Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Just got back from Las Vegas and found something interesting.
Went first to their big mall (Fashion something) and walked by the Apple store. They made a big deal about if I was there for my iPhone5? Told them no and they said go ahead and enter. They had an area to the right of the store in front of their store roped off for a line (which their was no one) for iPhone5 customers.
That was Saturday. Today I went to the Forum shops at Caesars (
VERY impressive place) and came upon the Apple store there. Just for giggles went towards the front and same thing (as far as the "line" and question) so I told them no just looking and they let me in. Decided to ask him a few questions.
1. How many iPhones do you have for immed sale? Asked me how many would I like to buy (in a joke) and then said "many". Asked him more or less than 100 and he said quite a few while making a upwards sign with his finger.
2. Whats the deal with the asking customers if they are there for the iPhone5? He said they are to put them in the line in front of the store and have them wait till the next guy is available to make it look that they have a demand for the product and create a buzz. It makes the Customer think that they are getting something special (an expensive phone is special IMB) and feel better about the "experience" which I can see their point.
In comparison I went to the Sony store and they have up front their Xperia line and all of them say in big words "UNLOCKED and NO CONTRACT use your choice of cell phone company" on each phone. Asked them how many do they sell (their top of the line phone was $519 and the lowest was right at $389) and she said a lot. Again it must be a national secret and would not say any more. (off subject. Their Tablet is very nice!)
Both stores had quite a few folks in them.
If you are ever in Las Vegas you have to see the entrance to the Caesar forum shops from Las Vegas BLVD. Amazing!
And if you can't find a iPhone5 both stores have plenty. I even touched and played with both the iPhone4s and iPhone5 for 15 minutes. The iPads were getting more attention in both stores IMO.
Also quite a bit of comments (between customers looking at iPhone5 (not buying) and Apple "genesis") of the changing of ports and people not happy with having to spend $30 per device to get some adapter that does not work.
Take care, Bill
I had a similar experience in a large mall outside of L.A. There were about 10 people lined up outside the ATT store, about 15 for Verizon and about the same for the Apple Store. Maybe most people ordered all those millions of phone online! (which is what I usually do if I buy a new phone).