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I'm exchanging it for the fact that I needed a phone and all the was available was a 128gb plus. $100 is more important to me then an extra 64gb. theres a reason there's a 14 day return/EXCHANGE policy.

I completely understand. There are just SO many people playing these return exchange games that it must really slow down some of the others trying to get one. It's all good I'll eventually get one...just stating my thoughts ;)
 
If people would buy the correct model the first time instead of swapping within 14 days over and over maybe the rest of us could get the ONE phone we would like to purchase. I understand if you buy it thinking it's what you want and finding out you don't like it. Fine. But buying a phone that you plan on returning really bugs me. I guess for :apple: it's not too bad because these phones are used for refurb white box replacement devices anyway.

I would never buy a phone I didn't think I wanted. I returned my 6 that I preordered because I really wanted a 6+after I had a little time to think about it. I could have preordered a 6+, because they were available when I was up on preorder eve.

I don't really get people fussing about not being able to get the phone they wanted because... preorders. People could have preordered. My preorder was all weird and I woke up the next morning and realized that it went through for the wrong color choice... so, I cancelled that preorder and reordered at 9AM the next day and there was still stock to arrive on launch day.

Soo... yeah. While I'd like to be able to just walk right out to the Apple store and buy my son the 6+ he decided he wanted, I cannot because there is no stock... so we will wait until there is. He was undecided prior to launch, so that's his issue. ;)

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Depends where you are. It has been easy to get one with a couple days of launch where I am at

The stock around here only got tight over the past couple of weeks. It was EASY to find the 6 and it was tougher, but not impossible, to find a 6+. Things majorly dried up over the past 2 weeks. It's crazy.
 
I don't think they are updating their site as much as before. I saw the Austin not show any stock for AT&T a for almost a week. On a day that showed no stock I walked in to the Apple store @ The Domain and picked up a 6+ gray 64
 
I don't think they are updating their site as much as before. I saw the Austin not show any stock for AT&T a for almost a week. On a day that showed no stock I walked in to the Apple store @ The Domain and picked up a 6+ gray 64

I've seen the apple website update a few times with a specific model and then show as unavailable a few minutes later. They go fast. I think what happened with yours is, when you checked, there was nothing but when you showed up at the store, it could have showed up on their website a few minutes before you showed up. I think it was good timing.
 
I've seen the apple website update a few times with a specific model and then show as unavailable a few minutes later. They go fast. I think what happened with yours is, when you checked, there was nothing but when you showed up at the store, it could have showed up on their website a few minutes before you showed up. I think it was good timing.


I know what you mean but that wasn't the case. We were even looking at it while setting mine up. He had more 6+ inventory available but looking at it on a computer right there it showed as unavailable.
 
I don't really get people fussing about not being able to get the phone they wanted because... preorders. People could have preordered.
In my case, I didn't have a choice. I couldn't order because AT&T screwed up my eligibility, which was fixed just a week ago.
 
If people would buy the correct model the first time instead of swapping within 14 days over and over maybe the rest of us could get the ONE phone we would like to purchase. I understand if you buy it thinking it's what you want and finding out you don't like it. Fine. But buying a phone that you plan on returning really bugs me. I guess for :apple: it's not too bad because these phones are used for refurb white box replacement devices anyway.

I agree...but only if apple could implement 20 dollar fee or deductible for returns.
 
In my case, I didn't have a choice. I couldn't order because AT&T screwed up my eligibility, which was fixed just a week ago.

Yeah.... but, you could've just waited until that was fixed and bought one then.

Not at all saying you shouldn't have bought whatever you like. You're a consumer and you're following the written return policy, so it's no big deal in my estimation.

I don't know why some of the eligibility got all screwed up, though... that is weird. It was so random. Some people have really had trouble. :(

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I agree...but only if apple could implement 20 dollar fee or deductible for returns.

That wouldn't really be fair to people who bought and later realized they wished they'd bought something different. We cannot assume that everyone intentionally bought the wrong thing.

Restock fees have been proven to discourage buyers, and it sure would put a dent in preorders.

I don't think 20 bucks would stop most people. It would need to be a larger restock fee.

Which would discourage buyers.
 
US Population: 316 million (or thereabouts)

England Population: 53 million

Sweden population: 10 million

Switzerland population: 8 million

Italy population: 59 million


Basically, you're looking at countries that aren't as populous as the US. And no, it wouldn't be wise for Apple to hold back inventory in the other countries to suit the US, because other countries wouldn't like that at all.
 
US Population: 316 million (or thereabouts)

England Population: 53 million

Sweden population: 10 million

Switzerland population: 8 million

Italy population: 59 million


Basically, you're looking at countries that aren't as populous as the US. And no, it wouldn't be wise for Apple to hold back inventory in the other countries to suit the US, because other countries wouldn't like that at all.

Apple knows how many phones they need during a launch. It's a game. A media game. They play it very well.
 
Almost two weeks have passed since the iPhone 6 Released in the states and the inventory in the apple stores just poor.
Europe inventory is updated every day and you can order almost any device, and any color without any problems.

The situation here in Florida is poor and annoying. How a huge company like Apple does not shipped iPhone to the stores !?T-mobile space gray is impossible to achieve!!
The only option here is to buy the Sprint iphone :/
pick-up in the apple web is always error in the payment :/

Just a disgrace! Instead of providing iPhones to Europe send to the States Too!! (T-mobile - Free contract!!)

You should just order it online...

I ordered mine (non-preorder) Sept. 25th, and I got it Oct 8th. No lines, no checking inventory, etc.
 
Is apple secretly fixing this "bendgate" issue without telling anyone? iStocknow hasn't shown much stock for the iPhone 6 in a while now, the 6+ was barely in stock to begin with, but the 6 being out of stock for this long is definitely making me a bit weary.
 
Apple is clearly playing games with the inventory.

I was in Atlanta and NYC about 10 days ago. All five T-Mobile stores I checked between the two cities (over 3-4 days) each only had one color of the iPhone 6, and only in 128GB, and more importantly, with no idea as to when they would be getting more in.

In NYC, I went to an Apple Store and was given a bizarre story about how the inventory that day (Saturday) was now gone, but that I should check back tomorrow (Sunday), even though they weren't getting any shipments. Without wanting to sound rude, I waited a couple minutes before asking how they could have more to sell given no shipments come on Sunday, and the rep said something like, "Well, sometimes we get some more in" -- I didn't question it. The next day, I came back and was told they had some iPhones that morning but all had sold out by the time I had arrived (midday). Again, the question remains how they got some despite no deliveries via the post.

For me, their efforts to create a sense of strong demand among customers is not helping matters, as I used my inability to buy one as an opportunity to look at some new competing devices, like the Sony Z3 Compact. Fortunately for Apple, I will still buy the 6, only because I can't find something better.
 
Apple knows how many phones they need during a launch. It's a game. A media game. They play it very well.

:rolleyes: Uh-huh. So you're one of the ones who thinks that Apple likes having angry, disappointed customers who are at risk of buying other models, is that it?

Every year they sell more during launch than they did the year before and still people trot this out. Companies want to sell as many of their devices as they can, keeping people waiting is not this magical cure to increase sales that people seem to think it is.
 
Apple is clearly playing games with the inventory.
To what benefit? Angering and turning away customers with money in hand is usually considered a negative thing in most business circles. It's not exactly like Apple is some small start up that needs to get the media to cover them to get the word out... "Generating more interest" might have had a smidgen of possible validity in the early days but is a ridiculous claim at this point.

the question remains how they got some despite no deliveries via the post.
I imagine via the USPS using Priority Mail express. Delivery by 10:30am on Sundays. See http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/classes/express.htm

Amazon is doing it for Prime customers at no additional charge (and I'm speaking from direct experience having received a delivery on Sunday).
 
:rolleyes: Uh-huh. So you're one of the ones who thinks that Apple likes having angry, disappointed customers who are at risk of buying other models, is that it?

Every year they sell more during launch than they did the year before and still people trot this out. Companies want to sell as many of their devices as they can, keeping people waiting is not this magical cure to increase sales that people seem to think it is.


Nope. I am, however, in marketing. Apple has enough stock to keep enough people happy while making some others very eager with anticipation. The more media coverage they get, the more people want them.

Will they lose a small percentage of sales? Sure. Will they gain an even higher percentage back due to media buzz? You'd better believe it.

I do not think they are hiding stock. I just think they produce the minimum amount required to produce the desired effect. ;)

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To what benefit? Angering and turning away customers with money in hand is usually considered a negative thing in most business circles. It's not exactly like Apple is some small start up that needs to get the media to cover them to get the word out... "Generating more interest" might have had a smidgen of possible validity in the early days but is a ridiculous claim at this point.


I imagine via the USPS using Priority Mail express. Delivery by 10:30am on Sundays. See http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/classes/express.htm

Amazon is doing it for Prime customers at no additional charge (and I'm speaking from direct experience having received a delivery on Sunday).

Of course they want to keep generating buzz. Without it, they'd be like Samsung, begging for preorders. :D
 
So on the "buzz generates more sales" angle I'm genuinely curious how that's supposed to work in practice.

How much media coverage outside the enthusiast sites is any of the availability generating? Not talking about launch day but now. I've seen nothing.

Who here personally knows anyone who decided to go get an iphone instead of some other phone (or who decided to upgrade now instead of later) soley because it was wasn't easily available. Not talking about scalpers. Everyone I know seems to choose their phone based on how it fits their needs, not based on how tough it is to get.

It seems (to me) to run completely counter the core business tenets of NOT making it difficult for potential customers to give you their money. All I've seen is very superficial claims with no substance. I'm open minded though, I'd love to see some deeper analysis to support the hypothesis.
 
Nope. I am, however, in marketing. Apple has enough stock to keep enough people happy while making some others very eager with anticipation. The more media coverage they get, the more people want them.

Will they lose a small percentage of sales? Sure. Will they gain an even higher percentage back due to media buzz? You'd better believe it.

I do not think they are hiding stock. I just think they produce the minimum amount required to produce the desired effect. ;)

If you're in marketing I'd expect better, honestly. This shtick is tired and old and it makes no sense because Apple wants to sell as many devices as possible. Not to mention that we would have heard by this point if they perpetually kept their factories running at under capacity. You're saying that they can leak entire phones, but nobody has the presence of mind to say 'oh yeah, we could work this much harder, but Apple tells us not to'? It makes no sense.
 
If you're in marketing I'd expect better, honestly. This shtick is tired and old and it makes no sense because Apple wants to sell as many devices as possible. Not to mention that we would have heard by this point if they perpetually kept their factories running at under capacity. You're saying that they can leak entire phones, but nobody has the presence of mind to say 'oh yeah, we could work this much harder, but Apple tells us not to'? It makes no sense.


they know there is a big demand spike the first month after launch and then things die down. so no reason to spend money to make more iphones than you need come november and the rest of the model year
 
I'm very happy I was able to pick up my 6plus at bestbuy 4days after launch by luck. However my son is on sprint and he wants the 6 64gb and it is now hard to find. Also difficult is sprint and Walmart have great buyback deals on the 4s but neither have stock in Columbus Ohio , at least that I can find
 
they know there is a big demand spike the first month after launch and then things die down. so no reason to spend money to make more iphones than you need come november and the rest of the model year

Exactly. And they also know how this initial shortage builds up the hype. It's brilliant. They don't pay to have phones siting around AND the crowds go wild.

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If you're in marketing I'd expect better, honestly. This shtick is tired and old and it makes no sense because Apple wants to sell as many devices as possible. Not to mention that we would have heard by this point if they perpetually kept their factories running at under capacity. You're saying that they can leak entire phones, but nobody has the presence of mind to say 'oh yeah, we could work this much harder, but Apple tells us not to'? It makes no sense.

Of course they do. Who wants too much stock in a warehouse? It costs money.
 
Apple is clearly playing games with the inventory.

you have a narrow mind. Apple is in a business to make billions. they are not a small Joe business trying to make a few bucks. They are not playing any game you are imagining.

look at fact: apple is preparing to launch in China soon (with 8 million already pre-ordered). They are also launching in additional 40 countries. Does this have any affects on U.S stock? absolutely.

you might ask, "why doesn't Apple focus on U.S since it is their prime market?" well, they can but they risk losing retail partners/customers in other countries in long term. if you are in an international business, would you want to upset your partners/customers?


you might ask, "why doesn't apple anticipate this? why not build more plants and hire more workers?"
well, if they do this, 3 months down the road when this demand fades, these extra plants and workers sit idle, costing money. they don't add more capacity just for a few months of peak demand. just like Amazon won't add more servers just to handle peak load during a few Christmas days.

In fact, no companies can handle this kind of demand within a month like this, over 20 millions phones over many countries within a month. Apple logistic infrastructure is unparalleled.
 
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