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iPad 2 Launch - A Complete CONSUMER Nightmare
- Thread starter Tones2
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It sounds like Apple has plenty of supply, according to one source, but they didn't anticipate this much demand for the device. I have a hard time believing their own retail stores do not know when they will get shipments, and it's extremely silly to open early, have people wait in line, and then tell them they have no stock. Inexcusable.
Analyst's predicted between 500,000 - 600,000 sold the first weekend in the beginning. Many are now changing their predictions to close to 1,000,000. So there is NO WAY Apple could have imagined they would have sold so figgen many!
2) Limit sales to ONE device per person, not TWO. I would guess that 90% of people buying two are either buying them up for the foreign markets or selling the 2nd one for a profit. If you have a friend that wants one, he needs to wait in line just like you.
I thought about buying my fiance one and myself one but chose to wait longer. I would have been pissed off if I had waited in line and was only allowed to get 1. You should have gotten in line earlier for yours if you KNEW there was a limit of TWO.
If they allowed online reservations and the system crashed like it did with the iPhone 4, people would be crying about that like they did. So there is no winning on this one.
If Apple released the White one "one month later" people would cry that apple is not going to actually release it, like the iPhone 4. If they released the 3G version a month later, they would cry that they had to wait a month for theirs. Again, no winning either way.
My mom lives about 3 hours from an Apple Store and I think like 1.5 hours from a Best Buy... So if she wanted one she wouldn't be allowed to have it? All to make sure you can get yours without waiting in line?
Most stores didn't know how many they were getting until hours or, in some cases, minutes before 5pm.
I assume you are crying about this because you didn't get in line early enough. There is no way they could have predicted the amount of sales they had. Apple created MORE tablets's than all other companies had to create, combined. There is literally only so much one company can do with limited resources, and every company has limited resources. Get over it, the product sold crazy well and people will have to wait!
- Joe
Sorry, but I have no sympathy for anyone waiting outside in weather like that. They chose to do so. They could have ordered them online, but the "I gotta have it immediately" mentality of most Americans over rides common sense.
Whatever you think about the marketing benefits to Apple, the launch of the iPad 2 from a consumer perspective is just a complete nightmare.
After generating long product lines and high demand for releases from the last 5 years, you would think that Apple might have learned some lessons and would try to make this process a little bit easier for their loyal paying customers.
I thought they had this process pretty well down for the iPhone 4 launch. You were able to pre-order and have shipments arrive on the launch day. You were able to reserve a particular phone and even though you still had to wait in line, you were guaranteed a phone when you finally got in the store. They had enough supply to meet most of the demand the first week, even though it was an extremely hot seller. They limited retailers who sold the phone so that inventory could be focused on the Apple stores themselves so they were assured stock. They posted availability per store after the initial release day.
For some reason, they threw that success right out the window with the iPad 2 launch. They did NOTHING from the iPhone 4 launch that was successful. No preorders. Launch day preorders were at a ridiculous 4 AM time. No reserving phones. They release 18 versions (crazy really) at 6 different retail stores without nearly having enough stock to do so. You were not guaranteed a retailer would even have your particular version even if you were in the first 10 in line the first day (which happened to ME). After launch day there is complete and utter chaos as to what store would have what inventory when - lines form randomly at stores or in the morning without knowledge of what's available where and when. Foreigners are buying up USA inventory faster than probably US people are because they can sell them at huge profits oversees. Lack of supply has caused 4-5 week delays in online orders. It's just insane. It also didn't help that it's still COLD in most Northern states so people are waiting 5+ hours outside in 35 degree weather.
Whatever you think of Apple, you got to agree that this process could have been handled MUCH better from a consumer standpoint. Here's my suggestion for next launch.
1) WAIT on the release until you have enough friggin' supply to at least meet the first few days demand for your product. I know that's hard to predict, but this was a BIG miss by Apple.
2) Limit sales to ONE device per person, not TWO. I would guess that 90% of people buying two are either buying them up for the foreign markets or selling the 2nd one for a profit. If you have a friend that wants one, he needs to wait in line just like you.
3) Allow people to RESERVE a product online for first day pickup. There is no down side to this - Apple still gets the line they want and the consumer is guaranteed that the result of their 5 hour wait is an actual product in their hands.
4) If you want to have 18 version of your product, stagger the release so that you can ramp up production for them per release date and also more assure that the people who want a particular model have a better chance at getting if it they wait in line. Apple should have waited a month to release the white versions. (BTW - You're nuts if you went white - there's a reason why all TV bezels are black. Plus it's a putrid yellowish-white).
5) Limit the number of different retail stores selling it the first few weeks. It probably should have been just the Apple store and maybe Best Buy (for those areas without Apple Store presence). This will put inventory where there is most demand.
6) And for christ sakes give the consumer INFORMATION about stock levels. Tell people what stock is available where and when. It's 2011, you have the technology!
Yeah, none of this is really a big deal, but it's still frustrating none the less for a lot of people.
Tony
I agree... not only is Apple burning a hole in my pocket, but they're making it a chore. Maybe it's a business strategy to weed out potential buyers by annoying the ***** out of them?
In all seriousness though, this couldn't have been a more disorganized, frustrating launch from a buyer's perspective. I am nowhere near an Apple Store nor do I did I think driving an hour out of my way so I could sit up in a line for hours waiting for one. To top it, sellers at Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Target, and other retail sellers had such paltry shipments, it was depressing.
No online inventories available, retail clerks too annoyed to talk to you on the telephone anything about what they have, retail employees in the stores pestering you with "pre-orders" for the next shipment trying to shoe you in (which is a double-edged sword because it neglects other customers who might be able and willing to buy the product while they're in the store).
No one has any idea when they're getting new shipments. Not entirely anyone but Apple's fault there. It's one thing I can buck up when I'm ordering online... you kind of accept that "4-5 week" shipping projection. "In volume" my ass though. When I walk into a store or five, I don't want to come back later, get hooked into a gift card/reserve thing (like that Best Buy), or treated like I'm an a*&hole because I asked when they're getting more in.
There's really no excuse on Apple's end... and they want to release this worldwide by the end of March? Please, give me a break.
I definitely think they should have cut out the Target release. From what I can tell it was a total disaster - some stores getting NONE in and most others only getting a handful of one model, which came too late for the people in line to go somewhere else where there was at least a chance of their model coming in. For most people the Target release was totally useless, would have been better to redistribute those few iPads so that the Best Buys would have a little more stock for their lines.
I don't think it helped Target much either - there were 20 people in line at my Target, and when the shipment came in at 5:05 and it was a model nobody wanted, we didn't all start shopping for other things. We all ran next door to Best Buy to see if it was too late to get in line there (it was). I wonder if Target will even want to be a part of the next big launch after this mess.
I don't think it helped Target much either - there were 20 people in line at my Target, and when the shipment came in at 5:05 and it was a model nobody wanted, we didn't all start shopping for other things. We all ran next door to Best Buy to see if it was too late to get in line there (it was). I wonder if Target will even want to be a part of the next big launch after this mess.
I love how a few people, most seemingly from the tail end of the lines and who almost universally showed up to the event late, seem to think that their own bitter ranting defines the entire thing. Sorry, but the event was defined by the 1 million people who got their act together and procured an iPad. From the majority POV the launch was a rousing success.
What I dont understand is why are people complaining? I ordered it online from the comfort of my home. There were people complaining that its going to be 3-5 days. Now its 4-5 weeks and who knows what store stocks are going to be like.
Your gonna have to line up early everyday. You people complianing should have just sucked it up, got up early ordered it online and went back to bed. I know in a couple of days I will have the iPad2 in my hands and the OP will still be complaining. Who cares if it was 3-5 days? Its not liek it was life or death...
Your gonna have to line up early everyday. You people complianing should have just sucked it up, got up early ordered it online and went back to bed. I know in a couple of days I will have the iPad2 in my hands and the OP will still be complaining. Who cares if it was 3-5 days? Its not liek it was life or death...
Agreed. If you're not aware of how an Apple product launch usually goes down, you might have been SOL at the iPad 2 launch. However; if you've ever watched the news, spoken to another Apple product owner, visited this site or countless other tech blogs - you should have known better. Lines form early, stock on day 1 is limited, and details are few. Welcome to the a-typical "must have" gadget/toy/shoes/video game launch du jour; this is how it always goes down.
Sorry but the PROCESS this year absolutely sucks. They should have at least had pre-orders and reserves like the iPhone 4. That's a decision, not a supply and demand thing.
Truthfully, after not getting it Day 1, I just ordered online and I personally don't really care if I get it in 3-4 weeks. I'm just saying that for those who DO care, the process needs to be improved. I just had some suggestions. Agree or disagree with individual points of that suggestion, but certainly there is a LOT of room for improvement in this process. You have to feel a bit like cattle out there waiting in line, especially after Day 1 - of course, no one is forcing you to be there, but if you have a legitimate desire for a product, I would think the manufacturer should at least TRY to make the process as easy as possible for you, especially when certain things were successful in the past.
Tony
lol you bought it anyway, congratulations, you have given Apple zero incentive to change how they do things.
Taking a million units and dividing it up among 236 (+ 1 SXSW temp) Apple Retail Stores, Apple Online, and then dividing it up even more for the third party retail channels across 50 states seems more like a drop in the bucket than a resounding success. I'm just not going to hemorange my brain breaking down and speculating on the exact ratios of distribution next to potential buyers, population size, per capita income, time of year, alignment of the stars and sun (sarcasm, particularly the last one) etc. No idea how many of each of the SKU's actually shipped... overseas buyers, etc.
It's a good start and is going to be one hell of a successful product. I think a lot of the focus shifted to Japan on Friday. Apple was expecting to be competing with Charlie Sheen for media airtime.
Regardless, the distribution was way too thin.
Although I do find merit in many of the posters' arguments, I can't help but think that this discussion is only useful in letting out some anger. Other than this there is no point simply because Apple does NOT care. As long as they sell huge volumes they really don't care how it's done.
Only time I waited in line for an Apple product was iP4 and that was because I had a reservation. I went today by the 5th Av store because I honestly thought they were going to have iPads to sale. But I promised myself I would wait on line no longer that 30 mins. Any more is simply unacceptable for me. Weird? Maybe, but that's who I am. Well, when I saw more than half of a HUGE line (800+ people) were asians I got the hell out of there! If that's how Apple wants to play the game, I'm not playing. I'm sure they don't care, but I don't care either. I'm not going to bitch, moan, cry, yell about it. I had a pricey tech urge but learned my lesson. All those complaining about the time they spent on line, you would have made your point to Apple much better if you simply left!
All this launch is proving to me is that Apple is riding the winning horse (almost a monopoly in tablets) and is riding it good. They are so far ahead, they don't care about the "details" of the launch. Greater that anticipated demand is no excuse for me, they could have handled it much better.
Only thing that pisses me is the lack of competition. I mean come on!!! I have some hopes for HP/WebOS. If they price their tablets competitively I'll be switching in a heartbeat!
Only time I waited in line for an Apple product was iP4 and that was because I had a reservation. I went today by the 5th Av store because I honestly thought they were going to have iPads to sale. But I promised myself I would wait on line no longer that 30 mins. Any more is simply unacceptable for me. Weird? Maybe, but that's who I am. Well, when I saw more than half of a HUGE line (800+ people) were asians I got the hell out of there! If that's how Apple wants to play the game, I'm not playing. I'm sure they don't care, but I don't care either. I'm not going to bitch, moan, cry, yell about it. I had a pricey tech urge but learned my lesson. All those complaining about the time they spent on line, you would have made your point to Apple much better if you simply left!
All this launch is proving to me is that Apple is riding the winning horse (almost a monopoly in tablets) and is riding it good. They are so far ahead, they don't care about the "details" of the launch. Greater that anticipated demand is no excuse for me, they could have handled it much better.
Only thing that pisses me is the lack of competition. I mean come on!!! I have some hopes for HP/WebOS. If they price their tablets competitively I'll be switching in a heartbeat!
I'm with you, brah. But I have to say, I didn't think it would be past this weekend that it would arrive. I ordered overnight at 3:47am Eastern for God's sake. In fact, I even had a chance to grab one at Best Buy later in the day. The bummer is, I'm travelling from Sunday to Wednesday and it would have been nice to have it.
While it's not life and death, it would have been nice to receive it within the first week after ordering. Especially with a line line "Fast, Free Shipping!"
I don't live in China so I don't consider that they're sent from there when ordering. If somebody tells me it's getting there Fast I think 3 business days tops. Not to possibly ship in 3 business days. And certainly not to arrive the 2nd week after ordering. Are you kidding me?
I also didn't engrave to I would get it faster, well it turns out they are shipping the engraved items before the non-engraved. WTF is that?
So you're modifying the fully produced iPod 2s even futher prior to shipping the first batches?????
My only hope is that they will be shipping the non-engraved from a US site (as some have theorized).
I love my Apple Products. I have been fortunate to avoid the lines last year by reserving my iPad last year. I ordered my Verizon iPhone online and got it before a lot of people.
As much of a fan as I am with Apple, I also expect that I will receive good customer service for shelling over my hard earned money to ANY organization. We aren't talking about a $20 toy at Christmas by the way, these are expensive items, and if people are waiting on line to purchase it....Apple practicing good business and customer service IS obligated to try to accomodate as much as they can, thats how you earn loyalty and continued success.
I never understood the mindset that forgives a million dollar organization of all their faults because, well hey, it's Apple. That is a sheep mentality.
It's okay to say they could had done a better job on this launch, because historically they HAVE done a better job.
As much of a fan as I am with Apple, I also expect that I will receive good customer service for shelling over my hard earned money to ANY organization. We aren't talking about a $20 toy at Christmas by the way, these are expensive items, and if people are waiting on line to purchase it....Apple practicing good business and customer service IS obligated to try to accomodate as much as they can, thats how you earn loyalty and continued success.
I never understood the mindset that forgives a million dollar organization of all their faults because, well hey, it's Apple. That is a sheep mentality.
It's okay to say they could had done a better job on this launch, because historically they HAVE done a better job.
It's not simply that. I understand what you're saying. The only gripe I have is when these stores open early, have people line up, and then tell them they have no stock. I am not buying that Apple's own retail stores have no idea when to expect shipments of certain products. If they have none in stock, it's really stupid to tell people you're opening early ONLY to sell that specific product, and then tell them it's out of stock. It's like a sick joke.
First off, I would have started this thread even if I had gotten an iPad on Day 1. The process sucked either way.
Secondly, I showed up on Day 1 almost EVERY product launch just because it's usually kinda fun and I have ALWAYS gotten the product that day because there was enough supply. I always show up well in advance (like 3 hours minimum). I was 8th in line for the iPad 2 but didn't get one because they only had a FEW of 17 of the 18 versions and never got number 18, which is what I wanted. This was NO BIG DEAL to me as I already have an iPad 1 so just went home and ordered it online and will happily wait the 3-4 weeks, but this is the first time this has happen and I was not alone BY FAR. And it wasn't that people were lazy and didn't get there in time or didn't know the process. Of course everyone knows the routine by now. Apple just blew their side of the established process.
Thirdly, you are crazy if you wait in line for 5 hours in 35 degree weather. I was inside.
Lastly, and most controversially, I'm totally convinced more than ever that more than a few pepple in this forum are Apple planted. I have absolutely no basis for that accusation other than hoping that people can't be THAT brainwashed to think that one person making a few suggestions to improve a terrible process would be threatening to their Apple utopia.
Tony
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BTW - you're rude if you call people nuts for wanting white. As a home theater enthusiast, I understand why TV bezels are black, but I've been using my white iPad since Friday, and I still love it. When it's not under the lighting at the Apple store, it's not putrid yellow white. While I would never buy a big screen HDTV with a white bezel, it looks fine, to me, on the iPad, but then again, I'm nuts.
According to a friend of mine who works at one of the Apple stores here, the three Portland area Apple locations each sold roughly 2k iPads, putting one in the hands of the VAST majority of people who showed up.
Botton line? You take your chances if you go to a Best Buy or a Target to buy an Apple product on launch day. You take your chances if you don't line up at a reasonable time before the release of the product. If you didn't plan your strategy right or if you thought you'd just waltz in at 5:00 and grab an iPad you have no reason to complain about not getting one. Simple as that. Trying to flip that around and make it an Apple issue is idiotic IMO.
Fair is fair. You get to the store. You wait. You score for being early and waiting. You don't for being too late.
And with the iPhone 4 it was 3 models and a heck of a lot smaller. Process, shipping and distribution should be smoother.
Don't get me wrong, I can understand feeling like the process could be better, but you talk like you haven't even begun to think about the other side of things.
Lots of logistics, thousands of workers and millions of people to think about.
There's also an overseas launch to take care of. A whole other can of worms to deal with. Not easy pleasing millions.
You mean like why they should modify the pre-existing iPads with engraving in order to ship them first? Sound like a totally logical approach.
I'm with you, brah. But I have to say, I didn't think it would be past this weekend that it would arrive. I ordered overnight at 3:47am Eastern for God's sake. In fact, I even had a chance to grab one at Best Buy later in the day. The bummer is, I'm travelling from Sunday to Wednesday and it would have been nice to have it.
While it's not life and death, it would have been nice to receive it within the first week after ordering. Especially with a line line "Fast, Free Shipping!"
I don't live in China so I don't consider that they're sent from there when ordering. If somebody tells me it's getting there Fast I think 3 business days tops. Not to possibly ship in 3 business days. And certainly not to arrive the 2nd week after ordering. Are you kidding me?
I also didn't engrave to I would get it faster, well it turns out they are shipping the engraved items before the non-engraved. WTF is that?
So you're modifying the fully produced iPod 2s even futher prior to shipping the first batches?????
My only hope is that they will be shipping the non-engraved from a US site (as some have theorized).
It seems to be that they didn't really expect to sell the numbers that they did, especially since the economy is tough right now. It actually seems to make sense to me to only sell iPads in the morning until the stock catches up with the demand. Although it would also be nice if they would put a sign on the door or some other means to let people know that they do or don't have stock to sell.
Rather than people calling up all throughout the day, keep coming into the store, etc, doesn't it make sense to just say 'if we have any stock, we'll sell it at 9'? It is the choice of the people to wait. If you don't want to play that game, you order online and wait or wait until stock is replenished in stores.