This is fun. So let's continue down this path. All four of the stock products (2 11.6 models, and 2 13.3 models) show 'shipping within 24 hours. As soon as you change one thing (RAM, processor, drive space), the shipping moves to 1 - 3 business days. So, if they have them all already made, why hold out? What's the marketing plot on this one?
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The "I just bought/ordered/got/shipped my new/refurb MBA" thread, [Merged]
- Thread starter kfscoll
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This is fun. So let's continue down this path. All four of the stock products (2 11.6 models, and 2 13.3 models) show 'shipping within 24 hours. As soon as you change one thing (RAM, processor, drive space), the shipping moves to 1 - 3 business days. So, if they have them all already made, why hold out? What's the marketing plot on this one?
Except you forgot:
1.6 2GB/128GB
1.6 4GB/128GB
IMHO the BTO option is a way to flow production and create more sales for the lower end models. I agree that the factory isn't building a custom computer once they receive your order... That's not business friendly. Apple has the factories focus on the "stock" models and has those shipped first. These were manufactured way before release... Thus the reason all those orders shipping next day direct from local distribution centers. All the BTO orders are manufactured later in bulk (not custom). Additionally it creates more sales for the stock models as plenty will be impatient to wait. From a business stand point it makes perfect sense... But from our POV it sucks!
Let me ask you this... how is it any different than if they called it "Pre-Order" ?
It's NO DIFFERENT. If they call it pre-order, they ship the machine when it's available. I know, you've been brainwashed by the "Built to Order" tag line, but they're going to make the computer weather you order it or not, and I guarantee you there are as many of each model being made as they can make ... but had they called it pre-order, would you have ordered? I wouldn't have, because of the perception that comes with a "pre order" ... It's all a spin on words.
Keep in mind the manufacturing farms in China are very dynamic. They have positions that they rotate. For example, from 1 am to 4 am they can run a run of Model ZZZ then at 4 am shift and run a run of Model ZZX, with only 5 minutes between. They've been doing this for years, and shifting quickly is their specialty. They operate 24\7\365. There's absolutely no doubt in my mind that regardless of if I placed an order or not, they knew which day mine would be delivered.
The difference is in the way they present it. If they said "Available today for custom building" they get me to buy it, and now it's been 5 days and I'm still waiting. It'll probably ship tomorrow and get to me wednesday or thursday. But if they said "Available for pre-order, ships next Tuesday" I would get it on the same day, but I would not have ordered it, because like many I feel there's a stigma attached to the word "pre-order" after having been burnt in the past.
That's where marketing comes in
Now you're playing on words, and I could care less. I pre-ordered my iPad when it was announced and pre-order is something you buy before any units start shipping. They take pre-orders and look against their build capability and know when they won't be able to fulfill starting on day 1. The iPad is a great example. The pre-orders were taken until they couldn't make enough for day one, then they changed the status to remain pre-order but would ship by x date. It's still a pre-order.
Apple is manufacturing and shipping MBA's starting on day 1. The stock units were already on the way to the stores. This is different than the iPad. But that doesn't mean they were building the CTO units at the same time. I'm sure they have the necessary parts together and then slap in the RAM, memory, etc. at the end based on the orders, but it's still different.
Are you also saying that Apple pre-builds every combo of Mac Pro and iMac out there with the various RAM amounts, drive configurations, etc.? Those aren't configure to orders? Really?
English 101: The correct use of the expression is "I COULDN'T care less" indicating you care so little that you couldn't care less.
Did you even read my post? Clearly not. I stated that this release is very different from other CTO releases because there are so few options. They're going to produce all models and stockpile all combinations of MBA until the demand runs out.
Yes I read your post, and you don't have to be so bitter and grumpy. Having a discussion here, and I happen to disagree with you. So you could say the same thing with a MacBook and a MacBook Pro. They don't have as many options as a Mac Pro. Does the store stock the exact same builds as you can buy on the site? When I go in, I see the same stock units as on the site. When I talk with the RSP's, if I want something additional, they take you over to a machine and help you order where? Online to be built and shipped.
Okay, so I suppose in china there's a machine rolling down a conveyor belt with MY name on it. Wow, you're delusional. They're mass producing every config and filling the orders as they can. Otherwise, my order would have shipped in 1-3 days... it's been 5
It has not been 5 BUSINESS days! It couldn't have been since it hasn't been 5 BUSINESS days since the MBA was announced. I ordered mine late Wednesday which is no longer a business day. Mine is showing as prepared for shipping which means it'll go out on Monday...Exactly 3 BUSINESS days from when I ordered. You call me delusional, I say you can't read.
You've never been to China. There's no such thing as "business days" in manufacturing, lol. Saturday the factories are all open and doing business, as are they on Sundays. I've ordered a ton of BTO, always the same story, it can ship at 3 am on a Sunday, they don't know the difference
Back on topic.....
Another FedEx Update...
MBAIR 11.6/1.6/4/128FLASH
10/20 @ 11:53 AM - Order Placed via Apple Online Store
10/21 @ 7:41 PM - Not Yet Shipped
10/22 @ 2:21 AM - Prepared for Shipment
10/22 @ 8:15 AM - Shipment info sent to FedEx (Shanghai, China)
10/22 @ 10:37 PM - FedEx picked up
10/22 @ 10:47 PM - Left FedEx orgin facility (Shanghai, China)
10/25 @ 12:04 AM - In Transit (Shanghai)
Another FedEx Update...
MBAIR 11.6/1.6/4/128FLASH
10/20 @ 11:53 AM - Order Placed via Apple Online Store
10/21 @ 7:41 PM - Not Yet Shipped
10/22 @ 2:21 AM - Prepared for Shipment
10/22 @ 8:15 AM - Shipment info sent to FedEx (Shanghai, China)
10/22 @ 10:37 PM - FedEx picked up
10/22 @ 10:47 PM - Left FedEx orgin facility (Shanghai, China)
10/25 @ 12:04 AM - In Transit (Shanghai)
Back on topic.....
Another FedEx Update...
MBAIR 11.6/1.6/4/128FLASH
10/20 @ 11:53 AM - Order Placed via Apple Online Store
10/21 @ 7:41 PM - Not Yet Shipped
10/22 @ 2:21 AM - Prepared for Shipment
10/22 @ 8:15 AM - Shipment info sent to FedEx (Shanghai, China)
10/22 @ 10:37 PM - FedEx picked up
10/22 @ 10:47 PM - Left FedEx orgin facility (Shanghai, China)
10/25 @ 12:04 AM - In Transit (Shanghai)
It's in flight! yay! By now the flight attendant is coming down the aisle asking your MB Air if it'd like the chicken or the beef. ahahhaa
You've never been to China. There's no such thing as "business days" in manufacturing, lol. Saturday the factories are all open and doing business, as are they on Sundays. I've ordered a ton of BTO, always the same story, it can ship at 3 am on a Sunday, they don't know the difference
You are telling the truth. However, it is not the same people working 24/7/365. They have shifts, very frequent shifts.
Generally they'll work 2 shifts in the factory... a typical work day is 10-12 hours.... sure they have breaks and what not. But if Chen sits down where Cho just took a break, I'm fairly confident Chen will be able to cover for Cho while Cho is having his 5 minute sanctioned lunch\piss break ;-)
i think you need to take a 5 minute (or longer) sanctioned break from this thread.
what happened to posting when the BTO airs ship?
here's mine:
Ships: 3 - 5 business days
Delivers: Oct 29 - Nov 4
... nothing
just ordered it yesterday though, so this isn't surprising. was hoping for a pleasant surprise.i think you need to take a 5 minute (or longer) sanctioned break from this thread.
what happened to posting when the BTO airs ship?
here's mine:
Ships: 3 - 5 business days
Delivers: Oct 29 - Nov 4
... nothing
Woah, you're the first 3-5 I've seen. Did you order something extra with it? The only thing I've seen is 1-3... since mine said 1-3 and it's now been 4-5, maybe they're just back to realistic expectation setting now?
You mean "pre-ordered Oct. 20 @ 11.55 AM PDT the MacBook Air 13,3" with 4 GB." hehe... it's not being released till Tuesday, they just told you they were custom building it for u
I have been to quite some factories where they have four shifts every 24 hours.
I was talking about the factories in China. Anyway, some Chinese factories have 4 shifts a day, some have 2. OK?