Apple iPhone buyers gush as iWait ends

(Reuters) - Apple Inc. began selling the iPhone, which combines a wireless phone with music- and video-playing capabilities and Web browsing, on Friday.

Here are quotes from some of the first buyers and others waiting in line in front of Apple stores from as early as Tuesday to buy the iPhone, which went on sale at 6 p.m. in each U.S. time zone.

NEW YORK

Grant Johnson, 41, an accountant from Brooklyn, managed to buy three after the girl in front of him in line bought him an extra one, as she only wanted one.

"I'm keeping one and selling the other two. I'm trying to get $1,200 for them," said Johnson, who had queued up for 25 hours. "I haven't slept in a day and a half. I need a nice hot shower and a bath."

Courtney Crangi, 34, runs a jewelry company in Manhattan which she has hooked up with Apple products.

"I'm totally embarrassed I've been waiting for this device, but I've wanted it from the day they announced it -- before that," Crangi said.

"Now I have to hide it," she said, worrying about getting mugged.

CHICAGO:

Albert Livingstone got a room at the Allerton Hotel across the street to help ease the waiting process.

"If you're camping out, that's the way to camp out," Livingstone said. "It's the newest toy. I'm 62 -- I don't have much time left to buy toys."

Nicholas Haubrich, 25, secured the number-one place in line at the Chicago store on Thursday afternoon.

"I've had couples come by and offer to buy me breakfast. The city has been great," Haubrich said.

SAN FRANCISCO:

Dale Larson, 38, works for DonorDigital, a consultant to non-profit organizations:

"For me, it's work-related: It's staying on top of the latest technology. I'm working from line."