Comments on: 14th Street Waiting Line Begins http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/ news and information about Apple Inc.'s retail stores Sun, 07 Sep 2008 00:48:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: KevinV http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-26163 KevinV Mon, 24 Dec 2007 04:18:55 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-26163 It was insanity, but well worth it since I won a new MacBook and previously only had a G5 desktop at home! I wouldn't have even known about the opening celebration, without this blog - so thank you!!!! It was insanity, but well worth it since I won a new MacBook and previously only had a G5 desktop at home! I wouldn’t have even known about the opening celebration, without this blog - so thank you!!!!

]]> By: NS http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25991 NS Mon, 10 Dec 2007 22:59:56 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25991 GP, I would say its not typical of NY more exclusively people who are not mac people & also who don't ever attend these kinds of events for anything. This massive influx of non-mac, (most of them non-manhattanites) who heard some DJ announce they were 'handing' out computers & ipods swooped onto the island like vultures looking for a fresh kill. It was the WORST CROWD CONTROL I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE! I was highly annoyed to listen to the complaining about the line--the same people who CUT THE LINE swearing that they better get a computer when they get in the door or else. Disgusting! C'mon, did they really think Apple was just passing them out like lollipops?! UGH! As a few people have said here, it ruined a potentially fun event, and duped us true Mac fans out of Tshirts! GP,
I would say its not typical of NY more exclusively people who are not mac people & also who don’t ever attend these kinds of events for anything. This massive influx of non-mac, (most of them non-manhattanites) who heard some DJ announce they were ‘handing’ out computers & ipods swooped onto the island like vultures looking for a fresh kill. It was the WORST CROWD CONTROL I’VE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE! I was highly annoyed to listen to the complaining about the line–the same people who CUT THE LINE swearing that they better get a computer when they get in the door or else. Disgusting! C’mon, did they really think Apple was just passing them out like lollipops?! UGH! As a few people have said here, it ruined a potentially fun event, and duped us true Mac fans out of Tshirts!

]]> By: gp http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25977 gp Mon, 10 Dec 2007 02:27:48 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25977 I have never seen this happen elsewhere. Must be typical of NY--put too many people close together in the city and this is what you get. Animals. I have never seen this happen elsewhere. Must be typical of NY–put too many people close together in the city and this is what you get. Animals.

]]> By: David Robeano http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25966 David Robeano Sun, 09 Dec 2007 08:22:54 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25966 Wow. I was initially excited about a new Apple store in my neighborhood. I got off work and got into line at 5:30 (at that point all the way on 10th avenue and 15th street). I waited for two and a half hours, and only when i got to in front of the store did I see what was happening. People pushing and falling, cutting in line. No one for Apple controlling the crowd. Most of the people there looked like they could care less about Apple, and just wanted free stuff. At around 8 I got out of line and went home. I would have waited the extra hour, but not to be pushed and shoved so people could get a gift card. I still have not been in. A major disappointment from an Apple lover. Wow. I was initially excited about a new Apple store in my neighborhood. I got off work and got into line at 5:30 (at that point all the way on 10th avenue and 15th street). I waited for two and a half hours, and only when i got to in front of the store did I see what was happening. People pushing and falling, cutting in line. No one for Apple controlling the crowd. Most of the people there looked like they could care less about Apple, and just wanted free stuff. At around 8 I got out of line and went home. I would have waited the extra hour, but not to be pushed and shoved so people could get a gift card. I still have not been in. A major disappointment from an Apple lover.

]]> By: CHEECHANDCHONGDOTCOM http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25960 CHEECHANDCHONGDOTCOM Sun, 09 Dec 2007 00:29:46 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25960 People were also getting trampled. When security would open the gate, the people that cut the line rushed in, people toppled and got stepped on. When the fifth ave store has an event, they have apple employees positioned every few feet, covering the entire block. I got the impression that Apple needed to get this store opened before Christmas so they cut corners. We were only officially notified about this grand opening two wks ago. Anyone ever been to Great Adventure? Same type of crowd. People were also getting trampled. When security would open the gate, the people that cut the line rushed in, people toppled and got stepped on.

When the fifth ave store has an event, they have apple employees positioned every few feet, covering the entire block.

I got the impression that Apple needed to get this store opened before Christmas so they cut corners. We were only officially notified about this grand opening two wks ago.

Anyone ever been to Great Adventure? Same type of crowd.

]]> By: Mark Wilson http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25957 Mark Wilson Sat, 08 Dec 2007 19:51:26 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25957 Thanks for reminding me why I don't live in New York. Yes Apple could have done a better job. But if the people they hired, off duty police, don't care, then what should they have done. The real point is why so many people thought that it was alright to push ahead in line. What kind of people are these? A thousand pushed in line? Thanks for reminding me why I don’t live in New York. Yes Apple could have done a better job. But if the people they hired, off duty police, don’t care, then what should they have done. The real point is why so many people thought that it was alright to push ahead in line. What kind of people are these? A thousand pushed in line?

]]> By: A wise man once http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25951 A wise man once Sat, 08 Dec 2007 14:50:47 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25951 I agree that the crowd control was awful. Apple has had plenty of experience with opening stores and releasing in-demand products in Manhattan. They should've known better and been prepared. I blame Apple directly for the shoving, cutting, and total clusterfuck that was the line. We lined up at 5 pm and the line stretched down 15th Street along Chelsea Market past Passersby Stop to the . We waited patiently in line in the cold only to find out that THOUSANDS of people cut in front of us because of poor crowd management, terrible event planning, relying on NYPD cops that didn't care, and hiring incompetent private security staff. Anyone with half a brain could've seen this coming. Apple ruined a potentially fun event because of their inability to plan something as simple as a line to stand in. I agree that the crowd control was awful. Apple has had plenty of experience with opening stores and releasing in-demand products in Manhattan. They should’ve known better and been prepared. I blame Apple directly for the shoving, cutting, and total clusterfuck that was the line. We lined up at 5 pm and the line stretched down 15th Street along Chelsea Market past Passersby Stop to the . We waited patiently in line in the cold only to find out that THOUSANDS of people cut in front of us because of poor crowd management, terrible event planning, relying on NYPD cops that didn’t care, and hiring incompetent private security staff. Anyone with half a brain could’ve seen this coming. Apple ruined a potentially fun event because of their inability to plan something as simple as a line to stand in.

]]> By: Q http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25946 Q Sat, 08 Dec 2007 06:24:15 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25946 Well I went around 6pm and got in before 7.30 but that was due to ppl pushing me into the line and then the barricade broke. A lot of ppl won some neat stuff, I only got the 10 iTunes card and the shirt, which is why I actually went, not bad but it was cold and I agree crazy. Well I went around 6pm and got in before 7.30 but that was due to ppl pushing me into the line and then the barricade broke. A lot of ppl won some neat stuff, I only got the 10 iTunes card and the shirt, which is why I actually went, not bad but it was cold and I agree crazy.

]]> By: phil http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25945 phil Sat, 08 Dec 2007 05:20:27 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25945 I arrived at about four thirty. The line was a little long but it would have been worth the wait. Once the doors opened and the line started moving tons of people cut in front of me. I would guess that it was over a hundred. There was nothing I could do about it. I was cold and frustrated and still along way from the door so I left. It's unfortunate because some of us who are genuinly excited for the opening got treated quite poorly. Bit I guess it's not Apples fault. I'll probably take a look tomorrow when all those who just wanted something free aren't there. I arrived at about four thirty. The line was a little long but it would have been worth the wait. Once the doors opened and the line started moving tons of people cut in front of me. I would guess that it was over a hundred. There was nothing I could do about it. I was cold and frustrated and still along way from the door so I left. It’s unfortunate because some of us who are genuinly excited for the opening got treated quite poorly. Bit I guess it’s not Apples fault. I’ll probably take a look tomorrow when all those who just wanted something free aren’t there.

]]> By: CHEECHANDCHONGDOTCOM http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25943 CHEECHANDCHONGDOTCOM Sat, 08 Dec 2007 04:36:23 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25943 Today was the grand opening of the Apple Store at 14th and 9th. There are 2,000 tshirts to give away at each grand opening. I got there at 5:20PM.. It was the longest line I've ever seen. It wrapped around the block (big block). I was at the halfway point. Store opens at 6PM. Line moved at a steady pace at first, but then stopped. People were cutting the lines like mad. My estimate is that half the line consisted of cutters. I spoke to a NYC cop. He didn't care. The hired security didn't care. These people made it look like the welfare line. The line stopped again because I think Mary J Blige was performing in the store. I got in at 9:30PM. I was freezing and had to pee badly. THERE WERE NO SHIRTS LEFT, just iphone posters which came with a $10 itunes gift card...which I'll never use because 128 kb songs sound horrible. This is the first time I haven't gotten a shirt. On my way to the subway, there were piles of posters, which people had torn up, all over the sidewalk. The opening of this store was poorly planned. Fifth Ave and all the other openings I went to had such better security and crowd control. Today was the grand opening of the Apple Store at 14th and 9th. There are 2,000 tshirts to give away at each grand opening.

I got there at 5:20PM.. It was the longest line I’ve ever seen. It wrapped around the block (big block). I was at the halfway point. Store opens at 6PM.

Line moved at a steady pace at first, but then stopped. People were cutting the lines like mad. My estimate is that half the line consisted of cutters. I spoke to a NYC cop. He didn’t care. The hired security didn’t care. These people made it look like the welfare line.

The line stopped again because I think Mary J Blige was performing in the store.

I got in at 9:30PM. I was freezing and had to pee badly. THERE WERE NO SHIRTS LEFT, just iphone posters which came with a $10 itunes gift card…which I’ll never use because 128 kb songs sound horrible.

This is the first time I haven’t gotten a shirt. On my way to the subway, there were piles of posters, which people had torn up, all over the sidewalk.

The opening of this store was poorly planned. Fifth Ave and all the other openings I went to had such better security and crowd control.

]]> By: James http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25939 James Sat, 08 Dec 2007 03:41:06 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25939 I was in line for 3.5 hours, and I was still a couple hundred people from the front at 7 PM when I bagged it and left. Crowd control WAS awful - nothing like the iPhone in June. People were cutting in throughout the wait and at one point shortly before I left about 20 people line jumped into the line 15 feet ahead. There were not enough security to keep things right. And kh is right, many if not most of the people at my point in the line were not Mac people, but had heard about giveaways on several radio stations. I was sure there was going to be a riot when people heard that iPods were not simply being given away. A waste of my time but since I live a couple of blocks from the store I can go in anytime. Apple really needs a couple more stores in Manhattan because the existing stores are always crazy busy, and this one looks like it will be the same. I was in line for 3.5 hours, and I was still a couple hundred people from the front at 7 PM when I bagged it and left. Crowd control WAS awful - nothing like the iPhone in June. People were cutting in throughout the wait and at one point shortly before I left about 20 people line jumped into the line 15 feet ahead. There were not enough security to keep things right.

And kh is right, many if not most of the people at my point in the line were not Mac people, but had heard about giveaways on several radio stations. I was sure there was going to be a riot when people heard that iPods were not simply being given away.

A waste of my time but since I live a couple of blocks from the store I can go in anytime. Apple really needs a couple more stores in Manhattan because the existing stores are always crazy busy, and this one looks like it will be the same.

]]> By: Dominique http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25938 Dominique Sat, 08 Dec 2007 03:23:18 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25938 The opening was awesome (even with the rowdy crowd)! I got my self a free t-shirt, a poster of iPhones that show a map of Manhattan and its three Apple Store locations, and a $10 iTunes gift card. I saw a couple people get iPods and someone even won a Macbook. Most got the gift card (of course). The crowd was out of control. A whole group of people cut in front of me and the people I was with and had the audacity to get angry when they were moved to the back of the line. Some people just don't know how to act when free stuff is being given out. *sigh* The opening was awesome (even with the rowdy crowd)! I got my self a free t-shirt, a poster of iPhones that show a map of Manhattan and its three Apple Store locations, and a $10 iTunes gift card. I saw a couple people get iPods and someone even won a Macbook. Most got the gift card (of course).

The crowd was out of control. A whole group of people cut in front of me and the people I was with and had the audacity to get angry when they were moved to the back of the line. Some people just don’t know how to act when free stuff is being given out. *sigh*

]]> By: blackoutny http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25934 blackoutny Sat, 08 Dec 2007 02:56:42 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25934 Totally agree with Chris' comments. The crowd control was horrible. I got on line at about 4:30. The line was already wrapped around the block quickly approaching 15th street. Everything was cool for the next half hour but that quickly changed soon after 5pm when people started cutting and pushing their way into the line. The whole experience was very tense at times. Not enough barricades for the longer lines and those closest to the entrance were way too wide. Poorly, poorly planned. Missed out on winning the big stuff. Got a iTunes Gift card, T-Shirt and poster but did witness one woman winning a laptop and another winning a Classic iPod. Drat! Totally agree with Chris’ comments. The crowd control was horrible. I got on line at about 4:30. The line was already wrapped around the block quickly approaching 15th street. Everything was cool for the next half hour but that quickly changed soon after 5pm when people started cutting and pushing their way into the line. The whole experience was very tense at times. Not enough barricades for the longer lines and those closest to the entrance were way too wide. Poorly, poorly planned.
Missed out on winning the big stuff. Got a iTunes Gift card, T-Shirt and poster but did witness one woman winning a laptop and another winning a Classic iPod. Drat!

]]> By: John C. Randolph http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25929 John C. Randolph Sat, 08 Dec 2007 01:47:42 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25929 Love that staircase.. I really want that in my house. -jcr Love that staircase.. I really want that in my house.

-jcr

]]> By: kh http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25928 kh Sat, 08 Dec 2007 01:01:27 +0000 http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2007/12/07/14th-street-waiting-line-begins/#comment-25928 Almost 8pm, and we're almost up to the door. We got here shortly before 6pm. So it was about an hour wait. The line has kept on growing, though. Last time I looked, it was almost back to 9th ave. I.e. huge. Problem is, a large amount of these people heard about this because of the announcent of giveaways. Most of them are not "Mac people." Almost 8pm, and we’re almost up to the door. We got here shortly before 6pm. So it was about an hour wait. The line has kept on growing, though. Last time I looked, it was almost back to 9th ave. I.e. huge. Problem is, a large amount of these people heard about this because of the announcent of giveaways. Most of them are not “Mac people.”

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