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mcfadyen

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 15, 2010
142
0
Well, not sure why Steve Jobs is allowing this shortage of Ipads to affect his business in this way, but as an avid Apple person (and a consumer of tech goods on a large scale), I have to say that I'm growing more frustrated with each passing moment.

I have been calling Apple stores to check their stock before I make the long drive to the US to pick one up. Each store has been very vague about EVERYTHING regarding Ipad (don't know what is on shipments, don't know when things will come in, no you can't reserve, etc.).

However, I just talked to someone in Rochester that wouldn't answer my questions at all. He gave me the same routine each store has been giving me. When I asked when stock issues would be resolved (i.e. they don't have any and don't know when more will be in) he told me it wasn't an issue at all and that it had to do with a confidentiality thing they signed. He wouldn't even tell me when his shipment came in - "different time each day". When I asked him if he could suggest if I should be at his store when it opens in the morning (nudge, nudge, wink, wink) he flatly said "No" and hung up.

I just want to give Apple my business. Soon, I'm just not going to. And I know Apple won't miss me but THIS isn't the way to go about treating loyal customers.

Frustrated!
A.
 
A small shortage creates demand and free advertising, like your thread. Note the wii has been out forever and still runs out...it's intentional.
 
What shortage? Order it online. I checked yesterday and it said ships in 5-7 days. You'll have it in less than two weeks.
 
The stores don't want to tell you that they have them only to have them sell out while you are on the way over there.
 
Eric8199 said:
What shortage? Order it online. I checked yesterday and it said ships in 5-7 days. You'll have it in less than two weeks.
Click to expand...

Sorry...should have mentioned. I'm in Canada. Can't reserve for in store...just have to drive down and hope they are in stock or wait until the end of May.
 
I broke down and went the Ebay route. I will order a 3G 64GB iPad on May 10th and my wife will get the 32GB wifi that I bought from Ebay. Will be here Monday and I already took the day off from work to play.;)
 
mcfadyen said:
Sorry...should have mentioned. I'm in Canada. Can't reserve for in store...just have to drive down and hope they are in stock or wait until the end of May.
Click to expand...

Same here, only I got a friend in New York to overnight one. From what I hear there will be a LOT of Canadians at the border this weekend. The guy at the store was probably just irritated by you all calling to see if its worth the drive :p
 
Apple's supply chain is setup to automatically replenish products at the stores, ... stores don't "place orders". FedEx delivers the products to the stores.

So stores don't know what they're getting until FedEx delivers it (and the store's inventory folks have unpacked the products and they're ready to sell). The inventory folks are also dealing with the refreshed MacBook Pro's flying off the shelf this week to, so iPad's probably aren't their entire focus.

And unless the store is the first stop on their particular FedEx route, they don't know exactly when FedEx is going to be making the delivery. There's generally a "window" the guy comes, but it's not guaranteed to be the same time every day.

So when they tell you they don't know what they're getting, or when they're getting it, they're not trying to purposefully frustrate you. The worst thing they can do is promise you that there's going to be stock at a given time, and then you get there, and there isn't.
 
Did you think about buying local from kijiji? Not much in kijiji Ottawa, but there are quite a few BNIB iPad in kijiji Toronto starting at $675 for the 16GB.

It's not that bad. Using the 16GB for example, $500 + 8.75% NY tax + 13% Cdn tax ~ Cdn $610. Don't forget the gas, and the uncertainty of availability.

Usually with kijiji, the seller are pretty good in holder something for you knowing that you are from out of town. So buying off someone from Toronto may not be a bad idea. It'll be a much shorter drive. Just make sure the seller will provide a receipt, and perhaps even arrange a backup seller.
 
mcfadyen said:
Well, not sure why Steve Jobs is allowing this shortage of Ipads to affect his business in this way, but as an avid Apple person (and a consumer of tech goods on a large scale), I have to say that I'm growing more frustrated with each passing moment.

I have been calling Apple stores to check their stock before I make the long drive to the US to pick one up. Each store has been very vague about EVERYTHING regarding Ipad (don't know what is on shipments, don't know when things will come in, no you can't reserve, etc.).

However, I just talked to someone in Rochester that wouldn't answer my questions at all. He gave me the same routine each store has been giving me. When I asked when stock issues would be resolved (i.e. they don't have any and don't know when more will be in) he told me it wasn't an issue at all and that it had to do with a confidentiality thing they signed. He wouldn't even tell me when his shipment came in - "different time each day". When I asked him if he could suggest if I should be at his store when it opens in the morning (nudge, nudge, wink, wink) he flatly said "No" and hung up.

I just want to give Apple my business. Soon, I'm just not going to. And I know Apple won't miss me but THIS isn't the way to go about treating loyal customers.

Frustrated!
A.
Click to expand...

And this is news why? Everytime there is a shortage you get the same story. There is nothing new with Apple.
 
aristobrat said:
Apple's supply chain is setup to automatically replenish products at the stores, ... stores don't "place orders". FedEx delivers the products to the stores.

So stores don't know what they're getting until FedEx delivers it (and the store's inventory folks have unpacked the products and they're ready to sell). The inventory folks are also dealing with the refreshed MacBook Pro's flying off the shelf this week to, so iPad's probably aren't their entire focus.
Click to expand...

And the stores don't have access to the inventory management system to see what is due in? I doubt that. Apple can send hundreds of thousands of iPads to individual customers with tracking yet they can't manage to have a bulk shipment tracked?
 
avaloncourt said:
And the stores don't have access to the inventory management system to see what is due in? I doubt that. Apple can send hundreds of thousands of iPads to individual customers with tracking yet they can't manage to have a bulk shipment tracked?
Click to expand...

I agree...the guy in Rochester told me he's NOT ALLOWED to tell me about what's coming in.
 
avaloncourt said:
And the stores don't have access to the inventory management system to see what is due in? I doubt that. Apple can send hundreds of thousands of iPads to individual customers with tracking yet they can't manage to have a bulk shipment tracked?
Click to expand...

You must never have worked in a retail store. Most of the time the employees have no idea what is in a shipment until they open the boxes and check in the inventory. Most retail stores do not have the ability to see exactly what is coming in and when.

mcfadyen said:
I agree...the guy in Rochester told me he's NOT ALLOWED to tell me about what's coming in.
Click to expand...

Even if he knows, there's always a chance the shipment will be late or incorrect, so telling customers what might be arriving is counterproductive.
 
skubish said:
And this is news why? Everytime there is a shortage you get the same story. There is nothing new with Apple.
Click to expand...

This is news because we are shedding light on the process involved with rolling out the newest Apple product. Thanks for your curt reply and short input into the discussion.

We have threads here asking about store stock and how people can get their hands on the newest Apple product. This highlights the frustration that I'm sure a lot of us are experiencing.
 
I checked all of the 6 best buys near me and they were out yesterday. But this morning I checked and there was one best buy that had replenished their stock so I drove there and bought the 32GB model! They had plenty of 16GB and about 8 32GB model.

I was one of 10 people that picked one up! I'm sure its all gone by now. :D
 
I continue to be amazed that people think that not selling the product is an intentional marketing strategy here. It sounds like people are just irate at not being able to get one (hello, manufacturing constraints and high sales) and are looking to be mad at someone about it.
 
I don't get it.

They announced the product months in advance and gave you the opportunity to pre-order one, or to reserve one for pick one up in the store yet you are complaining because this hot product isn't available now? Even if you couldn't have one shipped to Canada you could have reserved one for pick-up on launch day. But because YOU weren't ready on that day it is Apple's fault?

Is that what this is about?
 
I think you're just very impatient and want your iPad NOW. In a few weeks they'll be so many iPads in the stores you'll be able to walk in and out with one in 15 minutes. This is the way it always is with new Apple products and if you are "loyal Apple customer" you should know this.

I love how you say that if the shortages are not resolved you'll not buy an iPad -- when clearly you are ranting because you so desperately want one.
 
Yes, could have ordered for april 4th. However, it was supposed to be here at the end of April. But thanks for your tactful response.

And yes, I DO want it now? Is this a problem? Are you railing at those who want their 3G too?
 
mcfadyen said:
Yes, could have ordered for april 4th. However, it was supposed to be here at the end of April. But thanks for your tactful response.

And yes, I DO want it now? Is this a problem? Are you railing at those who want their 3G too?
Click to expand...


So, you are upset because the supply isn't meeting the demand???

And you think Apple is happy about this???

You don't think they are doing enough to sell one to you, the person who doesn't even live in the market in which they have been released yet?

I happen to be waiting for my 3G. I live in the US and if I get it in "late April" I'll be more than happy, even if it's 11 pm on April 30th.
 
mcfadyen said:
Yes, could have ordered for april 4th. However, it was supposed to be here at the end of April. But thanks for your tactful response.

And yes, I DO want it now? Is this a problem? Are you railing at those who want their 3G too?
Click to expand...

There are plenty of people looking forward to getting their iPads. You, however, are irrationally angry that you can't easily get a new product in high demand. If you hadn't mentioned that you were considering *driving* to get one I wouldn't have thought you were old enough to drive -- from your attitude.
 
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