Here's my report:
Boston, MA Store
me: hi, I have a question about product availability
SR: sure, how can I help you?
me: I'm sure you've heard this a million times... but do you know when you'll have the new quad-core iMacs in stock at the store?
SR: which quadcore?
me: uhm... the i5
SR: no, we don't have a release date yet. but maybe 2 weeks or so
me: you asked me 'which quad core'... does that mean you'll be getting i7's too?
sr: uuuhhmm......(pause)....basically everything you see on our stores website is in our retail
me: ok, thank you
*click*
(I'm pretty sure this guy does not know what's going on...)
Danbury, CT sotre
me: hi, I have a question about product availability
SR: sure, what's your question?
me: I'm sure you've heard this a million times... but do you know when you'll have the new quad-core iMacs in stock at the store?
SR: in about a week (she didn't even think it twice, seems like a canned answer)
me: a week? sure?
SR: yeah, check back in a week
me: ok....thanks
*click*
Stamford, CT store
me: hi, I have a question about product availability
SR: yeah, what's up?
me: I'm sure you've heard this a million times... but do you know when you'll have the new quad-core iMacs in stock at the store?
SR: not sure, but I'll say in about a half a week to a week maybe, but ordering on-line is your best best.
me: awesome, thanks
*click*
5th ave NYC store
me: hi, I have a question about product availability
SR: sure, how can I help you?
me: I'm sure you've heard this a million times... but do you know when you'll have the new quad-core iMacs in stock at the store?
SR: no, no clue
me: really? not even an estimate or an educated guess?
SR: no, not even a guess. but your best bet is to just order in on-line.
me: hhhm... I find that heard to believe... but thanks anyways
*click*
order on-line? are they mad? don't they think I've already considered that option and I have good reasons for not doing it?
maybe I can't take any random day off from work to wait for the package?
or maybe I don't want to wait until December for my order to ship
anyhow... that's what I've got for today