Want the new iPhone 5S or 5C? Get a coupon first

If you were planning to walk in to buy a new iPhone 5S or 5C at one of the launch events in your city on November 1, you might be disappointed.

Ingram Micro, the official distributor of the Apple iPhone in India, has given out coupons to retailers to shortlist those who will get to buy the new phones.

Those with the coupon will get guaranteed access to the venue where the first phones are being distributed, but it does not assure you a phone. The phones will be handed over against the vouchers on a first-come first-basis service and does not mean a device has been blocked for you.
 
Also, the phones cannot be purchased for cash as all payments will have to be made using a debit card or a credit card. And you will need a recognised proof of identity and Pan Card for transactions above Rs 49,000, which all of the iPhone 5S models will be.

With a mad rush expected for the phones, getting hands on these coupons will also prove to be a task. We managed to get hold of one after visiting five stores.
 
Meanwhile, some dealers said they will start selling the models only on November 2 and were likely to get only up to 10 units of each phone.

The launch events will be held in Hyderabad, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Ludhiana, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Gurgaon and Kolkata. Those unable to get the coupons, can register online at http://indiaishop.in/launch-event.php. You have a chance of receiving an invite for the launch event.