Yes, there really are people sitting in line to get the unannounced iPhone 6

By John Callaham
published

Apple hasn't even hinted it plans to announce the iPhone 6 during its press event in Cupertino, California on September 9, but that is not stopping some professional "phone sitters" from creating their own line outside the New York City Fifth Avenue Apple retail store to purchase the phone.

CNBC.com reports that Brian Ceballo and Joseph Cruz were the first people in line today outside the store, with the goal of beating the previous record of someone waiting in like 18 days to get an iPhone. Both men were also in line to help promote the electronic gadget reseller BuyBackWorld. However, two other people, Jason and Moon Ray, paid the two men $1,250 in exchange for taking over those two top spots in line. The Rays are there to promote an app that lets patients chat remotely with doctors via Skype. Yes, being the first in line for the iPhone can be a big way to help market a new app or business.

What do you think of these "pro sitters" that wait in line for nearly three weeks before the launch of a new iPhone?

Source: CNBC

John Callaham
John Callaham

I have been writing professionally about technology and gaming news for 14 years.

48 Comments
  • People really need better past times.
  • Mother of god, WHY? WHY IS THIS A THING? #CAPS
    #ITSNEEDED Sent from the iMore App
  • #BECAUSE #EVERYTHING #IS #A #THING
  • The real question is why are unnecessary Hashtags a thing?
  • Good for them, at least they enjoy what they do and have fun doing it.. so why not.
  • It would be awesome if there want a phone so they wasted their time... But seriously, who burns vacation time to wait in line? They have to have jobs right? How else do you afford the phone? Posted via the iMore App for Android
  • Apparently they're app developers or work for app developers? Posted from my TARDIS!
  • I never understood why people do this. Is our society that idle or have such uneventful lives? People need a life. Sent from the iMore App
  • They are actually doing it to promote their own products. This is basically part of their jobs. Other folks who are doing it this early just for the phone, well...
  • Stupid.....it's a phone. I love mine but really, waiting in line for days? No thanks. Sent from the iMore App
  • Yep... Utterly stupid. Posted via iMore App
  • Weeks actually. Sent from the iMore App
  • It appears that they are not doing it to get the phone though. They are doing it to promote a business or an app. I'm sure there will be those there for the phone eventually. I can't wrap my head around waiting in line for days either. I have better things to do, but I guess some people don't. As long as they have fun I guess that's all that matters. lol..
  • The headline is mistaken. There aren't really people sitting in line for the iPhone 6. There are clever operators *pretending* to be people waiting for an iPhone 6 as a publicity stunt...which has worked because all these newspapers and websites have picked up the story. Don't play their game!
  • +1
  • iDiots
  • How can they afford one as they obviously don't need to work if they can wait for an undisclosed length of time to buy a phone? As we say here in Scotland.... "Bunch of numpties".
  • Greg Packer is the king of line sitting. He must be there somewhere!
  • People *aren’t* “standing in line for iPhone 6”. They’re standing in line so the Tech Media will notice them and be part of their guerrilla marketing. CNBC: “Cruz represents…” “the Rays are promoting an app from…” “owner of professional line-waiting service”. Tech Media: STOP ENABLING MEDIAWHORES. Ignore them and they'll stop standing in line.
  • They need a life!
  • Take that Samsung. Sent from the iMore App
  • Even if they announce, it will not be available the same day, unless they are there to pre order. When the 5S came out, Apple was out, I checked on line AT&T, and got it in two days. Sent from the iMore App
  • wow thats crazy man seriously !!!!!!!!!
  • Plot twist, Apple: "We are pleased to announce our new, larger line of iPod Touches!" Sent from the iMore App
  • But seriously, the waiting in line thing is an experience! Although these people are promoting their own products, when it IS announced people should stand in line. At least once. I did for the iPhone 4 and it was a pleasant experience! The Apple employees come around pumping you up, handing out donuts and coffee. You get to talk tech and all things Apple with other fanatics in line. Honestly it was my favorite iPhone purchase, in part, because of the waiting line experience. After all, Apple isn't selling you a device..they're selling you an experience. ;-P Sent from the iMore App
  • No. I barely tolerate standing in line at the grocery store. Posted via the iMore App for Android
  • Haha but are those apples you're buying really comparable to an Apple device? :-P Sent from the iMore App
  • .. and Tim Cook would highlight this on Sep 9th... Sent from the iMore App
  • Announcement won't happen until September 9th and likely won't be released until a week or more later. These people are lame. Sent from the iMore App
  • It would be rather amusing if the phone didn't come out for another 2 or 3 months. That would set a cat amongst the pigeons.
  • That is just too much...aren't there better things to do? Sent from the iMore App
  • This is not even newsworthy. It's ridiculous and a little sad, but it's not newsworthy.
  • Get a life!!!!!! Sent from the iMore App
  • What's the big deal? I waited in line for three days for the Samsung Droid Charge. Posted via the Android iMore App!
  • I was on line and ready to wait for my Nokia 5170 for 5 days until someone bought my place in line from me for a cool $1000. Posted via my Galaxy Note 3 on the Android iMore App
  • I applaud you're business savvy.
  • Lame. Sent from the iMore App
  • I love how judgmental everyone is. So what if they are in line and are getting some self promotion in? It's their life and it doesn't affect you one bit. Who are you to say they're stupid and media whores? I'm sure your need for acceptance is overwhelming but I doubt they need it from you or anyone else. Sent from the iMore App
  • I sure hope that the Apple Store ran an extension cord out to those dummies. HaHaHa.
  • What do i think? I think they are idiots. Not to mention if you want a phone you can reserve it if you live close enough to an Apple store to camp out and hell i got my phone simply by walking into my carrier store. No problem. These people have too much idle time and disposable income.
  • "Before I do anything I ask myself, 'Would an idiot do that?' And if the answer is yes, I do not do that thing." Someone needs to enforce the line rules like Dwight Schrute. Woman in line: I'm just gonna run to the bathroom. Will you save my place?
    Man in line: Sure.
    Dwight: No. You will not.
    Woman in line: Excuse me?
    Dwight: Oh, I'm sorry. Were you raised in a household with no consequences?
    Woman in line: It'll just be a second.
    Dwight: Oh. If onlys and justs were candies and nuts then every day would be Erntedankfest.
  • Since these people are doing it for publicity I think it's ok since it seems to work. And people have done way more stupid, expensive or dangerous things just to advertise something. And this even gives us a laugh. Sent from the iMore App
  • They remind me of when you go to a seaside town and there are lots of gulls.
  • These people need help. At best they're idiots, but at worst suffering from mental illness and need of professional assistance. What they are doing doesn't just make them look bad, it makes the whole tech sector look bad. Apple should call the authorities.
  • "previous record of someone waiting in like 18 days to get an iPhone."
    ...It should read LINE (not like)
  • My question is, how in the hell do these people make a living to be able to do this. Kind of like people going on Survivor and stuff like that I guess?
  • Solve a more important problem.
  • Let me guess. These are the same people collecting unemployment and whatever other socialist welfare program our dictator-in-chief has put in place.