New MBP 17" delivery dates!

[kastenbrust]

Apparently some people still don't understand what's happening.

None of us have had a firm delivery date from Apple. Not one. We've had estimated delivery dates. There's a big difference and if anyone has made any critical plans around an estimated date then they don't deserve any sympathy at all. See my sig. for my normal attitude to this sort of petulance!

You made a good point there, between the lines, since none of us have a firm delivery date, and we all have the same shipping date no matter where we live in the world it seems they've either made them all or made none.

 

[detz]

Apparently some people still don't understand what's happening.

None of us have had a firm delivery date from Apple. Not one. We've had estimated delivery dates. There's a big difference and if anyone has made any critical plans around an estimated date then they don't deserve any sympathy at all. See my sig. for my normal attitude to this sort of petulance!

That may sound harsh but it's true. It's in the nature of bleeding-edge technology (the new battery with its active control system certainly comes under this heading, and the non-glossy display option is also comparatively new) that unforeseen issues can arise between development and production. If you're a customer for such technology, you have to accept this. If you can't then you need to stick with the current generation, where a production line is already established and delivery can be predicted with great accuracy.

Not one place in my email confirmation does it say estimate. It says

Ships: Feb 10
Delivers: Feb 13

I've never ordered from any place before that gave me the time it ships and arrives and they've failed to deliver it...especially without a reason. Does Apple have a special policy that says "Ships" really means "Out best guess"?


Even right now there is nothing on the order status page that indicates the dates are estimates. It says "Ships Feb 19th". No fine print, no nothing...is that an "estimate" to?

 

[ayasin]

Apple has released the hold at my bank. Sad, so sad. Eagerly awaiting Feb 19th.

 

[cal6n]

Not one place in my email confirmation does it say estimate. It says

Ships: Feb 10
Delivers: Feb 13

Perhaps you should check your initial confirmation email again. Mine specifically cautions me that it is an estimate:

We estimate your order to be shipped 12 Feb, 2009.
We estimate your order will be delivered to your shipping address
on or before 23 Feb, 2009.

NOTE: Please note that these dates are estimated lead-times only. Your order will not ship until all items are available. Once your order has dispatched, you will receive a Dispatch Notification email, which will provide you with detailed delivery information.

Even right now there is nothing on the order status page that indicates the dates are estimates. It says "Ships Feb 19th". No fine print, no nothing...is that an "estimate" to?

That's really strange because my status page currently says:

Not yet shipped
Estimated Shipping: February 19th

It specifically states that the date is an estimate and yesterday's email also could not be clearer:

Completing the new 17 -inch MacBook Pro is taking a little longer than we projected, and we now expect to begin shipping on 19th February 2009.

I find it very hard to believe that Apple has provided any different information to you.

There is a difference between reading an email and skimming it for dates, you know...

 

[jjahshik32]

Either way, everyone is going to have to wait 2-3 more weeks.

 

[cal6n]

You made a good point there, between the lines, since none of us have a firm delivery date, and we all have the same shipping date no matter where we live in the world it seems they've either made them all or made none.

There's no need to read between any lines. Apple expect the production line to go live and start producing laptops on 19th Feb. Any models in existence at the moment are prototypes, probably undergoing rigourous quality control. There's always a chance that this date could slip further, though. That's why it's an estimate.

Either way, everyone is going to have to wait 2-3 more weeks.

Yeah. It's a good thing I didn't sell my slide-rule...

 

[detz]

Perhaps you should check your initial confirmation email again. Mine specifically cautions me that it is an estimate:


That's really strange because my status page currently says:


It specifically states that the date is an estimate and yesterday's email also could not be clearer:


I find it very hard to believe that Apple has provided any different information to you.

There is a difference between reading an email and skimming it for dates, you know...

I love when people have no idea what they're talking about. Surprise, YOU'RE WRONG!

Can you please point out where in the screenshots below where the word estimate appears? The first is my email from the original order an the next two are directly from the apple site taken 2 minutes ago. Thanks.

 

[detz]

Oh, and regarding the email I got yesterday...no where does it say estimate there either. Direct quote.

Wrapping up the new 17-inch MacBook Pro is taking a few days longer
than we projected.

As a result, we will be unable to ship your 17-inch MacBook Pro
until February 19, 2009.

So, again taken directly as it reads they are telling me there is an issue and it will ship out the 19th. Apparently Apple does send different emails..maybe I'm special. ;-)

 

[mmalto]

i don't see the word estimate in my email either:

Wrapping up the new 17-inch MacBook Pro is taking a few days longer
than we projected.

As a result, we will be unable to ship your 17-inch MacBook Pro
until February 27, 2009.

i ordered the matte display, hence the longer shipping time. i originally ordered on jan 6th.

oh well, no big suprise, my last 17" mbp was delayed for a week too. i've learned not to jump the gun and ebay before you get the shipping notice. live and learn.

ciao,
mike.

 

[detz]

i don't see the word estimate in my email either:

Wrapping up the new 17-inch MacBook Pro is taking a few days longer
than we projected.

As a result, we will be unable to ship your 17-inch MacBook Pro
until February 27, 2009.

i ordered the matte display, hence the longer shipping time. i originally ordered on jan 6th.

oh well, no big suprise, my last 17" mbp was delayed for a week too. i've learned not to jump the gun and ebay before you get the shipping notice. live and learn.

ciao,
mike.

I guess since this is my first order from Apple I didn't know what to expect. Never have I received an email confirmation with a shipping and arrival date just to have them bumped like this. It's shocking from a company of Apple's stature.

 

[jokke]

I love when people have no idea what they're talking about. Surprise, YOU'RE WRONG!

Can you please point out where in the screenshots below where the word estimate appears? The first is my email from the original order an the next two are directly from the apple site taken 2 minutes ago. Thanks.

Just a question, many of you seems to get a better (as in lower) price than stated on the website. Is it anything I could do to get a lower price than the 2,799 list price (haven't ordered yet, but I will).

best,
Jokke

 

[detz]

Just a question, many of you seems to get a better (as in lower) price than stated on the website. Is it anything I could do to get a lower price than the 2,799 list price (haven't ordered yet, but I will).

best,
Jokke

Sure, you can be a student, a corporate user or a developer.

 

[mmalto]

Just a question, many of you seems to get a better (as in lower) price than stated on the website. Is it anything I could do to get a lower price than the 2,799 list price (haven't ordered yet, but I will).

best,
Jokke

many of us work for companies that get special pricing from apple's EPP store. contact the HR dept where you work and see if they offer this benefit. or take your work badge or business card into an apple store and they can lookup to see if you qualify.

i will say that before the EPP program, i've ordered through the educational store even though i wasn't attending school at the time and never had an issue (i picked the school i graduated from).

good luck.
mike.

 

[Gloor]

I guess since this is my first order from Apple I didn't know what to expect. Never have I received an email confirmation with a shipping and arrival date just to have them bumped like this. It's shocking from a company of Apple's stature.

Omg, please are you really that dependant on others and really believe everything people say? Please tell me that you are better than that. You are arguing about absolutely minor thing and the situation you got yourself into was your unwise actions.
Apple gave you a date that wasn't guaranteed. Apple changed the date and sent you an email not only informing you about the change but also apologizing for the delay. What else do you want? Steve Jobs knocking on your door with a shiny new MBP? Please, get reasonable and start acting like an adult. Sooner you get it better life you will have.
And now please, stop with the nonsense and move on.

 

[peskaa]

Basically, you don't get it. A 17" MBP is more than just a "toy" to many of us who make our livelihoods by spending 12+ hours a day on the computer and require the best available equipment.

In my case, I sold my extra laptop that my girlfriend typically uses, expecting to have my 17" MBP in a few days and she could take my 15". Now that plan is shot to hell, so explain to me again how it's just because I want a new toy.

Apple attempted to offer me a pathetic $45 off my $300 purchase. I told them that their offer was insulting and the only acceptable solution was to refund my antiglare display and all shipping charges, which they did. I still, feel, however, that they owe us all better than this.

Hey, I earn my money off computers. I literally have to have one to do my work. However, I'm not silly enough when I upgrade to sell myself up the creek and offload my old hardware before the new stuff arrives. The fact of the matter is you still have a 15" machine to work on, and the 17" isn't *that* much of an upgrade over it - certainly not enough of one to stop you earning your money.

Basically, you screwed up and you want to blame somebody else.


Whilst it's a shame that any delays occur, they do occur and it is part of life. Perhaps you've learnt the lesson the hard way.

 

[flanamac]

Yeah (and this is for reals).

If you are not a student or your company doesn't have a corporate discount available, then do this to save $124.

Become a NAPP member (regardless whether you care about Photoshop or photography) for $99 a year today.

After you getting into the NAPP website, go to the discounts section under Hardware and click on the Apple discount link and your base price for a 17" MBP will drop from $2,799 to $2,575 (or close to that) for a $224 price reduction.

Therefore, you net $125 ($224-$99) discount.

Anyone can back this up and I am sure there are many a NAPP member on this site.

Just a question, many of you seems to get a better (as in lower) price than stated on the website. Is it anything I could do to get a lower price than the 2,799 list price (haven't ordered yet, but I will).

best,
Jokke

 

[flanamac]

I can think of at least one reason people may offload their gear before the new stuff arrives and that is basically cash flow.

If you purchase the computer on a credit card and you get it around the time your purchase hits the card, you have around 30 days to unload your replaced unit to help offset the cost of the new unit.

If you want to ensure you are not even in that position, perhaps you offloaded the replaced unit before even ordering the new unit.

That way you can be sure to know where you are cash wise before buying.

This is just simply cash management.

 

[detz]

Omg, please are you really that dependant on others and really believe everything people say? Please tell me that you are better than that. You are arguing about absolutely minor thing and the situation you got yourself into was your unwise actions.
Apple gave you a date that wasn't guaranteed. Apple changed the date and sent you an email not only informing you about the change but also apologizing for the delay. What else do you want? Steve Jobs knocking on your door with a shiny new MBP? Please, get reasonable and start acting like an adult. Sooner you get it better life you will have.
And now please, stop with the nonsense and move on.

I'm not dependent on anyone, where did I give you that impression? Like I've said before, every time in my adult life when I've ordered something and the company sent me an email confirmation with shipping dates those dates have been honored. I was unaware that when you order from Apple their dates are "estimates", usually if that's the case it's stated somewhere in the order which is was not from Apple. Can you please quote me where I wasn't acting like an adult, thanks.

 

[kastenbrust]

There's no need to read between any lines. Apple expect the production line to go live and start producing laptops on 19th Feb. Any models in existence at the moment are prototypes, probably undergoing rigourous quality control. There's always a chance that this date could slip further, though. That's why it's an estimate.



Yeah. It's a good thing I didn't sell my slide-rule...

If that was true then what your saying is that every single laptop will be produced and shipped on one day, the 19th? of course not.

 

[bodhisattva]

My ship date was changed from Feb 9 to Feb 19th as well. But at the same time.. my credit card had the hold for the full amount placed on it yesterday after the shipping date was changed. I have purchased Apple desktop as well as books for since the old pre-G3 days.. Apple never hits the CC before they are close to shipping. My guess is, all orders are lined up and being prepared to ship in the next two weeks. Apple placed a firm Feb 19 date on those existing to avoid continually changing the date. If you read this thread, some received estimated date ranges, some received actual dates. I myself received Ships Feb 9, Delivers Feb 12. Stayed that way till yesterday and then changed to Ships Feb 19. Just a ten day difference, but if Apple went forward with processing my credit card, chances are they are in the last stages before they start boxing up and shipping current orders. If it takes till the 19th, oh well... just means we have a product that was looked over and refined, any kinks worked out.. and a last second delay of 10 days could be something as simple a shipping problem/delay... chances of them working on the units until the very last second and then shipping them out is slim.. if anything it's something minor, or logistic problem.. and anyone in business has to expect that. It'll get there fans.. and it'll be worth it. (I can say that because I am on vacation the week it's scheduled to ship.. so my return home is two days after the ship date.. might have a nice surprise waiting when I get back)

 

[cal6n]

I love when people have no idea what they're talking about. Surprise, YOU'RE WRONG!

If you read my reply, you'll see that I've actually only made observations regarding the communications that I have had with Apple. How are any of them wrong?

Can you please point out where in the screenshots below where the word estimate appears? The first is my email from the original order an the next two are directly from the apple site taken 2 minutes ago. Thanks.

Your screenshots are completely different from any websites or emails I've seen. Obviously Apple US and Apple UK have different approaches to customer communication. I think I prefer the honesty in the UK version but this goes some way towards explaining why all the yanks are so uptight about this.

 

[bodhisattva]

Why is everyone arguing over what Apple sent them, what is on the site, order status.. etc? It is what it is.. I have seen dozens of variations on ship/deliver dates.. sometimes I get ranges, sometimes hard dates. I'm sure if we worked at Apple we'd see the logic behind the various methods. Even when I have placed hypothetical orders from day to day to get full price quotes.. the estimated shipping has changed on me before. Either Apple has little elves sitting around rolling dice and laughing as they spit out random dates.. or more likely there is some rhyme/reason to it we don't know about.. either way.. it is what it is.. the current date says Feb 19th for glossy, Feb 27th I believe for matte... doesn't matter who's email said what, what UK store does versus US store.. I'm sure the Japan store has a crazy way of dealing with customers too... but no sense getting bent out of shape over it.. This thread is full of customers stating they called and received upgraded shipping, free packs, money off order, etc.. apple seems to be trying.. and they are the leaders in producing the most cutting edge items each and every year.. missing a launch date by a few weeks, missing a ship date by a few extra days in no reason to pull out the picket signs and burn cars in the parking lot.. it's a laptop... a computer.. whether you do business on it or not.. whether you shed the old one waiting on the new.. whether you are furious you have to view 15" instead of 17" for 10 more days... come on.. seriously?

I'll sit and be patient and be very happy when my new 17 arrives.. I'm glad apple is taking the time to make it right now.. rather then receive it and have to send it back for repair or replacement .. if you are concerned about downtime or productivity.. I'd rather have it right the first time when I spend hours installing all my design and web software, virtual machines, etc.. knowing I don't have to replace it and do it all over again due to something apple could have delayed my order a few days and fixed.. just my 2 cents worth.. (curious.. in UK do you have a similar expression? We always say "penny for your thought" or "giving my 2 cents".. any expression you use like that?)

 

[bodhisattva]

see.. not all us Yanks are so uptight.. If you read above.. I'm pretty okay with it.. sure I'd like it sooner.. but oh well. When has anything ever gone TOTALLY as planned on anything new?!?

 

[The Samurai]

Why is everyone arguing over what Apple sent them, what is on the site, order status.. etc? It is what it is.. I have seen dozens of variations on ship/deliver dates.. sometimes I get ranges, sometimes hard dates. I'm sure if we worked at Apple we'd see the logic behind the various methods. Even when I have placed hypothetical orders from day to day to get full price quotes.. the estimated shipping has changed on me before. Either Apple has little elves sitting around rolling dice and laughing as they spit out random dates.. or more likely there is some rhyme/reason to it we don't know about.. either way.. it is what it is.. the current date says Feb 19th for glossy, Feb 27th I believe for matte... doesn't matter who's email said what, what UK store does versus US store.. I'm sure the Japan store has a crazy way of dealing with customers too... but no sense getting bent out of shape over it.. This thread is full of customers stating they called and received upgraded shipping, free packs, money off order, etc.. apple seems to be trying.. and they are the leaders in producing the most cutting edge items each and every year.. missing a launch date by a few weeks, missing a ship date by a few extra days in no reason to pull out the picket signs and burn cars in the parking lot.. it's a laptop... a computer.. whether you do business on it or not.. whether you shed the old one waiting on the new.. whether you are furious you have to view 15" instead of 17" for 10 more days... come on.. seriously?

I'll sit and be patient and be very happy when my new 17 arrives.. I'm glad apple is taking the time to make it right now.. rather then receive it and have to send it back for repair or replacement .. if you are concerned about downtime or productivity.. I'd rather have it right the first time when I spend hours installing all my design and web software, virtual machines, etc.. knowing I don't have to replace it and do it all over again due to something apple could have delayed my order a few days and fixed.. just my 2 cents worth.. (curious.. in UK do you have a similar expression? We always say "penny for your thought" or "giving my 2 cents".. any expression you use like that?)

Well summed up.

 

[Gloor]

Why is everyone arguing over what Apple sent them, what is on the site, order status.. etc? It is what it is.. I have seen dozens of variations on ship/deliver dates.. sometimes I get ranges, sometimes hard dates. I'm sure if we worked at Apple we'd see the logic behind the various methods. Even when I have placed hypothetical orders from day to day to get full price quotes.. the estimated shipping has changed on me before. Either Apple has little elves sitting around rolling dice and laughing as they spit out random dates.. or more likely there is some rhyme/reason to it we don't know about.. either way.. it is what it is.. the current date says Feb 19th for glossy, Feb 27th I believe for matte... doesn't matter who's email said what, what UK store does versus US store.. I'm sure the Japan store has a crazy way of dealing with customers too... but no sense getting bent out of shape over it.. This thread is full of customers stating they called and received upgraded shipping, free packs, money off order, etc.. apple seems to be trying.. and they are the leaders in producing the most cutting edge items each and every year.. missing a launch date by a few weeks, missing a ship date by a few extra days in no reason to pull out the picket signs and burn cars in the parking lot.. it's a laptop... a computer.. whether you do business on it or not.. whether you shed the old one waiting on the new.. whether you are furious you have to view 15" instead of 17" for 10 more days... come on.. seriously?

I'll sit and be patient and be very happy when my new 17 arrives.. I'm glad apple is taking the time to make it right now.. rather then receive it and have to send it back for repair or replacement .. if you are concerned about downtime or productivity.. I'd rather have it right the first time when I spend hours installing all my design and web software, virtual machines, etc.. knowing I don't have to replace it and do it all over again due to something apple could have delayed my order a few days and fixed.. just my 2 cents worth.. (curious.. in UK do you have a similar expression? We always say "penny for your thought" or "giving my 2 cents".. any expression you use like that?)

You put it nicer than me. I am absolutely with you and that is also why I'm happy to wait. I've been craving this baby for 4 months now so what difference does few weeks make? ))
Patience is a virtue of saints