Recapping what I was doing today, last month.
At Doncaster Westfield Shoppingtown. The queue is l.o.n.g. I thought being in a shopping centre, camping overnight wouldn’t be allowed. I don’t know what time the people got here but I got here at a little past 7am. Launch begins at 8am. I just hope that there will be one left when I get to the counter.
It’s 7.47am now. I forgot to take my bottle of water with me in the rush to get to the queue. And I can’t walk away to get a drink as I am on my own. Feeling thirsty. This guy must have just gotten out of bed and straight to here.
Suddenly, there was a commotion and i thought it was iPhone 4 being unveiled or something but it was…
It’s 8.15am. Oh…They are handing out free coffee. Nice.
It’ll be good if they hand out water next. Need to hydrate myself, especially after the throwing up session last night. The queue behind me…
It’s 8.45am. Just finish doing my make-up. Another hour before I have to leave the queue, for work. The Apple staff walks past once in a while to answer questions. I asked if there are still stock but they are not saying anything. They are not telling how many they have in stock today. I don’t think I’ll be able to get my hands on one today. Oh well, at least I tried. Oh great…a bottle of water
The queue is moving. Apple is around the corner, I think. Or is it one more corner?
It’s 9.16am. And I see Apple. I am in the buying outright line. There is a separate queue for contract purchases. How hard is buying outright? Just get the phone, pay for it and go. The drama kings and drama queens.
An Apple staff assisting with queries
It’s 9.22am. I’ve been standing in the queue for about 2 1/2 hours now.
It’s 9.27am. I see Apple…
It’s 9.32am. So close yet so far…
Can you believe the number of people buying outright?
It’s 9.37am. I should be leaving the queue soon. I should really be somewhere else at this hour. But…
It’s 9.48am. The queue hasn’t moved much since. It’s taking ages.
Come on people. How difficult can it be? I can easily be out within 15 minutes. It’s like people paying at the supermarket checkouts. They can’t find their point cards or the 20c coin and they spend half an hour looking for it not realizing the people behind them has places to be.
It’s 9.54am. Yay, another bottle of water
4 minutes later…
I see a few people with their iPads
One guy even brought a stool with him
Anticipating…
The girls in front of me
5 more twines to go…
Hurry up humans.
Just realized there is free Wi-fi. Battery levels running low though.
Just spoke to one of the staff going around. They are not giving out the covers today. She told me that there is an app to download and place orders for the free covers through the app. They will do the swap for the mini sim though.
It’s 10.44am. Getting there. 3 more wraps to go.
Security in orange
It’s 11.05am. I hope it doesn’t get to me and they tell me it’s out of stock. I wonder if half of Melbourne is late for work today…
Two more wraps to go at 11.06am
It’s 11.32am. I have been standing for 4 1/2 hours
In the front line now. Almost there. I am just trying to stay under the radar as I should be somewhere else at this hour. : p
They greet one person(or one group) from the queue after a previous one is done and has left. So it’s taking ages. They should have got more staff
The queue behind me, the afternoon shifts…
I am down to the final three at 11.53am
A satisfied iPhone 4 owner leaves the store
I am here…
Looking out at where i was as i wait for the phone to arrive
Got it. Making payment.
Finally, after 5 hours of standing…
All done. To the washroom now and then get something to feed the empty stomach
Total cost of iPhone 4 32gb – AUD$1011 made up of $999 being cost of phone and $12 for over 5 hours of parking.
An early birthday present for DT. Even though I’m not really the one paying for it, I have to say that the effort is worth acknowledging. How many females can or have the patience to queue standing for 5 hours on their own, on an empty stomach, to get a gadget for someone. I don’t think I’m good, I know I’m good. Berating me? Try doing it yourself.
-iPhone 4 ~ AUD$1011 inclusive of parking. The effort to get iPhone 4 on launchday ~ Priceless -
