More retailers means few needed to queue for the iPhone 3G S
By Ronald O Carlson
Much has been made about how few people have been seen queueing to buy the latest Apple’s mobile marvel. What few have failed to mention, however, is just how many more places there are now to buy an iPhone this year compared to last.
No matter how you measure it, the 2009 iPhone 3G S launch will be a huge success. Various sources expect that Apple will have sold well in excess of 500,000 handsets in the device’s first three days. Some say the company might even match last year’s stunning success with over 1 million sold.
Still, many have commented about the lack of queuing outside most Apple Store and AT&T retail locations. In truth, with few a notable exceptions, Apple’s Fifth Avenue New York City store front for one, lines have been mostly absent this year.
Whereas iPhone fever was one of the top news stories of 2008 with around the clock coverage of the legions of fans waiting to get an Apple handset, this year the story’s different for two obvious reasons: 1.) duh, the economy, and 2.) there are thousands more places to buy an iPhone.
If only AT&T’s 3G network were so good
Best Buy was the first third-party retailer to join the party last Fall, bringing over 2,200 US locations and scores of stores in Canada, as well. Given the fact that America’s biggest electronics retailer also sells iPods and, to a lesser degree, Macs, this seemed a natural move for both companies.
However, when Wal-Mart and its 3,100 stateside stores crashed the iPhone scene at the tail end of 2008 many questioned whether the low-brow Arkansas retailer and the snooty California style maker could get along let alone do business. Yet, a half year has passed and few if any question the wisdom of this marriage of convenience now.
Therefore, in the US alone, there are about 6,500 retail locations—Apple, AT&T, Best Buy and Wal-Mart—where you could buy a new iPhone on Friday. Moreover, both Apple and AT&T allowed customers to pre-order, meaning most of the angst about there being enough to go around was removed.
So, there was really no reason to queue, not that there ever was, in line for an iPhone in 2009.
Thereupon, will Apple announce that 500,000 or even 1 million iPhones sold this weekend? In spite of the down economy and stiffer competition, it wouldn’t at all surprise me if Cupertino still managed to match 2008’s stunning totals and maybe even a little more…
What’s your take?
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Stumble It!
June 22nd, 2009
Dead on brother!
But maybe the something could be said of the Pre? Except for the fact that a 50 people (the biggest line) have to line up to get a shot at the 2 dozen phones Sprint has for sale at a single location. Reports also show that in many locations the Pre has less than a handful of phones to sell; so much for selling out!
On the other hand Apple had 100’s if not 1000’s of phones at all of there locations.