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Buying iPad at store on launch day - worth the bother?
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oxfordruse
30-10-2012
I've wanted an iPad ever since last year, and I just got my performance bonus at work, so thought why not - timing seems right.

However, I'd appreciate your advice: I was going to pop along to the Apple Store on Regent Street (London) on Friday and buy one then. But now I'm thinking that's a little naive: are there usually massive queues on launch days? Do they run out by about 9am? Do I have to pre-order? Is it even worth bothering?

My alternatives are that I try another retailer on the day, or order it online - shipping length is currently a week. But it'd be quite nice to have it in my hand this weekend!

I've no interest in going along to the Apple Store if there's going to be a massive hoop-la and four-hour queues. I've browsed past news reports which seem to suggest such, but I can't tell if that's media hype or not.

Is there anyone with launch day experience who could advise?

Many thanks!
Matt D
31-10-2012
I'd expect a queue and sod all stock left, especially at a large store in London.

I'd just order it online. You'll have to wait a week, but it's less hassle. One week's not too bad, anyway. With previous launches, when the launch day pre-order batch sold out subsequent orders had to wait 3-4 weeks.
Mystic Eddy
31-10-2012
With the iPad 3 launch, there was plenty of stock at resellers such as Comet and Argos. Can't comment on Apple Stores though. I say this because I'd imagine the same logistics to have been orchestrated for this launch so there should be lots of stock for all who want one.
Gormond
31-10-2012
With the iPad 2 places like Tesco had stock on launch day even in the evening which is when I got one.
kidspud
31-10-2012
I don't think the ipads create the same sort of demand as the phones. It is true that the Apple stores sell out but that is because most people who have one near them would buy from there around the launch.

Some very good reviews starting to hit the press.
soulboy77
31-10-2012
Is it life or death that you must have the new iPad on day 1? There's your answer!
welwynrose
31-10-2012
I ordered mine online yesterday - due for delivery 6th November
Gormond
31-10-2012
Originally Posted by soulboy77:
“Is it life or death that you must have the new iPad on day 1? There's your answer!”

Of coarse not but it is always nice to get a product on the day of launch be it a phone, tablet, car...
oxfordruse
31-10-2012
Thanks for the advice, all. Still torn about what to do. It's not helped by the fact that the new product doesn't seem to be advertised anywhere except the Apple Store - I've checked Argos, Comet, Currys, PC World. Back during the previous iPad's launch, for instance, Argos had a big preorder-and-collect promotion.

I'm hedging my bets and hoping that the hype for this iPad isn't quite as great (considering it comes so soon after the previous one, and since the iPad Mini's getting all the attention). So I'll pop along to the Apple Store very early in the morning to check out the queue, and stop at Argos and PC World nearby if it looks to be massive.

Keeping my fingers crossed!

Originally Posted by soulboy77:
“Is it life or death that you must have the new iPad on day 1? There's your answer!”

It's not 'life or death' at all, but then what is? It isn't even 'life or death' to OWN an iPad. I'd just quite like one this weekend, that's all, so I'll try to get one. I'm not going to die in a ditch if I don't!
oxfordruse
31-10-2012
Well, not stopping at a reseller - I called Argos, John Lewis, and Currys PC World, and their stock estimates are currently next week.

A 6am trip to the Apple Store for me, then!
marlman
31-10-2012
Ordered mine Day 1 and just had a text saying its been dispatched for Friday delivery happy days!

Much easier than queuing.
oxfordruse
31-10-2012
Originally Posted by marlman:
“Ordered mine Day 1 and just had a text saying its been dispatched for Friday delivery happy days!

Much easier than queuing.”

Well, aren't you hot sh*t?

Care to rub it in some more?!
MjW5
02-11-2012
I didn't realise it was launch day tomorrow and was planning to go to the Apple Store to get an AirPort Extreme. Is this a waste of time? Will I have to queue for hours too?
sps1013
02-11-2012
Or, just reserve and collect from your local Argos?

All stores around me have stock of the new iPad with retina display so I have just reserved one.

They even have the iPad mini too!
Rowieboy
02-11-2012
Originally Posted by sps1013:
“Or, just reserve and collect from your local Argos?

All stores around me have stock of the new iPad with retina display so I have just reserved one.

They even have the iPad mini too!”

Really???
I can't find either on their website. Am i going mad?
All i can see is Ipad 2 and "3"
mtj
02-11-2012
John Lewis have everything available online with the option for delivery tomorrow.
sps1013
02-11-2012
Try 814/0003 that's the iPad with retina 16GB WIFI in black.
sps1013
02-11-2012
Just noticed that the iPad with retina is not listed on the normal website but if you use the iPhone app it is and search for iPad it is definitely there.
Rowieboy
02-11-2012
Originally Posted by sps1013:
“Just noticed that the iPad with retina is not listed on the normal website but if you use the iPhone app it is and search for iPad it is definitely there.”

Interesting!
Thanks for that.
BrokenArrow
02-11-2012
Originally Posted by Gormond:
“Of coarse not but it is always nice to get a product on the day of launch be it a phone, tablet, car...”

Why
Gormond
02-11-2012
Originally Posted by BrokenArrow:
“Why ”

It's a bit like when your a kid wanting to open you Christmas presents as soon as possible, no one would just leave them sitting there till Boxing Day.

It's a normal human trait to not want to wait longer than you have to.

I know I should wait till the end of November to get a Nexus 4 (this would be logical incase there are issues with the first batch) but chances are I will order it as soon as lol.
BrokenArrow
02-11-2012
Originally Posted by Gormond:
“It's a bit like when your a kid wanting to open you Christmas presents as soon as possible, no one would just leave them sitting there till Boxing Day.

It's a normal human trait to not want to wait longer than you have to.

I know I should wait till the end of November to get a Nexus 4 (this would be logical incase there are issues with the first batch) but chances are I will order it as soon as lol.”

Then I don't think I have normal human traits - lol

I can't be arsed with that sort of thing.
spearce8
02-11-2012
Looking to get my 1st Ipad, excuse my ignorance, but this 'Cellular' would I need to sign up to something to enable to use it, i.e., monthly charge

Thanks
grumpyoldbat
02-11-2012
Originally Posted by spearce8:
“Looking to get my 1st Ipad, excuse my ignorance, but this 'Cellular' would I need to sign up to something to enable to use it, i.e., monthly charge

Thanks”

You don't necessarily need a contract, but yes, you need a SIM card in the iPad for it to work. You can get a Pay as you go SIM card and just top it up with credit and use that for data, but you'd probably be better looking at something like one of the cheap 30 day rolling contract offers from 3, which give you unlimited data for a fairly low cost.

If you don't need cellular data (like the data on a phone), just get the wifi version. You'll still be able to use the iPad for reading and games and movies when out and about, you just won't be able to look at the internet, get email etc unless you're near a wifi spot.
Stuart_h
02-11-2012
might as well nip to the shop it seems.....

more staff than queuers at the HK flagship Apple shop apparently
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