Best Buy iFails with Customers
I was still on the fence about replacing my iPad with an iPad 2. I was honestly holding out for an Android tablet with a Qualcomm MSM8660 chip. When the iPad 2 was announced, I realized that the competition was once again set back by 9-12 months. At 4:15 pm I headed to the Best Buy in the Brier Creek area of North Raleigh, NC.
Best Buy Fail
This particular Best Buy is somewhat tucked away, so I figured the line wouldn't be horrible. When I walked in, there was a group of people off the the right and then a line through the center of the store. I figured the line was in two parts due to its length. I joined the line at about 15 deep, with another 20 or so in the first group ahead of us.
I guess I was mildly embarrassed to be in line for an iPad 2, so I didn't ask any blue-shirts for the status. Neither did anyone else. They just filed behind be, eventually growing in total number to around 60-70.
Blue-shirts came through the line exactly twice. The first time was to offer everyone a Best Buy credit card. The second time was at 5:15 pm. The forward line had been mulling about, but our line had not moved. The blue-shirt was letting us know that he "did not know how many iPads they had in stock", but that we could reserve one for $100 in the event that they ran out.
I decline the offer, but before he could walk away, I asked him what was taking so long. He said their procedure had some kinks, but things were moving now. They had "tickets" to pass out and... "Tickets?" I asked? We were not offered tickets. We had no idea what was going on. "So if we didn't get a ticket we are likely not getting an iPad?" I asked. He regretfully confirmed.
Apple Wouldn't Pull That
We walked out, shocked that Best Buy would keep us there in line without offering an explanation, only a credit card application. This is a dramatically different experience from my friends in the line at the Apple Store at South Point. We were exchanging tweets the whole time. When I told them that we were screwed, they took my order and picked one up for me. So yes I waited in line for an iPad 2, I just received it later that night at their place. Thank you, Jessica and Roger.