How Apple blew the launch

[Apple OC]

Seems like Apple is getting smarter with their launches ... hardly blown at all.

Line-ups everywhere, people talking, others looking, sounds like the plan went well.

 

[tbayrgs]

Stop being such a drama queen. So you didn't get an iPad2 today. You will get one shortly. I don't see how Apple treated you with disrespected other than not fulfilling your entitlement.

If you don't want to spend anymore money at Apple, by all means, go order a Xoom. See how far you get with Android customer service.

+1. So much more well said than the multi-paragraph rant I had crafted after reading all of the OP's complaining and whining.

 

[robdam1001]

Seems like Apple is getting smarter with their launches ... hardly blown at all.

Line-ups everywhere, people talking, others looking, sounds like the plan went well.

Except people aren't "talking" good about Apple with regard to THIS launch.

 

[corriewf]

Seems like Apple is getting smarter with their launches ... hardly blown at all.

Line-ups everywhere, people talking, others looking, sounds like the plan went well.

Yes, I have never seen people talking so much....about the hellish ride they had to take to get one, or totally strike out regardless of where they went or who they called.

 

[Blorzoga]

With 18 different variations, it would have made much more sense to allow preordering and store pickup. How could they possibly know how many of each to stock?

 

[tbayrgs]

I think this is funny. You're on an apple forum complaining about people who are complaining about not getting their ipad.

If you're in the iPad forum and you didn't get an ipad2 today you're probably not happy about that. That's expected.

But going around in an iPad forum and saying "you're a drama queen" etc. is just being a troll.

Nothing trollish about it--have you read the OPs whining rant? People certainly have a right to be upset but when you create a thread about what a failure Apple's launch was because they did not customize their product launch to meet YOUR exact specifications/schedule, OPs going to get some pushback and I couldn't agree more with iLunar. If you want something bad enough, take the necessary steps. Not willing to do what it takes--fine, that's YOUR choice, just don't bitch about it because you were unwilling. I saw hundreds of people at one location alone today who were very happy to walk out with an iPad and guarantee there were many thousands more across this country.

 

[iLunar]

Yes, I have never seen people talking so much....about the hellish ride they had to take to get one, or totally strike out regardless of where they went or who they called.

Apple.com

I think this is funny. You're on an apple forum complaining about people who are complaining about not getting their ipad.

If you're in the iPad forum and you didn't get an ipad2 today you're probably not happy about that. That's expected.

But going around in an iPad forum and saying "you're a drama queen" etc. is just being a troll.

I left work at 5:15 today hoping to get an iPad. Went there with a friend, saw the line, we went out for drinks instead, went back to the Apple store and everything was sold out. Got home, logged onto to Apple.com, and will have my iPad2 shortly.

To say Apple blew the launch because I didn't get my iPad2 today would be dramatic. So yeah, when someone says that, I'll call them a drama queen.

 

[bowlerman625]

Whether they blew it or not is just an opinion. Everyone can have one of those. Most likely if you went away happy, you probably did not think they blew it. If you wasted time, you probably were pissed and think it was a fail.

I didn't get one today but will try Saturday. I have ordered online tonight and have a chance at a pre-order at a Best Buy tomorrow. So either way, I am happy. My first gen is a good friend for now until i sell it to my friend's kid......

 

[corriewf]

+1. So much more well said than the multi-paragraph rant I had crafted after reading all of the OP's complaining and whining.

I thought it was well crafted as well. You guys do some great crafting. I'm more pissed at the time I wasted and gas driving around than not getting the device at all. I have an iPad 1... I have not even updated to 4.3 yet.


My thread isn't about how my life would end not getting an iPad 2 and let's whine about that. It's about a professional multibillion dollar company exploiting it's customer base with tactics that come across as just plain evil. Yes evil. Swarms of people jumping from store to store waiting in lines to not get anything. People that would have preordered or reserved like they have in the past. I felt worse for the kids in front of me that were turned away than I did for myself.

 

[corriewf]

Apple.com



I left work at 5:15 today hoping to get an iPad. Went there with a friend, saw the line, we went out for drinks instead, went back to the Apple store and everything was sold out. Got home, logged onto to Apple.com, and will have my iPad2 shortly.

To say Apple blew the launch because I didn't get my iPad2 today would be dramatic. So yeah, when someone says that, I'll call them a drama queen.

Tell you what, tell me how this launch was better than any past apple launch?

 

[Canezmd]

Nothing trollish about it--have you read the OPs whining rant? People certainly have a right to be upset but when you create a thread about what a failure Apple's launch was because they did not customize their product launch to meet YOUR exact specifications/schedule, OPs going to get some pushback and I couldn't agree more with iLunar. If you want something bad enough, take the necessary steps. Not willing to do what it takes--fine, that's YOUR choice, just don't bitch about it because you were unwilling. I saw hundreds of people at one location alone today who were very happy to walk out with an iPad and guarantee there were many thousands more across this country.

I think you're whinging about the OP's whining.

He's not losing his mind. He's simply stating that it could have been done better. Apple has done better launches before. The last ipad launch was much smoother, so was the iphone 4 launch. Pre-ordering would have been much smoother.

Now if Apple's goal was to get as many people as possible to line up at their stores, then they were successful at that. But I don't care if you got one or not, waiting in line for 3+ hours is not good customer service.

I'm gonna try to duplicate your sig with all MY apple products just for fun:
iMac G5, iMac core2duo, iMac core i7 quad, Macbook core2duo, Macbook air 2010, iPhone 3g x2, iPhone 3gs, iPhone 4 x2, iPad 1, Apple TV, Airport Extreme, Airport Express

 

[Rafterman]

My guess is that Apple didn't want to wait to build up inventory before launch, so they went with what they had and everything they did launch wise was designed to compensate.

 

[corriewf]

I think you're whinging about the OP's whining.

He's not losing his mind. He's simply stating that it could have been done better. Apple has done better launches before. The last ipad launch was much smoother, so was the iphone 4 launch. Pre-ordering would have been much smoother.

Now if Apple's goal was to get as many people as possible to line up at their stores, then they were successful at that. But I don't care if you got one or not, waiting in line for 3+ hours is not good customer service.

I'm gonna try to duplicate your sig with all MY apple products just for fun:
iMac G5, iMac core2duo, iMac core i7 quad, Macbook core2duo, Macbook air 2010, iPhone 3g x2, iPhone 3gs, iPhone 4 x2, iPad 1, Apple TV, Airport Extreme, Airport Express

Exactly!!!!!

Here are the past launch options:
Preorder online for launch day delivery
Order online on launch day at 4 am est for whatever day delivery
Reserve online for launch day pick up
Wait in line and hope they have enough
Reserve one in store for next re stocking pick up

Here are the launch options for THIS iPad:
Stay awake until or get up early to order at 4am est to receive a week later.
Wait in line and hope they have enough.


How is this launch not a failure? You don't think some people are soured about it? Those soured might get the iPad 2 eventually and some might just decide they won't be treated that way and just wait on something else to come out.

 

[AMDGAMER]

Apple ran out...bottom line. My local store was out in an hour also, how can that be? Apple had time to get the stock prepared, and they let people drive there, wait in line then were told thats it...after 1 hour?

I agree its silly, but we'll all get over it.

 

[phpmaven]

As a heavy user/buyer of Apple products I was very disappointed. As a AAPL shareholder I can't say that I mind.

I stopped by the Fifth Ave store after work today around 7:30pm and it was a zoo. I overheard Apple employees saying it'll be a 3 hour wait and I came home. I'll just place an order online and wait for it.

They wanted publicity and got it so way to go Apple. They know their core customers would wait and buy anything so it doesn't matter. Blame Apple for treating its customers like cattle (with tons of $$) but also blame ourselves for going with it.

You showed up at 7:30PM thinking you were just going to waltz in and pick up an iPad

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.

The reason I'm pissed is not that I can't say get one today. I have the first iPad, but the poor tactics used to cause further desperation. Excuse the pun, but I feel herded like sheep. I would have preordered online or reserve one in store for when they are back in stock, but no option like last year.

I'm not going to spend the next month calling every day all over the place to see if they have one or not. Too much work for a customer to do. I WORK for my money.

I guess apple rather have me have more time to see the competition come out with their tablets. I dunno....

What time did you show up at the Apple store?

 

[outz]

Exactly!!!!!

Here are the past launch options:
Preorder online for launch day delivery
Order online on launch day at 4 am est for whatever day delivery
Reserve online for launch day pick up
Wait in line and hope they have enough
Reserve one in store for next re stocking pick up

Here are the launch options for THIS iPad:
Stay awake until or get up early to order at 4am est to receive a week later.
Wait in line and hope they have enough.


How is this launch not a failure? You don't think some people are soured about it? Those soured might get the iPad 2 eventually and some might just decide they won't be treated that way and just wait on something else to come out.

agreed. i got one in 10 minutes at target, but i still agree with every point that you've made.

 

[corriewf]

agreed. i got one in 10 minutes at target, but i still agree with every point that you've made.

Target was gonna be the hidden secret that I thought many would be able to snatch one up, last minute. Sent my wife to one at 5 and they never received their shipment.

Have to day I'm enjoying all the pics and stuff. Guess I at least get to enjoy living through others success stories. Kind of sucks to hear about the dead pixels and yellow screen issues popping up. Arggg... Not THAT again!

 

[skidog1111]

Hard earned money

I have a hard time with the idea of waiting in line for hours to give someone my money.

 

[hyoi]

With 18 different variations, it would have made much more sense to allow preordering and store pickup. How could they possibly know how many of each to stock?

Exactly! I went to Best Buy and everyone in line around me wanted a 32GB model. After the first half dozen people, the staff were begging the rest to settle for 16GB. Not only did everyone who waited in line waste their time, but the store gearing up for the launch also lost time and resources dealing with a long line of disappointed people most of whom didn't buy anything. This was my first attempt at an Apple purchase, and while I'll still get the iPad, I'll never fall for one of their lines again.

 

[Black Belt]

Apple screwed the pooch with this plain and simple. The Verizon launch was great, adequate supplies, no inconvenience. This was nothing short of absurd. Some stores got 2 of each of a LIMITED selection (no white, no 3G). Really? In what reality was this sufficient? It's not like Apple is new to this product and didn't know the launch was coming. This was a management screw up. Nice way to capture those first day dollars...NOT. Whoever is in charge of Apple at the moment must be proud.

 

[Good.Shepherd]

Supply and demand. Why is it so infuriating for you?

I ordered online last night and then saw the 7-14 days for delivery. So I canceled the order and decided that in quicker than 7 days I could find something local.

I went to a local Best Buy today at 4 pm and was number 5 in line. I only waited for about 1 hour total, and most of it was spent chatting with folks around me and laughing with them. It was fun, actually.

If I wanted to beat the "demand" at the Apple Store, I could have lined up hours earlier to guarantee I'd get what I want, but I didn't care enough.

That's the way a capitalist system works.

 

[MSUSpartan]

You showed up at 7:30PM thinking you were just going to waltz in and pick up an iPad

Haha I know but what else can I do, I had to work. Not sure that an iPad is worth taking any time off for. I did place an order for one online tonight, I won't even bother checking the stores all the time like I did last year.

Just an iPad, but with that said... if they let me preorder or reserve I'd have one right now.

 

[ZAiPhone]

For the iPhone 4 I went on day two, 2 hours early and was #2 in line. Today Alderwood Mall Lynnwood WA. I was about 300 in line when I arrived at 3pm. By 6pm when I got to the head of the line the first sellout was both colors of 32GB AT&T 3G. By 6pm almost 700 people had showed up behind me. Supervisors did not think they would have any inventory left for the last 100+ in line at 6pm. I got what I wanted a Black 64GB WiFi.

 

[ravenas]

Exactly!!!!!

Here are the past launch options:
Preorder online for launch day delivery
Order online on launch day at 4 am est for whatever day delivery
Reserve online for launch day pick up
Wait in line and hope they have enough
Reserve one in store for next re stocking pick up

Here are the launch options for THIS iPad:
Stay awake until or get up early to order at 4am est to receive a week later.
Wait in line and hope they have enough.


How is this launch not a failure? You don't think some people are soured about it? Those soured might get the iPad 2 eventually and some might just decide they won't be treated that way and just wait on something else to come out.

+1

Either Apple released the product before they could build up sufficient stock or Apple was looking for headlines and forcing sell outs. If the stores magically have enough to cover walk-in demand by the end of a week, I'm guessing it was the latter explanation.

I would have happily chosen to pre-order for launch day delivery or same day store pickup. The waiting in line business when no one could day you how much stock they had and more than half a line goes home empty-handed leaves a very bad taste in the mouth.

 

[minik]

With 18 different variations, it would have made much more sense to allow preordering and store pickup. How could they possibly know how many of each to stock?

I had that in mind since day 1. Yes, I did go home empty handed this evening.