How Apple blew the launch

[canadianipad]

Limited stock doesn't matter when it comes to preorders. Video game consoles have very limited stock for months after launch and they still do preorders and everyone I've gotten I've just went to the store hours after opening on launch day and picked up my preorder with no lines.

But isn't it the stores selling the consoles that are doing preorders and not the company itself? I know not all stores have done preorders for the newest consoles. So isn't that argument a little different?
When Apple does preorders, you're ordering through Apple and its being sent to your address. And I believe the only product they've ever done reserve it in store was the iPad 1. So it's not something they do all the time.
The stores have to have stock to sell.

 

[dmaul1114]

But remember, it was only the wifi version available first. That's 3 models.
This launch they had 18!
So last year they put all their efforts into the WiFi. Thats a huge difference in numbers and stock.
Again, just because Apple does something once, doesn't mean they have to do it the same every time. There are always factors for the decisions.
This time was supply. They wanted to get the iPad 2 out fast. Then the huge international launch on the 25th.
Apple is trying to make ALL its users around the world happy.

As I said above, that's probably where they went wrong.

Stock is always tight at launch. Better to limit the number of models available at launch, and roll out new models in tiers IMO. That's why game consoles tend to launch in only one or two models with more colors etc. coming out later. The more skus the have, the more uproar you get over people trying to get the model they want at launch.

I don't think most people mind waiting if they know when things are coming and that they can preorder and get one on a certain date nearly as much as they do having to line up early and hope they're far enough ahead in line to get the model they want etc. Or to order online with "fast, free shipping" that's apparently a minimum of 6 days since I've seen no one with a scheduled delivery before Thursday.

So I think it would go smoother just launching black Wifi models now, Black 3G 2 or 3 weeks later, and other colors down the road etc. And also not having the international launch 2 weeks after the domestic launch when domestic stock is already listed as 3-4 weeks to ship!

 

[dmaul1114]

But isn't it the stores selling the consoles that are doing preorders and not the company itself? I know not all stores have done preorders for the newest consoles. So isn't that argument a little different?

Of course.

But Apple banned stores from doing preorders.

And Apple has their own stores where the have done preorders before. They game companies do not--well other than the Sony stores I suppose.

So it's really no different. Apple is just too anal about controlling how and when companies can sell their products where most everything else only gets a release date it can't be sold before, but stores can do preorders or whatever they want.

Apple choose to disallow preorders in their stores or other retailers as they wanted long lines for publicity. End of story. They could have allowed retailers to do preorders if they wanted--even if there wasn't enough stock, at least you could get your name on a list ahead of time and not have to worry about it just like with game consoles etc.

The moral of this circular thread is the launch stunk for anyone that likes buying locally and hates waiting in line/can't wait in line on weekdays etc. I don't think it's worth nearly the level of agitation some have over it. But the response from the loser fanboys is just as absurd in their refusal to acknowledge the the launch pretty much sucked for anyone who hates lines.

 

[jpstyles]

I was unhappy to leave Friday with no ipad in hand, but I was more happy that I was in line for 15 minutes. One of the employees in the store walked the length of the line and asked what people wanted. I was looking for 16gig, black, wifi. None in stock, so I left and went home to ordered online. I have to wait two -three weeks, but its better that jumping around from store to store for any inventory.

 

[corriewf]

As I said above, that's probably where they went wrong.



I don't think most people mind waiting if they know when things are coming and that they can preorder and get one on a certain date nearly as much as they do having to line up early and hope they're far enough ahead in line to get the model they want etc. Or to order online with "fast, free shipping" that's apparently a minimum of 6 days since I've seen no one with a scheduled delivery before Thursday.

THANK YOU! Could not have said it better. The only two options right now is to order online and wait a month...or have your order cancelled randomly.
Option two is to call the apple stores every hour until they get a restraining order...or camp outside the store every morning.

Sorry, those options are **** and makes Apple look like amatuers.

 

[dmaul1114]

Yeah, I'm really baffled as to why the Apple stores aren't just forming waiting lists and calling when they come in like they did after the iPad 1 launch.

That would save them a lot of headaches from getting the same people calling or showing up everyday, and customers the headache of having to do so as they can just get on the list and not worry about it until they get the call from the store (and still probably get it faster than ordering online now as I'm guessing they'll prioritize stock for replenishing stores based on the current shipping wait times).

 

[thesiren]

THANK YOU! Could not have said it better. The only two options right now is to order online and wait a month...or have your order cancelled randomly.
Option two is to call the apple stores every hour until they get a restraining order...or camp outside the store every morning.

Sorry, those options are **** and makes Apple look like amatuers.

And all your bitching and moaning makes you look like a sad little girl who's pissy cuz she didn't get her pony. Grow a sac. You didn't get in line early enough, you thought you could waltz in just a few hours before and be guaranteed one with hundreds of people in front of you? Why did you even wait at that point? You knew they weren't offering pre-orders, so you have to play the game--and play it well. Hundreds of thousands of other people did.

You failed. Not apple.

 

[Sodner]

THANK YOU! Could not have said it better. The only two options right now is to order online and wait a month...or have your order cancelled randomly.
Option two is to call the apple stores every hour until they get a restraining order...or camp outside the store every morning.

Sorry, those options are **** and makes Apple look like amatuers.

YOU sir are the amateur.

By not placing your order online at 12am PST or getting in line early Friday morning.

 

[admanimal]

Anyone can go online and order a new iPad in about 30 seconds, which will more than likely be delivered to their front door in less than a month. We are seriously spoiled if this is now what counts as inconvenient.

 

[corriewf]

And all your bitching and moaning makes you look like a sad little girl who's pissy cuz she didn't get her pony. Grow a sac. You didn't get in line early enough, you thought you could waltz in just a few hours before and be guaranteed one with hundreds of people in front of you? Why did you even wait at that point? You knew they weren't offering pre-orders, so you have to play the game--and play it well. Hundreds of thousands of other people did.

You failed. Not apple.

Reading comprehension goes a long way. Already explained things on prior page. Here's a hint. Pay attention to words in caps.

 

[corriewf]

YOU sir are the amateur.

By not placing your order online at 12am PST or getting in line early Friday morning.

4am? No thanks kid. Lol!

 

[dmaul1114]

4am? No thanks kid. Lol!

That I didn't think was a big deal, and I'm not a morning person at all!

I just set my alarm for 3:58, placed my order in 5 minutes or so and went back to sleep.

If they started the sales in the afternoon or something when everyone on the east coast population centers is up the servers would have probably bogged down and gave us a ton of problems getting through to place orders.

 

[Krandor]

Sorry, those options are **** and makes Apple look like amatuers.

They are basicaly the same options you have when ANY popular product gets released like when Xbox360 launched.. or the Wii.. or the PS3... In fact with those it is even worse since instead of just a few stores to call there were LOTS of stores to call every day to see if they got new stock in.

 

[Surf Monkey]

Reading comprehension goes a long way. Already explained things on prior page. Here's a hint. Pay attention to words in caps.

Give it up, corriewf. The general consensus that has emerged in this thread is that you're off base. WAY off base. Deal with it and move on.

 

[Krandor]

Yeah, I'm really baffled as to why the Apple stores aren't just forming waiting lists and calling when they come in like they did after the iPad 1 launch.

I bet they had issues before of people not coming in in a timely matter to pick their products up. Then we would have another set of complaining of people who went to an Apple store with money in hand who wouldn't buy one even though they saw a stack of them behind the counter and they would say a person with money in hand should get priority. Apple cannot win here. No matter how they do it somebody wont like it if it delays when THEY can get theirs.

 

[corriewf]

That I didn't think was a big deal, and I'm not a morning person at all!

I just set my alarm for 3:58, placed my order in 5 minutes or so and went back to sleep.

If they started the sales in the afternoon or something when everyone on the east coast population centers is up the servers would have probably bogged down and gave us a ton of problems getting through to place orders.

Maybe your right. If I didn't have a three year old that doesn't let me get ky sleep. When I can get sleep uninterrupted, I do that. I also wanted to see the iPad 2 in person before buying. I just don't know why Apple didn't do the in store reserves when they get new stock.

 

[corriewf]

Give it up, corriewf. The general consensus that has emerged in this thread is that you're off base. WAY off base. Deal with it and move on.

Thought you left...your one of those do as I say not as I do kind of guys huh? Must have missed me too much to leave the thread for good.

 

[Surf Monkey]

I just don't know why Apple didn't do the in store reserves when they get new stock.

Then evidently you haven't been reading the thread you started, because many potential reasons have been mentioned on practically every page of it.

 

[dmaul1114]

They are basicaly the same options you have when ANY popular product gets released like when Xbox360 launched.. or the Wii.. or the PS3... In fact with those it is even worse since instead of just a few stores to call there were LOTS of stores to call every day to see if they got new stock in.

Those were better as they announced them way before release and tons of stores did preorders.

I've never waited in line for a game console as I just preorder and go in several hours after the store opens on launch day and pick up my console (they hold preorders for 48 hours after release).

That's my preferred way to do it and the only way I'll buy some hot item locally at launch. Otherwise I'll order online and wait and I'm not willing to do the line thing at all.

I bet they had issues before of people not coming in in a timely matter to pick their products up. Then we would have another set of complaining of people who went to an Apple store with money in hand who wouldn't buy one even though they saw a stack of them behind the counter and they would say a person with money in hand should get priority. Apple cannot win here. No matter how they do it somebody wont like it if it delays when THEY can get theirs.

They just called and told the person they had a day or two to come pick it up or it got released to the next person. So shouldn't have had too many issues with delays.

I think they just don't want to do that so they can have continued lines in the mornings etc. as it's great free marketing for them. But that's just my guess.

I really don't care since I was smart enough to order online at 4am since I knew I didn't want to hassle with lines or checking around afterwards.

 

[Surf Monkey]

Thought you left...your one of those do as I say not as I do kind of guys huh? Must have missed me too much to leave the thread for good.

Very mature of you.

 

[corriewf]

I bet they had issues before of people not coming in in a timely matter to pick their products up. Then we would have another set of complaining of people who went to an Apple store with money in hand who wouldn't buy one even though they saw a stack of them behind the counter and they would say a person with money in hand should get priority. Apple cannot win here. No matter how they do it somebody wont like it if it delays when THEY can get theirs.

I don't think they have ever had a problem selling devices that were never picked up. I know when I got my notice last year, I got my butt down there.

 

[corriewf]

Then evidently you haven't been reading the thread you started, because many potential reasons have been mentioned on practically every page of it.

Didn't your mommy ever teach you that a good reason is not an excuse. Apple blew the launch and used its customers inconvenience for PR. Seems only a handful of fanboy can't admit it.

 

[Surf Monkey]

Didn't your mommy ever teach you that a good reason is not an excuse. Apple blew the launch and used its customers inconvenience for PR. Seems only a handful of fanboy can't admit it.

Thing is, saying something over and over again doesn't make it true. The only person you convince by doing that is yourself.

 

[slippery-pete]

Wanted an iPad 2? Should have got up early and waited in line or if you didn't want to do that you could have ordered online. Blame Apple all you want.....you knew what the story was when they announced it.

 

[corriewf]

Sorry, but I feel like Apple really blew the launch and here are my reasons.

• No preorder- If you wanted your iPad 2 today, you had to wait in line. That is poor planning as Apple knows their product will be in high demand. That is not looking out for your customers.
• No option to reserve- Last year they let you order by reserve and you could pick up when it became available at the store. You just wait on your email to say it's there.
• Not enough stock at apple store- At my local store they were out of stock after an hour! Yikes! Didn't expect people to want this in high demand?
• Horrible stock at other retailers- Some targets and walkways didn't get any iPad 2s. The ones that did only got a few. A quote from a local walmart was that they were sold out in 3 minutes.
• No clear and concise restock info- I checked with the local apple store and they can't tell me if or when they are getting more. Not even and idea..just told to call back.

...

You guys are sad. You know my points are valid, so you resort to attacking me.

I did not want nor expect an iPad 2 on day one. Bam! Your argument about getting up early and waiting in line is stupid and has nothing to do with the above points I made about this launch. You have nothing better to say, but to attack my inability to get one on day one. Guess that's all die hard Apple fan boys can say.