Gothamist: Mystery Line Forms Outside 5th Ave Apple Store

JacqueMehoff

Thu, 22 May 2008 23:06:19 -0500

I thought Iphones need to be paid with a credit card? you mean all those Chinese tourists paid with a CC? china ain't Dubai, well, not yet anyway.

sonyactivision

Thu, 22 May 2008 22:46:54 -0500

There are blow-jobs, and there are hand-jobs, and then there's Steve Jobs.

slappy

Thu, 22 May 2008 19:45:44 -0500

The tourist season has begun.

Steven

Thu, 22 May 2008 19:08:23 -0500

Go line up and pay outrageous prices for apple products.

Barbj8

Thu, 22 May 2008 18:07:51 -0500

When I saw this Sunday afternoon I couldn't believe it. And I figured if it was this bad outside, it would be Hell inside. I waited a few hours, went back, the line was gone but there was a shit load of people inside. Maybe they all had to use the bathroom.

jonkeegan

Thu, 22 May 2008 17:56:27 -0500

This has been reported elsewhere...in SoHo a few days ago...There is currently a shortage of current-gen iPhones. There has always been a brisk 'grey' market in unlocked iPhones that are being gobbled up in China. Buses will drop off Chinese tourists at who are all being paid to go buy as many iPhones as possible at Apple stores...a middleman pays a $50 or so bounty for each phone (on top of the cost to purchase the phone). Then they are unlocked and smuggled into China. Chinese airline attendants are reported to bring back dozens at a time. Can't make out the ethnic makeup of this line, but that is a probable explanation...they are waiting for new shipments of the phones (if any are even coming as the 3G refresh is likely a few weeks away) so they can flip them for a small fee.

adamadam

Thu, 22 May 2008 17:51:14 -0500

the line has been present at the 8th avenue location this past week as well.

TJ

Thu, 22 May 2008 17:34:38 -0500

This is just the second wave of the Sean Bell protests. Everyone remain calm.

abcohen

Thu, 22 May 2008 17:34:28 -0500

uggg PEOPLE!!!! Apple Worldwide Developers Conference June 9-13, 2008 is when the new iPhone will be released!!!!

edEx

Thu, 22 May 2008 17:33:14 -0500

until the iphone allows 3rd party software and is usable with other cell companies other than at&t it's just not worth it.

jenspellnogood

Thu, 22 May 2008 17:15:46 -0500

gayholes, where are the star wars costumes?

bud cortman

Thu, 22 May 2008 17:09:40 -0500

similar line outstide 14th st. store each morning for the last week or so. big group of Asians camped outside as well as inside along the window. weird.

kellyr

Thu, 22 May 2008 17:09:33 -0500

There is a long line at the Soho Apple Store, for the past 2 weeks. My co worker called the Apple Store and asked 'WHY?' Answer: They are waiting for the iphone that does not exist. Mostly Chinese tourists with some Euros peppered in.

S.D.

Thu, 22 May 2008 17:05:22 -0500

Tour bus let out?

zodak

Thu, 22 May 2008 17:01:29 -0500

gov'mint cheese is back! son. (just in time for the recession)

cobblertronix

Thu, 22 May 2008 16:58:15 -0500

the line i saw yesterday didnt go to the apple store, its roped off and goes along the legde from the corner of 59th and ends where the steps begin. if anyone knows what the deal is, id be very grateful for the info, its weird.

zodak

Thu, 22 May 2008 16:56:00 -0500

where is the flying pig to entertain them?

jles

Thu, 22 May 2008 16:54:06 -0500

I literally walked out of the Apple Store 10 minutes ago and there was no line like this whatsoever... You guys just making up stories now?

cobblertronix

Thu, 22 May 2008 16:52:49 -0500

ive been walking past this for a few days now. yesterday it seemed to primarily be made up of middle aged asian people. i couldnt figure it out.

HowBoutDemCowboys

Thu, 22 May 2008 16:48:38 -0500

I've always enjoyed the sociological implications of forming a queue for no apparent reason. It's so much fun to watch the sheeple line up.

Uncle Eddie

Thu, 22 May 2008 16:48:19 -0500

Hey I-Holes, GET A LIFE

TJ

Thu, 22 May 2008 16:45:51 -0500

Zombies?