Apple didn’t offer a pre-order program for the iPhone 5s this year, presumably due to supply constraints. However after the new smartphone was launched, the company did allow customers to order a new iPhone 5s through its online store or the Apple Store app and then pick up that unit a day later at an Apple Retail Store. The ability to do this was taken away just after one day, though according to 9to5Mac, Apple may resume iPhone 5s in-store pickup service next week.
Apple hasn’t commented on this report, so it can not be said for sure if iPhone 5s in-store pickup will definitely be resumed next week. It is not known why Apple made the service available and then pulled it after one day, presumably the service went live early due to a glitch. It is also believed that perhaps the service was pulled due to low iPhone 5s stock and the fact that Apple wanted to keep as many units in the inventory as possible at its retail stores to cater to walk-in customers. As per the report, the iPhone 5s in-store pick up service might be resumed as early as Monday, September 30th. Apple is likely to continue to use a “queue card” system for walk-in customers until the initial strong demand diminishes.
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