The local Best Buy sold out of the Apple iPad WiFi + 3G before they became available for sale. Ticket holders were elated while dozens of late comers became upset that they missed purchasing the device.
Emotions ran high 15 minutes prior to Best Buy (and Apple) allowing customers to purchase the WiFi + 3G models. Chatter in the line focused on how happy they were to rearrange their day to get to Best Buy early; Reflective smiles spread as each person nodded to the others in eager anticipation.
Unlucky customers became tense in their language choice. One woman became enraged because she was waiting by the iPad demonstration table and not outside in the marked line. She pointed her finger at the salesman and left very upset. I overheard that she called the sales manager a few minutes later.
As I continued to stand by the line, I spoke with a Vice President of a company who expected to use the device while walking the factory floor and during his business travels around the world. He is replacing his HP netbook.
As happy customers were finally purchasing their devices, dozens of new people arrived and wanted to know if they would be able to purchase the WiFi + 3G model. All were turned away, except a few people who continued to stand in line. One of the people waiting stated, “I was told they still had stock” and so I mentioned that they were all sold out. He asked a sales person, who responded, “I don’t know.”
His face crinkled as I pointed out the three people who work the Apple sales and said, “Well, I already own one [WiFi only model] but once you get to using it, you want to always use it.”