An interesting twist is occurring in the iPhone 4 launch debacle. It seems that early players in the pre-order game are actually being penalized for their efforts. Many of the pre-order customers who's orders were postponed or processed late in the day are actually getting their precious packages ahead of schedule, while many of the early birds, as it were, are not expecting delivery until at least launch day.
The fact that the orders - for the most part - seem to be scheduled for on-time delivery is a good thing. However, many of those who had conducted the pre-order at the beginning of the day are actually getting their units after the late bloomers.
There has been some variation in delivery times between those who waited at Apple direct stores and those who ventured to AT&T retailers, but other issues are occurring between orders sent form the same location.
For example, I was one of the first four people in the door at the local AT&T store here in Montgomery. No, I'm not a crazed fan - well, yes I am, but I was not rushing to the store to beat every other iPhone patron nor was even there to pre-order, but rather to determine when the online server failure would be resolved. I then discovered that they would be taking pre-orders in-store. Lucky me.
There were four of us there when the doors opened and all of us were greeted by AT&T reps - no lines, at that point. Within 3o minutes the system errors became clear. Within an hour and a half they were unable to process orders and within two hours they were turning people away. The whole thing went from bad to worse in less time that it takes to play a World Cup match, and considering that this is the FOURTH time the phone has been upgraded, you'd think that this wouldn't have happened - but I digress.
Anyway, a few people that I know got their phone pre-orders in well after mine and as it turns out, their devices are getting in sooner. My pre-order was completed at 9:45 a.m. One friend's was completed at 2 p.m. and the other at 6 p.m. How are they arriving? The 6 p.m. order arrived today - a day early - just after lunch. The 2 p.m. order was delivered at 3 p.m. today - again a day early. And mine? The early bird pre-order? It should be here tomorrow. Launch day, yes, but really? The first in line get their's later? My shipping information was "not found" in the FedEx database - like thousands of others. It only updated this morning around 8 a.m. Ironically, it was the first in the system. I guess the guys at Apple started boxing and labeling devices and created a big pile, then, started shipping from the top of that pile. Makes sense...to someone, somewhere, I guess.
At the end of the day, does it matter? No. It just sucks that those who did get their early wound up not getting the priority. I know if I were the first to a restaurant I'd expect to get seated before those who came after me with the same party number. In the end we'll all get to eat, but it's just common courtesy I suppose. I'm a little irked at the situation to say the least, but as I like to say, "I'll live."
- R
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