For all the conspiracy theorists that think Apple is intentionally throttling...

[Surf Monkey]

but given the obvious stonewalling of information about availability from management, there is clearly some back story at work.

Is there, though? Do we know for a fact that the locations are made aware of the exact number and configuration of the shipments they receive? Judging by what people have reported here is appears as if Apple stores were getting skids of iPads that they were having to open up and examine before knowing what number of each version was included. Management can't tell customers information that they themselves don't have.

 

[TheWheelMan]

I bet Motorola wishes they had too few Xooms to meet demand.

 

[kansas-cty-shfl]

This assumes that the launch was orchestrated by the marketing department. I don't buy it. The demand for iPads is already so huge that the launch would have played out exactly as it did even if Apple had had twice the standing stock. When the original iPhone was launched Apple had to create the idea of exclusivity and build up the impression of pent up demand... because there really was none for iPhone at that point. People were happy with their other smart phones. This is a completely different situation. Apple dominates the tablet platform and in order to maintain their dominance they need to put as many units in peoples' hands as they can. Judging Apple's strategy around iPad by the standards established around iPhone is a big mistake.

I think Apple can continue to dominate the market by convincing consumers that all other tablets are and will be inferior to the ipad regardless of how many people actually own them. This was Apple's strategy well before the iphone. There may not have been people lining up around the block for ipods but Apple managed to make ipod and mp3 player synonymous despite the fact that there were better and significantly cheaper options. The demand we see today is the byproduct of Apple creating an image and they need to continue to raise that bar.

 

[Stealthipad]

Apple has not had any competition to it's iPad until now. There are even more tablets that will be out in the next few months.

I think Apple got greedy and moved it's introduction up a month or so just to capitalize on the market and then come up with a lie to move your shipping date. Looks like they are going to use the screen bleeding excuse but most will of have already got a email moving their delivery date.

Do not be such a fan boy to not think that Apple does not have other tablet makers that soon will be eating on their sales.

 

[Sodner]

I do not agree with the conspiracy theory on "holding back stock." Did they want lines on release day? YES. But do they want poeple having to wait 4-5 weeks for delivery? NO WAY. That is bad for business. Period.

What I do not understand, is why in heaven they cannot institute waiting lists at the stores now. At this point I don't care about them not doing early online ordering for delivery on lanuch day. I just want to get my name on a list at the store and not have to stop in there every day. And yes I did order one online but its delivery date is mid April so I am just trying to get one as a gift for my wife before that.

 

[Surf Monkey]

...despite the fact that there were better and significantly cheaper options.

As someone who owned an Archos Jukebox before buying a first gen iPod I have to disagree with that statement. Until iPod came along there was no better and no cheaper MP3 player out there. In fact, when considering iTunes integration, it's fairly easy to argue that there's STILL no better option than iPod out there.

 

[bembol]

lower supply, raise demand.

Whether that is intentional or not is the question.

I love Apple but if you can get all the attention why not.

 

[Ava's Meeshee]

lower supply, raise demand.

Whether that is intentional or not is the question.

That's related to price, not desire to own the product. Apple's selling iPad 2s at a fixed price; the only ones benefiting from a strong supply demand ratio are grey market resellers.

If someone wants an iPad now, Apple knows the best thing they can do is give them one now.

Threadkiller. That a customer won't change his mind about a $500+ purchase at any time before the transaction is something that even Apple can't be confident about.

 

[manman]

Threadkiller. That a customer won't change his mind about a $500+ purchase at any time before the transaction is something that even Apple can't be confident about.

Their strategy for release to market (specifically timing) is most likely why most Apple launches (and high profile consumer electronics launches in general) end up with this low supply/high demand problem, but you gotta agree it DOES lead to this 'anticipation' effect and I think apple is quite happy about that. The "hype" that is stirred up when available supply gets snatched up that quickly spreads so fast and makes people feel like they HAVE to have one even more. It also just makes Apple look good to have their product be uttered in the same line as "sold out" so many times It's good, but I'm not sure if they actually /bank/ on that or not (as in, would they take the risk of intentionally getting that effect in exchange for selling to customers that want one now). I tend to agree that they wouldn't, but who knows.

 

[mcdj]

Is there, though? Do we know for a fact that the locations are made aware of the exact number and configuration of the shipments they receive? Management can't tell customers information that they themselves don't have.

Maybe store level management is in the dark but if you go up a level or two, the information is there.

 

[IbisDoc]

I can't believe how naive the "if they could sell to everyone who wants one right now, they'd do it" crowd is.

By the way, it's not a conspiracy. Stop using that word. It's a business plan.

 

[Ava's Meeshee]

I can't believe how naive the "if they could sell to everyone who wants one right now, they'd do it" crowd is.

By the way, it's not a conspiracy. Stop using that word. It's a business plan.

It seems more intuitive a business practice than anything else.

 

[KittyKatta]

Pent up demand.

Your not turning away those customers, your only making them more anxious to get that product. The people waiting for an iPad are likely not to change that idea, they want one and will get one..

Definitely. Both demand and mindshare have increased by huge amounts due to this not being readily available. My dad never cared about my original iPad but when he saw the huge line at Best Buy and jumped in and then called and asked me what they were selling thats such a big deal. He ended up getting two iPads based purely on hype and has since spent $50 on games that some guy in line was showing off to him.

Im not saying inventory shortages are completely faked, but I'd say that Apple is definitely milking the situation by being secretive and creating a stronger demand than there would be if it had widespread availability.

 

[david77]

I can't believe how naive the "if they could sell to everyone who wants one right now, they'd do it" crowd is.

By the way, it's not a conspiracy. Stop using that word. It's a business plan.

I'm more pissed off because I have no idea where, when, and what I could be getting and I'm sure as hell not going to drive 5 different retail outlets trying to find one. That's not good business.

 

[chrono1081]

By the by, that article does nothing to support your hypothesis. It merely shows that Apple's main production center (Foxconn) has slowed growth of production and warns stock may be limited in future because the factory has reached its max potential of production. It says very little for demand of the iPad2.

I disagree. That article holds more water then any of the "Apple is holding back stock!" claims. Supplies are tight (look at the numbers for Foxconn production) so its natural they can't pump them out as fast as they want to. Not to mention the iPad 2 is an enormous hit. I don't think even Apple could have predicted how fast it was going to sell.

I do not agree with the conspiracy theory on "holding back stock." Did they want lines on release day? YES. But do they want poeple having to wait 4-5 weeks for delivery? NO WAY. That is bad for business. Period.

Exactly! Apple has excellent customer service (I've had my fair share of issues and they took care of them immediately) and I doubt they would want to piss off their customers. 4 - 5 weeks means there is a literal short supply. I can't remember any Apple product that had that kind of waiting period.

 

[Carouser]

I'm more pissed off because I have no idea where, when, and what I could be getting and I'm sure as hell not going to drive 5 different retail outlets trying to find one. That's not good business.

Are you going to buy one still? If not, will you and others like you be outweighed by others' increased demand due to these purported tactics? What are the long-term effects for Apple more generally?

Once you answer all of those questions with some specificity, then we can evaluate whether it's good business or not.

 

[david77]

Are you going to buy one still? If not, will you and others like you be outweighed by others' increased demand due to these purported tactics? What are the long-term effects for Apple more generally?

Once you answer all of those questions with some specificity, then we can evaluate whether it's good business or not.

Until I can physically hold a black one in my hands and try it, I can't give you a definite answer. Right now I'm leaning towards no.

I'm not accusing Apple of bad tactics. The thing for me is lack of communication. Whether they can control that or not is the question for me I guess and because of that it leaves a negative impression on me.

One more thing, I don't care about Apple's long term effects. This is about me because I am the customer.

 

[Ava's Meeshee]

I'm more pissed off because I have no idea where, when, and what I could be getting and I'm sure as hell not going to drive 5 different retail outlets trying to find one. That's not good business.

You can order an iPad online with a clearly communicated, yet reportedly conservative lead time of so far a little over a month. That's the best anyone can expect them to do.

I'm not accusing Apple of bad tactics. The thing for me lack of communication. Whether they can control that or not is the question for me I guess and because of that it leaves a negative impression on me.

What would be satisfactory communication? If could tell you when and where there would be stock coming in they'd tell everyone else too and you'd be at no better advantage of picking one up.

 

[nixiemaiden]

Honest question though: are you still going to buy one in a few months when you can walk into virtually any store and walk out with an ipad?

No because in a few months, rumors of iPad 3 being just around the corner are going to be coming out and I don't want to feel left behind so soon after my purchase!

 

[david77]

You can order an iPad online with a clearly communicated, yet reportedly conservative lead time of so far a little over a month. That's the best anyone can expect them to do.

I'd like to demo one, so that doesn't work for me.

 

[Carouser]

One more thing, I don't care about Apple's long term effects. This is about me because I am the customer.

You tried to legitimize your discontent by saying what Apple was doing was 'bad business'. I say it's not necessarily bad business. You haven't shown me to be wrong (because you can't answer the questions I posed). You're unhappy, but that doesn't make it bad business.

 

[Ava's Meeshee]

I'd like to demo one, so that doesn't work for me.

Display units are already in stores.

 

[david77]

You tried to legitimize your discontent by saying what Apple was doing was 'bad business'. I say it's not necessarily bad business. You haven't shown me to be wrong (because you can't answer the questions I posed). You're unhappy, but that doesn't make it bad business.

Ok, would a good business philosophy not also include the customer? I guess honestly, my problem is that this has been a complete hassle. My question is could have it been avoided.

 

[david77]

Display units are already in stores.

None of the ones I've been to, except for a Best Buy, which has one white one.

 

[david77]

I can concede that my frustration lies with the way this was executed and that might because of my location. I still have doubts as to whether it could have been avoided.