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Up to 5-hour wait for 3G iPhones in OC

July 11th, 2008, 2:40 pm · 12 Comments · posted by Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress

**UPDATE, as of 3:03 p.m.  Most of AT&T’s 2,000 stores nationwide ARE SOLD OUT. See below if you still want to order an iPhone.**

3gunboxingIf you’re heading to an AT&T store to get an iPhone, you may be out of luck. But Apple stores in Orange County appear to have plenty — if you’re willing to wait in line.

Geoff Mordock, with AT&T, just told me that he’s heard almost every AT&T store has sold out of their stock. He wouldn’t say how much they had to begin with.

“The lines were longer than last year,” he said. “We want to make sure people know that more inventory is coming.”

Much of the wait is due to activating the iPhone by AT&T. It took iGirl 30 minutes to get her iPhone activated this morning — and that was after waiting 10 hours till the store opened and another hour to get inside!I’m waiting on an update from Mordock as to iPhone inventory left at AT&T stores in Orange County.

Meanwhile, here’s what’s left at the Apple stores:

Irvine: Irvine Spectrum, 85 Fortune Dr. #311 Irvine, CA 92618 (949) 255-1500
As of 2:15 p.m., a rep said that all iPhones are still in stock. Current wait time in line: 1 hour, 15 minutes.

Costa Mesa: South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bear St. Costa Mesa, CA 92626 (714) 424-6331
As of 2:22 p.m., a rep said, “We have them in stock and there is a line.” He wouldn’t say how many are left.

Mission Viejo: The Shops at Mission Viejo Mission Viejo, CA 92691 (949) 365-0727
As of 2:24 p.m., a rep said, “We do have a lot at the moment, but there is a 4-hour wait in line.” The 4-hour estimate is based on the time it takes to activate the phones and the number of people in line. He won’t guarantee that there will still be iPhones left if you get there tonight.

Brea: Brea Mall, Space #1024A Brea, CA 92821 714-255-5610
No answer. Must be pretty busy over there. Anyone else know?

Newport Beach: Fashion Island, 367 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660 (949) 729-4433
At 2:30 p.m., a rep said, “We have a lot left.” But then he added that the line is 5 hours long and he can’t guarantee there will be iPhones left tonight.

UPDATE, as of 3:03 p.m.: Mordock said that most of AT&T’s 2,000 stores nationwide ARE SOLD OUT.

But stores should get replenished within a few days. One option AT&T is pushing is its “Direct fill” process, where customers would essentially put down a credit card, order an iPhone and a phone will be reserved in their name. You must go to an AT&T store to place the order, which is expected to take 7 to 10 days to arrive.

Earlier on Gadgetress:

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Posted in: Apple mania • Cell phones • iPhone • • • • • •
 
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 12 Comments

  • audiogirl says:
    July 11, 2008 at 3:04 pm

    Now I know where to find all the 40 year old virgins.

  • dodo says:
    July 11, 2008 at 3:38 pm

    haha.
    what a scam.
    they lowered the price but raised the data monthly fee thereby
    moving charges from front end to back end.
    dont waste money on handsets that will be outdated in a few months.
    get a life chumps.

  • Sarah says:
    July 11, 2008 at 3:58 pm

    Tired of waiting in line? How about submitting a video on YouTube and winning a FREE iPhone???

    The Orange County Transportation Authority is hosting a contest where the public can submit a short video describing their public transit experience as an alternative to paying for high gas prices. You can post your video on YouTube and title it “Orange County Dump the Pump”. The contest ends Monday, July 21 and other prizes include iPods and iTunes music gift cards. This beats waiting in line, and what do you have to lose? Not 4 or 5 hours at the mall….that’s for sure. For more info visit http://www.octa.net/dumpthepump. Good luck!

  • Johnadams says:
    July 11, 2008 at 4:06 pm

    Seriously, didn’t you people learn anything. First, your phone won’t work (which happened). Second, the price will drop in a month or two, leaving all the camping dorks angry and demanding refunds. Third, why in the hell wait in line for 10 hours, when you can sit home, wait for 2 days and you could walk right into the store and grab one off the shelf. I’d much rather wait for user reviews to buy something and smart people never buy things as soon as they are released. Ask the people who camped for Xbox 360 only to have them red ring within 2 months.

  • CC says:
    July 11, 2008 at 4:16 pm

    South Coast: at 3pm. there was a LONG line, about 300 people. Woman at front said she’d waited 5 hrs. Had stock.

  • irving says:
    July 11, 2008 at 4:51 pm

    Can you purchase a Fast Pass?

  • David says:
    July 11, 2008 at 4:56 pm

    I was at the Spectrum store, long lines, pretty much all loser geeks, I just walked right up the front of the store line and walked in, a couple of losers stepped up a bit but I pretty much told them that the line starts after me. In and out in no time.

  • Chris says:
    July 11, 2008 at 5:22 pm

    The state of AT&T stores “selling out” is a SCAM. They sold out FOR TODAY. Ask them how many they’ll have for Saturday ;-) Investigative reporting!

  • Randy says:
    July 11, 2008 at 6:31 pm

    It’s too bad that you have to deal with AT&T with the IPhone. I really am disappointed with the quality of their service and everyone I know who has an IPhone says the same thing. AT&T SUCKS!

  • WTHITC says:
    July 11, 2008 at 8:32 pm

    WHY? What is the fascination with these phones? Do you get a happy ending along with your purchase? These young people (and they are mostly young) need to get a life. Seriously. These are the same young people that will spend hundreds on gadgets and then wonder why they cant afford to buy a house.

  • And you are? says:
    July 13, 2008 at 12:42 am

    re: WTHITC
    Why are you so hung up on what others should do? Who asked for
    your advice? If this is a waste of time, don’t read the article and stop
    boring us with your presumptive whining…