Iphone 5S Not Available In Store

[Anonymous]

Hi, I was planning to upgrade to the new iPhone 5S at my local O2 store on Friday 20th September 2013. However, when I called in there today I was informed that they would not have the phone in store to buy on the date of release. Instead I would only be able to place an order for it. I've also noticed that the iphone 5S page on the Apple website has changed. It used to say that it was available to buy in the Apple Store or in one of the network stores on the day of release. It only mentions now that it is available to order from the 20th September 2013 and there is no mention of buying it in store on that date. It also has no mention of buying it in one of the network stores. Has the phone been delayed? Why is it not available to purchase in store on the date of release?

[Rycal]

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@Anonymous wrote:
Sorry but I'm not sure that's right, I went in my local O2 store and was told the handset would be available on 20th. They did mention that stock would be limited but there was no mention that it would be purely a pre-order.

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Communications were sent out to all stores on Friday stating that customers would not be able to pick up an iPhone 5S instore on the 20th. Customers can place an order which will have a delayed delivery, the exact length of this delay is not yet known but things should be clearer in the coming days.

[Anonymous]

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@Rycal wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:
Sorry but I'm not sure that's right, I went in my local O2 store and was told the handset would be available on 20th. They did mention that stock would be limited but there was no mention that it would be purely a pre-order.

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Communications were sent out to all stores on Friday stating that customers would not be able to pick up an iPhone 5S instore on the 20th. Customers can place an order which will have a delayed delivery, the exact length of this delay is not yet known but things should be clearer in the coming days.

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I dont mean to sound rude but how do you know this,  were is your information coming from?   I notice in your sig you state you work for O2 so is what your saying with regards to O2 an possibly other phone stores or are you including Apple stores in that statement aswell because i find it a bit hard to take that Apple are going to let people que up hours in advance at there local Apple stores just to place an order which couldve been done online or over the phone.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@Rycal wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:
Sorry but I'm not sure that's right, I went in my local O2 store and was told the handset would be available on 20th. They did mention that stock would be limited but there was no mention that it would be purely a pre-order.

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Communications were sent out to all stores on Friday stating that customers would not be able to pick up an iPhone 5S instore on the 20th. Customers can place an order which will have a delayed delivery, the exact length of this delay is not yet known but things should be clearer in the coming days.

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i find it a bit hard to take that Apple are going to let people que up hours in advance at there local Apple stores just to place an order which couldve been done online or over the phone.

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From what I have read on earlier occasions about iPhone launces.

If new iPhone's are in a really limited stock. Apple apparantly stock their own stores/website, before they will stock shops/websites such as O2, Vodaphone, CPW etc. I can imagine that it will be a last minute thing when O2 know if a particular store will have stock of the 5S or if they will be availible to order on the 20th.

Apple stores will have stock on launch day, albeit limited, this is the usual situation when a new iPhone is launched.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately the only definitive answer is to visit your local o2 and Apple shops on the 20th and hope.

[Rycal]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@Rycal wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:
Sorry but I'm not sure that's right, I went in my local O2 store and was told the handset would be available on 20th. They did mention that stock would be limited but there was no mention that it would be purely a pre-order.

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Communications were sent out to all stores on Friday stating that customers would not be able to pick up an iPhone 5S instore on the 20th. Customers can place an order which will have a delayed delivery, the exact length of this delay is not yet known but things should be clearer in the coming days.

---

I dont mean to sound rude but how do you know this,  were is your information coming from?   I notice in your sig you state you work for O2 so is what your saying with regards to O2 an possibly other phone stores or are you including Apple stores in that statement aswell because i find it a bit hard to take that Apple are going to let people que up hours in advance at there local Apple stores just to place an order which couldve been done online or over the phone.

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My post refers soley to O2 stores, I don't know what stock at Apples own stores will be however I suspect that if the networks are struggling for stock then even Apple themselves will not have as many as previous years.

[Anonymous]

Seems that O2 are now confirming no physical stock of 5S in stores on Friday. When asked the following question on twitter:

@alexberry72: Please could @O2 confirm that there will be no physical stock of any iPhone 5S in any stores on Friday 20th Sept?

Their response was:

@O2: @alexberry72 It’ll be available to order in O2 shops, online & over the phone. For more information visit http://t.co/iN43MnyjhE

This appears to be a scripted response as it's identical to responses given to all similar questions relating to in-store stock on Friday.

Is this situation unique to O2 or across all networks? Does the finger of epic fail blame point at O2 or Apple in general?

[Rycal]

Believe me, if we have the stock we will sell it. If there's a shortage it's likely to be nationwide and not just limited to one company.

[Anonymous]

I figure it's probably Apple - sticking to a pre-determined release timetable before they're ready with adequate stock. Just another (small) factor reflected in the Apple share price down 8% since the announcement against the NASDAQ which is up 0.4% over the same period.

[Anonymous]

yeh i called dunfermline 10mins ago and they said only taking pre orders for the phone from friday morning.

aint queing up for 8am on friday morning to pre order!

thats what the laptop is for while lying in bed half asleep is for at that time on friday morning lol

[Anonymous]

O2 have now updated the site saying they wont have the iPhone 5S in stores tomorrow... which I personally thinks is the biggest joke of the year!

Wow... how you have fallen O2... from being the only network to have the iPhone... to being the ONLY network that DOESNT have it!

EE, Vodafone, CPW, Phones4U - even Orange and T-Mobile all have stock so you can get an iPhone tomorrow.

Apparently, according to a friend of mine who works for O2, its due to them wanting to avoid a rush at O2 shops tomorrow (and avoud an early opening) but all it does is result in seriously annoyed customers.

How many times are you planning on pissing off customers around iPhone launches O2?  First it was the partial 12 month upgrade contract last year... now this?  Pathetic if you ask me.