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

[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.

Ok, would a good business philosophy not also include the customer?

What? What does this have to do with your first point (reposted above), the point I was addressing? "Include the customer" is pretty vague. We could say Apple's included millions of customers. Their approach works, so far, in business terms. I'm not convinced your disappointment translates into 'not good business' on Apple's part.

david77 is unwilling to drive to 5 retail outlets to find an iPad. But yes, I am utterly compelled to agree that it is good business to 'include the customer'. Therefore...? You're missing part of an argument.

 

[darngooddesign]

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.

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

Step 1: Go to Apple store to demo one.
Step 2: Order online.
Step 3: Enjoy your new iPad.

 

[david77]

What? What does this have to do with your first point (reposted above), the point I was addressing? "Include the customer" is pretty vague. We could say Apple's included millions of customers. Their approach works, so far, in business terms. I'm not convinced your disappointment translates into 'not good business' on Apple's part.

david77 is unwilling to drive to 5 retail outlets to find an iPad. But yes, I am utterly compelled to agree that it is good business to 'include the customer'. Therefore...? You're missing part of an argument.

See my previous post. My frustration lies with the logistics and whether or not it could have avoided. I'm not suggesting that Apple is holding back on demand, but I'm frustrated I have no information on where and when to go look for one, and again I'm not going to go driving around everyday or wait in line for 3 hours.

 

[david77]

Step 1: Go to Apple store to demo one.
Step 2: Order online.
Step 3: Enjoy your new iPad.

I have no Apple store locally, again location is part of my problem.

 

[TheWheelMan]

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.

I think any business is smarter to make too few of a product at launch than too many. I'm almost positive Apple could have had more ready at launch, even if it meant putting the launch off a few weeks. But I also think they'd rather have to try to catch up to demand rather than having to face all the criticisms if the thing didn't fly off shelves at the rate that they have. It's even possible even they were afraid that getting people to buy this incremental upgrade would be hard, and so hedged their bets.

And I don't see how could you possibly not know what you're going to get? Apple hasn't drugged you, put a gun to your head, or hypnotized you into getting an iPad right this minute. Just wait until things settle down and then go where you want and get what you want. And if you change your mind by then, the only one who really loses out is Apple.

 

[MattEcho]

Who's the guy in this thread that chided the idea that the marketing dept is running the launch? I mean, c'mon, Apple is led by a design and marketing genius! This is part of an overall strategy by Apple that has continued to work brilliantly for them, as it did with the iPhone 4.

There is no doubt that they are controlling production, all manufacturers do that for many reasons. You don't just limit production based on what marketing guys say though, it's also a function of financial risk. You don't want to risk oversupply and unsold iPads collecting dust everywhere, so you calculate demand and go from there. However, if you're Apple, you're also a marketing genius and you realize that the best way to generate buzz and make consumers think they "need" a tablet device is to be conservative in your estimation of demand. So the finance guys are happy, because you're not overexposing your capital for a product that no one "needs" in a terrible economy, and the marketing guys are happy because you're creating this crazy excitement for a product.

This only works when you have market superiority (perceived anyway). The iPad is miles ahead of the rest, by price and timing if nothing else. I mean, honestly guys, Apple is no doubt one of the best run, if not THE best run, companies in the world.

Oh, and if you think that they are not going to have iPads ready to go for the worldwide roll-out, you're nuts.

 

[vrDrew]

Most of us have lived a couple of decades or more without having possession of an iPad 2. The lucky among us have spent several months enjoying their original iPad.

With the release of any Apple product, there is likely to be more demand on release day than there is supply to meet it. And the iPad 2 is no exception.

What could Apple do differently?

It could have run the production lines for a couple of months, and built up an inventory of five or ten million iPads. But that's not very good business practice. And moreover it would have deprived many, many people of the opportunity to use their iPads.

It COULD have set the retail price at the "market clearing" rate: Say around $800 for the first week or two. And then dropped it back down again once demand cooled. I shudder to think about what the reaction to THAT sort of strategy would have been.

So Apple instead has made the best of the situation. Millions of eager customers lined up in anticipation, some were lucky and got the machine they wanted. Others went away empty handed. A few villains and opportunists snapped them up to sell in Hong Kong or on Craigslist.

If you want an iPad 2, and you can't get one, I've got some advice: Chill out. Your life isn't going to come to an end. You aren't even going to be inconvenienced. In a couple of months supply will have caught up to demand, and you will be able to waltz into an Apple store or a Wal-Mart and take your pick. Or, you can simply order one online right now - and you are all but certain to have it in your hands before the middle of May.

Relax.

 

[admanimal]

lower supply, raise demand.

Whether that is intentional or not is the question.

Lowering supply doesn't raise demand. Lowering supply raises prices for a given demand, which is why people are paying a couple hundred dollars over retail for them on eBay.