My 3G Buying Adventure - Hawaii Edition

jarofclay73 · 07-12-2008, 09:13 AM

Hi all! My goal on Friday was to buy a 16GB iPhone 3G. I wasn't picky about the color - although I wanted black. It all ended good - I got a white one. But, it was a LONG day that started at 8:30 a.m. and ended about 3:30 p.m.

For those who want to follow my adventure on Google maps, I'll provide addresses.

I left my workplace at 8:30 a.m. (801 South King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813)
Got to the AT&T Store at Kamehameha Shopping Center at 8:45 a.m. and stood in line. (1620 North School Street, Honolulu, HI 98617) I would say about 30 people were ahead of me.
At 10:30 a.m., they said they were out of the 16GB 3Gs. I need to use the bathroom badly and I went home. (1109 Kokea Street, Honolulu, HI 96817)
Headed straight for the farthest AT&T store in Kapolei. (590 Farrington Highway, Kapolei, HI 96707) Got there and there was no line. The employees said they ran out about 5 minutes ago.
Ate lunch at Taco Bell. On the way back to Honolulu, I stopped off at the Mililani AT&T store (95-1249 Meheula Parkway, Mililani, HI 96789) and they were sold out as well. There was a line for people reserving the iPhone.
So, I figured EVERY AT&T store on the island was probably sold out, so my last chance was to go to an Apple Store. I wanted to go to the Ala Moana Center store but the traffic in that area was horrendous so I decided to go to the Kahala Mall store. I stopped off at the AT&T store nearby (3405 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii 96816) to drop the corporate discount on my AT&T account. The rep told me that if I'm on a FamilyPlan, just as long as my upgrade phone is not the main phone line I should be good (which was BS; it was still a problem at the Apple Store; when I got to the Apple Store we just took off my corporate discount by calling AT&T).
Got to Kahala Mall (4211 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816) at around 1:30 p.m.. Started up the buying process at 3:00 p.m. Out of store by 3:30 p.m.

At Kahala Mall, there is also a horrendus parking structure which I went to park in to save time. Making one of my impatient turns, I hit my rim on a concrete thingy and gave it a nice scratch on my brand new car:

This was the first picture I took on my iPhone as well. I suppose it was the price I paid to get an iPhone 3G on iDay 2.

Bannod · 07-12-2008, 11:10 AM

At least you got an iPhone!

But I'm a little worried that you gave too much info (home and work address) if someone decided to stalk you. You never know what loonies are reading the board.

lady_bugz22 · 07-12-2008, 11:20 AM

Congratulations on getting your phone!

Sorry to hear about your car

Jmusiq · 07-12-2008, 12:16 PM

Sorry to hear about your car but hey, atleast you got your phone. I wonder if maui got sold out too being that it's population is lesser than oahu? (i use to live in maui BTW)

jarofclay73 · 07-13-2008, 12:52 AM

Originally Posted by Bannod

At least you got an iPhone!

But I'm a little worried that you gave too much info (home and work address) if someone decided to stalk you. You never know what loonies are reading the board.

Well, I live in an apartment - so the address is just the building. I would never give out my apartment number. I'm not worried. Plus, I have noticed only ONE other Oahu person here. And he doesn't post a lot either.

My workplace is also very secure. I'm not worried at all.

jarofclay73 · 07-13-2008, 12:53 AM

Originally Posted by Jmusiq

Sorry to hear about your car but hey, atleast you got your phone. I wonder if maui got sold out too being that it's population is lesser than oahu? (i use to live in maui BTW)

Judging by the lines on Oahu, I would say yes. The 3G availability on Maui is very good for most place west of Haleakala. The Big Island also has very good 3G reception. For some reason, there's also 3G availability on Kahoolawe!!!!

kevlar08 · 07-13-2008, 02:23 AM

Originally Posted by jarofclay73

Hi all! My goal on Friday was to buy a 16GB iPhone 3G. I wasn't picky about the color - although I wanted black. It all ended good - I got a white one. But, it was a LONG day that started at 8:30 a.m. and ended about 3:30 p.m.

For those who want to follow my adventure on Google maps, I'll provide addresses.

I left my workplace at 8:30 a.m. (801 South King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813)

Got to the AT&T Store at Kamehameha Shopping Center at 8:45 a.m. and stood in line. (1620 North School Street, Honolulu, HI 98617) I would say about 30 people were ahead of me.

At 10:30 a.m., they said they were out of the 16GB 3Gs. I need to use the bathroom badly and I went home. (1109 Kokea Street, Honolulu, HI 96817)

Headed straight for the farthest AT&T store in Kapolei. (590 Farrington Highway, Kapolei, HI 96707) Got there and there was no line. The employees said they ran out about 5 minutes ago.

Ate lunch at Taco Bell. On the way back to Honolulu, I stopped off at the Mililani AT&T store (95-1249 Meheula Parkway, Mililani, HI 96789) and they were sold out as well. There was a line for people reserving the iPhone.

So, I figured EVERY AT&T store on the island was probably sold out, so my last chance was to go to an Apple Store. I wanted to go to the Ala Moana Center store but the traffic in that area was horrendous so I decided to go to the Kahala Mall store. I stopped off at the AT&T store nearby (3405 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii 96816) to drop the corporate discount on my AT&T account. The rep told me that if I'm on a FamilyPlan, just as long as my upgrade phone is not the main phone line I should be good (which was BS; it was still a problem at the Apple Store; when I got to the Apple Store we just took off my corporate discount by calling AT&T).

Got to Kahala Mall (4211 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816) at around 1:30 p.m.. Started up the buying process at 3:00 p.m. Out of store by 3:30 p.m.

At Kahala Mall, there is also a horrendus parking structure which I went to park in to save time. Making one of my impatient turns, I hit my rim on a concrete thingy and gave it a nice scratch on my brand new car:

This was the first picture I took on my iPhone as well. I suppose it was the price I paid to get an iPhone 3G on iDay 2.

at least you ended up with an iphone, i wasnt so lucky

connie · 07-13-2008, 02:29 AM

Yes, at least you got your iphone, but also at least your in Hawaii!!!! All is good in paradise!
Wish I was there!

oh, but sorry to hear about your car

jarofclay73 · 07-13-2008, 04:56 AM

Originally Posted by kevlar08

at least you ended up with an iphone, i wasnt so lucky

At the end of the day, yes, I consider myself VERY, VERY lucky. I was almost to the point where I was just about to give up and pre-order at AT&T (and wait another 7-10 days).

jarofclay73 · 07-13-2008, 04:57 AM

Originally Posted by iphoneconnie

Yes, at least you got your iphone, but also at least your in Hawaii!!!! All is good in paradise!
Wish I was there!

oh, but sorry to hear about your car

Well, the car thing was my fault. I really shouldn't have rushed. Then again, my haste helped me to get a 16GB. When I left the store, I overheard an employee saying they just ran out of the 16GB.