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iPad Shortage Nationwide?

M

MHOsborn

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 27, 2010
2
0
I haven't seen much reported in the regular Mac websites I frequent about the availability of the new iPad.

Our Apple Store hasn't had any since I first tried to buy one on Friday, April 23rd. I've got one reserved there, and have confirmed that Best Buy is out of stock as well.

Either they are selling faster than Apple anticipated, or they've called them back for fixes (WiFi?).

Apple's website shows the WiFi models are shipping 5-7 business days after the order's been placed. (And this hasn't changed since last week).
 
MHOsborn said:
I haven't seen much reported in the regular Mac websites I frequent about the availability of the new iPad.

Our Apple Store hasn't had any since I first tried to buy one on Friday, April 23rd. I've got one reserved there, and have confirmed that Best Buy is out of stock as well.

Either they are selling faster than Apple anticipated, or they've called them back for fixes (WiFi?).

Apple's website shows the WiFi models are shipping 5-7 business days after the order's been placed. (And this hasn't changed since last week).
Click to expand...

Every store I checked in jersey is sold out as well. Just reserved one today.
 
If you call around the Best Buys in the morning when they open, if they have one in stock, you can ask them to hold it for you and you can then pick it up before close. Works if you have a lot of Best Buys around like here in the DC Metro.
 
Apple can only build so many units in a given amount of time. Since Apple has been ramping up the 3G units for the past couple of weeks it makes sense that there are fewer WiFi units available for sale. I would expect to see quite a few 3G units available this weekend. WiFi units might be hard to find for the next few weeks depending on 3G demand.
 
Could also be strategic. Make the WIFI scarce now that it's so close to the 3G. Perhaps people will go for the 3G if it's easier/faster to get. And more profit margin. I'm not saying that's what's happening - but wouldn't be surprised either.
 
I, too, would not be shocked to learn the iPad shortage is by design. (And, it might be working, as I'm seriously considering bumping the 32GB WiFi model I have reserved at the Apple Store for a 64GB 3G model!).




samcraig said:
Could also be strategic. Make the WIFI scarce now that it's so close to the 3G. Perhaps people will go for the 3G if it's easier/faster to get. And more profit margin. I'm not saying that's what's happening - but wouldn't be surprised either.
Click to expand...
 
MHOsborn said:
samcraig said:
Could also be strategic. Make the WIFI scarce now that it's so close to the 3G. Perhaps people will go for the 3G if it's easier/faster to get. And more profit margin. I'm not saying that's what's happening - but wouldn't be surprised either.
Click to expand...
I, too, would not be shocked to learn the iPad shortage is by design. (And, it might be working, as I'm seriously considering bumping the 32GB WiFi model I have reserved at the Apple Store for a 64GB 3G model!).
Click to expand...

I'm not saying they are doing this, but it would be in Apple's interest to build a mistique arount the iPad due to lack of availability and long lines. As for profit margin on 3G, Apple may stand to make something off the wireless access when people activate them. I bet the average person has forked over close to $50 in app purchases since buying their iPad. Apple would be even more delighted to start receiving checks for 3G activations as well.

This is early in the product life cycle, so the manufacturing might not be totally up to intended speed. This means it's very reasonable to think that the 3G launch has something to do with wifi iPad availability, intentional throttling to increase mistique notwithstanding.

Apple really had a stoke of genius with this device. They have a community of tens of millions of iPhone and iPod touch users who already know how it works. All those sniping about "giant iPod touches" were actually helping sales not hurting them. We won't know for sure if the iPad is a long term success until mid fall. If sales start to stall there may even be a price cut. But that's not the end of the world, either. Look what a price cut did for iPhone sales. Perhaps an Att subsidized iPad could come out for $249 with a mandatory $29 data plan...
 
I think they are selling better than Apple expected. Even the Apple brand accessories are hard to find right now.

I'm pretty sure they'll be selling them as fast as they get them in for the near term. Oprah talking about it on her show will bring in a whole new group of potential buyers. I wouldn't be surprised if they sell several million before any real competition is even physically available at retail.
 
dread said:
Every store I checked in jersey is sold out as well. Just reserved one today.
Click to expand...

Which stores have you tried? I just went to the one in Paramus last night to pick up the Apple branded case for my upcoming 3G model and they had some wifi versions in stock.
 
r0k said:
Perhaps an Att subsidized iPad could come out for $249 with a mandatory $29 data plan...
Click to expand...

That would be an awesome idea. They pretty much already do it with the netbooks they offer so I don't see why not in the future.
 
dread said:
Every store I checked in jersey is sold out as well. Just reserved one today.
Click to expand...

Come to NYC. There are 5 Apple stores here and when I casually checked this weekend they had all three Wifi models in stock and no one was lined up. Best Buy was out however.

I'm not sure what will happen this weekend with the 3G--there may be shortages again. Then again, the 3G is significantly more expensive and I think many people don't understand that the data plan on the 3G is *optional* and contract free. That may keep many people way.

I've even read some reviews on the iPad 3G where the author stated that the iPad 3G came with a mandatory monthly AT&T data plan.
 
barkomatic said:
I'm not sure what will happen this weekend with the 3G--there may be shortages again. Then again, the 3G is significantly more expensive and I think many people don't understand that the data plan on the 3G is *optional* and contract free. That may keep many people way.
Click to expand...

On the contrary I believe many people are actually waiting for the 3G model including the current wifi only owners wanting to upgrade. I think we'll be seeing a repeat of the shortages with 3G as the wifi only.
 
I just called the Boston Boylston street store no stock and unsure when they will get any!!! Im a flight attendant heading to Boston tomorrow and I was hoping to pick a wifi model up.....i've booked a personal shopping reservation so will wait and see! :(
 
Ipad 64gb

gordonnay said:
I just called the Boston Boylston street store no stock and unsure when they will get any!!! Im a flight attendant heading to Boston tomorrow and I was hoping to pick a wifi model up.....i've booked a personal shopping reservation so will wait and see! :(
Click to expand...

Gordonnay,
I live about hour from Boston, I have a 64gb if your interest. Email me Madmando@me.com
 
Sailorloco, thanks thats kind of you, but im looking for the 32gb, and a 16gb! 32gb one for me and 16gb is a present! I leave Boston on friday afternoon so im hoping they'll have a few wifi's in stock then as hopefully people will be holding out for the 3G!!
 
It's kinda like the Wii from a few years back.

People don't anticipate just how much they'll love it until they are actually playing with it.

Everyone's an early adopter nowadays. :apple:
 
Ok, Good luck. Might wanna try a Best Buy...that's where I found mine and I was just at a Best Buy this morning and they had some in stock. Noticed your from Glasgow....I was just there earlier this year.....loved it. Can't wait to go back.

Mando
 
Glad you liked your time in Glasgow! Thank you, will certainly check out Best Buy too! Landing about 1430 so should be hitting the stores by 1600!!! Will let you know how i get on!!!;)
 
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