Trouble getting the iPhone 3G

[hiddenlee21]

OK let me just start off by saying HOW IRRITATED I AM TRYING TO GET THE NEW IPHONE 3G. Ever since its launch on July 11th I have been trying to get one. Every day I would show up bright and early to the nearest Apple store 40 MIN. AWAY FROM ME and wait it an enormous line. Now still 20 days after the launch and still no phone. How is this fair? I show up earlier with each time I go but, no difference. My parents aren't taxi drivers. They have stuff to do to. Why is it that apple has no simpathy for anyone these days

[divigation]

Well the direct answer to your question is that Apple has never had sympathy for anyone, they are a company, their concern is money, not sympathy. The new iPhone having a global release stretched the supply on launch and continues to stretch the supply now. The fact of the matter is that overproduction can be a disastrous mistake, while in this day underproduction of electronics only seems to feed hype and sales. Those customers that ate lost to the wait will be replaced by ones sucked in by the hype.

And your parents have driven you to the Apple Store for near three straight weeks, mine would have maybe taken me twice back when I was trnsported by them. I would say more of a shuttle service than a taxi.

[philbowell]

I can understand why you would be irritated at trying to get an iPhone 3G for 3 weeks and not being able to. With regard to how is this fair? Unfair would be holding iPhones back to sell later in the day when there are people right there who want to buy it.

I suggest finding some tools to tell you where the stock is, before you set off to hunt one down.

Edit: I just noticed that site won't be updated again, but there must be others out there.

[lucamacis]

Jesus, My parents would take me there and tell me to find my own way back... just the once let alone for 3 whole weeks! (oh and yeah it is annoying. Surely Apple could of anticipated this level of demand.

[Yuiichi]

Apple actually has an official availability checker, but it's only available after 9:00 pm (understandably, as they gather the stock numbers after sales have finished).

Also, you're lucky to have parents that are willing to drive you all that distance every day for 3 weeks.

Originally Posted by lucamacis

(oh and yeah it is annoying. Surely Apple could of anticipated this level of demand.

Yeah, they could have. But I think they like being short on stock - it generates buzz (just as the continued lack of Wii's at retail does) and makes the iPhone 3G an even hotter item. Not that it wasn't super hot to begin with. It's just really simple (and cheap) marketing