Briefly: Cingular stores spawn iPhone contact lists

***AppleInsider*** · 04-25-2007, 01:27 PM

Some Cingular wireless stores have begun to capitalize on the excitement leading up to the release of Apple's iPhone, offering to add prospective buyers to an "iPhone notification list" if they provide a phone number and answer a few questions.

Bloggers over at Twibe took the time to look into the matter by visiting their local Cingular retail store in Texas. They found that while Cingular is referring to the lists as "waiting lists," they're essentially "call-the-minute-we-get-em" lists which do not guarantee placement.

"I talked to a manager (possibly the owner) who took my name and number and said he would contact us the morning they get them in, which would allow the people on the list to get in line first," the report states. "He also asked if I was upgrading, switching, and a couple other service related questions."

The bloggers had also e-mailed their local Cingular store manager in advance of visiting the location and later received the following reply:

"Thanks for your email. We have a waiting list and we plan to contact the customers on the list when the iphone becomes available. If I can have your phone number I will get you added to the list and call you when we receive the iPhones. We look forward to having you as a customer soon!"

Since the iPhone's unveiling in January, Cingular (now AT&T) has received over a million inquiries from customers eager to snap up one of the Apple gadgets when they goes on sale in late June.

The excitement surrounding the iPhone also appears to be boosting interest in Cingular's wireless network amongst potential switchers, with a recent ChangeWave survey showing the wireless carrier to have surged ahead of rival Verizon Wireless in terms of consumer's future buying intentions.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

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**JeffDM** · 04-25-2007, 01:46 PM

That's kind of a hokey list. I suppose they don't have a real reservation system in place or have some sort of policy limiting them from taking deposits. I think it's going to end badly. They could have 10 units come into the store and without a proper reservation system, they might very well call 50 people, leaving as many as 40 disappointed people that wouldn't have wasted their time or gas to pick up something that won't be there by the time they get around to it.

damiansipko · 04-25-2007, 01:56 PM

Seems to me that they're trying to determine who's actually interested in the device. This way, it takes some initiative (stop-in, call, e-mail) by the prospective buyer other than just providing their e-mail via cingular.com. I'm sure we'll hear about how many applicants Cingular received in a couple of weeks.

digitalclips · 04-25-2007, 02:23 PM

The news that they had received 'over a million inquiries' has been playing for so long I wonder why it isn't now 'over 2 or 3 million'?

**JeffDM** · 04-25-2007, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digitalclips

The news that they had received 'over a million inquiries' has been playing for so long I wonder why it isn't now 'over 2 or 3 million'?

The one million announcement was less than a month ago. If it's linear, I wouldn't expect two million for a couple months yet. It could go either way, one million was just a burst, or one million on an accelerating increase.

shamino · 04-25-2007, 02:47 PM

Sounds reasonable to me.

Personally, I can't imagine someone wanting to commit in advance to the iPhone when all we know about it is Apple's advertising and a few very-limited demonstrations to reporters that were performed on a pre-release model with many features missing.

Until this device is released and some proper reviews can be written (or, at least the ability to try it out in the store), who would want to commit himself to a $600 item and a multi-year service commitment?

jonessodarally · 04-25-2007, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shamino

Until this device is released and some proper reviews can be written (or, at least the ability to try it out in the store), who would want to commit himself to a $600 item and a multi-year service commitment?

*raises hand*

**melgross** · 04-25-2007, 03:14 PM

I'll wait for the 3G service. I don't want to give up the ten times faster internet speeds I get now on my 700p with Sprint.

I also want to see what happens with third party software. There are several programs, or types of programs, I use now. I don't want to give up that usage.

My wife, on the other hand, is ready to go now.

Porchland · 04-25-2007, 03:15 PM

It's starting to feel like the Cabbage Patch Kids frenzy!

**melgross** · 04-25-2007, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porchland

It's starting to feel like the Cabbage Patch Kids frenzy!

I hope it won't end the way that did.

Johnny Mozzarella · 04-25-2007, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

...a recent ChangeWave survey showing the wireless carrier to have surged ahead of rival Verizon Wireless in terms of consumer's future buying intentions.

Uh-Oh I think I feel a ChangeQuake™
Duck and Cover!

kilraq · 04-25-2007, 03:25 PM

Does anyone else not realize what could potentially happen here?

Think of when the new generation game consoles came out. Remember the ruckus that caused? People in lines days before the product placement, fights, shootings, etc.

I do believe to my knowledge this might very well be the first time AT&T/Cingular will have EVER had people camping outside their stores waiting for a product. Will be humorous to see how this pans out.

*Gets the mental image of a thousand sweaty apple nerds/geeks waiting outside Apple Stores and AT&T/Cingular stores across the nation, talking of the latest games or hacks. Maybe a coordinated iPod dance routine by the very bored and geeky. Fights will break out over Job's latest actions at the WWDC speech. The soft glow of PowerBooks will light up the evening as the sun sets.*

tomkarl · 04-25-2007, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kilraq

*Gets the mental image of a thousand sweaty apple nerds/geeks waiting outside Apple Stores and AT&T/Cingular stores across the nation, talking of the latest games or hacks. Maybe a coordinated iPod dance routine by the very bored and geeky. Fights will break out over Job's latest actions at the WWDC speech. The soft glow of PowerBooks will light up the evening as the sun sets.*

Thanks for the visual imagery. I'll be ordering online and waiting for it to be delivered.

EagerDragon · 04-25-2007, 04:38 PM

I think I will go to the Apple store to get it, probably less preasure for all the extra services on the phone.

-cj- · 04-25-2007, 05:19 PM

My Verizon account is up in September so I'm hoping to have heard good things by then and will be ready to make the switch to Cingular. Incidentally, Verizon's coverage is a bit better in my neighborhood than Cingular, but I'm willing to overlook that for something minimizes the number of devices I carry around.

SpamSandwich · 04-25-2007, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Mozzarella

Uh-Oh I think I feel a ChangeQuake™
Duck and Cover!

I think I just ChangeQuaked my shorts!

Ireland · 04-25-2007, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melgross

I hope it won't end the way that did.

What way did it end?

vinea · 04-25-2007, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireland

What way did it end?

Pieces of shredded cabbages everywhere...the horror...the horror...

**JeffDM** · 04-25-2007, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinea

Pieces of shredded cabbages everywhere...the horror...the horror...

I think that it might be a good theme for a horror/parody short film.

**melgross** · 04-26-2007, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireland

What way did it end?

By just —ending!

shamino · 04-26-2007, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melgross

I hope it won't end the way that did.

If you're referring to the fact that Coleco went out of business, it was their failed attempt at producing a computer (the Adam) that killed them, not Cabbage Patch Kids.

**melgross** · 04-26-2007, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shamino

If you're referring to the fact that Coleco went out of business, it was their failed attempt at producing a computer (the Adam) that killed them, not Cabbage Patch Kids.

I was actually talking about the Cabbage Patch kids he mentioned. They are still around, I saw them in F.A.O. Schwartz several weeks ago. But they hardly matter anymore.

04-25-2007, 01:27 PM	#1
*AppleInsider* Kasper's Automated Slave Join Date: Nov 1997 Posts: 6,156	Briefly: Cingular stores spawn iPhone contact lists Some Cingular wireless stores have begun to capitalize on the excitement leading up to the release of Apple's iPhone, offering to add prospective buyers to an "iPhone notification list" if they provide a phone number and answer a few questions. Bloggers over at Twibe took the time to look into the matter by visiting their local Cingular retail store in Texas. They found that while Cingular is referring to the lists as "waiting lists," they're essentially "call-the-minute-we-get-em" lists which do not guarantee placement. "I talked to a manager (possibly the owner) who took my name and number and said he would contact us the morning they get them in, which would allow the people on the list to get in line first," the report states. "He also asked if I was upgrading, switching, and a couple other service related questions." The bloggers had also e-mailed their local Cingular store manager in advance of visiting the location and later received the following reply: "Thanks for your email. We have a waiting list and we plan to contact the customers on the list when the iphone becomes available. If I can have your phone number I will get you added to the list and call you when we receive the iPhones. We look forward to having you as a customer soon!" Since the iPhone's unveiling in January, Cingular (now AT&T) has received over a million inquiries from customers eager to snap up one of the Apple gadgets when they goes on sale in late June. The excitement surrounding the iPhone also appears to be boosting interest in Cingular's wireless network amongst potential switchers, with a recent ChangeWave survey showing the wireless carrier to have surged ahead of rival Verizon Wireless in terms of consumer's future buying intentions. [ View this article at AppleInsider.com ] [ Digg this story ]

04-25-2007, 01:56 PM	#3
damiansipko Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bradford, Pennsylvania Posts: 40	Seems to me that they're trying to determine who's actually interested in the device. This way, it takes some initiative (stop-in, call, e-mail) by the prospective buyer other than just providing their e-mail via cingular.com. I'm sure we'll hear about how many applicants Cingular received in a couple of weeks. I always have the right answers; you just sometimes ask the wrong questions. Last edited by damiansipko; 04-25-2007 at 01:57 PM.. Reason: mistyped their

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04-25-2007, 01:46 PM	#2
JeffDM Global Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: .US Posts: 9,127	That's kind of a hokey list. I suppose they don't have a real reservation system in place or have some sort of policy limiting them from taking deposits. I think it's going to end badly. They could have 10 units come into the store and without a proper reservation system, they might very well call 50 people, leaving as many as 40 disappointed people that wouldn't have wasted their time or gas to pick up something that won't be there by the time they get around to it.

04-25-2007, 02:23 PM	#4
digitalclips Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: South West Florida Posts: 1,584	The news that they had received 'over a million inquiries' has been playing for so long I wonder why it isn't now 'over 2 or 3 million'?

04-25-2007, 02:47 PM	#6
shamino Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Vienna, VA Posts: 214	Sounds reasonable to me. Personally, I can't imagine someone wanting to commit in advance to the iPhone when all we know about it is Apple's advertising and a few very-limited demonstrations to reporters that were performed on a pre-release model with many features missing. Until this device is released and some proper reviews can be written (or, at least the ability to try it out in the store), who would want to commit himself to a $600 item and a multi-year service commitment?

04-25-2007, 03:14 PM	#8
melgross Global Moderator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 19,612	I'll wait for the 3G service. I don't want to give up the ten times faster internet speeds I get now on my 700p with Sprint. I also want to see what happens with third party software. There are several programs, or types of programs, I use now. I don't want to give up that usage. My wife, on the other hand, is ready to go now.

04-25-2007, 03:15 PM	#9
Porchland Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Georgia Posts: 283	It's starting to feel like the Cabbage Patch Kids frenzy!

04-25-2007, 03:25 PM	#12
kilraq Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 26	Does anyone else not realize what could potentially happen here? Think of when the new generation game consoles came out. Remember the ruckus that caused? People in lines days before the product placement, fights, shootings, etc. I do believe to my knowledge this might very well be the first time AT&T/Cingular will have EVER had people camping outside their stores waiting for a product. Will be humorous to see how this pans out. Gets the mental image of a thousand sweaty apple nerds/geeks waiting outside Apple Stores and AT&T/Cingular stores across the nation, talking of the latest games or hacks. Maybe a coordinated iPod dance routine by the very bored and geeky. Fights will break out over Job's latest actions at the WWDC speech. The soft glow of PowerBooks will light up the evening as the sun sets.

04-25-2007, 04:38 PM	#14
EagerDragon Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 318	I think I will go to the Apple store to get it, probably less preasure for all the extra services on the phone.

04-25-2007, 05:19 PM	#15
-cj- Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 36	My Verizon account is up in September so I'm hoping to have heard good things by then and will be ready to make the switch to Cingular. Incidentally, Verizon's coverage is a bit better in my neighborhood than Cingular, but I'm willing to overlook that for something minimizes the number of devices I carry around.

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