Personal experience: FINALLY able to pre-order iPhone 4

After hours of trying, I finally managed to pre-order this Apple handset. (I knew it might be hard to nab, but I never thought there’d be so many roadblocks from the providers themselves!)

No doubt, AT&T’s fail today was colossal. I don’t know if the security issue has been addressed yet, but it seems the carrier finally got the site un-borked.

After many hours of trying, I finally managed to log into the site. Not only that, but I logged out and back in a few times, to make sure it wasn’t a random happenstance. As I went through the upgrade process, here’s what flashed in front of me:

If there’s any truth to BoyGenius Report’s assertion that AT&T has run out of iPhone 4 stock, the carrier hasn’t copped to that, at least not here. What it does say is “The actual shipment day and receipt of your order is not guaranteed and may be subject to delays…”

Over at Apple.com, it seems the site is finally allowing current subscribers to upgrade on its site. Frankly, if you absolutely have to have it on June 24, I think this is the better way to go. While there are no guarantees in life, that “Ships: Delivers on June 24, Free Shipping” seems much more definitive.

Now, I didn’t actually proceed with either of these processes, because something is taking me out of town that day, and neither site will ship to an address other than what’s on the billing account at AT&T. So I’ll be hitting a store in San Diego, waiting patiently in line, and bonding with my fellow iHopefuls.

Also want to share something else with you guys:

Whenever someone in our community offers a decent tidbit, we like to share it. Here’s one, from TiP reader Applelover, from a comment in a different post:

Applelover:

I’d been refreshing the Apple website all day hoping that it would actually work. Then someone on Twitter suggested that I use the Apple Store app and now my iPhone is reserved for pickup at my local Apple store. Since I want the white model, I called my local best buy and they said that they are taking pre-orders also and that they’re carrying the white model. I’m now canceling my appointment at the Apple Store. Best Buy saved my life.

Good luck with the iPhone-hunting, everyone!