The iPad Dilemma: Part 2

So, after much deliberation, I was dead set on buying the iPad.

But where would I go?  Best Buy and the Apple Store online were my first choices, of course.  I combed through Best Buy meticulously looking for the item to be in stock. They don’t ship? WHAT??  You mean I can’t sit here comfortably and have one whisked to my door by my best friends, Mr. UPS and Mr. FedEx? Well that was fine, I was sure I could head to the Apple store and have better luck.

At the time,  the Apple store online  was showing shipping dates in 7-10 days.  I put one on order and the system told me that it was down for maintenance, but my order was still processing, so not to worry.  Heading to sleep I rested comfortably knowing that my order was coming through and I’d have an iPad in my hot little hands in the near future.

Waking up in the morning I found that I still hadn’t received the confirmation email.  I started to worry.  The iPad order gone haywire had been added to my list of everyday fears . . . did I leave the oven on?  Did I lock the doors?  Am I going to get a social security check when I hit my mid-60s?

Logging in I found that the order was secured and good to go . . . but there was a big BUT – the Apple store said shipping in 7-10 days, but it showed the delivery coming next month?  Giving them the benefit of the doubt, I put on my argument hat and made the case that yes, theoretically it could fall a little over the 10 business day deadline, etc, etc.  With some spare time, I figured I would do some calling around to see if I could get one a little sooner.  I decided to call the Apple Stores directly.

The Apple staff members I talked to on the phone were super friendly.  They told me there were none in stock, but I could be added to a list for reserve.  That didn’t mean I had to buy one when they came in, but that they would contact me and let me know the shipment had arrived.  I asked if waiting in the online store queue was better and was told, “I believe so, since you know you’ll definitely get one.”  I can deal with that answer and quite frankly, they sounded exhausted just talking about the iPad so I’m sure I was getting the straight dope.

(On a quick aside, I noticed that the Apple store on Fifth Avenue is open 24/7.  Although that’s really neat, I wondered what kind of person, after partying at night, decides that what they wanted besides an IHOP meal was an iPod.  I digress.)

Last resort: combing through the Best Buy website.  I looked through availability on all models in all stores and for all area codes.   Then I hit paydirt.  I saw some availability in the Bronx.  I called quickly and spoke to Rosa.  Rosa told me that they had received four, yes FOUR iPads, and then asked me if I wanted to reserve one?  “HELL YES”, I replied.

Quickly realizing that this phrase had gotten me detention in high school I quickly apologized as she giggled.  What’s better than someone reserving you one of four iPads and giggling at your jokes?  She said she would check inventory and call me back in five minutes.  She called me back in three minutes and said I had one reserved.  It was all coming together!

I calculated traffic via Google best roads and set my GPS for the location.  My father was in town for his birthday,  so I figured the best way to celebrate this occasion would be by taking him into the Bronx for the first time.  I’ve truly been wary of the Bronx since my first trip to the Bronx Zoo when I saw a man actually try to fight the cab that my children and I were in.  Not the cabbie – the cab itself.   Alas, I ready to chance it.

Jumping into line, I saw two of the iPads go straight out the door to a Father and his two sons.  Could one of those be mine, I worried?  Well if it was, I wasn’t going to risk punching someone in Best Buy.  I’d have to wait.  Finally stepping to the front of the line I spoke to the rep and told her my name and that I had an iPad reserved.  She quickly moved to the back of the store and walked out with the box.  It was really happening!  The credit card network did not drop, there was no flood and no plague of locusts.  I did it.  Such a small accomplishment.

Next, the unboxing.

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