They are sold out at

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Apple stores now open at 8 A.M. to handle iPhone 3G demand

By Aidan Malley
Published: 12:00 PM EST

All of Apple's US retail outlets are now in a permanent launch mode
and will open as much as two hours earlier each day to accommodate the
unprecedented demand for the new iPhone. Also, at least some locations
are now giving customers rainchecks for the day's iPhone 3G stock.

The company's availability page now tells customers that stores that
normally open at 10 A.M. will now open at the new time and are adding
new employees to their ranks to process customers at a faster rate.

"To accommodate demand for iPhone 3G, all Apple Retail Stores will now
open at 8:00 a.m. every day but Sunday," Apple says. "We're also
adding staff to help you get up and running as quickly as possible."

While the change will do little to alleviate queues at the company's
flagship stores -- many of which already open earlier -- the move
gives Apple more time to clear queues for iPhone 3G at its locations
that often continue to last for hours even two weeks after the
official launch.

Additionally, AppleInsider has confirmed first-hand that at least some
stores are changing their approach to selling iPhone 3G.

While Apple until now has only promised iPhones to customers as long
as they stay in queue at the store, the company is now pre-qualifying
customers who line up at the store and will set aside an iPhone 3G to
be picked up later, when it's more convenient for them to do so. In
many cases these buyers have until 6 P.M. to collect their purchases.

The method should stagger the appearance of iPhone customers
throughout the day and head off potential disappointment from
customers who may have to quit the line early due to other commitments.

How sad.  The stockholders cannot make any money selling a non-existant
product.  The carrier can't make any money, either, because without
hardware, the software and service are useless.

If he keeps playing these stupid games, even the fanbois will get fed up
and buy an Instinct.....and we stockholders will get screwed....