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Best Buy Delays iPhone 5 Pre-Orders Up to 28 Days, Walmart and Sam's Club Also Seeing Delays

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Apr 12, 2001
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While Apple and its carrier partners are the most popular sources for iPhone purchases, the new iPhone 5 was also made available through a handful of other retailers in the United States including Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Target, Sam's Club, and RadioShack. Model availability is typically limited at these outlets, but some customers find the more convenient locations and smaller crowds more appealing for their purchases.

It appears, however, that some of these third-party retailers are finding themselves unable to meet their iPhone 5 pre-order plans due to a lack of supply from Apple. One MacRumors reader received an email from Best Buy notifying him that his pre-ordered iPhone 5 will not be available today and may in fact take up to 28 days before it comes into stock.
I know that you're excited to get your new iPhone 5 and you can be sure we are as excited to sell it to you. Unfortunately, as of the night before the official launch, Best Buy® has not received enough of the specific model phone you ordered, and we will not have it available on launch day. You can be certain that we are working very hard to get you, as quickly as possible, the exact iPhone 5 model you pre-ordered. It could take as long as 28 days to find the iPhone you want. However, there is no doubt that the fact you pre-ordered a phone from Best Buy means you will be able to buy it before any consumer trying to find one on their own.

Trust us, we will be able to get you the phone you want - maybe not as fast as you might want, but likely as fast as anyone else at this point.

I really appreciate your patience and willingness to shop Best Buy. We look forward to getting you the phone you ordered with us.
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The reader reports that he was first one to pre-order a 64 GB black iPhone 5 at his Best Buy location, and that he and all of his friends received this same delay notice.

Sam's Club is experiencing similar shortages, sending out notices to pre-order customers indicating that deliveries are not expected for another 7-10 business days.
Thank you for your recent iPhone 5 reservation. You may have seen some news reports today regarding shipment delays from Apple for the iPhone 5 launch. Unfortunately, this includes some of the anticipated shipment to our Clubs, resulting in reduced initial quantities of iPhones available. Reserved iPhones are anticipated to arrive approximately 7 to 10 business days from the original September 21 release date.

A Club associate will be contacting you to reschedule your pickup date and time when we receive your phone at the Club. We apologize for the inconvenience.
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Finally, we've been hearing from a number of readers and forum members that Walmart stores have not received their iPhone 5 stocks. Some store employees have recommended checking back later today, while others have simply said that they have no idea when shipments will be arriving from Apple.

Article Link: Best Buy Delays iPhone 5 Pre-Orders Up to 28 Days, Walmart and Sam's Club Also Seeing Delays
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2012/09/21/best-buy-delays-iphone-5-pre-orders-up-to-28-days-walmart-and-sams-club-also-seeing-delays/
Best Buy FAIL. Hurry up and go out of business so I can clean up at your fire sale just like I did with Circuit City ;)
 
Just came back from an AT&T store about 30 minutes ago (had to switch lines since I used someone elses upgrade) and they still had enough stock of pretty much all the models. People were walking in, and then walking out with their new phone. No pre-order needed.
 
Having been a former Best Buy employee, this is why you should neve pre-order a phone from Best Buy. They take an unlimited number of pre-orders on an unknown quantity of phones. At my old store, we were filling iPhone 4 pre-orders two months after release, as they arrived.
 
Yeah, this is why I pre-order from ATT or apple only...these retailers can't handle the demand...take the pre-orders anyway, and then screw it up.
 
Wife and I pre-ordered and one of the 2 is ready to be picked up. I also got this email last night. When I called yesterday afternoon, they said they only got enough shipments to fill about half of the pre-orders yesterday.
 
I got a similar email from best buy for my two pre-orders.

I was the second in line at the South OKC store on I-240 and they did not receive anything but 10 16GB Black AT&T models. I ordered a 32GB Black and a 32GB White for AT&T. I don't mind waiting as I am saving $100 bucks total by going through them and signing up for their phone freedom promotion earlier this year.
 
Gotta give Best Buy credit for dealing with this the right way. AT least they reached out to customers. ATT is a mess. No communication, no apology, no service.
 
This is why you don't pre-order from these places lol! Apple, Verizon, Sprint or AT&T or nothing! I mean Sams club? Lmao!!!!! I can see Best Buy not what the hell was anybody thinking going to Sams Club?!?!?!?
 
That's funny, I just left a Best Buy that had left over inventory of the iPhone 5's in 32gb models. Didn't pre-order and left with one. I'm calling your shot, Best Buy.
 
Another thing how they taking pre-orders not even knowing what type of shipments there are getting lol!! That alone should tell u to stay away! They basically took your money then hoped to get enough of whatever models were being orders smfh... Id be pissed!
 
Why would people even buy an iPhone from Best Buy? So they can sell you crap load of crap no one wants? Like Geek-Support?

Just go to Apple Store. Don't have one? Order on apple's website. So easy!
 
Never pre ordering anything at Best Buy. I got mine thru VZW online, but my mom is very upset. We were third to get a 16Gb White VZW 5
 
ivladster said:
Why would people even buy an iPhone from Best Buy? So they can sell you crap load of crap no one wants? Like Geek-Support?

Just go to Apple Store. Don't have one? Order on apple's website. So easy!
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$50 GC if you signed up earlier this year.
 
I also got the email from Best Buy.

I went through them because I needed to use up a gift card, but if it wasn't for the gift card, I would of pre ordered it online through a carrier.

Best buy sucks!
 
I received the same letter from Best Buy this morning. I was the 7th person in line to pre-order and the first person to order the 64GB at this Dallas location. The sales person told me there would be no problem getting it the day of release because they would get several 64GBs in their drop shipment the day before release (yesterday).
They even called me yesterday to schedule my pickup for today, but told me the phone wasn't in yet. Talk about a tease (and a wasted appointment)!
 
fins831 said:
Yeah, this is why I pre-order from ATT or apple only...these retailers can't handle the demand...take the pre-orders anyway, and then screw it up.
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I love reading comments from people who have no clue how the relationships between vendor and retailer work, especially with Apple. Makes me giggle. :)
 
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