The Diff Between Pre-Order and Reserved

The Apple Stores in Silicon Valley are saying that reserved are only being held the first day.

Message was edited by: raycunn

modular747 wrote:
The difference is extremely simple:

With pre-orders you are paying for the phone at the time it's shipped, and it's yours. If it's shipped to a store, it's saved for you and can't be sold to anyone else. It's already yours. The store may have an "express" line for pre-order customers.

Reserved phone are not payed for in advance and not specifically assigned to anyone. The stores get an allotment for the reserve customers. They usually allow you in early, but if you show up late, any leftover reserved phones are released to walk-in customers, first come, first served.

Okay, see, this actually makes sense to me. It's a middle ground. The way I've heard, it seemed like there wasn't much of a difference between "pre-order" and "reserve", but this way there is a certain allotment, not necessarily with your name on it, and if you're there, you get it, if not, someone else gets it. I'll make sure to be there early. Also, what is "early"? Some have said midnight, which seems a bit much. If I'm there before 7AM, should that be good enough to ensure I get my reserved phone? I know I may have to wait longer since other people with reserved phones that were there super early will get theirs first, but I mostly just want to make sure I get it.

You're welcome.

I don't know about how long a store will hold onto a pre-order, but one day seems much too short. Apple stores have the same national polices - "Silicon Valley" isn't excepted. If they release it, they have to refund you or give you an immediate replacement.

In my mind, unless there are unusual circumstances, it doesn't make much sense to have a pre-order sent to a store when it can be sent directly to you. Maybe some really like the crowds and standing on line...

Message was edited by: modular747

I sure took it that way!

They'll hold it the entire day for those with confirmed reservations.

In the 'my reservations' it states Thursday, June 24, 2010 - Your product will be available until the end of the day.

Okay this is the part that's turning me stupid. The reserve confirmation email says "Please note that your reservation will be held until close of business on June 24." So that's fine, I'm happy, I have an iPhone as long as I show up on the 24th. But then other posts suggest that if I'm not camped out at midnight then my reserved phone will be given to a walk-in.

Yeah, see, that's what makes me confused really. People here are saying that you have to be there before or at opening, but then the email says it's held for me until the end of the day. I don't know why they would say that if it's not true.

EBSkater wrote:

Chris Hill2 wrote:
THANK YOU. thats the answer that clarifies evrything. Once again i appreciate it

Ummm, that's pretty much what I stated in my first post... :-|

Pretty much, but not exactly. In yours, you said that we'd have to wait until everyone who pre-ordered got theirs (which doesn't make much sense.) And that we aren't guaranteed a phone.

That hasn't always been the case in the past. If they run out of walk-in stock on opening day, after a certain time they released the unclaimed reserve stock. Maybe they changed the policy this year.

modular747 wrote:
I don't know about how long a store will hold onto a pre-order, but one day seems much too short. Apple stores have the same national polices - "Silicon Valley" isn't excepted. If they release it, they have to refund you or give you an immediate replacement.

In my mind, unless there are unusual circumstances, it doesn't make much sense to have a pre-order sent to a store when it can be sent directly to you. Maybe some really like the crowds and standing on line...

Message was edited by: modular747

Pre-orders are held for 7 days, Reservations are held until the end of the day.

modular747 wrote:
That hasn't always been the case in the past. If they run out of walk-in stock on opening day, after a certain time they released the unclaimed reserve stock. Maybe they changed the policy this year.

Either way, I'm going early. Don't have much else to do and I wake up automatically around that time already.