'Late' iPhone 5 Pre-Orders Being Delivered Early

[babyj]

Oh please. This is exactly what it looks like :

- Limit initial pre-order quantities to "sell out quick" and show back log on the website. Continue taking in pre-orders to claim record numbers !
- Lines form on the scare that there's actually a risk of not getting a handset.
- After all the media hype, lines, etc.., release stock for shipping since there's no value in holding back anymore, you've had your free publicity.

People who still don't get these manufactured "shortages" are scary. Maps and scratching have nothing to do with it. Apple will announce record numbers again for this launch. They were ready with record numbers of units pre-manufactured and ready to go.

Nice conspiracy theory but it doesn't make any sense.

Suggesting Apple were sitting on millions of iPhones, worth billions of dollars, purely to make consumers think there is a shortage is crazy. A product shortage doesn't make more people want to buy it, it's more likely they'll say I'm not waiting 4 weeks for an iPhone I'll get an Android instead. Selling more of a product gets the cash in your bank account quicker and will increase sales through word of mouth.

There are far more likely explanations such as they got the mix between online and retail sales wrong and have now reallocated stock, or that they didn't have the logistics in place to handle the volume of online sales and have now put it in place.

Think most people don't grasp the logistic complexities of releasing a new product in the volume levels Apple deal with. You can't just pick up the phone and ask UPS to collect a few millions parcels from China and deliver them all over the world within the next 3 days. Especially when you don't know the exact volume and it could be a million or two either way.

 

[BenjaminKenon]

Hmm. Not only can I not cancel my pre-order to buy in store, my order (placed 2 hours after pre-ordering began) wont be here til October 5th. I'm ticked, and I won't pre-order anything from Apple again.

 

[E.Lizardo]

Looks like a lot of people will get their damaged black iPhones a lot sooner than expected.

I'm buying a phone,not a fashion accessory.
Not going to abuse it but a few scratches and scuffs won't make me cry.

 

[Rogifan]

Nice conspiracy theory but it doesn't make any sense.

Suggesting Apple were sitting on millions of iPhones, worth billions of dollars, purely to make consumers think there is a shortage is crazy. A product shortage doesn't make more people want to buy it, it's more likely they'll say I'm not waiting 4 weeks for an iPhone I'll get an Android instead. Selling more of a product gets the cash in your bank account quicker and will increase sales through word of mouth.

There are far more likely explanations such as they got the mix between online and retail sales wrong and have now reallocated stock, or that they didn't have the logistics in place to handle the volume of online sales and have now put it in place.

Think most people don't grasp the logistic complexities of releasing a new product in the volume levels Apple deal with. You can't just pick up the phone and ask UPS to collect a few millions parcels from China and deliver them all over the world within the next 3 days. Especially when you don't know the exact volume and it could be a million or two either way.

The fact that people actually believe this nonsense is scary.

 

[KnightWRX]

Nice conspiracy theory but it doesn't make any sense.

Suggesting Apple were sitting on millions of iPhones, worth billions of dollars, purely to make consumers think there is a shortage is crazy.

I haven't suggested anything of the sort, so the only reason my post doesn't make sense to you is you don't understand it. Of course they won't sit on the phones, they'll just make it look like there's a shortage, while still selling the phones off within a few days. "Spread out the burst, get the press".

Frankly, I don't understand how anyone cannot see it anymore. It's not like it's the first time they pull these "blown away" shenanigans.

 

[damir00]

It's a sign demand isn't what they expected.

Six weeks until the "reducing production capacity" rumors start up in earnest.

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Hmm. Not only can I not cancel my pre-order to buy in store, my order (placed 2 hours after pre-ordering began) wont be here til October 5th. I'm ticked, and I won't pre-order anything from Apple again.

Shades of Google's Nexus 7 launch.

 

[eatabear1]

wootwoot just got mine today!

 

[BenjaminKenon]

It's a sign demand isn't what they expected.

Six weeks until the "reducing production capacity" rumors start up in earnest.

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Shades of Google's Nexus 7 launch.

I think they're sitting on supply to create buzz around a possible shortage. This is a sure-fire way to sell phones. No conspiracy here- just business sense.

Everything I see about shortages makes sure to say that there are plenty of Sprint iPhones, which is what I'm waiting on.

 

[Creator3571]

I ordered mine at 5:45 AM CST on the 14th and received an updated shipping email stating a September 28th delivery. The original delivery was October 5th. What a great way to start my day!

 

[wotfan]

Now if we can get Apple to move up delivery of the now backordered USB Lightning cable and 30 pin Lightning adapters.

They may be moving up the cables as well. I ordered 2 Lightning cables with my phone. At the time I ordered the scheduled shipping was 2-3 weeks with delivery 5 days after shipment. According to FedEx, they will be delivered on Wednesday (my phone arrives on Friday).

 

[BenjaminKenon]

I ordered mine at 5:45 AM CST on the 14th and received an updated shipping email stating a September 28th delivery. The original delivery was October 5th. What a great way to start my day!

Don't brag :^p

 

[vartanarsen]

But will it blend????

2 days..and still nothing from Mr. Dickson???!!!!
I want to see if it blends!!!

 

[Cloverfield33]

Well this sucks. I ordered on the 14th and my delivery estimates is STILL 2nd - 8th October

 

[BenjaminKenon]

Well this sucks. I ordered on the 14th and my delivery estimates is STILL 2nd - 8th October

Who's your service provider?

 

[b11051973]

I get emails from my bank when my card is charged over $100. Just got such an email about a charge from Apple for the amount of my iPhone.

Apple also charged me Thursday for my Lightning cables and they were shipped Friday(yesterday). Delivery estimate is Wednesday. So, I'm hoping my iPhone 5 ships Monday and I get it Thursday.

edit: Oh cool, the story even says people are saying they are getting them the 27th, which is Thursday.

 

[mossme89]

I'm not surprised. Yesterday when I went into my Apple store, they had extra units for sale, same with the Sprint store.

Figured it might just have been a marketing technique to cause hype. What do you think?

 

[imola.zhp]

Hurry up and get one everybody! That way when December rolls around I can just walk into Verizon and upgrade...

 

[Cloverfield33]

Who's your service provider?

I bought from Apple and I'm from the UK so they send it unlocked.

 

[Kavok]

Based on my las two laptop purchases from Apple I wouldn't be surprised if they have a policy for quoting a later date than their actual estimate. That way, if the customer gets it "early" then they're happy, and if there is a delay, well they can still get it "on time" based on the original shipping estimate. Frankly sounds like a smart policy (I know I was happy to get my computers early )

Kirk: "How long to re-fit?"
Scotty: "Eight weeks, but you don't have eight weeks so I'll do it for you in two."
Kirk: "Do you always multiply your repair estimates by a factor of four?"
Scotty: "How else to maintain my reputation as a miracle worker?"
Kirk: "Your reputation is safe with me."

Star Trek III: The Search For Spock

 

[BenjaminKenon]

I'm not surprised. Yesterday when I went into my Apple store, they had extra units for sale, same with the Sprint store.

Figured it might just have been a marketing technique to cause hype. What do you think?

In hindsight I definitely believe its all just marketing hype. I can drive a few miles to a Sprint store and buy one right this minute. Or at least I could- if Apple would just cancel my pre-order.

 

[kcossabo]

I had an order scheduled for Oct21-26 that I cancelled early this morning.

Figured I could find one in a store before then.

Also, with scuff-gate I wanted to see the unit for myself before accepting.

Now just waiting for my ATT upgrade status to refresh itself and I'll go shopping.

I ordered min at 7:30am on the 14th, and showing still a Oct 5 delivery, but what is interesting is that I can not cancel it as

Since your items are ready for shipment we are unable to cancel or change your order. However, once the items ship, you may be able to make a return from the Orders page. To request a return now, please call Apple Online Store Customer Service at 1-800-MY-APPLE.

But on the delivery it states

Phone 5 64GB Black & Slate (GSM)
Available to ship: 2 weeks
Delivers Oct 5 via Standard Shipping

So maybe it will change soon to this week?

Also the URL in the email they sent shows

http://store.corp.apple.com/vieworder

which is not right it should be

http://store.apple.com/vieworder

So not cancel for me....

 

[Akarin]

In my country, Switzerland, pre-orders started yesterday at 07:30. I ordered at 08:45 and am the n°95'788... I hope Apple ships loads of these iPhone 5 to our little State next week!

 

[kcossabo]

I ordered mine at 5:45 AM CST on the 14th and received an updated shipping email stating a September 28th delivery. The original delivery was October 5th. What a great way to start my day!

OK, so mine was 45 min later 7:30 ET, and no movement yet.

I can hope....

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Hmm. Not only can I not cancel my pre-order to buy in store, my order (placed 2 hours after pre-ordering began) wont be here til October 5th. I'm ticked, and I won't pre-order anything from Apple again.

7:30ET, same here... AT&T

 

[rotlex]

I'm not surprised. Yesterday when I went into my Apple store, they had extra units for sale, same with the Sprint store.

Figured it might just have been a marketing technique to cause hype. What do you think?

Went into my local Apple store today looking for an ATT black phone. None available for ATT in any shape or form. Sprint and Verizon had availability in all forms. Word from the store manager was come back Monday morning.

My local ATT store HAD phones, however, all they had left were 64GB white.

 

[Just4uCara]

So if the 'late' orders are being delivered early, then why is my order delayed again? My confirmation email came through at 1:53am MT (12:53 PT) on Sep 14th with a delivery date of Oct 5!

Just yesterday the delivery was changed to Oct 9 (bank holiday on 8th).

Credit card has not been charged yet, and order status is "preparing for shipment" and I can not cancel or edit my order. Btw, ordered Black/Slate 16GB unlocked phone.

I had expected some cancellations yesterday with the potential for an earlier delivery date...not later!

Grrrr
(Sask, Canada)