Secret: How to Get the New iPad on Friday Without Waiting in Long Lines

Are you looking to purchase the new iPad on Friday without having to wait in a line? Well, let us let you in on a little secret, you might not have to wait in line at all. While I’ll be covering the huge crowds at Apple’s New York City stores on Friday, I also called a few local retailers to figure out what their stock will be like, and I have good news to report back.
Apple confirmed on Wednesday that it’s going to sell the new iPad through Best Buy, Radio Shack, Sam’s Club, Target and Walmart. I called several Radio Shack locations here in New York City and two of them were quite sure that I’d be able to walk up on purchase day and pick up the iPad without a problem. Radio Shack is currently reserving new iPads for a $50 pre-order deposit, which can then be applied towards the purchase once you pick up the new tablet.
A representative in mid-town Manhattan said he was “confident” I’d be able to pick one up on Friday if I placed a pre-order now but that there will likely be a line otherwise and that he couldn’t guarantee stock. However, a second Radio Shack employee on the Upper East Side told us on the phone that I’d be able to walk into the store and pick one up on Friday because “most people don’t know we’re selling them yet.” A third employee, also on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, said lines “shouldn’t be a problem” and simply asked for my phone number. He offered to call if any extras were in stock on Friday, which would mean I’d simply have to walk to the store and pick it up.
Multiple New York Best Buy locations did not answer my phone calls.
I’m guessing these third-party locations aren’t going to have a ton of stock, but as of now, it sounds like there’s not going to be much of an issue if you haven’t pre-ordered the iPad and don’t feel like waiting in a 3-hour Apple Store line on Friday.
So, there you have it. I know this is a small sample size and many of you live around or outside of the United States, but I can’t help but recommend that you try calling a few of your local Best Buy, Radio Shack, Sam’s Club, Target and Walmart stores to see if you can avoid the lines. My bet is you’ll be in-and-out much quicker than you would be if you went to an Apple Store. Let us know in the comments if you’ve found similar situations at your local retailers. Or, if you’re so inclined, keep it to yourself and avoid those lines!