While in Israel there has never been a product that has caused thousands to wait in line for over a day, spend the night under the open sky, and stand on their feet for long hours, in the US it has already become routine every timedark Launching a new iPhone or iPad.
Among the thousands waiting in line outside Apple stores in the US ahead of the start of sales of theiPhone 6 And the iPhone 6 Plus, there was also one patient Israeli, Shai Mizrahi, manager of the technician course. Smartphones At John Bryce College, who decided not to wait until Apple Israel launched the new smartphones in the country and flew to New York especially.
He arrived in the Big Apple a week before the launch, and he got in line on Ninth Avenue as early as 2:00 a.m., while the store didn't open until 8:00 a.m. "I went because of a combination of work and the desire to hold the device before everyone else," says Mizrahi. "I wanted to be the first to hold the iPhone 6, and also to explore it and move around with it. Besides, there's also the experience of a trip to New York.".
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Israelis' excessive fondness for standing in line can be easily recognized with the help of the very accurate "Hamouda" sketch from "The Parliament," where Assi Cohen and Liat Harlev, who play Shauli and Irena, hold up the line and within minutes a loud, almost violent argument develops.
With the Americans, this wouldn't happen. Not after half an hour, not after half a day.
Mizrahi describes a patient wait of polite and reserved people. This is the second time he has stood in line in Manhattan, and each time he has returned loaded with experiences. "A year ago I came to New York to buy the 5S. I still have all the previous iPhones, I bought them all abroad," says Mizrahi. "There is a very good feeling when purchasing the device at an Apple store, it is an exciting experience, the attitude of the employees is wonderful and everything is neat and tidy.".
He was only able to complete the purchase at 1:00 PM - about 11 hours after standing in line, but unfortunately he was only able to get his hands on an iPhone 6 (for which he paid $700), and not an iPhone 6+, which was already out of stock at that point. According to him, only a few dozen buyers in each store were able to purchase the 6+ version, which features a 5.5-inch screen (compared to the 4.7-inch iPhone 6). But Mizrahi took this possibility into account: "The fear with these launches is that after you stand in line you will discover that the stock is out of stock," he says.
Mizrahi initially arrived to purchase the iPhone at Apple's flagship store on Fifth Avenue - that famous store built from a glass cube. Thousands of people lined up for 16 blocks in front of the store. Some of the people arrived to stand in line 10 days earlier, before Apple even announced the new smartphones.
After seeing the mess on Fifth Avenue, Mizrahi decided to move to another store on Ninth Avenue, where there was a line of "only" 1,500 people, among whom were apparently Chinese mafia emissaries - according to reports in the American media - who were paid to stand in line.
These people purchase two smartphones that are later sold by the mafia at a higher price, due to the huge demand for iPhone models, especially in China.
""I didn't encounter any other Israelis standing in line with me, but there was a guy standing next to me who came especially from Russia to buy the iPhone. An interesting grouping formed while standing in line, you get to know all the people around you and talk to them. It's an experience.".
Coffee at Apple's expense
Apple cares about its fans, who are willing to stand in the heat and cold for hours and days just to pay hundreds of dollars for the hottest gadget in the world. "Overnight, Apple employees went out to hand out free coffee.
Throughout the entire line, there were ushers who kept order, so that no one would sneak into the line, while people were constantly walking around to keep things clean. While standing in line, Apple takes details from you about the device you want and then tells you if it is in stock. You receive the ticket for eligibility for the device while still standing in line.".
- And was it worth the wait? Does the device meet expectations?
""Absolutely. The screen is larger, and more pleasant to work with. The device is elegant and pleasant to use.".
- Is it worth the money?
""clear".
