Report: iPhone 3G shortage could drag on for weeks
Fri Jul 18, 2008 11:03AM EDT
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It's been a full week since the chaos of launch day, but lines for the latest iPhone continue to snake out of Apple stores, and analysts are warning that it might take as long as a month for Apple to replenish its stock.
Computerworld reported Thursday that only 50 of 188 U.S. Apple stores had the iPhone 3G in stock, with only 13 stores having all three iPhone models on hand. The most popular (and hence, most scarce) flavor: the black 16GB version.
Meanwhile, customers are still waiting hours in line for the privilege of buying an iPhone. I dropped by the Soho Apple Store on Thursday afternoon, expecting a relatively calm scene; instead, I found a line of about 70 (sweltering) people that stretched around the corner.
And as far as AT&T stores go, well ... as CNET puts it, "fuggedaboutit." AT&T outlets across the country are apparently swamped with backorders, with 10- to 21-day waits before phones arrive.
Unfortunately, the shortage could get worse before it gets better. Computerworld quotes an analyst who predicts "problems for another two to four weeks" until Apple boosts its inventory.
So, what happened? The Computerworld story cites two main problems: The iPhone 3G's simultanous 21-country launch, which meant fewer handsets for the U.S., and sustained demand that far outstripped Apple's expectations. Demand for the original iPhone dropped off quickly after the initial rush, according to Computerworld.
Still in the hunt for an iPhone 3G? Anyone brave the lines recently? Who's waiting it out? Vent away.
Related:
iPhone 3G shortage to last two to four weeks, analyst says [Computerworld]
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Comments on Report: iPhone 3G shortage could drag on for weeks
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2 Posted by ecastaneda77 on Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:56PM EDT Report Abuse
Im glad i got mine on sunday these people are hard core. And here I thought we were in a recesion. Any bugs being repoerted on the new one yet?
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3 Posted by rondjones10 on Fri Jul 18, 2008 2:13PM EDT Report Abuse
The 3 Apple stores in Tennessee haven't had any iphones for a week. Memphis had some today but sold out by 9:30am. Funny thing is their web site says they don't open until 10am. So much for getting in line early! Why does Apple keep their big city store fully stocked at the expense of the smaller stores? I'm so disgusted with Apple I may just forget about buying an iphone.
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4 Posted by lakerslive2004 on Fri Jul 18, 2008 2:49PM EDT Report Abuse
I got one on Tuesday. Waited about two and a half hours outside, then it took about a half our inside. Three hours isn't so bad, it's better than not having one at all.
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5 Posted by joelliot on Sun Jul 20, 2008 10:19PM EDT Report Abuse
I ordered the white iPhone on Thrusday @ an AT&T store & it came in yesterday so I'm not sure how much to make of the fact that there are notphones available on a day when you cannot get anything delivered.
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1 Posted by johnbavaro on Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:09PM EDT Report Abuse
I waited on line at the 5th Ave. Manhattan Apple Store at 6:15am on Tuesday and was out the door with a 16GB Black and 16GB White in hand by 8:15am. That seems to be the place to go...but get there early. At 6:15am there were still about 75 people ahead of me but there were 15 Apple employees activating phones at once so the line went quickly.