Apple really seems to want people to take Friday afternoon off. Not only are they not taking pre-orders for the iPad 2, but now they’re mailing customers, telling them to get in line at their local Apple Store if they want an iPad 2 at launch.
“Be the first to get the next iPad. This Friday, March 11, at 5:00 p.m.” the mailing reads. “The Apple Retail Store is the best place to experience iPad. Our Specialists will show you around the features, help you choose the perfect model and set everything up just the way you like. So you’ll be up and running before you leave the store.”
Just in case you’re about to call your boss, though, please take a hint from Cult of Mac: as long as you don’t mind waiting until Saturday, the easiest way to get your iPad 2 is going to be to set your alarm for 12AM PT / 3AM ET and order it off of Apple’s site with overnight shipping. Or swing by your local Target, Wal-Mart, Verizon, Best Buy, AT&T or Verizon store on the way home and try your luck. You do not need to start camping out now, though. A saner head can prevail.
John Brownlee is a writer for Fast Company, and a contributing writer here at CoM. He has also written for Wired, Playboy, Boing Boing, Popular Mechanics, VentureBeat, and Gizmodo. He lives in Boston with his wife and two parakeets. You can follow him here on Twitter.
45 responses to “Apple Tells Customers To Get In Line For The iPad 2”
I have never bought anything Apple but I am planning to buy the new iPad 2. Any tips from loyal Apple customers….should I just buy in online or take my chances at Walmart, Sams, Target???
I wish I had the money to buy one…they’re so cool! I see them everywhere. Here’s an article I wrote about the new improvements. http://tinyurl.com/4n3mdyz
jst stand in the line….its worth it..
From my experience with apple products…there is no such thing as overnight shipping if you want it rite away go to the store…it could also have been that I ordered them 3 weeks before Christmas…but the way it works is they ship from china and it takes a day just to fly and than has to go through customs…overall it took 5 days on overnight shipping to get to my house
odds are you’re not going to find one at Target, Walmart or Sams on the 11th. All retailers I’ve talked to have said they’re not expecting to get any for a few weeks.
Of course Apple wants us to queue. Long queues make for nice pictures and movies in the media. You know, the stuff Apple’s ‘advertisements’ are made of :-)
DO NOT BUY AN iPAD 2.0
To see why:
http://besttechtoday.blogspot….
Just order online. Not worth the hassle, unless you have a day to throw away.
It’s fun to stand in line and shoot the breeze if the weather is good. The lines move fairly fast so I don’t know what this standing and suffering is all about. Take along your iPod or some magazine to read and enjoy the outdoors for a few hours. If you’re in a mall, get some food to snack on while waiting.
Just talked with an apple customer rep..they said that shipping details are unknown at this point. Overnight shipping may not be available.
If I were you I’d stand in line… I pre-ordered an Ipad for my brothers birthday last year and waited nearly 2 weeks for it to arrive. If you’ve never purchased an Apple product it would be good for you to talk to a few people in the line and learn more about the products. Places like Walmart and Target seemingly never have enough accessories that you’ll need and they tend to have a ton of crappy 3rd party stuff. My advice is wait in line, chances are you’ll end up on the local news too lol.
If you’re gonna go anywhere, go to the Apple store. Dude, don’t get caught up in the hype. Why would you want to stand in line for 5 hours when you can order online and have it shipped to you within a week. Or walk into a store next week and buy it?
Like you said, you have never had an Apple product. What is the sudden urge to have this day one? So you can keep up with the cool kids?
so wait…there will be overnight shipping on this? Saturday delivery? Also do we really think their will be long lines….this year there are 10,000 purchase points vs. 1,000 last year. I have several places to choose from: several ATT locations, walmart, target, verizon, bestbuy, and 2 Apple stores all within a 15 mile radius from my house. I think I will be able to walts right in and be out in 15 minutes tops. we’ll see.
eat mall food….I don’t think so :(
I don’t expect long lines. No pre-order and many companies will be distributing the iPad.
not sure where you live, maybe it’s not a very populated area, but the Target by me, in New Jersey, said they are definitely getting them Friday.
I called Apple the other day and was told that, at that time, they did not know if express or overnight shipping would be available. The guy I spoke with, Cliff, said unless they tell them differently, it would be standard 3-5 days.
I do have a question, however. If you buy from Target, Walmart, etc. rather from Apple, and you have some issue down the road, can you go to an Apple store for help?
Your article is wrong. Online orders start Friday. NOT Saturday
http://www.apple.com/ipad/how-…
I wouldn’t count on overnight delivery. But really is it that big of a deal to have to wait until Monday or Tuesday to get it.
If it is, then chance it at one of those locations. But don’t count on that ‘waltzing in and out in 15 minutes tops’. you may find that in fact there is a line. Probably not hours and hours like some new items, but it could be an easy hour.Or you could waltz in and be out in under 15 minutes because all those other guys barely got any stock so they are already sold out
good way to shake the elitist mac fan image.
I bought the Ipad in Feb will return it today!!! for the Ipad2. I have not put the Ipad down. I love it!!! I have three Lap tops, a desk top, 5 i phones, 4 ipods and 1 ipod touch in my household. I LOVE anything APPLE. BEST thing I ever did was send my brand new dell back loss some money on restocking fees, but was so worth it. I would never consider buying a PC again.
GO TO THE STORE!!! so friendly and helpful. Will set it up if you need or answer any questions you have. The employees do not work on commission.
It’s not about being elitist, it’s about being healthy. I ride 40 miles per day 4 times a week and run about 25 miles a week.
yes