iPhone Crowd Control
So, any of you as hyped up and anxious to get their hands on a iPhone as I am? Well, if you're reading this I'm guessing you probably are. For those of you who are counting the moments until that sleek, shiny block of touch-screen goodness is actually in your hands, I have a word of warning for you -- especially if you intend to line up early and be the first kid on your block to have a new iPhone. This warning comes via the safety-minded folks over at the Boy Genius Report wherein they feature a document from "official" channels at AT&T which outlines how retail store managers are to handle the teeming masses who will no doubt be lining up early for the device come June 29th. Among the methods featured in the document to help ease the situation and control the crowd, is an outline of a mock conversation where AT&T store managers explain to the stores near them why they need to stay open late and what steps they will be taking to help ensure the crowds don't spill into the surrounding stores and do all kinda damage. The document also reveals the super-secret method that will actually accomplish this miraculous controlling of the crowd. What is this miracle you may wonder? Stanchions. Yes, the proverbial "velvet rope" they use to keep people in line at events across America will be standing guard and providing security for the giant iPhone launch event.
Having been at a few Apple retail store events and openings (including the first one at the Glendale Galleria) I can attest to the fact that when Apple does almost anything, crowds of devoted users do show up -- and in really big numbers. For something like the iPhone, which really isn't just for Mac people but for anyone interested in a cool new device, I can only imagine how big the crowds are going to be. Reading this document doesn't really fill me with confidence that AT&T really has a complete grasp of what they're getting into here. I hope they do because we sure don't want a repeat of the iBook debacle from a couple years ago. So, just so I can get a rough count and maybe help AT&T realize the scope of this launch, how many of you are planning to line up early for an iPhone?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
franko said 6:10PM on 6-20-2007
i am so there.
Reply
Gavin said 6:14PM on 6-20-2007
I'm in line right now.
Reply
Ryan said 6:14PM on 6-20-2007
No way in hell I'm waiting outside of an AT&T store for an iPhone. Don't get me wrong, I want one really badly. I'm just trying to be smart about the thing. I think it's a better idea to wait it out a couple of weeks, if not longer, and see how everything goes with the iPhone. How are people liking it? What's the contract attached to it like? Is it worth switching over to AT&T? Will it actually be difficult to get one? etc etc.
I hope I don't encounter the same problems as I did with the Wii.
Reply
Will said 6:29PM on 6-20-2007
Here in Boulder, there is an Apple store and a corporate AT&T store about a block away form each other. I think I'll spend my time waiting at the Apple store, but luckily the proximity of both will allow a game-time decision to be made.
Reply
WillGonz said 6:35PM on 6-20-2007
I will be in line as well and I am taking the day off to do it. Why 6pm?? I think it is because Apple will send the phones overnight to the stores. 6pm is the cutoff for some.
Reply
zerock said 6:41PM on 6-20-2007
I was going to, but not until Apple decided to stab me in the back and not sell iPhones in Puerto Rico's AT&T stores
Reply
Jason said 7:17PM on 6-20-2007
I want to begin by saying Im sorry for this comment for being off topic and for what I use to be. I use to be a microsoft fanboy as of a week ago. Winows Vista Ultimate on my desktop and laptop a zune the works. I got a iminl to tool around with and "once you go mac you won't go back". Sold the zune and created up both computers Apple FTW
Reply
Kender said 7:17PM on 6-20-2007
I'm going - but I don't think at least in my town, there will be the teeming masses. I'm gonna go about 4pm and see how bad it is - but I'll have the other AT&T store numbers in my Treo to see who has the smaller crowds. :)
Reply
Shaun McLane said 7:20PM on 6-20-2007
I've been in line since the keynote.
Reply
thedevastation said 7:21PM on 6-20-2007
Ill be heading over there around 4pm to hop in line, just trying to decided between the apple store and AT&T stores.... and wondering what happends if i have to pee once i get in line?!?!?!
Reply
Steve said 7:39PM on 6-20-2007
I wish the stores had cameras,so that I could see, when the 1st person got in line. Yes I will be there. Oh does anyone know of a site where I can find out where the AT&T owned stores in my area are?
Reply
Frank said 7:50PM on 6-20-2007
@11: here's where you can find the nearest corporate store to you: http://www.wireless.att.com/find-a-store
Reply
Danny Bogu said 7:57PM on 6-20-2007
Yes I will be there....I didn't win that Insanely Great Tees contest you guys posted about for nothin!!!!
Reply
danny bogue said 7:57PM on 6-20-2007
Yes I will be there....I didn't win that Insanely Great Tees contest you guys posted about for nothin!!!!
Reply
Dan Hoffmann said 8:38PM on 6-20-2007
i think i might head out on the 28th and stay all night at the NYC store, get in line really early for the iPhone
Reply
jmorales18 said 9:03PM on 6-20-2007
anyone know if it'll go on sale at 6pm on Apple's online store too?
Reply
Kai Cherry said 9:24PM on 6-20-2007
While Apple has had crowds before at store openings, I don't think they've ever had anything that people have wanted so rabidly on Day Zero before, with such a broad appeal.
Personally, I believe this ENTIRE PROCESS is fraught with implication, is irresponsible, and is nearing "Jennifer Government" proportions in its stupidity.
I mean, if Apple and ATT think this is going to be *less* of a mess than say, the Wii or PS3 debacles they are deluded...if they are counting on it, thats just bordering on corrupt.
Let's start with 6PM. How in hell is anyone near an Apple or ATT corp store in a mall or shopping center expected to actually be able to get any business done with a throng hanging about all day and half the night?
Then, with a product that is both High Profile and *small*...they are putting customers at risk for being targeted by thugs, plain and simple. You can bet that not everyone standing around *all day* is going to be planning to *buy* an iPhone...just end up with one somehow.
Its like manufactured chaos. I mean, why are neither of these companies just allowing people to place orders online NOW for Friday delivery? You *want* people to not be on the street causing a ruckus guys...having some Grandma or 14 year old girl trampled to death is INSTANT backlash.
Seriously.
This cat has been so far out of the damned bag it just seems over-the-top at this point to try to foster any more frenzy for this product...its been there since January.
Reply
Ed said 9:28PM on 6-20-2007
Its 6pm because its after work. They want to have huge crowds because that is good PR, and something the media can cover, and hence generate more hype...
Reply
andres said 9:37PM on 6-20-2007
i'm going to be lining up at an Apple store, even if the line is three times as long. For some reason i just feel more confident going directly to them.
Reply
Joseph said 9:40PM on 6-20-2007
im already getting a hard-on!
Reply