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

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

by

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
117 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)
117 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)
simonmet Avatar
117 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)
117 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)
seatton Avatar
117 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)
117 months ago
Actually it does make sense for Washington. I don't pay sales tax there as long as I show my Oregon driver's ID. At least not anywhere along the Oregon/Washington border, but I think it's statewide. It's to help the WA business compete with Oregon businesses.

Boo hoo mister "I live in Portland so I get Apple Stores" :p
Yes, it makes sense now. I found out yesterday Washington gives residents of sales tax-free states a rebate. Nice.
[doublepost=1509816085][/doublepost]
Those scalpers ruin it for everyone. Just yesterday I was chatting up this couple. Yep, four phones going straight to being resold!
Yesterday at Michigan Avenue they were selling phones device only and telling people they could get back into line to get 2 more after they made their purchase. Of course we have 10.25% sales tax so that probably discourages at least some resellers.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

M5 MacBook Pro

RIP, MacBook Ultra

Monday October 19, 2026 9:37 am PDT by
Apple today sent out invites for an experience in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 28, and the "Pro and tell" tagline on the invitation likely means that the rumored MacBook models with touch-enabled OLED displays will stick with MacBook Pro branding instead of the once-rumored "MacBook Ultra" name. The long-rumored "iPhone Ultra" ended up being named iPhone Duo, so speculation that Apple...
iPhone Duo Trio

Here's What Apple's Apps Look Like on the iPhone Duo

Tuesday October 20, 2026 11:12 am PDT by
With just three days to go until the iPhone Duo is released, Apple is getting ready for the launch. Behind the scenes, the App Store now has screenshots of Apple's built-in apps running on the Duo. We've seen some apps in marketing materials, but images of the ones we haven't seen give us an idea of what it will be like using the iPhone Duo day to day. Many apps are shown in landscape...
apple pro tell logo

Apple Announcing New Products Next Week: 'Pro and Tell'

Monday October 19, 2026 9:05 am PDT by
Apple's Greg Joswiak today hinted at new product announcements coming next week, sharing a social media post that says "Can't wait to pro and tell next week." Rumors suggest Apple is planning to debut the new MacBook Pro with an OLED touchscreen display, an M6 entry-level MacBook Pro, an M6 iMac, an iPad mini with an OLED display. Can't wait to pro and tell next week....
Latest Stories
Apple Reportedly Boosts iPhone Duo Orders by 44%
Apple Reportedly Boosts iPhone Duo Orders by 44%
1 minute ago
Fortnite Returning to Australian App Store After Court Ruling
Fortnite Returning to Australian App Store After Court Ruling
29 minutes ago
Apple Ordered to Open iPhone to Rival App Stores in Australia
Apple Ordered to Open iPhone to Rival App Stores in Australia
43 minutes ago
Apple Suppliers Face Hurdles Cutting Circuit Board Emissions
Apple Suppliers Face Hurdles Cutting Circuit Board Emissions
1 hour ago
Things Updated for iPhone Duo With Adaptive Layout
Things Updated for iPhone Duo With Adaptive Layout
2 hours ago
Simplicity and Siri AI Are HomeView's Killer Features, Apple Says
Simplicity and Siri AI Are HomeView's Killer Features, Apple Says
2 hours ago
iPhone Duo Reviewers Really Miss Face ID
iPhone Duo Reviewers Really Miss Face ID
7 hours ago
Does the iPhone Duo Run Hot? Here's What Reviews Found
Does the iPhone Duo Run Hot? Here's What Reviews Found
8 hours ago
Apple Music's New Look is Now Live on Apple's Website
Apple Music's New Look is Now Live on Apple's Website
9 hours ago
Anthropic Launches Claude Duet, a Proactive AI Agent
Anthropic Launches Claude Duet, a Proactive AI Agent
10 hours ago
What 32,000 Folds Did to the iPhone Duo's Hinge
What 32,000 Folds Did to the iPhone Duo's Hinge
10 hours ago
iPhone Duo's Hidden FaceTime Camera Takes 'Trash' Photos
iPhone Duo's Hidden FaceTime Camera Takes 'Trash' Photos
12 hours ago
iPhone Duo Has 'Edge Light' Feature That Debuted on Macs Last Year
iPhone Duo Has 'Edge Light' Feature That Debuted on Macs Last Year
12 hours ago
Apple Support App Updated for iPhone Duo's Larger Display
Apple Support App Updated for iPhone Duo's Larger Display
12 hours ago
Amazon Sweetens the Deal on Entry-Level 16-Inch MacBook Pro With $570 Off
Amazon Sweetens the Deal on Entry-Level 16-Inch MacBook Pro With $570 Off
13 hours ago
iPhone Duo Tips Over on MagSafe Stands When Unfolded
iPhone Duo Tips Over on MagSafe Stands When Unfolded
13 hours ago
Apple Music's New Look Officially Announced
Apple Music's New Look Officially Announced
14 hours ago
iPhone Duo Supports Apple Pencil Starting With iOS 27.2
iPhone Duo Supports Apple Pencil Starting With iOS 27.2
15 hours ago
iPhone Duo Accessories Roundup: Cases and Screen Protectors From OtterBox, ZAGG, and More
iPhone Duo Accessories Roundup: Cases and Screen Protectors From OtterBox, ZAGG, and More
16 hours ago
Apple Stores Will Have 'Limited' Availability of iPhone Duo for Walk-In Customers
Apple Stores Will Have 'Limited' Availability of iPhone Duo for Walk-In Customers
16 hours ago
iPhone Duo Reviews Explain Why Device is Both 'Fun' and 'Frustrating'
iPhone Duo Reviews Explain Why Device is Both 'Fun' and 'Frustrating'
17 hours ago
Apple Says 'Reachability' Feature Coming to iPhone Duo Later This Year
Apple Says 'Reachability' Feature Coming to iPhone Duo Later This Year
18 hours ago
Loop Capital Cuts Apple Rating Over iPhone Sales Outlook
Loop Capital Cuts Apple Rating Over iPhone Sales Outlook
22 hours ago
Apple Stores in Bordeaux and Lille Looted During French Protests
Apple Stores in Bordeaux and Lille Looted During French Protests
22 hours ago
Bluesound Adds Native Apple Music Support
Bluesound Adds Native Apple Music Support
22 hours ago
Apple CEO John Ternus Explains What Makes Good Product Design
Apple CEO John Ternus Explains What Makes Good Product Design
23 hours ago
UK Proposes New Ways to Help Apple Pay Rivals
UK Proposes New Ways to Help Apple Pay Rivals
1 day ago
WhatsApp Developing In-App Browser for All Chat Links on iPhone
WhatsApp Developing In-App Browser for All Chat Links on iPhone
1 day ago
Apple's App Store Chief Explains Its Push for Premium Games
Apple's App Store Chief Explains Its Push for Premium Games
1 day ago
Apple Could Owe Even More After $5.7 Billion Patent Verdict
Apple Could Owe Even More After $5.7 Billion Patent Verdict
1 day ago