Went to the Apple Store...

[danlovaj]

I live in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on Maui

No Apple Store here, only a Apple retailer

They said they will not have stock and may have a demo on the 3rd no guarantees

The closest Apple Store is on another island Oahu 30 minutes away by airplane

And you guys think you got problems

And at least you have hot tanned slim bodies around. Not pale fat dimple marked ones like here.

 

[klrobinson999]

I heard they are halving the store. One line for iPad reservations, and the other for everything else.

what do they do for the morons who show up wanting an iPad but don't have a reservation?

 

[robotkiller]

I heard they are halving the store. One line for iPad reservations, and the other for everything else.

what do they do for the morons who show up wanting an iPad but don't have a reservation?

Send them to Best Buy or tell them to wait til 3

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I curious to know if their was any truth to the rumor that came out a few weeks ago that said that Apple will be giving out a special gift for those who arrive early next saturday morning?

I haven't seen anything to either confirm or deny this but I think the last time Apple gave out a "gift" at a product launch as OS X 10.3 or .4. And IIRC the last time they gave out something as decent as a t-shirt was the the first dock connector iPod. (Talking for a prod. launch, not store opening).

I heard they are halving the store. One line for iPad reservations, and the other for everything else.

what do they do for the morons who show up wanting an iPad but don't have a reservation?

I imagine there will be two lines - one for reservists, the other for non-reservists. I say this because I have not seen Apple say "if you don't have a reservation don't come to the store." The web site still pretty much says "April 3 come on' down. Click here to find a store near you."

 

[hugodrax]

I wish they had the 3G one out, I have some covered call premiums on standby for the 64gig model. I can then put it for next years taxes as a business expense

 

[old-wiz]

I hate it when they close the whole store. Worse yet, you never know when the store will reopen for regular shoppers. Will they be open Sunday? Monday? Tuesday?

 

[GeekLawyer]

I imagine there will be two lines - one for reservists, the other for non-reservists. I say this because I have not seen Apple say "if you don't have a reservation don't come to the store." The web site still pretty much says "April 3 come on' down. Click here to find a store near you."

This is exactly what I was told by the manager of my local Apple store. Two lines until 3 (or all the reservists have been helped) and then one line for all.

 

[maroontigre]

I still wonder about the accessories though. What are the chances that they'll have cases available when they're delayed to pre-orderers?

 

[GeekLawyer]

I still wonder about the accessories though. What are the chances that they'll have cases available when they're delayed to pre-orderers?

I expect they'll have some. But not enough for all.

 

[skubish]

I am not buying it. There will be plenty of stock of iPads for walkins. There were no shortage of iPhones on launch day.

 

[OneMike]

I am not buying it. There will be plenty of stock of iPads for walkins. There were no shortage of iPhones on launch day.

I wonder.

I reserved a 16GB. Now after thought I was debating getting a larger size one.

Originally you could modify your reservation and edit the size. Now you can only cancel it.

Either way if walkins can buy I just wonder how that would go.

I'd assume the majority of people going to the store at 9AM will be those who reserved. That said the walkin line should be significantly shorter. If so would make more sense to just go as a walkin rather then wait?

I think walkins either won't be able to buy till after 3 or the reserver line ends, or there will be a very limited stock

 

[Tinknock71]

I live in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on Maui

No Apple Store here, only a Apple retailer

They said they will not have stock and may have a demo on the 3rd no guarantees

The closest Apple Store is on another island Oahu 30 minutes away by airplane

And you guys think you got problems

Lets trade my house and Ipad on the 3rd for home in Maui! Im in michigan and the weather sucks here, I would love to have perfect temps all year around, Hell I will even give up my Macbook pro

 

[LadyHoneyBabe]

I heard they are halving the store. One line for iPad reservations, and the other for everything else.

what do they do for the morons who show up wanting an iPad but don't have a reservation?

I think every store is doing something different. The store I went to said there is only one line and you can't get in the store unless you get in line. There won't be people in the store standing around testing out the products like normal. It's a sales day only and every person gets their own sales person to help them. Again, every store is different. This only from the one I went to yesterday.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

I think every store is doing something different. The store I went to said there is only one line and you can't get in the store unless you get in line. There won't be people in the store standing around testing out the products like normal. It's a sales day only and every person gets their own sales person to help them. Again, every store is different. This only from the one I went to yesterday.

is it a narrow store or a wide store?

hmmm, that might not make much sense unless you have been to multiple ones. 2 tables across or 3?

I can see some of the smaller stores needing to restrict access based on sheer size, but that would be a crazy thing to do at a store like the Florida Mall - where most times you see foreign tourists walking in with a list to take back home. The last one i saw was buying 2 64gb Touches and 4 Nano's, and pondering adding another Touch. Pretty sure i'd want that persons sales!

 

[Clix Pix]

Extra goodies: the year Leopard was launched, we all got t-shirts. The first iPhone launch, a special bag and the second iPhone (3G) launch, a special bag. I don't think there was anything special at last year's launch of the 3GS; I didn't get there super-early so don't know if I just missed out on it or what.
I'm guessing that there'll be a special bag for the iPad.

 

[ipoddin]

I am not buying it. There will be plenty of stock of iPads for walkins. There were no shortage of iPhones on launch day.

I remember when the first iphone came out and there were long lines day 1 and it was supposedly sold out everywhere.

The very next day I walked in to an Apple Store where there was no line, plenty of stock, and bought one.

I think this whole thing is a calculated move to hype the product, make it look like everyone wants it and it's sold out, but there will be plenty of stock.

 

[saving107]

Apple hasn't said anything about a short supply for the initial launch, on the contrary, I think they are trying to avoid long lines by holding reservation until 3pm and allowing people to have their iPad delivered to their homes or the option to buy one from Best Buy.

for the iPhone 3GS launch, Apple had two lines (1 for reservations and 1 for walk-ins), both with in at the same time. People with a reservation were guaranteed an iPhone that day no mater what time they chose to go to the Apple Store, but the people in the 2nd line were on a first-come-first-served basis wile supplies lasted, but my Apple Store was fully stocked for the whole weekend with a new shipment coming in the following monday morning.

Apple is not hyping anything, the people on the gadget blogs (forums) are.

 

[diabolic]

I remember when the first iphone came out and there were long lines day 1 and it was supposedly sold out everywhere.

The very next day I walked in to an Apple Store where there was no line, plenty of stock, and bought one.

I think this whole thing is a calculated move to hype the product, make it look like everyone wants it and it's sold out, but there will be plenty of stock.

If you look back at the iPhone launch, it still ended up basically unavailable for 21 out of the first 74 days. They really did sell out of them. Not hype.

Apple hasn't said anything about a short supply for the initial launch, on the contrary, I think they are trying to avoid long lines by holding reservation until 3pm and allowing people to have their iPad delivered to their homes or the option to buy one from Best Buy.

I agree. They could be doing a lot more to guarantee long lines and a short supply. By allowing the pre-orders and reservations, Apple seems to be doing the opposite. You're right that most of the hype has been by outside people, not Apple.

 

[LadyHoneyBabe]

is it a narrow store or a wide store?

hmmm, that might not make much sense unless you have been to multiple ones. 2 tables across or 3?

I can see some of the smaller stores needing to restrict access based on sheer size, but that would be a crazy thing to do at a store like the Florida Mall - where most times you see foreign tourists walking in with a list to take back home. The last one i saw was buying 2 64gb Touches and 4 Nano's, and pondering adding another Touch. Pretty sure i'd want that persons sales!

Good point, but each store is different.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

Good point, but each store is different.

Yes and no.....

Apple stores are laid out basically the same depending on the base SF of the space. They actually aren't doing any more of the narrow/2 table wide stores (TG) according to some report a few months ago. Too cramped for space. The remodel of the 2 i have been too made me feel wayyyy "get me out of here" in the space area. I just don't like that layout at all.

But, for sure policies are going to vary based on the target market of the stores.

I just can't see ticking off people that just happen to want to buy something and don't know it's iPad day either.....

But, the chaos that is the 2 Stores i go to is why we did delivery for ours - tourist malls during Spring Break? NOT.

 

[SchneiderMan]

It's really rude when they close the store for reservations only or for people who stand in line to buy a certain product, i remember i wanted to buy something when the iPhone 3GS was launched and there was a huge line about 1 mile long at The Grove Apple store..

 

[Fast Shadow]

I am not buying it. There will be plenty of stock of iPads for walkins. There were no shortage of iPhones on launch day.

Don't be surprised if there are artificially induced shortages. I think Apple is going to imitate the "Nintendo model" that served N so well with the Wii. Combining intense hype with "shortages" it has helped make the Wii a huge success with perpetual buzz surrounding it. Nintendo really is the Apple of the game world.

It's really rude when they close the store for reservations only or for people who stand in line to buy a certain product, i remember i wanted to buy something when the iPhone 3GS was launched and there was a huge line about 1 mile long at The Grove Apple store..

Come on now. Even the most casual Apple fan will be aware of a major launch and throwing a fit by trying to get into the store on the day of such a launch smacks of deliberately making a scene for sake of it.

 

[LadyHoneyBabe]

Yes and no.....

Apple stores are laid out basically the same depending on the base SF of the space. They actually aren't doing any more of the narrow/2 table wide stores (TG) according to some report a few months ago. Too cramped for space. The remodel of the 2 i have been too made me feel wayyyy "get me out of here" in the space area. I just don't like that layout at all.

But, for sure policies are going to vary based on the target market of the stores.

I just can't see ticking off people that just happen to want to buy something and don't know it's iPad day either.....

But, the chaos that is the 2 Stores i go to is why we did delivery for ours - tourist malls during Spring Break? NOT.

BTW: the store is opening at 9AM for reservations only.

 

[MatthewStorm]

I remember when the first iphone came out and there were long lines day 1 and it was supposedly sold out everywhere.

The very next day I walked in to an Apple Store where there was no line, plenty of stock, and bought one.

I think this whole thing is a calculated move to hype the product, make it look like everyone wants it and it's sold out, but there will be plenty of stock.

When the 3Gs came out there were lines for four days at the 14th St. store. Crazy.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Don't be surprised if there are artificially induced shortages. I think Apple is going to imitate the "Nintendo model" that served N so well with the Wii. Combining intense hype with "shortages" it has helped make the Wii a huge success with perpetual buzz surrounding it. Nintendo really is the Apple of the game world.

1) The "Nintendo model"? You think The Wii was the first product ever with shortages as marketing scheme. Ever heard of the Holland Tulip Mania of 1630s?

2) Hype is the opposite of "buzz." So either the iPad is buoyed by exaggerated manufactured claims it can't live up to or it's such an amazing product people passionately tell their friends and family about it manifested by unforeseen demand.

3) Both the Wii and iPad are unique which is what creates true demand for non-essential, expensive products, and not false shortages. Indeed the PS3 had about half the launch units available and petered out very quickly.

4) Apple has never intentionally shorted production to boost a products viability. Such ploys rarely work and reduces income -- which is the opposite of Apple's goal. It wants to sell as many as it can. Teasing consumers does not make them a dime. It's a losing proposition.