Yesterday, (Friday, July 11th) was the long awaited Iphone launch day. It was also the day I need to travel from the Los Angeles area to the San Francisco Bay area to work on a graveyard shift. That morning, I watched the morning news to check the lines on the near by Apple stores. Wow, the line in Pasadena was long with a couple blocks around the Apple Store. So, I decided that Pasadena will be a bad place for me to TRY to get an Iphone. I also checked online at CNET to check on the Iphone launch news in the Bay Area. Thats when I found out there were server problems at the launch. At 9:30 AM, I left my home in Arcadia for the San Francisco Bay Area.
While I was driving, I kept on thinking if I should stop by the Emryville Apple Store in the East Bay before I reach my destination. Since my current phone does not have wireless internet, I don't know if the apple server problems were solved and if there's still a huge line at Apple Stores. But since the Emryville Apple store is on the way to my destination, I decided to take a look at the lines there. When I got there, the lines doesn't seem that long, about half a block. So at 3:30pm I jumped right in the line. Almost immediately after I jumped in the line, Apple employees stopped by to ask us if we have any question. They were also giving us " pep rally" by showing us the Iphone and allow us to test it while "keeping their finger on it all the time." People asked what the wait time from where we are. The Apple employees said the wait should be about 2 to 3 hours. I figured I will have enough time before my shift starting at 9:30pm plus a nap before starting work.
At first the line seemed going along as planned. In 2 hours, I was more than two-third toward the Apple Store from where I started. But then, the line crawled to a halt. I barely moved in 30 minutes. So I figured it must be another temporary server glitch, and it should be faster later. By this time some of the Apple employee that said they started since 6AM were going home.
It was now 9 pm, and I really needed to go to work. My line had barely moved several feet in the last 4 hours, but i had managed to get to the fifth position in the line to enter Apple store. During this time, people were very upset as they were very hungry, and it also got cold and windy. Luckily the folks near us allow us to save our spot so we can go to the restroom. People were also joking as they talked if they would sell their spot. They pointed out some sales going on on Caiglist. So far, no one that were in the line for 6 hours bailed. I think I just might make it in time for work.... Until I noticed, those that went in the apple store were in a line. The line inside is not moving. It occurred to me that I will not get an iphone by 11pm.
I've been in line for 6 hours... I don't want to just leave! Desperate, I asked my fellow iphone waiters in line if they allow me to sell my position. They said, if I can get someone, then, no problem. So I went to the end of the line and ask anyone if they want to the the fifth in line. After first I said, $200, $100 for my position. Then, people said I was crazy, but one girl pointed me to a person that would buy my spot. After negotiation, we agreed on $50. So I gave him my spot and I left for work. And also paying $7 for parking.
I made it in time for work. I have to be at work, otherwise the operation shuts down.
The last I've heard. People last night who made it in couldn't get a iphone because of a server crash. They were given a pass so they don't have to get in line today. But I bet they were really pissed. Getting in line for 6 hours in the cold and hunger, and without an iphone before they leave. What a Iphone Launch Disaster.
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