Are the iPhone 5 shipping delays a marketing ploy?

So after some serious deliberation on what phone to get (I was debating between the Samsung Galaxy 3 and the iPhone 5), I went with the 5. I have a Macbook Pro, so I just felt the whole process would be easier (previously had an iPhone 4, which I dropped down a flight of steps. All sorts of cracks and pieces missing).

Yesterday, I called Verizon, and placed an order by phone. I was changing carriers (switching from AT&T). They emailed me my estimated shipping date (October 19th), and I asked them if they could get the phone to me as quick as possible. Obviously, that is a pointless request, since the demand is so high and I ordered the phone well after the pre-orders were announced (14th).

I got an email today saying my iPhone has shipped, and it will arrive on the 26th! So from the time that I called Verizon to order the phone, to the time I might receive it, could be a total of 48 hours.

I am shocked at this.

dugbug said:

No that's retarded.

Your shipping date is an estimate. Coordinating production runs, millions of phone shipments across tons of countries, online orders and brick&mortar this is what you can expect.

Apple loses when it can't ship a phone on time for this quarter. It didn't need any hype

Click to expand...

I completely understand it is an estimate, but to receive a phone 48 hours after you order one is rather unusual.

That being said, I am skeptical it will arrive tomorrow, even though the Fed Ex tracking info has it on pace for Thursday.