So, this is an odd one. This morning MacDailyNews broke a story that overwhelming iPad orders put in-store pickups in jeopardy for new orders.
Multiple sources are reporting to us about telephone conversations they’ve had with Apple reps regarding changing their iPad orders from delivery to in-store pickup.
Multiple iPad buyers have been told that in order to do such a change, the delivery order would have to be cancelled and a new in-store pickup order completed, but that iPad orders (which began this morning at 8:30am EST) have been “so overwhelming” that new iPad orders may not be available for in-store pickup on April 3.
The story quickly spread to sites such as Macrumors, 9 To 5 Mac, and Electronista. Served with catchy headlines such as “iPad retail already dry?” or “Apple Already Running Low on iPad Supplies for Launch Day In-Store Pickup Reservations?” Frankly it’s become to large of a “story” to ignore.
Yet, everything about it stinks. Think about it for a moment. Put the hype aside, take a deep breath, and THINK about it. Twelve hours after this story broke, Apple is still taking reservations on new iPad orders for April 3rd. So why would it be a problem to change an existing order? And even IF there is a problem, why not simply put in a new reservation and cancel your previous order? There’s no queue for in-store pickups. It doesn’t matter if you reserved at 6:30am or 6:30pm, as long as Apple is still taking reservations (which they are).
Who are these people that are having an alleged hard time with this?
Basically, what I’m saying is: I don’t understand the point of this story. None of it.
I believe someone is trying to artificially hype the iPad launch. Be it Apple’s marketing team or click-hungry rumor sites. I don’t know. But let’s admit it: It’s just too much fun to give in on the hype of such a fantastic story. Wouldn’t it be fun if Apple were to sell out on day ONE of pre-orders? Tasty!
Well, they didn’t. So let’s all just move on. There’s nothing to see here. Sorry to burst the bubble.
Questions or comments? Let me know: @eierund on twitter.
About Philipp
It’s easy to figure out as long as you know that rumors can’t be trusted due to poor sources. It really doesn’t matter whether Apple runs low on iPads. People would only need to wait for Apple to get in new supplies. Very few consumers have to be the first on the block to own an iPad. I think it was Apple has said it would run production of about 1 million iPads a month so it’s not like iPad is in danger of running out of inventory for any length of time.
We still don’t know how consumers will take to using the iPad, so the initial shortage could be resolved over a short period of time if sales are slow. There’s far too much panic and speculation on the internet based on unconfirmed rumors.
Apple is taking pre-orders specifically for April 3. Isn’t the problem that the number of iPads is limited, and that putting in a new reservation and canceling your previous order puts you at the end of a limited line, leaving you without an iPad available on April 3?
@John. For reservations it doesn’t matter what time you put them in as long as apple accepts them. I can see someone being paranoid about loosing their spot in line for pre-orders that will be shipped, since one could possibly imagine those being shipped out in the order they came in.
With reservations, however, it matters more when you pick it up. Apple gives you a window from 9am until 3pm on April 3rd. It doesn’t matter if you reserved your order on the first day or on April 2nd (as long as Apple is still taking reservations at that point). In a perfect world everybody who made a reservation will be able to pick on up. In the worst case scenario people that come closer to 3pm may be out of luck. Once again, it doesn’t matter when you made your reservation though. It matters when you pick it up.
Does that make sense?