TangoTango
07-19-2008, 10:52 PM
I decided on the black 16Gig model for my Iphone. I had intended to wait a few weeks before getting my Iphone. I knew from reading the forums and looking at the Apple page that the phone supply was still selling about as fast as it was coming in. I visited a few of the AT&T stores in the area with the same result.... "We are sold out for today, check back tomorrow. The line forms early".
Last nights check of the Apple site showed both of the stores here would have the model I wanted availible for sale today, July 19th. Due to an odd combination of events, I found myself awake and active at what is (for me anyway) an unheard of early hour of the morning. Almost on a whim I climbed into the car to head to the Town Square Apple store at 6 A.M. (The Apple page says it opens at 10 A.M.). The temprature was already 85 degrees with the Sun not even fully risen above the horizon yet, heading to the days high of 106 or so.
When I arrived at about 6:20 I found out that there was already a small line! I was to be number 7 in line. The first 3 guys had got there at 5:30 and told me this was actually their second day in line. Numbers 4 and 5 were also veterans, this being the third day for them. Number 6 had driven over with his family from southern Utah to be at the store today. The Wife and youngsters were out eating / playing tourist / shopping and came by once or twice to see how Dad was doing.
As we were chatting, I found out a very nice bit of good news. The Apple store would actually open at 9 A.M. to begin selling Iphones, and open at 10 for all other sales. The line continued to grow as the hours wore by. I overheard snippets of other conversations and it seems like quite a few of my other line mates had been in lines at other AT&T and/or Apple stores before as well.
At 8:15, the Apple folks came out and set up the poles for the line, and we moved from our various shady spots into a more formal line. As 9:00 came, the greeters came out and we started. She asked each person which Iphone they came for, and how many they wanted. She gave each person a claim check and the inside clerk took part of the tag back to place on your phone. To keep everything orderly and prevent 200 people milling around inside at the same time, we stayed at the door until the Sales person met us with the third part of the claim tag. This went fast, and I was inside the door at about 9:10.
Once inside she gave me time to browse the accessories while she went in back to get my phone. The activation process was quick and painless. I had done my research and knew what documents to bring with me. I did not have a cell phone so there was no other carrier or contract or anything to worry about. The Sales person was very nice and answered all my questions, taking time to ensure I had the basics of operating my brand new Iphone 3G down pat.
As I left the store at 10:00, there were about 150 people still in line. I could feel some hungry eyes on me as I walked past with my white Iphone 3G bag in hand and a goofy smile plastered on my face. :smile:
Last nights check of the Apple site showed both of the stores here would have the model I wanted availible for sale today, July 19th. Due to an odd combination of events, I found myself awake and active at what is (for me anyway) an unheard of early hour of the morning. Almost on a whim I climbed into the car to head to the Town Square Apple store at 6 A.M. (The Apple page says it opens at 10 A.M.). The temprature was already 85 degrees with the Sun not even fully risen above the horizon yet, heading to the days high of 106 or so.
When I arrived at about 6:20 I found out that there was already a small line! I was to be number 7 in line. The first 3 guys had got there at 5:30 and told me this was actually their second day in line. Numbers 4 and 5 were also veterans, this being the third day for them. Number 6 had driven over with his family from southern Utah to be at the store today. The Wife and youngsters were out eating / playing tourist / shopping and came by once or twice to see how Dad was doing.
As we were chatting, I found out a very nice bit of good news. The Apple store would actually open at 9 A.M. to begin selling Iphones, and open at 10 for all other sales. The line continued to grow as the hours wore by. I overheard snippets of other conversations and it seems like quite a few of my other line mates had been in lines at other AT&T and/or Apple stores before as well.
At 8:15, the Apple folks came out and set up the poles for the line, and we moved from our various shady spots into a more formal line. As 9:00 came, the greeters came out and we started. She asked each person which Iphone they came for, and how many they wanted. She gave each person a claim check and the inside clerk took part of the tag back to place on your phone. To keep everything orderly and prevent 200 people milling around inside at the same time, we stayed at the door until the Sales person met us with the third part of the claim tag. This went fast, and I was inside the door at about 9:10.
Once inside she gave me time to browse the accessories while she went in back to get my phone. The activation process was quick and painless. I had done my research and knew what documents to bring with me. I did not have a cell phone so there was no other carrier or contract or anything to worry about. The Sales person was very nice and answered all my questions, taking time to ensure I had the basics of operating my brand new Iphone 3G down pat.
As I left the store at 10:00, there were about 150 people still in line. I could feel some hungry eyes on me as I walked past with my white Iphone 3G bag in hand and a goofy smile plastered on my face. :smile: