What is it about the iPhone that makes it so special that people will stand in line for it for hours on end? I think I may know. I have been trying to get one of these things for about a week and I have driven over 30 minutes looking for AT&T stores that carry this gadget. For the record, this faster iPhone is being purchased for TMC Labs and as president of TMC I thought a perk would be to buy the device. Some perk.
So I have been the token person who has gone to the AT&T store, learned that the device is sold out. I have subsequently called the AT&T store to hear it is sold out. I have looked for an AT&T Wireless store in Westport, CT only to find there are none located there.
All of this driving, calling and visiting makes me do one thing... Hate Apple and AT&T. Why on earth can I not buy this thing online? Whose idea is this? Steve Jobs? Mr. Jobs -- this doesn't work for me. Why on earth do I want to travel to your stores to buy this product -- so you can have shots of people in line? Will I really buy an iMac because of this strategy? Perhaps -- but only if the damn device I need is in stock when I come into the store.
What is even worse is that the company does not offer an email service telling me where this thing will be and when. Sure I know I can log in after 9:00 PM and be told which Apple stores have these things in stock but what about the AT&T stores?
I don't consider this new device a product launch -- it is more of a fiasco if you ask me. How on earth in this day an age can you not allow your product to be sold on the web?
I would love an answer but I am sure I will have to keep calling to see when one will be available.
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![12420506412[1].jpg](http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/rich-tehrani/assets_c/2009/06/12420506412[1]-thumb-autox70-6495.jpg)
The reason: two-year contract with AT&T. Wait until the initial rush for product is over and they sell it unsubsidized/no-contract and you'll be able to order from the Apple Store online—my best guess is late August or September.
Boy I hope you are right. Then again, I will probably have one by then.
My brother in law went to apple and got won without a contract extension.
I went there yesterday and waited for 3 hours for a 16g version. Sold out 2 people in front of me. I don't want one bad enough to do that again. Maybe I will wait for 6 months when the stupid camera on the front is actually there.
Just stopped by the local AT&T Wireless store myself. They don't have any. Seems like Apple stores are more likely to get them than A&T in the Fairfield County, CT area.