Apple shipping policy is not fit for current situation

[OG_Subtlefly]

Ok Team - so now I am more upset at Apple for their shipping policy and the way they are acting than the actual delay on my macbook pro!
So I have MBP 14” 24gpu 1TB ssd and 64gb ram ordered 3rd February 2022. Originally it was due to be delivered in April - now its June.

I have been saying on Apple official forums that I thought that the “processing” for months on their shipping was bad policy - in the current state of things I said I wanted a counter to show me how many machines needed to be built before mine. (Apple having state of the art facilities and processes this would be a no brained) - everyone on the forum said no apple doesnt do this, what a dumb idea. I just thought that it would help me to see the number getting smaller every day.

Then I found this https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/wait-wait-tell-me/ which is a 99% invisible podcast about the science of waiting…. And guess what? Apple knows about this already! They were one of the pioneer companies to research and develop loading screens and progress bars for their software and hardware to get around customers complaining that the wait times were too long. But when I try to point this out on Apple forums they keep deleting my posts!!!!!!!!!!

I am more angry about this than the delays! Come on apple get yourself a shipping progress bar that actually moves!
Thanks team I hope macrumours doesn’t remove this post!
Hang in there everyone

 

[jav6454]

I don't get your post...

You do realize that Apple is going thru Supply Chain issues due to China's Zero-COVID strategy? There is little they can do as it all depends what the CCP wants to do in response to COVID. Even the most advanced manufacturing sites still require people to run them. That is not going to change.

All that you need to do is suck it up and wait.

 

[thedreamking]

I have been saying on Apple official forums that I thought that the “processing” for months on their shipping was bad policy - in the current state of things I said I wanted a counter to show me how many machines needed to be built before mine. (Apple having state of the art facilities and processes this would be a no brained) - everyone on the forum said no apple doesnt do this, what a dumb idea. I just thought that it would help me to see the number getting smaller every day.

I can relate to your situation on some level. I got excited ordering my new MBP back around October, but was a little disappointed with the reality of demand (and custom specs) meaning I had a 3 month wait. A further delay on top of that would've been another mild disappointment. But as the previous poster mentioned, there are global events happening that impact these things beyond a company's control.

To your point of the "processing" bar being bad policy because it doesn't really update, well, they give you an estimated delivery date, so I'm not sure why you would expect or need a real-time progress update to accompany that. If there's 100 days until your computer is supposed to get to you, then just pretend each day that bar moves 1%. Would you feel better if they just faked it, so you'd at least have the illusion of a visual marker to track progress? To your point about having a "number of machines ahead of yours in manufacturing queue" system, in your current case, how would feel about logging on each day and seeing that 0 machines got made the day before and therefore you're no closer to getting your computer? Because if the manufacturing plants are shut down in China due to COVID, that's exactly what you'd get. Would that still make you upset?

I think your problem may actually be that you're obsessively checking the progress every day in anticipation. Instead of checking every day, try checking once a week, or every other week instead. Allow yourself the space to get pleasantly surprised by an update email saying it's finally shipped. You can't change the situation, so try changing the way you think about it instead In the end the result will be the same; you'll get your new computer and get to enjoy it, so try not to burden yourself with agonizing about it in the meantime.

 

[StudioMacs]

But when I try to point this out on Apple forums they keep deleting my posts!!!!!!!!!!

Every time Apple tries to make you a computer, they keep shutting down their factories!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[OG_Subtlefly]

Ok.... I am waiting. And normally the "processing" would not be a problem because it would only be for a few days then something would happen. I get the covid, riots, supply chain issues etc. The computer is delayed.. but what I am saying is that Apple could do better in these unprecedented times to support customers - in my case the money has already been taken as a salary sacrifice out of my pay! All I wanted to do was point out a podcast that highlights that Apple knows how to do better and I was cranky cause they keep deleting any reference that I make to it sorry for bringing you down fam, I will go do some yoga. BTW Feb orders are shipping, just not mine yet, so the counter if there was one would be moving!

 

[jav6454]

There is little companies can do when their entire factories are shutdown without notice. Furthermore, you requested a BTO, which takes a while due to custom ordering. Apple doesn't mass produce BTO options when they have standard SKUs which need to be fulfilled.

 

[TiggrToo]

Ok Team - so now I am more upset at Apple for their shipping policy and the way they are acting than the actual delay on my macbook pro!
So I have MBP 14” 24gpu 1TB ssd and 64gb ram ordered 3rd February 2022. Originally it was due to be delivered in April - now its June.

I have been saying on Apple official forums that I thought that the “processing” for months on their shipping was bad policy - in the current state of things I said I wanted a counter to show me how many machines needed to be built before mine. (Apple having state of the art facilities and processes this would be a no brained) - everyone on the forum said no apple doesnt do this, what a dumb idea. I just thought that it would help me to see the number getting smaller every day.

Then I found this https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/wait-wait-tell-me/ which is a 99% invisible podcast about the science of waiting…. And guess what? Apple knows about this already! They were one of the pioneer companies to research and develop loading screens and progress bars for their software and hardware to get around customers complaining that the wait times were too long. But when I try to point this out on Apple forums they keep deleting my posts!!!!!!!!!!

I am more angry about this than the delays! Come on apple get yourself a shipping progress bar that actually moves!
Thanks team I hope macrumours doesn’t remove this post!
Hang in there everyone

You read one blog post, ignore the history it didn’t talk about, and decide that Apple are at the heart of this and THAT’S why your delivery is delayed?

First off, I was writing computer games on a Commodore Pet 2001 way back in the early 1980s where we played around with loops loading arrays of data then changing a ‘spinning’ character by POKEing the memory address with the next one in sequence to make it look like things were happening in the background.

Secondly, your posts are probably being deleted by Apple because they don’t serve a purpose. Apple are far more stringent than MR and you can’t get away with the same level of constant complaining there that you can here.

And finally - were you aware that we’ve two minor little issues going on in the world? The Covid-19 pandemic and a Regional War in Ukraine being fought by one of the worlds biggest Nuclear powered Superpowers? Either one of those is enough to cause an upset, both together (especially Covid) are causing MAJOR problems in the International supply chain.

You seem to want to make this all about you though - and how you need to have a counter to pacify your excited desire to get a new machine.

The rest of the world is trying to get by on sky high gas prices, people getting ill or dying from Covid, and Ukrainian citizens being… well.

We’ve mothers here in America unable to get baby formula, most everyone else trying to get ever money stretch further in the face of inflation, and the ever increasing risk of a depression, and you’re complaining about where your Mac is.

SMH

 

[bradl]

Ok.... I am waiting. And normally the "processing" would not be a problem because it would only be for a few days then something would happen. I get the covid, riots, supply chain issues etc. The computer is delayed.. but what I am saying is that Apple could do better in these unprecedented times to support customers - in my case the money has already been taken as a salary sacrifice out of my pay! All I wanted to do was point out a podcast that highlights that Apple knows how to do better and I was cranky cause they keep deleting any reference that I make to it sorry for bringing you down fam, I will go do some yoga. BTW Feb orders are shipping, just not mine yet, so the counter if there was one would be moving!

Here is the part you don't or are failing to comprehend. If your Mac is delayed, then more likely than not your Mac is a BTO, meaning they not only do not have any stock here in the US that meets your requirements (hence why it is a BUILD TO ORDER), nor will they, because they are not built here.

Since you're talking a Mac, these are being built in Shanghai.. You know, the same one that is coming off of 9 straight weeks of hard COVID lockdown? You know, the same Shanghai in China, where they had locked workers inside their factories because one tested positive for COVID in the factory? Or where it has been documented that shipping times are going to slip because of aforementioned lockdowns? And you're worried or upset as to why yours is delayed?

We have had a supply chain issue ever since COVID was reported over 2 years ago that would affect every mass produced product in the world, but only yours should be the one that is expedited? I was lucky; I ordered mine in late January and got mine in late March, when they had COVID under some sort of control; your issue is bad timing on your part, and out of Apple's control, as it isn't Apple directly making your Mac for you.

All that you really can do is sit back and wait; Well, there is something else you can do: cancel your order, reorder, and get back in line again, possibly putting you in another 8-20 week window for a Mac, which in that case you may as well wait until whatever may or may not be announced at WWDC or wait until October before ordering again.

In short, sit back and wait, as complaining about it won't make your order build or ship any faster.

BL.

 

[OG_Subtlefly]

You read one blog post, ignore the history it didn’t talk about, and decide that Apple are at the heart of this and THAT’S why your delivery is delayed?

First off, I was writing computer games on a Commodore Pet 2001 way back in the early 1980s where we played around with loops loading arrays of data then changing a ‘spinning’ character by POKEing the memory address with the next one in sequence to make it look like things were happening in the background.

Secondly, your posts are probably being deleted by Apple because they don’t serve a purpose. Apple are far more stringent than MR and you can’t get away with the same level of constant complaining there that you can here.

And finally - were you aware that we’ve two minor little issues going on in the world? The Covid-19 pandemic and a Regional War in Ukraine being fought by one of the worlds biggest Nuclear powered Superpowers? Either one of those is enough to cause an upset, both together (especially Covid) are causing MAJOR problems in the International supply chain.

You seem to want to make this all about you though - and how you need to have a counter to pacify your excited desire to get a new machine.

The rest of the world is trying to get by on sky high gas prices, people getting ill or dying from Covid, and Ukrainian citizens being… well.

We’ve mothers here in America unable to get baby formula, most everyone else trying to get ever money stretch further in the face of inflation, and the ever increasing risk of a depression, and you’re complaining about where your Mac is.

SMH

Hey sorry - I was trying to prove some point and have probably not fully explained.
Here is the thread from the apple forums https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253838224 its really long and has heaps of posters. I am not on there blowing anyone up - I am just waiting for the order to ship like everyone else and was commenting that I wish there was a counter.


then I happened to listen to the 99% invisible podcast about the science of waiting. It was pure coincidence I wasnt doing research or anything - sorry if I didnt make it clear that my link was to an audio episode (you have to click play on that page where it looks like a youtube video or something) I havent read the blog that is on that page so I am really sorry if thats how it came across. The radio show is extremely interesting (in a random way) and I was really interested in the research done by Apple and other computer and software companies on this issue.

Again I apologise for the tone of my original post here - maybe the title was a bit harsh and I probably should not have started a new thread but I wanted to make this connection and my posts were getting deleted. I am not really complaining at all - I was trying to point out an interesting point to my observation about a counter being a good idea for customers who are experiencing stress (there is some great examples in the podcast) using the company's own research.

Also I totally acknowledge my luck and privilege to be in the situation to be able to own a machine like this and that in terms of world peace, pandemic and the rest this problem is very minor and trivial.

Thanks all and have a great day

 

[cupcakes2000]

Originally it was due to be delivered in April - now its June

Its actually a little over halfway through May ?

 

[OG_Subtlefly]

No sorry new delivery date is 1-15 June

 

[StudioMacs]

No sorry new delivery date is 1-15 June

Tim Cook told investors during the most recent earnings call that Apple could lose as much as $8 billion this quarter (April-June) due to supply constraints beyond their control. If you try to order an LG utrafine 5K monitor, you can’t because it’s out of stock everywhere, and the same is true for many other electronics and appliances. This isn’t a problem unique to Apple in any way, and they are actually doing better than some other companies that aren’t even launching new products right now.

 

[MikeDr206]

I’m Not sure you’d want to see the number that have to be built before yours. Moreover, I’m guessing that in some instances Apple itself cuts in line to ensure that their stores are somewhat stocked.

may also be a sales intelligence issue… the number in front of you, if advertised, would give the public a running # of Macs sold more or less, which is not something Apple releases except on a quarterly (?) basis.

it Would also reveal more granularity with problems at the factory than Apple wants to. E.g., if the # decreases by a set amount each day, and then all of a sudden stays the same for 3 days, that’s an indication of something or another that Apple wouldn’t want to reveal.

 

[Bug-Creator]

I’m Not sure you’d want to see the number that have to be built before yours.

It would be 0 anyways. If Apple's estimates of early June is based on the truth, as that would mean the MacBook is already made and made it at least to the harbour. Will the container get loaded onto the ship on time? Will the ship be able to leave once it's loaded? Will it be unloaded right away in the destination port? Will there be a truck waiting to move it into a distribution center?

Apple has no control over any of these and will only know of further delays once the happen.

 

[StudioMacs]

It would be 0 anyways. If Apple's estimates of early June is based on the truth, as that would mean the MacBook is already made and made it at least to the harbour. Will the container get loaded onto the ship on time? Will the ship be able to leave once it's loaded? Will it be unloaded right away in the destination port? Will there be a truck waiting to move it into a distribution center?

Apple has no control over any of these and will only know of further delays once the happen.

Have you ever ordered an Apple product or followed any of the order threads?

They are shipped by air – express delivery

 

[conmee]

Apple needs to provide a real-time manufacturing dashboard (they likely use SAP somewhere) so we can "see" machines/displays/iPhones/etc rolling off the assembly line (and then I can drill down anytime and see where my build is at in the production process). Just like they have that System Status landing page letting folks know if online services are up/down/experiencing issues, I want the same thing with all the products and real-time manufacturing output. No more excuses, Apple. Is that too much to ask?

 

[bradl]

Apple needs to provide a real-time manufacturing dashboard (they likely use SAP somewhere) so we can "see" machines/displays/iPhones/etc rolling off the assembly line (and then I can drill down anytime and see where my build is at in the production process). Just like they have that System Status landing page letting folks know if online services are up/down/experiencing issues, I want the same thing with all the products and real-time manufacturing output. No more excuses, Apple. Is that too much to ask?

This won't do you any good, as you won't know if the Mac coming off the assembly line is for stock, a BTO, or a floor model. Plus, it isn't Apple that owns the companies making their Macs; You're looking at something like Foxconn or similar, and they are not going to show you anything that is only privy to their customer, which is Apple.

In short, the supply chain is outside of any consumer's purveyance, as it should be.

BL.

 

[conmee]

This won't do you any good, as you won't know if the Mac coming off the assembly line is for stock, a BTO, or a floor model. Plus, it isn't Apple that owns the companies making their Macs; You're looking at something like Foxconn or similar, and they are not going to show you anything that is only privy to their customer, which is Apple.

In short, the supply chain is outside of any consumer's purveyance, as it should be.

BL.

I know, BL. I was just stirring the pot. lol

 

[bradl]

Hopefully, the OP here isn't going to be even more upset at Apple because of circumstances beyond Apple's control...

But unfortunately, I think that is going to happen as shipping times are now slipping to August, because of Supply Chain issues. This goes for all MBPs, Mac Studios, and Studio Displays.

MacBook Pro delayed to August for new orders - 9to5Mac

Earlier this month, we reported on new MacBook Pro orders and even existing ones from February being delayed into July....

9to5mac.com

As the article states, you can get Macs in stock configurations within a week, but anything that is custom (read: BTO), you're waiting a month to 3 months.

BL.

 

[OG_Subtlefly]

Sadly I think that Apple will let my current window run completely out before they let me know that there is a new delay -
Ordered 3rd Feb BTO original delivery date April 1-15 (on April 1st changed) to June 1-15 - As of today it is still processing and still showing delivery for June, but I would not be surprised if it is further delayed.

 

[bradl]

Sadly I think that Apple will let my current window run completely out before they let me know that there is a new delay -
Ordered 3rd Feb BTO original delivery date April 1-15 (on April 1st changed) to June 1-15 - As of today it is still processing and still showing delivery for June, but I would not be surprised if it is further delayed.

Not for nothing...

But have you thought about being proactive and ASKING Apple about the status of your order instead of guessing/assuming what is going on and getting upset from that? In the email you get from Apple, there is a link there to check your status online, and on that page, you have the ability to chat with Apple about your order. Have you considered using that and being proactive about your order instead of thinking Apple has screwed up (which they haven't) and being reactive to the perception you have in your head? In short, find out the true details of it instead of making up your own and reacting to that..

BL.

 

[OG_Subtlefly]

Hey so I have spoken to Apple numerous times. They keep saying its all on track to be delivered on time- they said that in April and they are saying it now.. keep in mind they stuck to the April dates until they arrived and then bumped to June - I only found out by checking the order status

 

[jav6454]

Hey so I have spoken to Apple numerous times. They keep saying its all on track to be delivered on time- they said that in April and they are saying it now.. keep in mind they stuck to the April dates until they arrived and then bumped to June - I only found out by checking the order status

Can you be patient? To reiterate, you do realize that manufacturing is suffering delays due to the COVID lockdown right? The reps don't know exact dates and will only reassure you.

If it gets delayed, it gets delayed. This out of Apple's hands.

 

[senttoschool]

Why don't you just run to the Apple Store and buy a base machine. Then when your order arrives, just return the base machine.

 

[bradl]

Why don't you just run to the Apple Store and buy a base machine. Then when your order arrives, just return the base machine.

That would depend on if his original delivery date sticks. IIRC, you only have the 14 day window to return it to the store. If his delivery date is past that window, he's stuck. If delivery dates are slipping to around August, there's no way one would want to be stuck with a base model they can't return.

BL.