The only challenge with a popular product — is that great surge where everyone wants to get it, and finding it can be a real challenge. This summer’s hot product is the iPhone.

The Apple iPhone is available in two versions: a 4-gigabyte model that is available for $499, and a 8-gigabyte model that is available for $599. The iPhone contract requires a two-year arrangement with AT&T service.

Because of this exclusive contract with AT&T the two models are officially only available at Apple Stores, AT&T Stores and online at the Apple website. Not surprisingly though iPhones have shown availability on the eBay online auction site.

The iPhone is especially popular because of the variety of options it offers, such as surfing the web — along with talking on the telephone. The iPhone also benefits from the brand name and reputation of Apple, which has become highly regarded over the past few years because of the iPod.

During the initial product launch many AT&T Retail stores were completely sold out of the phones within hours. Many Apple stores later ran empty as well. So customers began searching for iPhone availability elsewhere.

The iPhone can be ordered online from the Apple website, but there is a two to four week wait for delivery.

According to the iPhone website, they suggest checking availability after 9:00 p.m. the night before you would like to purchase an iPhone. Apple states that iPhones arrive “most days and availability is updated nightly.”

Apple also encourages people to get to the store when it first opens. “Phone sales start at 9:00 a.m.” There is also the Golden Rule of customer service for any store: “First come, first served.”

The best way to see if the store is going to have the iPhone for the day you would like to get one, is to call the night before, after 9:00 p.m.. Once you know the store will have the iPhones in stock then you can make your plans to purchase one.

For some reason, the iPhone appears to be challenging to find on the West Coast, but it is easier to get on the East Coast. The New York, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania stores have stock. But the California, Oregon and Washington stores appear to be out of stock. Southern states are “mixed”. Texas is sold out of iPhones. Florida does have iPhones available. The online store has a two to four week wait time.

Once customers purchase their new iPhone they will most likely need to dispose of their old one. Cell phone recycling is one way to do this and proceeds can benefit a charitable organization.

Businesses, groups and individuals can provide support to educational and nonprofit organizations without cost by registering for the recycling program and sending old phones in to the cell phone recycling center. New iPhone owners can celebrate while their own phones can go to a good cause.

Abigail Beal writes about issues of interest to community groups and non profit organizations. She is a frequent contributor to the website StepbyStepFundraising.com which provides information about a variety of fundraising options including >cell phone recycling .

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