“Signs Apple’s stock of the iPhone 4S were running low manifested themselves Monday with a quiet update to its How To Buy page,” Electronista reports.
“Both the American and Canadian sites now tell visitors that the new iPhone is only available at retail ‘by reservation only’ after 9PM,” Electronista reports. “It had previously left the option of an on-the-spot purchase.”
Electronista reports, “Apple hasn’t yet run out at stores, although checks have suggested that the first batch may be near exhausted.”
Read more in the full article here.
Related articles:
Apple’s iPhone 4S likely to eclipse iPad 2′s Guiness World Record for fastest selling CE product – October 17, 2011
iPhone 4S destroys sales record; over 4 million units sold in first weekend – October 17, 2011
Apple iPhone 4S smashes record with over one million pre-orders in first 24 hours – October 10, 2011
I think by appointment, at least as an option, would have been a great idea right from the start. Sort of controls the chaos and activation bottlenecks, etc.
It’s similar to what they did (manually) at the retail stores during rush to buy iPad 2, except it’s automated and customers don’t have to show up at the store first thing in the morning (before the store opened) to ask what the latest shipment brought in and “reserve one,” if they have the config you want. Then, you go back later after the store opens and buy it with your “ticket.”
With this system, you can see what will be available the next day (at a particular location) and reserve it. It’s more convenient, but why not just order the exact config you want from the online store and wait for delivery (I guess it might take longer that way at this point).
Apple wants people to line up for launch. They don’t want people to line up day after day for weeks on end.
Could it be that the stock is so limited due to international sales that there just not enough for everyone wanting one. So rather than turn you away at the counter they can tell you when you try to make an appointment. Of course I may be way off course here but it did occur to me when I heard it.
Lies, all lies. The retail stores have basements full of iPhone 4Ses but they’re making believe they’ve sold out to increase the media hype. Break into one of the stores at night to check for yourself and you’ll see iPhone boxes piled high. After all, you didn’t expect consumers to buy a disappointing iPhone 4S as a substitute for an iPhone 5, did you?
Clot.
With that level of paranoia, I wouldn’t leave the house!
Really hating that short position you have going??? I have been long since 9. Yes. 9. Look at PE and growth rate and learn to invest wisely!
I went to my local Apple store on day one and when I found out they still had iPhones that night I asked if I could buy one. I was told it would take three days to cancel my pre-order before I could buy a subsidized one from the store. Oh well.
On the bright side, I received an email this morning that my 64 gig iPhone has shipped! Yea!!!
I got my white 4S 64GB yesterday evening at the local Apple Store when I walked up to the guy manning the doors telling him what I was interested in. He told me that he had exactly one unit left so I said, “I’ll take it!”
I was planning on buying this and my wife’s 16GB white model but that one was sold out. The $199 16GB is the really hot one since it’s a good price point. Loving the new 4S and my wife’s intensely jealous right now. 🙂
How long have you been married?….
The question is, how much longer
What really torques my jaws about this is that I pre-ordered at a local AT&T store (3rd in line) on Oct 7 and I STILL don’t have a definite ship date. If Apple is swimming in iPhones then why can’t ATT ship something? I wish I knew the behind-the-scenes details about ATT’s pre-ordering deal with Apple. I’d probably be even madder.
You lined up at the wrong store, dude.
You probably mistook the line outside to be for for iPhones.
The only lines at AT&T are to the complaints department.
In the past maybe, but not presently. Keep in mind AT&T was first to the iPhone party and I am willing to bet a customer service shakeup was on Apple’s to do list. I have yet to have a poor experience with At&t. I have been with them for over 3 years. I used to have alltel, now Verizon….. My girlfriend is STUCK with Verizon and she has utter disdain for the reps in that store. Verizon is a wolf in a sheep’s clothing.
Just got a 64GB White last night at my local AT&T store. Walked in planning on getting a 32GB, but the sales rep. told me they were all out and only had 64GB models left. I have had to do purchases/upgrades with this store for every iPhone my family and I have gotten (about 6 so far), because I have a FAN (corporate) account and they have always done great by me, so I have no complaints. The rep told me that his (and every) AT&T store received almost 200 iPhones on the 14th (in addition to the number of preorders), and they were almost sold out at most of the stores by Monday (last) night.