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goatman · Jul 2, 2008, 05:29 PM

What do you think? AT&T Store or Apple Store? I'm in San Francisco so there are 3 or 4 Apple Stores around.

moep · Jul 2, 2008, 05:58 PM

Did the original iPhone even sell out on launch day? I don't remember.

Anyway, I doubt you will have trouble finding a 3G iPhone on 11th.
Just go to the store closest to you.

imitchellg5 · Jul 2, 2008, 06:12 PM

I had good luck at an AT&T store last year on launch, but if you have a lot of Apple Stores around those would probably be better. The Apple Stores (at least last year) had a lot more supply then the AT&T stores, all of which around here sold out.

moep · Jul 2, 2008, 06:13 PM

stumbled upon this while browsing reddit:

Where To Buy An IPhone: Where Should You Buy an iPhone, Apple or AT&T? (Answered)

mkerr64 · Jul 2, 2008, 11:36 PM

Canada:
im going to line up on the 11th at 6am in front of FiDo with my Leopard t-shirt that i got for apple

NateB · Jul 2, 2008, 11:44 PM

Originally Posted by moep

stumbled upon this while browsing reddit:

Where To Buy An IPhone: Where Should You Buy an iPhone, Apple or AT&T? (Answered)

I found that too. Though, it didn't help much--both places are pretty much the same.

ginoledesma · Jul 3, 2008, 12:38 AM

1. Find nearest AT&T store that's convenient to you (home/work/school/etc).
2. Get a pre-qualifying credit check in advance. You'll probably be able to gauge how much stock they'd have.
3. Show up on 7/11 at a convenient time.

Probably not guaranteed if there's a lot of demand in that one particular store, though, but you'd have saved yourself precious minutes rather than standing in line and waiting, only to find out there's none left. Who knows? They might even give preference to those who've done pre-qualifying credit checks.

Wiskedjak · Jul 3, 2008, 01:06 AM

I think your best chance is to just stroll into any store on 7/12 and avoid all the fools who lined up for something that probably won't sell out.

Poppakap · Jul 3, 2008, 06:03 PM

Do you think the inventory will be similar? It seems an Apple store will have more.

As far as getting a credit check in advance--- will the Apple store be doing activations in store or will it be purchase and activate at home?

Helmling · Jul 3, 2008, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by goatman

What do you think? AT&T Store or Apple Store? I'm in San Francisco so there are 3 or 4 Apple Stores around.

No choice here. Nearest Apple Store is hundreds of miles away, so I'm hoping the AT&T stores will have plenty. God I wish I could just buy it on Apple.com.

Wiskedjak · Jul 3, 2008, 06:12 PM

I think there will be much more inventory available this year compared to last. Personally, I don't see the point of waiting in line just to get a 2nd gen iPhone a day or two before anyone else.

As for activation, if you purchase a subsidized phone ($200 or $300), then it will be in store activation = at least 10 minutes per customer (if they're fast) = really slow lines.

Seriously, resist the reality distortion field and wait a day or two.

Poppakap · Jul 4, 2008, 04:13 AM

Sometimes the distortion takes over.

As to the suggestion of getting a credit check and some paperwork done ahead of time at an AT&T store-- will that crossover and still be useful if I purchase at an Apple store?

mkerr64 · Jul 5, 2008, 10:31 AM

iPhone 3G lines start at the Apple Cube... one week early - Engadget

Dont think you will be the first to get it...