Anyone that knows me, knows how much I detest waiting in long lines. I absolutely refuse to wait for hours in lines for gadget purchases. That's not to say that I haven't stood in a line to purchase something, but I certainly avoid it at all costs. With all the iDevice craziness out there and the fact that in most cases you can pre-order the gadget and have it sent directly to your home, I really don't get why anyone would wait in a line (especially overnight)? Also in many cases, if you're willing to wait a few hours, few days or a couple of weeks you can just walk right in and up to the counter and buy one. This coupled with the lack of acceptance of cash for many of these iDevice purchases really leaves me scratching my head.
This video really puts it in context: Happy Friday Everyone – have a great weekend!
You can grab this entire episode (Attack of the Killer App) here: 
Hilarious!
I think most people are in it for “the experience.” The atmosphere and energy of these launch day events is quite amazing really. I went to my local Apple Store on launch day for the new iPhone 4 and it was really something to see. They had radio stations, tv news crews, it was nuts… Of course I had a reservation (though I have waited in line without one before) and once the doors opened I was in and out in less than 10 minutes, but the lead-up to actually purchasing the phone and the controlled mayhem of the morning made it all worthwhile. I’ve actually had some great conversations and made some interesting business contacts/friends through the iLine process. Apple has made this such a spectacle and an almost (unspoken) yearly event that I think it’s become the new de facto nerd holiday.
However, there are some people who had an agonizing experience that day… Just ask Rich Harrington or Rod Harlan!
LOL that’s pretty good. I too agree its weird seeing tons of people in line days and hours before a new release. I don’t think I’ve ever bought any gadget brand spanking new on the first day. I usually give it a month or so and see how it goes then make my purchase…just like you said…walk in the door during off peak hours walk right up to the counter and in 15 mins or less walk out with my gadget.
If only the same passion was applied to other areas of our lives…our world would be a much different place.
Happy Fourth!
Very very nice, Terry.. 🙂
I cannot agree more, why would you stand in a queue (unless you enjoy it 😉 ) if you can pre-order online?
Oh I get it. You think the purpose of standing in line is to get the iDevice. If that were the case, your confusion would be perfectly understandable. There are undeniably more convenient ways to get the iDevice.
In fact, the purpose of standing in line is: standing in line. It’s the same reason many people go to football games when they could have watched them on TV. The same reason people go to concerts when they have all of that artist’s work on CD. The same reason you go to a conference rather than get a recorded version of the sessions.
Terry, I’m right there with you on this one. This is a military thing…
Of the 6 years I served in the Navy, 12 were spent standing in line. EVERYTHING required standing in line with literally hundreds of other guys! Since getting out, I won’t even wait in line at a drive-thru; that MacShake will be just the same two blocks down the street where there’s no Line.
If I could buy groceries on-line I would.
Maybe that’s where I get it from. Six years in the military for me too 🙂
It’s all about this “First One to Have One Mentality” which I really do not understand. Why does it really matter to be the first one to own, see, tell, ….. It’s crazy. It is especially crazy considering that even the first purchaser in line is not the first to own a device anyway.
We need to slow down in this country. It’s not that important. Beleive me, I did new gadgets as much as the next geek but I don’t have to be the “FIRST”!
What branch did you serve in the military?