iPhone Reserved @ Apple Store

Question

iPhone Reserved @ Apple Store

Trying to pre-order proved impossible, but was able (after ten hours) to reserve an iPhone at the local Apple Store for the 24th. No confirmation number, or notice that one will be sent. All they said was "We'll see you at the Store," and "Be sure to bring government ID." Sounds a bit sketchy to me. Last thing I want to --or will-- do is fight crowds and stand in line. What's the procedure from here on? Will they send e-mail confirming the reservation, or is this just a marketing ploy? (Gee, you think?) Some input would be appreciated. Thanks.

HAL 9000, Mac OS X (10.6.3)

Posted on Jun 15, 2010 2:30 PM

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Answer 1

steelpen

Level 1

4 points

Jun 15, 2010 2:40 PM in response to Community User

Same exact issue with me. Finally got through and got the "We'll see you at the store" message. Would also like some input on this please.

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Answer 2

BevL

Level 1

55 points

Jun 15, 2010 2:48 PM in response to Community User

I ordered mine this morning and received an email confirmation shortly afterwards. There's no number, just stating that it will be there , what I need to bring and that I must come in before close of business on the 24th. Apple wiil have 2 lines that day - 1 for pre-orders and 1 for those just buying that day. There will be lines but it should move fairly quickly. Be sure to take your email verification just to be on the safe side.

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Answer 3

Jun 15, 2010 2:49 PM in response to steelpen

As far as I know, pre-ordering and reserving your iphone are the same thing. You have until the store closes to pick up your phone or it'll be given to someone else. They have your phone under your sign in name or current account phone number/last 4 of social/email. That's what many people have done in the past because they may not be home to sign for the phone. I wouldn't worry too much about it. It'll be there as long as you got your confirmation email.

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Answer 4

Jun 15, 2010 2:49 PM in response to redwinger

Bottom of reservation e-mail. "Pre-authorization does not guarantee iPhone availability at an Apple Retail Store. iPhone is sold on a first-come, first-served basis."

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Answer 5

patel99

Level 1

0 points

Jun 15, 2010 2:51 PM in response to Community User

Same thing happened to me.... my first order went in fine, it even asked me for my apple id and password, send me a confirmation via email. The 2nd phone I ordered only said "We’ll see you at the store."...What to bring
You must bring the following with you when you visit an Apple Retail Store:
No confirmation. I do not trust I got the 2nd phone. Im going to keep trying until I get an email confirmation. Good luck. This *****.

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Answer 6

Jun 15, 2010 3:45 PM in response to patel99

"Pre-authorization does not guarantee iPhone availability at an Apple Retail Store. iPhone is sold on a first-come, first-served basis." Are you kidding me!!!! I thought it's the same **** thing as shipping to your house! What is the point if by pre-ordering the iPhone to the store has no guarantee?

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Answer 7

Jun 15, 2010 3:55 PM in response to Jack Pollard

I checked with 2 Apple support folks and both said the same thing. If you have a reservation, no problem, they will have a phone for you. If you don't your on your own.

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Answer 8

Mar 31, 2015 1:11 PM in response to Jack Pollard

Jack Pollard wrote:
+I checked with 2 Apple support folks and both said the same thing. If you have a reservation, no problem, they will have a phone for you. If you don't your on your own.+

Understood. Still, the question arises: There will be huge crowds. I don't do lines. If this "Reserved" thing is just "Yeah, we'll have a phone for you, but you'll have to wait with the horde," sorry, that's not for me. What's Apple's track record? Do they have a separate line for "Reserved," or is it wait-your-turn?

Sorry to sound aggressive/snobbish/self-important, but this has been a bad day of dealing with Apple's pre-ordering failures, so, like many others, I'm cranked (and not in a good way). If I'm paying Nordstrom's prices, I want Nordstrom's service; I don't take kindly to being on the short end of the retail stick. ( Apple, are you listening? I'm venting here!) I'm just trying to buy an iPhone, not a front row ticket to a U2 concert.

Thanks for the replies, folks.

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Answer 9

Jun 15, 2010 4:26 PM in response to Community User

"I'm cranked (and not in a good way). If I'm paying Nordstrom's prices, I want Nordstrom's service"

LOL, made me laugh! I'm with you, I've been up since 4:00 AM with this insanity and then had a super pita day at work, so I feel the pain.

So, they have always had 2 lines; 1 is us, the pre-order folks. Bring your confirmation printout with you, get there around 7, bring a nice tasty beverage and check out the scene and I figure about 1 or at the max 2 hour wait. They will have your package all ready to roll.

Then there is the "other" line, they may or may not have anything for them, don't care, see ya.

Enjoy the fact your good to go. I figure if for some wacky reason the store gets no inventory, you can't sue em, hence the disclaimer. I actually have not heard of anyone not getting the pre-ordered item, I' sure it happens every now and then, but I trust in-store pickup more then I trust old Brown to actually have my iPhone in my hand on 6/24.

Peace

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Answer 10

Mar 31, 2015 1:11 PM in response to Jack Pollard

@ jack: thanks for understanding. problem is, i don't have a pre-order, just a "Reserved" phone. And therein lies the problem.

Now, get this (just to show how screwed things are today) --- I go back online, start the pre-order process again. I qualify, I pick the phone, the plan, the messages, and things are actually buzzing right along, until. . . it asks me to confirm that I'll pick it up in the store. Okay, no shipping, I can deal with that. Short line, in and out in maybe an hour, I'm your man, done deal. I click to pick it up in the store.

Care to guess what the next message is? Something like "Sorry, you can only Reserve one iPhone at a time." Not a "Do you wish to cancel the first Reservation and outright buy this phone on a pre-order?" but a "You can only Reserve one iPhone..." After 12 hours, more than 40 attempts ---plus a trip to the Apple store where the Genius points at a store iMac and says "You can order online"--- I'm about to blow Guinness and Bailey's chunks at Apple.

Arrggghhh!

And Rodney Dangerfield thought he got no respect. Hah.

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Answer 11

Jun 15, 2010 4:52 PM in response to Community User

GatorsFan; Did you go through the pre order process and then chose to pick it up at an apple store? That's what I did, i have an email that a phone is reserved for me at the apple store. If you have it shipped to your house you pay for it right then and then they ship it. If you pick it up at the apple store, it's sent with basically your name on it waiting at the apple store for you. It's essentially reserved for you, that's really just like shipping it, except u have to go and wait in line a little for it. So, I'm saying keep the Baileys down and enjoy the buzz, as far as i can tell your golden. Now please let me know if it all works out. Btw, i used to live in S. Fla., so go Noles.... 😉

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Answer 12

TK265

Level 1

0 points

Jun 15, 2010 4:56 PM in response to Jack Pollard

I was just able to order my iphone 4 on the Apple store website at 6:25 PM after trying all morning!! I decided to give it one more try and it worked.
I am having the phone delivered to my home and was given the order number after I paid. Apple must have finally fixed the problem with the site.

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Answer 13

Mar 31, 2015 1:11 PM in response to Jack Pollard

@ jack-- Just got the e-mail confirm to pickup in the store. I'm going to cruise over and double-check that I'm, as you say, "golden." Thanks for the encouragement. As to the Baileys, fuggedah 'bout it. As far as the 'Noles go, forget about them, too. It's just too great to be a Gator.

Chomp!

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Answer 14

Jun 15, 2010 5:21 PM in response to Community User

I think there's some confusion as to the difference between "pre-order" and "reservation"--like that there is one. I'm seeing people use them interchangeably, which is why everyone is so confused.

I only reserved, and was dismayed to see that, yes, there is a disclaimer at the bottom of the confirmation email that says they'll have one for me (Pre-authorization does not guarantee availability...first come, first serve.)

With pre-ordering, you actually pay for it now (as I understand), and you're guaranteed a phone that is already linked to your number, etc.

I just wanted to clarify, because I'm wondering what line I (a mere reserver) belong in. The ones who thought ahead, or the ones who are just hoping they can get one the day of?

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Answer 15

Jun 15, 2010 5:23 PM in response to Jack Pollard

Jack Pollard wrote:
I checked with 2 Apple support folks and both said the same thing. If you have a reservation, no problem, they will have a phone for you. If you don't your on your own.

I'm hoping this is true, and the disclaimer at the bottom of the confirmation is just that--a legal disclaimer there just in case something goes wrong.

It makes no sense to tell me that I've reserved a phone and it will be there waiting for me until the end of the day if there's a chance (first come, first serve) that it won't be there until the end of the day.

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