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iPhone Remains Effectively Sold Out in U.S.

Can't find one in Toronto either...

Well, if it makes anyone down in the U.S. feel any better: I can't find one in downtown Toronto either.

I've been looking everyday since July 11 (I didn't line up...go ahead, sue me), calling on average 4 or 5 stores every other day. Usual responses:

- "er....we don't know when we're getting our next shipment"
- "tomorrow or the day after"
- "try again later on in the week"
:(
 
No big deal

It's really no big deal. Go to an AT&T Wireless store, and they'll swipe your card and place an order for you. It will ship directly from Apple overnight as soon as they get stock in. I placed my order Saturday afternoon, and my new white 16GB iPhone will be delivered to my local AT&T store tomorrow by 3pm.
 
I don't get this website. Are you guys seeing a different avaliblity tool? This site is always running stories saying things like only 3 stores in the entire country have iPhone 3Gs in stock. But I look at the tool and there's alot of stores that have green dots.

Are you guys only counting the stores that have all 3 models available? If thats the case then its stupid to say that all stores are sold out because they still do have iPhones, just not all 3 models.
 
DJ88 said:
I don't get this website. Are you guys seeing a different avaliblity tool? This site is always running stories saying things like only 3 stores in the entire country have iPhone 3Gs in stock. But I look at the tool and there's alot of stores that have green dots.

Are you guys only counting the stores that have all 3 models available? If thats the case then its stupid to say that all stores are sold out because they still do have iPhones, just not all 3 models.
Click to expand...


It's a timing issue. At the end of each day, most stores are showing zero stock. Sometime during the day, they get a shipment - which they probably sell out by the end of the day.

Depending when you look, you might see a store having all phone models. By the time you drive to the store, it may have none. Likewise, it might have none online, but if you went to the store, it might have some.

It depends on when the stores get their shipments.

I am glad I got up early and staked out a Fido store. Number 4 in line and happy with my 16GB Black iPhone 3G. Yes, people laughed at me for lining up but now they sit waiting as they can't "just walk right in" and get one.

I'm thinking 2 million sold is going to be annouced any day now.
 
seagoat8888 said:
So far I haven't seen anyone addressing the obvious issue. "Iphone sold out...," what could the reasons be?

1. "They are concerned that [X] feature isn't ready!" No. They would have simply pushed back the release date. It's better to slightly tick off everyone over a changed release date than to release it to a small fraction of the interested consumers who can then talk about how [X] feature sucks.

2. "They didn't make enough to meet demand!" No. This is not an entirely new product, it's a revision of a somewhat successful one. They had a full year to get production into gear and gauge demand for this thing. And from the first day, they were constricting supply.

Struggle for a while and you might arrive at:

3. "They are intentionally constricting supply to create a frenzied buying atmosphere." Yup. It's a gamble, but Apple is wagering that its loyal fans trust so deeply in their benevolence that this notion wouldn't even occur to you.

Companies have done this with many products in the past (Volkswagon beetle, for example), and it tends to encourage psychological distortion over the product's value -- "I waited in line for 7 hours for this thing and was the first to get it, look how awesome it is!," etc. Be careful when a company is making you jump through hoops to get its product, there's probably a reason for it that's less than admirable.

As soon as Apple behaves more like they want to sell to me and less like Machiavelli / Rove / :apple:, I'll be happy to buy one. For now, my life is complete without it.
Click to expand...
How about a slightly less cynical scenario. Get enough stockpile to launch then as ongoing sales go see which models have the most demand and adjust ongoing production to comply with the demand. But your point about the "frenzied buying atmosphere." is a good one. It certainly gets people lining up like lemmings...or is that too '84 ?

Also update from my post about 1 hour ago green is starting to appear on california store availability
 
(hopefully) getting mine on Wednesday. So far, the two apple stores near me have been sold out everyday (but i think they get small amount stock everyday too). Lets hope they get a huge shipment in!!!
 
I went to an AT&T store in Long Beach, CA at opening this morning, and was told that none of the stores in this area have phones today, and they won't know until late tonight whether they'll get any tomorrow. They offered me the pre-order, and said that would take between 7 and 21 days for delivery.
 
Not quite bubba...

ND05 said:
Not sure if anyone has mentioned this previously, but if you change the clock on your computer to be a time after 9pm you can view the inventories for the iphone on the apple site. I checked it this morning and it is updated regularly as several NY stores that were listed as having no inventory last night now have inventory listed.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, this is about as accurate as using a compass and a string. As inventory changes throughout the day (often from red to green and back to red) there is no accurate way to know for sure if your local store has any at any given time. Since :apple: policy is to not give out any helpful specifics to its potential buyers about quantity, line lengths, etc it is a total crapshoot.

I tried your trick. My local store showed all red last night, but after trying what you suggested about 2 hours ago it was showing they had 8GB models (which is what I want). I went up there, no dice - sold out. Came back home and tried your trick again and its still showing they have 'em.
 
Ntombi said:
I went to an AT&T store in Long Beach, CA at opening this morning, and was told that none of the stores in this area have phones today, and they won't know until late tonight whether they'll get any tomorrow. They offered me the pre-order, and said that would take between 7 and 21 days for delivery.
Click to expand...
If you want to make this a more deterministic process, then I suggest that you try the AT&T direct fulfillment route. I did and it only took 2 days to get the phone inspite of being warned that it could be up to 21 days. AT&T is filling the direct fulfillment orders before sending anything to the stores for general sale.
 
reply

oaxa said:
How about a slightly less cynical scenario. Get enough stockpile to launch then as ongoing sales go see which models have the most demand and adjust ongoing production to comply with the demand. But your point about the "frenzied buying atmosphere." is a good one. It certainly gets people lining up like lemmings...or is that too '84 ?
Click to expand...

Why less cynical? Either you believe Apple is stupid enough to miss the mark on supply so badly that they are essentially sold out after a week and a half, or you believe they are willing to manipulate their customers. So are they stupid or cynical? I don't think anyone's going to buy that they are stupid if they really think it through.

Listen to the posts on this topic, people sound like junkies. "I'm so glad I stood in line for n hours on day n, everyone else really missed out!!!" Whatever. Spend some time with your family instead of raving about this thing to strangers.
 
seagoat8888 said:
Why less cynical? Either you believe Apple is stupid enough to miss the mark on supply so badly that they are essentially sold out after a week and a half, or you believe they are willing to manipulate their customers. So are they stupid or cynical? I don't think anyone's going to buy that they are stupid if they really think it through.

Listen to the posts on this topic, people sound like junkies. "I'm so glad I stood in line for n hours on day n, everyone else really missed out!!!" Whatever. Spend some time with your family instead of raving about this thing to strangers.
Click to expand...

Nice post, I like the part that I bolded. The only difference is the 3G and GPS, IMHO the GPS is great, the 3G , big whoop, honestly thinking of selling mine. Time will tell.
 
I think ordering from the AT&T store is the way to go. Unless you're willing to stand in line in summer heat, it's a crap shoot on what the Apple stores will receive. I was 15th in line at a local MD Apple store this past Saturday morning, and they only had white 16gb models left.
I wanted a black one, so I let the guy behind me get the last phone in stock. About 15 mins later, the manager came out announcing they weren't going to get anymore shipments that day. Needless to say, I was more then a little pissed. It turns a bunch of 8gb came in a few mins later, but I got out of line and ordered the model I wanted from the local AT&T store. Not sure how long it will take, but I'm done wasting my time in a huge Apple store line. Who knows how long the shortages will last.
 
aardwolf said:
It's really no big deal. Go to an AT&T Wireless store, and they'll swipe your card and place an order for you. It will ship directly from Apple overnight as soon as they get stock in. I placed my order Saturday afternoon, and my new white 16GB iPhone will be delivered to my local AT&T store tomorrow by 3pm.
Click to expand...

That's not entirely true. There are many of us who ordered through ATT direct fulfillment and have yet to receive them. Mine went on order last Wednesday and has yet to show up. Their tag line of 10-14 days may be overestimating but next day delivery just isn't happening.
 
seagoat8888 said:
3. "They are intentionally constricting supply to create a frenzied buying atmosphere." Yup. It's a gamble, but Apple is wagering that its loyal fans trust so deeply in their benevolence that this notion wouldn't even occur to you.
Click to expand...

Count me in as a "loyal fan", but I'm starting to wonder that myself. It certainly wouldn't hurt to create a sustained frenzy for as long as possible. If nothing else, it'll delay the need to do a hefty price cut right after launch (like the original iphone) when demand tailed off precipitously. That really annoyed a lot of loyal fans.

I was preparing to buy a couple next week, but there's no way I'm standing in a long line with no idea if it will be worthwhile. That, and all my phones are now out of contract with Sprint (hooray!) and it's a great feeling having no 2-year commitment. Really nice. I think I'll savour this freedom for a few months more... and wait for the 32 gig to come out :)
 
twoodcc said:
wow. come on apple, you need to produce!
Click to expand...

apple just had their earnings conference call. They said they had had no production problems. They said demand has been stunning, exceeding their expectations. They said it's hard to forecast the demand.
 
i too ordered one from att store. said 3 day wasnt available but should be sent within 7-10 days and then my card would be charged. i was just about to post and say after reading this and other news stories i wasnt going to be so sure that it would come in this week, but just got an email saying it was shipping and card was charged...

NOW im left with should i activate it, or sell it on ebay after looking at these crazy auctions! i could wait longer for my iphone for that!
 
It makes me remember that I waited a whole month to get my PowerBook G4 Titanium 7 years ago... those were hotcakes.
 
AT&T order took 2 days

I ordered my phone at the Philadelphia ATT store on Saturday and they predicted it will take 21 days to get it, today I got an email saying it will be delivered tomorrow (Tuesday) to the store by FedEx. I hope this stays true- maybe ATT got a new stock!?
 
I just ordered one from an AT&T store tonight. I think I can wait a couple weeks for a cell phone. No line, no problem. Lord, this is beyond silly.
 
seagoat8888 said:
Either you believe Apple is stupid enough to miss the mark on supply so badly that they are essentially sold out after a week and a half
Click to expand...

Did you predict 1M after a weekend and however many at this point? As far as I remember, some people suggested about as many sold as during the first version. They were often shot down with an argument that not all gen 1 owners will upgrade and the rest are not likely to convert to iPhone in droves as most of the loyal fans converted during the first year of gen 1.

Gen 1 sold 1M in 73 days, gen 2 in 3 days. I think that blew away most analysts predictions.
 
King of Prussia, PA, has all three models as of Monday night

Just checked stores withing 40 miles of where I live in Delaware; the Apple store at King of Prussia Mall in King of Prussia, PA, seems to have all models in stock for tomorrow...including the much-sought-after 16G black model. My daughter's been trying to get one since July 11...I'll wait to trade up my classic, although I'm very concerned with the poor battery life I'm getting since I upgraded to the 2.0 software. Anyone else having this problem?

By the way, didn't Apple increase production of the 3G to 3 million units about a month before they went on sale? Does this mean that all 3 million have been sold?
 
It makes me kinda glad that I didn't wait in line for a 3G iPhone...After seeing all of the troubles that have occurred with registering and activating it just doesn't seem worth it when I'm getting a 2G iPhone and don't even live in a 3G area.
 
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