[dmix]

The scarcity of iPhones at launch is a fabrication. The primal human instinct to be lured by scarcity even trumps rational minds.

[baddox]

It's not always a fabrication, it's just difficult to predict. It was quite difficult to get an iPhone 4S for many days after its release.

[qq66]

Just out of curiosity, why is there an emphasis on getting the iPhone so soon after release (unless you are a developer who needs it for testing)? You'll have your phone for 2 years -- why it is worth spending 2 whole work-weeks in line to get the phone 5 days earlier?

[dguaraglia]

Wrong, if you are the average Apple fanboy (and oh, don't get me started, there are plenty of those, I sit for lunch every day with two of them) you'll have the phone until the next one comes out. Why? Don't ask me, I guess it's the success of Apple's selling its brand as a 'lifestyle'.