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iPhone X Unavailable to Walk-In Customers at Apple Stores in Sales Tax-Free States [Updated]

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While hundreds of customers are lined up at Apple's retail stores across the United States today for a chance to get their hands on an iPhone X, that doesn't appear to be the case in the states of Oregon and Washington today.

seattle iphone x
MacRumors has received multiple tips from readers who claim Apple's stores at University Village, Bellevue Square, Southcenter, and Alderwood in the Seattle area have turned away walk-in customers wishing to purchase an iPhone X since opening today.

At least five Twitter users have said likewise, including one at Pioneer Place in Portland, with store employees reportedly telling customers that iPhone X inventory is limited to those who pre-ordered the device on Apple's online store.

Last week, Apple CEO Tim Cook said iPhone X would be available at Apple retail stores today starting at 8:00 a.m. local time, but he didn't clarify if all locations would be receiving stock in time for launch day. The answer would appear to be no.

Even where the iPhone X is available, supplies are likely extremely limited and going fast on a first come, first served basis. At some locations, customers have been lined up since early this week for a chance to purchase the device.

Apple forecasted that its revenue in the current quarter will be between $84 billion and $87 billion. Even the low end of that range would smash Apple's all-time record for revenue in any quarter, suggesting that iPhone X sales will be very strong.

Apple CEO Tim Cook was at Apple's Palo Alto store in California on Friday morning to celebrate the iPhone X launch, as he usually does for every iPhone launch, according to a video shared by CNBC moments ago.

Apple did not immediately respond to our request for comment about iPhone X availability in the Seattle area. We'll update this article if we hear back.

Update: A source who wishes to remain anonymous claims the iPhone X is not available for walk-in customers to purchase in Oregon as an anti-scalping measure, since it is a sales tax-free state. Washington is also affected since a reciprocity agreement generally allows Oregon residents to pay no sales tax in that state as well.

A handful of MacRumors readers and Twitter users have claimed the iPhone X is not available for walk-in customers in Delaware, which also doesn't charge sales tax. Alaska, New Hampshire, and Montana may also be affected as sales tax-free states, although Apple doesn't have any retail stores in Montana.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

_Refurbished_ Avatar
_Refurbished_
109 months ago
Instead of telling customers they didn’t have any, they were simply told “you’ll shoot your eye out”.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B
Boatboy24
109 months ago
Glad to know since I am planning to play with the X in store today during lunch time. My packages are coming in 3 weeks. I don't like the store during launch day - too crowded.
Just back from playing with one in the Sprint store next to my office. I have to admit, I didn't miss the home button at all. And that screen!! I didn't pre-order, and am now having a bit of remorse.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
simonmet Avatar
simonmet
109 months ago
I thought this was going to say “trio of stores in San Francisco Bay Area” because of that ballsy heist reported earlier!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
H
hotsauce
109 months ago
I thought this was going to say “trio of stores in San Francisco Bay Area” because of that ballsy heist reported earlier!
I have this strange feeling that the Northwest allotment of iPhone Xs went to San Francisco.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
seatton Avatar
seatton
109 months ago
Glad to know since I am planning to play with the X in store today during lunch time. My packages are coming in 3 weeks. I don't like the store during launch day - too crowded.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B
BeefSupreme
109 months ago
I can see it from their point if it was a health and safety issue because even though Apple lines are pretty chill they cause alot of issues for neighboring stores if there are any, logistically speaking. I've seen lines looping through parking lots, in front of business doors etc. I guess this is how they pay their "dues" for being next to Apple and benefiting from insane amounts of traffic.

But Angela is trying to turn the stores into Burberry clones. IMO launching the Apple Watch at Maxfield is all you need to know about where her interest lie. Could you imagine launching the new iMac exclusively at a Best Buy in Los Angeles and no where else for a length of time?
Yeah I remember the maxfield thing. I'l bet those people were pissed when everyday they had apple customers lined up at their snooty store.

Just keep in mind. They are not apple stores. They are apple town centers.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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