It’s a little under four days until the new iPad begins going on sale at Apple Stores around the counry, and there’s still no word when they’ll officially behin going on sale. Will Apple Stores open early to accomodatethe clammoring hordes, or will they open at the usual hour? And even if they do, will Apple start selling the iPad late in the afternoon, as they did last year?
Last year, Apple opened their stores early to help people get their iPad 2s, and it’s starting to look like Apple might do the same this year.
The Houston Chronicle notes that the new Houston Highland Village Apple Store has just sent out an official notice that they will be having their Grand Opening on Friday, March 16th at 8:00AM… two hours earlier than the normal opening times.
While an Apple spokesman wouldn’t confirm whether or not the iPad would go on sale at that time, they did say that “an early opening is typical when the company starts selling a new iPad or iPhone model.”
This is hardly a lock, but it seems likely that Apple will accommodate iPad customers early that day. God, I’d hate to be an Apple Store employee in Highland Village: can you imagine having to deal with a new iPad launch on your very first day? Insanity!
[via MacRumors]
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.
14 responses to “Looks Like Apple Stores Will Start Selling New iPads At 8AM On Friday”
Seriously, 7 stores in the Huston area, I am in the 1st or 2nd biggest county in the USA and we only have one Apple store. There are people that come from all around and from the next state over to get an Apple product. When there is a product release, the lines will go around to the back of the building. Forget trying days after the release to get in there with out line, it may be a month before the “New iPad” sales wear off till we can get in to get our hand on the new cases and accessories. We need another Apple store. I asked a manager of the store and he said they need another store badly.
>>Last year, Apple opened their stores early to help people get their iPad 2s, and it’s >>starting to look like Apple might do the same this year.
Interesting cause store i went to for the iPad 2 didn’t open/start selling until 5pm
You know there is this thing called mail order ….
Here in Seattle area we have 4 Apple stores (and apparently a 5th is coming) , but I buy all my stuff via the internet. And lets face it, if you want something like a high-end Mac they won’t have it a a store anyway.
Screw camping out and waiting in line. I’m going to wait a week and stroll into one of the many Apple stores in NYC and pick up my iPad.
didn’t understand that either it was a 5pm launch
it was 5pm everywhere. that statement threw me off too
Screw strolling. I’m going to sit on my happy ass and have the nice FedEx man come to me with one.
1. Last year launch time in the US was 5pm. Perhaps the uk was 8am
2. I just came from a mall with an apple store. I heard two guys from the store in the food court talking about working overnight to Thursday night. They only do that for AM launches cause they don’t want product they can’t sell being out on the floor to play with
Plus with the order online pick up in the stores available they will want to start early to deal with that. Even if that first couple of hours is just for those prepaid pickups
I have mine pre-ordered but gonna take my ass sit in line and camp cause I like the experience, like to meet new people and make money when I sell my spot :)
That’s simply because John Brownlee’s statement is totally incorrect.
Yawn, I don’t need one right now. Plus I’ll be on vacation.
Sad
whats sad?? that I made over $1,500 in line last year while waiting for iPad 2 or $300 when waited for iPhone 4???
I live in a city thats the Hub for a HUGE area, and best buy is the only store to buy macs and such, and they cannot keep up with demand. Over 40,000 college kids with one place to buy and repair their macs with out driving 6 hours to the closest apple store. Trust me, your not the only one wanting a new mac store near you.