iPhone 6 Plus Reportedly in Very Short Supply for In-Store Launch

[fruitpunch.ben]

I feel like a broken record saying this every year, but Apple gets exactly 0 sympathies from me.

They're the most valuable company in the world with over $100B in cash. They're onto the, what .. 8th or 9th generation iPhone now, and yet they STILL haven't figured out how to meet launch demand??

We don't even have China in the first wave this year.. I'm surprised at Apple's incompetence sometimes, especially with Tim's supply chain background

What are they going to do?
If they start mass production any earlier, phones will be on ebay before Tim Cook holds one up in Cupertino. Part leaks are already bad enough.

Sure, they can use some of the money in the bank to build new factories so they can produce 10 million iPhones per week. Then what do they do with the factories once launch week demand goes down after 2 weeks, and they only need 1 million phones per week?
Just think about it. They estimate the average of how many phones they will sell per week for the first year of sales. Then they build/use factories that can assemble that many phones. Extra stock on launch day comes from stockpiling phones for a week or two, that's all. That's why it can take months for supply to meet demand. But what else are they going to do?

 

[jrswizzle]

Sounds like it is time to fight.

But first - a couple of ground rules.....no touching of the hair or face.

Alright - now let's do this!

 

[iososx]

Underestimated demand ?

Not really.

Apple's been doing this for years. With money no object they've conducted survey after survey as well as paying focus groups and outside companies to assist with determining just what the demand will be. These companies have their jobs down to a science.

Instead what we have is Apple's brilliance on display as they cleverly manipulate "the reports, leaks, analysts, et al." in order to create an artificial scenario that leads everyone to think that demand has exceeded what even the most highly skilled forecaster could imagine.

Further proof that nothing could remotely be as good as an iPhone...

 

[koban4max]

I agree. I really wish that upon coming back to Apple in 1997 that Steve Jobs had spent more time and resources building an online store in which customers could order the products that they want and have it shipped directly to them.

Also, Apple could implement some type of pre-ordering system for these launches. Imagine how cool it would be if you could go online and simply tell them which one you want. You could then pick it up in the store or have it shipped right to your doorstep.

I think we're onto something here. Lets send a letter to Tim Cook.

yeah...we need that better system.

----------

It is not a matter of "feeling like it". You think Apple doesn't feel like making a profit? You think they wouldn't like to put as many iPhones as possible into people's hands before Samsung's next flagship is released and people might actually prefer an available phone over a non-available one? Really? You think Apple is being led by complete idiots? Or is that how you would lead a company?

Do you know how much it costs to set up a production line? Do you know how many suppliers have to provide sufficient supplies for the iPhones to be made? Do you have any idea whatsoever how a supply chain works? How would you manage to produce more than 4 million iPhones in 6 weeks? There are so many smart people here in these forums who think Apple was just too stupid to meet the demand. Perhaps Tim Cook is actually reading this and will pick some advisors from the forums to help him improve things for the next product launch.

Price of production is irrelevant in Apple's world.

 

[KPandian1]

Size Matters - in revrerse!?

how I will find room in my pocket for the extra 0.8 inches



That is almost a full inch - held in your hand or "pocket"! So, in reverse, that small number is big - ask anyone!

 

[kushibo]

Message from the Young Dear Leader for all you lackey capitalist consumers...

 

[michaelhunter]

Well, then, how would you do it? I guess you would force Foxconn to build twice as many factories and to hire hundreds of thousands of workers and to force the suppliers and their suppliers to do just the same. And when the demand relaxes, tear down the factories again, fire all those people and once again ask the suppliers and their suppliers to do the same.

Yes. That'll certainly work.

This forum reminds me of a football match. Lots of people sitting in the audience who know much better what the coach or the team should be doing despite not having any football talent whatsoever themselves.

That was actually a good point - made me stop and think. With that said... if Apple didn't bottleneck all their releases within a mere 4 weeks of the year (typically Sep-Oct), they could keep the factories running year 'round.

 

[iLagle]

I called my local Verizon store and the guy I spoke to said they will have at least 1 of the silver 64GB 6 Plus versions

Which is all I care about. I'm heading there in 10 minutes to a camp out

 

[Digital Skunk]

No 16GB? Works for me

They should've never even had the Plus as a 16GB Model if you ask me.

That phone should be 32GB and up.

To me, short supply only means getting up extra early.

 

[michaelhunter]

So let me get this straight, first you tout the amount of cash reserves Apple has on hand, along with commenting how they're the #1 valued company in the world, and you then proceed to call them incompetent?

You're making a lot of assumptions about the entire process along with Apple's methods. When was the design actually finalized? What was the first day they were able to start production? Over the production life of each model, how many sales are being lost by not being able to meet demand on day 1?

All I'm saying, is that with the amount of resources Apple have at their disposal - having enough phones to meet launch demand SHOULD be a non-issue. I don't pretend to be Tim Cook or have any idea what it takes to pull off an iPhone every year, but I know if I had that $100B.... I'd certainly be cracking the whip a lot harder than he appears to.

 

[JAT]

I don't know if it is any indication, but my local BB had phones ONLY for those that had preordered for the 5. No extra stock, not even display models.

Probably means they knew how many they would receive on launch day, and pre-sold that exact amount.

 

[EvilEvil]

I'm happy for this news. Now that means I can pick up an iphone 6+ case no problem.

 

[heisenberg123]

"US $264.33 Standard Shipping (UPS Ground)
US $326.08 One-day Shipping (FedEx Priority Overnight)"

Haha...

fine print!!!!

I am in Canada so the shipping info was not showing

 

[AppleChic76]

Go to a Sprint Store. No one will be there.

iLaughed.

 

[1ONE]

Let's say you didn't pre-order but wanted to try and get an iPhone 6 tomorrow...would you...

a) Go wait in line at the Apple Store?
b) Go to a lesser known location for your carrier of choice?
c) Go to Best Buy?
d) Something else?
e) Forget it, sucker!

All thoughts welcome.

 

[michaelhunter]

What are they going to do?
If they start mass production any earlier, phones will be on ebay before Tim Cook holds one up in Cupertino. Part leaks are already bad enough.

Sure, they can use some of the money in the bank to build new factories so they can produce 10 million iPhones per week. Then what do they do with the factories once launch week demand goes down after 2 weeks, and they only need 1 million phones per week?
Just think about it. They estimate the average of how many phones they will sell per week for the first year of sales. Then they build/use factories that can assemble that many phones. Extra stock on launch day comes from stockpiling phones for a week or two, that's all. That's why it can take months for supply to meet demand. But what else are they going to do?

Someone pointed out something similar, which I admit made me stop and think about my own supply chain expertise (which is exactly nil).

I remember the 4 getting leaked in that bar, and thinking "God, how on earth could this happen at Apple?" And that was back in Steve's day. It's easy to forget that Apple's total is made up of the sum of it's human employees/contractors/subcontractors. But it seems every year they go "oh gosh, we could've never predicted this many sales - we've broken all our records again!"

It's just hard to accept that Apple is blameless in this - not with their power and resources.

 

[Digital Skunk]

Let's say you didn't pre-order but wanted to try and get an iPhone 6 tomorrow...would you...

a) Go wait in line at the Apple Store?
b) Go to a lesser known location for your carrier of choice?
c) Go to Best Buy?
d) Something else?
e) Forget it, sucker!

All thoughts welcome.

I'm doing A thru C, but I've checked with all of the Best Buy stores in northern Maryland and they don't have the Plus. Some other stores, that shall remain nameless, DO have the Plus, but they've told others.

The last choice is the Apple Store, which apparently has had no one in line or asking about the phone. Also, the mall won't allow people to stay overnight, so lines will form at 5 a.m. at the earliest.

 

[SlCKB0Y]

Most people at Australian Apple stores are saying they only have between 30 and 60 6+ per store.

 

[JeffyTheQuik]

Someone pointed out something similar, which I admit made me stop and think about my own supply chain expertise (which is exactly nil).

I remember the 4 getting leaked in that bar, and thinking "God, how on earth could this happen at Apple?" And that was back in Steve's day. It's easy to forget that Apple's total is made up of the sum of it's human employees/contractors/subcontractors. But it seems every year they go "oh gosh, we could've never predicted this many sales - we've broken all our records again!"

It's just hard to accept that Apple is blameless in this - not with their power and resources.

Or, that it's a bad thing. Look at the airtime it's consuming...

1. News for the last week has been "OMG! It's SOOOOOO Popular!" Amount Apple paid for that advertising on every news channel, the 5 o'clock news, national news, drudge, WSJ, and every other news outlet? $0

2. Hype creates demand creates hype. All the cool kids have one, and you should too. Are you looking an another brand phone? Why not wait for the cool one? I mean, you're not cool now, with your Horfensnorsher RobotFone, so just wait a few weeks, and they'll have them for you too!

3. People talk about supply and demand, but I know one thing: Demand drives price. See the people that buy/resell them for $2000 (and if they're smart, just buy another unlocked one a few weeks later for $900, and take the profit of $1100. After a few weeks, the demand will return to normal, and people will start looking at Christmas (iPad/iMac time)

I'm not sure the word, "blame" should be used, but I'd use the term "shrewd".

 

[Digital Skunk]

Most people at Australian Apple stores are saying they only have between 30 and 60 6+ per store.

That's not bad . . . . although I know nothing of the chaos that will ensure in AU.

In the states I've seen line numbers max out at that at busier stores. Smaller ARS may have no line at all. That's how it was for the 3GS anyway, and the amount of 3rd party vendors selling the phones has increased since those days, and the pre-order system is MUCH better than it was with the 5 and 5s.

Or so I hope.

This is the phone that many MANY iPhone and Android users have wanted since the 4.

 

[kalex]

however, that those looking for an iPhone 6 Plus are likely to be disappointed, as the units are in extremely short supply.The report notes that stores are seeing decent supplies of iPhone 6 units, with all colors and capacities available, but much like with the gold iPhone 5s last year, it appears that only a handful of customers at the very front of store lines will be able to purchase an iPhone 6 Plus at many locations.

They will be readily available on your local craigslist

 

[macduke]

Exactly! I posted that the day the announcement was made but since the forums were crushed I am sure it got lost in the mix. It still makes me laugh, actually...

Wonder what he said that made him get put in time out? Also wonder if he has an alternate account on here or still reads. Hi 1080p! I was thinking of you when I decided to get the Plus model. Gotta love that 1080p display!!

 

[PatriotInvasion]

Ahhh the sweet nectar of knowing you got up at 2:55am on a work night ready to hammer away through "Be Back Soon" and error messages to ensure your 64GB iPhone 6 Plus Space Gray will arrive at your door step on launch day.

 

[D.T.]

But first - a couple of ground rules.....no touching of the hair or face.

Alright - now let's do this!

"Yeah, there were horses, and a man on fire, and I killed a guy with a trident.”

Nice.

Image

I'm happy for this news. Now that means I can pick up an iphone 6+ case no problem.

Best combination username + image post of the week

 

[NSXRebel]

Let's say you didn't pre-order but wanted to try and get an iPhone 6 tomorrow...would you...

a) Go wait in line at the Apple Store?
b) Go to a lesser known location for your carrier of choice?
c) Go to Best Buy?
d) Something else?
e) Forget it, sucker!

All thoughts welcome.

I'm going to one of my local carrier stores tomorrow morning because my sister has a friend working there and is setting aside our phones!

iPhone 6 Plus 64gb Space Gray for me, and 2 iPhone 6's for my sisters! HA!