Post iPhone 3G Launch Reflections, Part II

At several times during the Great Wait, I considered leaving. My back was starting to hurt, my feet were starting to hurt, and I felt like I was getting sunburn. After waiting all that time, though, it became too much of an investment in time to leave. I just wanted the iPhone.

A little before 1pm, the girlfriend of my boss from work — yes, my boss from work was there; actually, our entire staff was there, we should have had a staff meeting — said that she would let me have her spot. Apparently, they were only letting one person into the store at a time, regardless of whether or not they were planning to buy an iPhone. They were no more than 10 or so people in front of me, but those 10 people represented at least another hour’s wait. I jumped at the chance.

After a short wait at the front of the store, I was paired up with a salesperson. We went into the store, I told him I wanted a 16 GB black iPhone, and we got started with the transaction. Everything was going smoothly until the salesperson said, “Uh oh, you have to go to an AT&T Store.”

I looked at him in disbelief. My mind immediately went to those folks who had mentioned that AT&T Stores were already out of stock, and that was about three or four hours ago. The salesperson explained that there was something about my account that prevented them from processing an upgrade in the store.

Realizing that the entire store staff had pretty much been inundated with frustrated customers who had been standing in line all day, I resisted the urge to pitch a fit. However, I was thinking very loudly: “Oh no! I did not just wait in line for six hours just to be told that I had to go to an AT&T Store.”

Resolving that I was not going to leave the store without an iPhone, I asked if he could sign me up for a new line of service. At first, I don’t think he understood what I was asking. I asked him again, and he seemed to understand this time. So, we started the transaction again, this time with a new line of service through AT&T.

Next: I get my iPhone, but then I have to stand in line again at an AT&T Store…