Should I give up my search?

[JCat]

Well, we're a two ipad household. We sold our two ipads weeks ago to purchase the ipad 2. At launch, I went to Best Buy figuring I may actually have a better shot. I was number 26 in line... so all was good. Had a credit card ready for mine, and cash for my partner who was not present but can't stand up anyway, due foot problems from being diabetic. When sales began, we got a warning that they were only selling one per customer. I was disappointed, because if I knew that earlier, I would have waited much longer at one of the NY Apple Stores. Well, I was number 26 so I was able to get my iPad 2.

Since launch day, I have been trying to get one for my partner, to no avail. Went to the Apple store 4 times in a row, early in the morning, waited in line, and they couldn't accommodate even 1/4 of the crowd. After day four, I gave up, so then my partner decided to try it out the two days which followed, this time before sunrise and lugged a metal folding chair, by bus.. and still no luck. Why? Because the first hundred+ people were being paid by a huge gray market ring that I'm sure everyone's been reading about. So, if you want an iPad 2 and you live in New York City, you'll need to get to one of four Apple stores like 1:AM for an eight hour wait. The gray market 'workers' are buying up all the iPad 2s - for the Queen Ant(s). Apple really can't do anything to stop that - because what they're doing is not illegal - they're just trying to make a buck. Now, I'm sure Apple is aware there are people on these lines who actually want to own one. They can get all this lovely tech into a slimmer body without sacrificing battery life, yet they can't accommodate a good deal of their real audience who want to purchase one at their store. Start by limiting it to one per person.

[Ads]

[Kingv84]

Reasons why I prefer buying online and wait. Both my iPads were shipped from apple and should arrive to me soon. No stress waiting in lines and no staring at the stupid grey market slave workers.

[yvrgal]

Apple is delaying the launch of iPad 2 in Japan because of the earthquake. Rumor is they will be spreading Japan's inventory in the US and some countries having a launch date on the 25th so don't despair.

Just order it online and you'll be surprised as it might be sooner than 6 weeks before you can get your iPad 2.

Good luck.

[Tarkio]

Reasons why I prefer buying online and wait. Both my iPads were shipped from apple and should arrive to me soon. No stress waiting in lines and no staring at the stupid grey market slave workers.

Stress? Gray market slave workers?? Do you shop at the at the Apple Store in Somalia??

The 2 pleasant hours I spent getting the upad2, with no stress or slaves in sight, was less waisted time than many here have spent posting, searching, and complaining about not having one.

But keep spreading the misinformation so the lines will be shorter when I buy the ipad3!

[Amok]

Yes, stress. Of course I'm to blame for not jumping on the iPad2 online ordering right away. 4-5 weeks is my listed wait, but who knows really.

I've tried at the local stores (by the way, best buy now takes $100 up front and may be able to get you something "in a few weeks"...uh, no thanks). The last Apple Store blue-shirter I spoke with kinda giggled and said I should try lining up each morning. Hmmm, real people go to work to afford Apple toys, dude.

That brings us to the frustration that Apple has enabled, condoned, and continues to feed a gray market for this 'status symbol' device -- well beyond the interested and dedicated Apple user base. Whereas I wait 4-5 (yeah right) weeks, the gray marketeers gobble em up and spit em out.

Some thoughts:

1. How's about Apple "freeze" deliveries to the stores and fulfill the backorders of their loyal fans that will actually use the product? That would be a nice gesture.

2. I guess I could cancel my order and get one of those Xoom things when the WiFi version pops out. I can "probably" get it to do what an iPad2 will be doing for me. Is that punishing just me though?

3. How about giving iPad3 "pre-order privileges" to the folks that bought online and are waiting 4-5 (yeah right) weeks?

In summary, I'll likely just grin and bear it. Those folks that have time on their hands to stand in line every day, are willing to "pay gray premium", or are just plain lucky to grab one -- congrats i guess.

I loved when Apple was the underdog and cared about their loyal users. When the game is market share dominance instead of fan loyalty, oh well. Get more niche, Apple, and we'll still be here...well, at least for 4-5 (yeah right) weeks.

[yvrgal]

Yes, stress. Of course I'm to blame for not jumping on the iPad2 online ordering right away. 4-5 weeks is my listed wait, but who knows really.

I've tried at the local stores (by the way, best buy now takes $100 up front and may be able to get you something "in a few weeks"...uh, no thanks). The last Apple Store blue-shirter I spoke with kinda giggled and said I should try lining up each morning. Hmmm, real people go to work to afford Apple toys, dude.

That brings us to the frustration that Apple has enabled, condoned, and continues to feed a gray market for this 'status symbol' device -- well beyond the interested and dedicated Apple user base. Whereas I wait 4-5 (yeah right) weeks, the gray marketeers gobble em up and spit em out.

Some thoughts:

1. How's about Apple "freeze" deliveries to the stores and fulfill the backorders of their loyal fans that will actually use the product? That would be a nice gesture.

2. I guess I could cancel my order and get one of those Xoom things when the WiFi version pops out. I can "probably" get it to do what an iPad2 will be doing for me. Is that punishing just me though?

3. How about giving iPad3 "pre-order privileges" to the folks that bought online and are waiting 4-5 (yeah right) weeks?

In summary, I'll likely just grin and bear it. Those folks that have time on their hands to stand in line every day, are willing to "pay gray premium", or are just plain lucky to grab one -- congrats i guess.

I loved when Apple was the underdog and cared about their loyal users. When the game is market share dominance instead of fan loyalty, oh well. Get more niche, Apple, and we'll still be here...well, at least for 4-5 (yeah right) weeks.

Did you just sign up as a new user to post this???

[SweetPoison]

Reasons why I prefer buying online and wait. Both my iPads were shipped from apple and should arrive to me soon. No stress waiting in lines and no staring at the stupid grey market slave workers.

Is this really necessary?

[Amok]

@yvrgal - no, i didn't sign up 'just' to post my frustrations.

I *am* reading the forums to:
1) convince myself that patience (a virtue I don't have in much quantity) is going to be rewarded
2) learn of others experiences with the device as I didn't get the iPad "original"
3) read my crystal ball for if a iPad3 is due this fall (I wouldn't think so; however, this iPad2 is mainly a pre-emptive strike against Xoom to maintain market share dominance)
& 4) misery loves company, even if it attracts 'gloaters' too.

I've mostly been a mac user since i graduated from my 16KB TRS-80 model iii to the Mac II original, then a iici or something like that, then there are a couple more in there somewhere, then the iMac 24" 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo. Oh and my iPhone 3GS gets good use and is looking at being replaced this summer.

[Gabriel1]

@yvrgal - no, i didn't sign up 'just' to post my frustrations.

I *am* reading the forums to:
1) convince myself that patience (a virtue I don't have in much quantity) is going to be rewarded
2) learn of others experiences with the device as I didn't get the iPad "original"
3) read my crystal ball for if a iPad3 is due this fall (I wouldn't think so; however, this iPad2 is mainly a pre-emptive strike against Xoom to maintain market share dominance)
& 4) misery loves company, even if it attracts 'gloaters' too.

I've mostly been a mac user since i graduated from my 16KB TRS-80 model iii to the Mac II original, then a iici or something like that, then there are a couple more in there somewhere, then the iMac 24" 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo. Oh and my iPhone 3GS gets good use and is looking at being replaced this summer.

I can't help you with much there, except the misery and lack of patience, but I doubt that iPad 3 will come this year, everything i prefixed seems to come in yearly updates these days.

The Archangel

[yvrgal]

@yvrgal - no, i didn't sign up 'just' to post my frustrations.

I *am* reading the forums to:
1) convince myself that patience (a virtue I don't have in much quantity) is going to be rewarded
2) learn of others experiences with the device as I didn't get the iPad "original"
3) read my crystal ball for if a iPad3 is due this fall (I wouldn't think so; however, this iPad2 is mainly a pre-emptive strike against Xoom to maintain market share dominance)
& 4) misery loves company, even if it attracts 'gloaters' too.

I've mostly been a mac user since i graduated from my 16KB TRS-80 model iii to the Mac II original, then a iici or something like that, then there are a couple more in there somewhere, then the iMac 24" 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo. Oh and my iPhone 3GS gets good use and is looking at being replaced this summer.

I see. Well, I hope you get the iPad 2 soon enough. I will be ordering online on the 25th. I'm not sure what the stores are gonna be like but I'm going to hit a non-Apple store.

Good luck.