzo said:
Thanks. So is it midnight, 5am, or depends? Read both here. When did they move to this model? Wish I just did it right the first time around haha.
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Depends on when the Apple Store employees scan inventory (for store stock).

Usually it updates around midnight the day before the launch but sometimes just before opening on launch day.

When my 12Pro never made it from China, I went online and found the exact same phone available at my local Apple store and bought it. Went into store when it stated the time for pickup.
Ended up returning the shipped 12 Pro week later after it finally arrived.
Glad I had enough credit line to put both phones on the Apple Card.
Now, I have received so much more credit that I can buy 10 iPhones!
 
bigjnyc said:
I always wondered what people do if nature calls when lining up for days like that.
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They usually tag in a friend to hold the spot. But also the folks in line were all super nice when I waited in line back in the day - if you needed to leave the line for the moment, your line mates would just hold the spot for you.
 
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I just reserved my preferred device about an hour ago after checking off and on all day. If you have time to do some light refreshing or can check throughout the day, I’d say there’s a good chance you can get your order in before Friday. Probably will be dependent on stock in your area but my closest stores (not that close :() are in a very populated metro area.
 
I haven’t see anything come up for Friday yet but will keep trying and may try a camp out if I can’t get in. I made a Siri shortcut. Hopefully that’s accurate.
 
capitanbuzo said:
I haven’t see anything come up for Friday yet but will keep trying and may try a camp out if I can’t get in. I made a Siri shortcut. Hopefully that’s accurate.
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with the uptick in preorders year on year.. will you really need to camp out?
 
4sallypat said:
Depends on the popularity and people density of the Apple Store.

Some stores you will see people camped out in front a day or 2 early while others from early morning.

First in line means you stand a good chance at getting one - may not get the color choice or storage, but at least a better chance.
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I don't think this really happens anymore. No one has camped out overnight for an iPhone in years. I'd say morning of and you'll be fine.
 
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I was also wondering if they would have phones in stock . I would like to change my 14 pro for a pro max . Hopefully at my time slot they still have one
 
adambcw said:
I was also wondering if they would have phones in stock . I would like to change my 14 pro for a pro max . Hopefully at my time slot they still have one
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If you are changing your mind, you would do better to pre-pay for one online the morning of because the color, storage and size may not be available by the time you get to the front of the line.

Otherwise, just hoping your color and storage being available is like craps at the gambling table.
 
4sallypat said:
If you are changing your mind, you would do better to pre-pay for one online the morning of because the color, storage and size may not be available by the time you get to the front of the line.

Otherwise, just hoping your color and storage being available is like craps at the gambling table.
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Going to try online . Thanks
 
Shadowbech said:
6 AM your local time so 6 am ET is when it will be online (that’s if you live in ET zone). 6 am central if you live in the central time zone. Etc etc
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Roger that. Is that confirmed though? Throughout this, I heard 4am, 5am, and 6am so just want to confirm.
 
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