Image via <a href="http://www.ifoapplestore.com/2013/09/21/iphone-5s-debut-was-big-with-a-gold-shortage/" target="_blank">ifo Apple Store</a>
Apple has its product launches down to a science. But sometimes issues arise and not everyone can (or is willing to) remain in-line for several hours. That’s why Apple is set to revamp the purchase process for the iPhone 6 launch.
In the past, customers who lined up for a new product were given paper cards specifying the exact product configuration they wished to purchase. These cards helped stores keep tabs on product quantities and reassured customers that they weren’t wasting time waiting in line only to find out the product they want is sold out.
According to training materials shared with Apple retail employees this morning, Apple will forgo the traditional paper cards and instead place customers in a virtual queue. This new system is called Reservation Pass. It will sync with Back Of House inventory information in realtime so Apple doesn’t handout too many product reservations. Customers will receive their digital reservation card via SMS or Email. A reservation allows the customer to come back at any point during the day to make their purchase. Customers could also leave line in the past but it was not encouraged since the physical card reservation system was not as accurate as the new Reservation Pass system.
One of the motivating factors behind this new system is that it affords customers the opportunity to take care of unforeseen issues before coming into the store. For example, customers can get their digital iPhone 6 reservation then leave line to pay an outstanding carrier bill or sort out any FAN discounts. This should help ease launch day anxiety amongst customers and help Apple stores better manage available inventory.
As a reminder, the iPhone 6 will be available for preorder beginning Friday, September 12th and will be available for purchase on Friday, September 19th.
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Sounds like a great idea.
I don’t get it but I’m going to stand in line to buy the iPhone 6 sept 19th so can someone please explain this to me?!:0
Each store only has a certain quantity of each phone for a certain carrier, in a certain color, in a certain capacity, in a certain size. So you get in line, tell the Apple employee that you want a gold iPhone 6 Plus in 64GB for AT&T. If it’s in stock in their inventory, you will get a ticket for that particular phone. If they don’t have that particular phone, they will let you know, and you will have to pick a different color, capacity, size, and/or carrier if you choose to do so.
It prevents you from waiting all day in line only to get to the front of it and finding out the particular phone you wanted is not available and thus wasting hours standing in line for nothing.
I’ll be getting the iPhone 6 Plus, Space Grey, in 64 GB for T-Mobile. I know it will be available for pre-order this Friday, but I’m debating just going to the T-Mobile store 2 blocks away from me, or down to the Apple Store for the “experience”
Ahhh thanks I get it now, thanks! I stood in line last year too and they didn’t have the version I wanted so this way is much better now:P I’d go to the Apple Store! It’s a great experience!
The time they start giving these out, and stock still 2 unknown factors. Any clues? Queues are likely to be bigger than stock before an 8am opening time
But you still need to wait in line. But now, you won’t have a piece of paper to hold.
If you’re going to save the planet you have to start somewhere, right?
Why doesn’t this company have a true reservation system, like restaurants have been doing for decades?
You must make an appointment to visit the service bar for help but you can’t make an appointment to buy a phone.
Shouldn’t they have figured it out by now?
Oh, that’s right. Lines of people make for good photos, which promote the product but waste the customer’s time.
THAT is why their customers are called sheep.
well they do have pre-orders if you don’t want wait in line and have the phone delivered to your home if you choose so. In fact, a lot of people who preorder in the past have received their phone a day or two before the official release. Samsung would love to have this kind of fanfare and would pay for it. You of course only come here to spew your hate for all things Apple.
Mistreating customers isn’t part of Samsung’s business model.
You’re just angry at yourself because you are wasting time to get features that many people already have.
Enjoy that larger screen. I know I am!
@herb02135go do u have any proof to support that mistreating customers is NOT part of Samsung’s business model? there seems to be sufficient proof to the contrary.
How can a company waste my time when “I CHOOSE” to wait in line and not preorder.
The same thing surely must happen in all those Samsung stores that I see everywhere!
Oh wait….
You are just butthurt that no one lines up for samsung devices. you are being paid by samesung to troll apple sites. Seriously, there is NO other reason for you to be here. You hate apple, so why else would you go to an apple site and spew garbage on every single article.
You seriously need to get a life.
You’re 100% correct. I hate shamsung beucase they’re piece of crap but I do not go to shamsung blogs and write there about how much I hate them. It’s just something what stupid shamsung lagdroid users do on Apple pages/blogs.
Herbie herbie, you do not even understand that and you’re just jealous that shamsung has not stores (just sh*tty ones) and has no people being excited about new sh*tty products.
Of course apple wants the crowds and media buzz but If people could reserve a spot online or over the phone like a restaurant then the site would simply get flooded just like the pre-order process. There would be no difference except picking up the phone in person versus getting it shipped.
The headphones that the apple employee is wearing are in the wrong way.
Good catch.
That highlights my question asking why Apple has been sued yet.
The phones are designed for those who can hear with their right ear. If you can’t and you need to use the microphone, you are screwed.
You have to put the right bud in your left ear, as the employee is doing, or put the left bud in the left ear and hold the mike.
Now if you can’t hear at all with your eight ear that’s no issue. But of your hearing can detect background noise but phone conversations are difficult, you are blocking outside noise just to hold a microphone.
It’s a horrible deign. Customers should be able to put either bud in either ear comfortably.
The older buds were fine and should be available to customers who need them.
My next rant will be about people who type without wearing their glasses.
Seriously man, wtf? Are you on drugs?
God, if I ever find your sorry ass in real life, run shithead…
how about some details on when this will be available and how will the general public be notified?
Reservations will be given out a couple hours before the store opens on launch day.
Wait, so on Sep. 12th, can I walk up to an apple store and get a reservation for a phone and then on sep. 19th, go back and purchase it? And what if I decide to go with the Plus instead? Am I forced to buy what I reserved?
No, this is for September 19th. Preorders are only available online.
Can someone actually get a hold of what this means or explain this system?
I don’t know why they would implement this system unless I could say pre order the device this Friday, and then head down to the store next Friday and pick it up. Otherwise, it defeats the purpose because then I’d still have to get in line on the 19th.
Yes, you do still have to get in line on the 19th, but this new system will afford you greater flexibility if you need to come back later in the day to complete your purchase.
Wow people this is so simple a 2 year old can understand it. You get in line, an apple employee walks up to you, takes your order like a server and sends you a digital code that reserves what you want, provided that exact model is in stock. That way if you are 200th in line, after getting your “digital piece of paper” you can go do whatever you want and come back after the line dies down and your phone is still there waiting for you.
What is so hard to understand about this? If you don’t want to wait in line, order it online.
the lady in pic wearing right ear bud on left one, lolzzzz
Does anyone know if Apple plans to have samples (or empty shells) of the new phones in their stores so potential buyers can check out the size an form factor before deciding which to buy?
There’ve never done this in the past. I wouldn’t expect it this year either. But you never know!
No I went to apple . No samples available. I think that stinks since we can’t order something sight unseen in order to make the right choice
All I want to know is…. Will I still be able to go down to my local Apple store on the 19th, queue and purchase an iPhone 6, If I dont reserve it online??
Absolutely.
Is there a choice of email OR SMS, of are the details just unclear as to what will be the method of distribution? I’m using a phone without email functionality since I sold my iPhone 5 to fund this… I don’t want to be stuck in line without being able to get a code!
And is this going to be a US system, with international stores sticking to the tradition cards system, or will all stores be doing the same?
Anyone know what time lines start to form?
This is my understanding? You can’t get a phone before November ?? (even if you preorder.)
therefore, if I want the phone before nov. I have to wait in line at AT&T I was told this.
so how will this kind of thing affect if you want to sell your spot in line? myself as well as many others, some who already have a pre-order and some who don’t care about the phone, would like to get there the night before and hold a spot for people who want to buy it in the morning. can you still do this having a “phone reservation”? if it gets “lost” i assume they will still help whoever is in line/ie the person who switched places to be in the with you?
OK, let me get this straight. So I pre-ordered my phone online. I live 5 blocks from the Apple store so I opted to pick it up. And I still have to wait on line??? WTF?
I guess you’ve never been to an apple store on launch day? It’d be nice if everyone coming to the store knew what they want and were swift about it, however a good percentage aren’t and take ages. This is why the process takes so long. No reason not to ship since it’s free and you get it launch day (if you’re early).
What is the limit of phones one person can get with the reservation card? I’m thinking one or two max?