Mobile Phones & iPhones

[figment]

There are a ton of threads here about people complaining and asking questions, so I thought I'd give it a day or so before posting my own thing; now I feel it's time. I know that it is collaboratively Apple and Best Buy's fault, one for not sending enough units and one for taking too many pre-orders, respectively, but I still need some closure on this open situation. I was #4 in line Best Buy Store #511, for an iPhone 32GB. They only received two in, and I had to call in yesterday to find this out. I was selling my current iPhone 3G on e Bay which conveniently ended today, because when I pre-ordered on June 14th, I was "guaranteed" that I'd be getting a phone today. I called again this morning to find out that they received another shipment in, but of only 16GB iPhone 4 units. I asked if I could possibly get one of those, because technically I'm before everyone else in line who is now getting theirs for the second shipment, but was pretty rudely told I had no option but to wait. I understand that I pre-ordered the 32GB model, but one would think the priority to get at least the 1-10 people situated would still be pretty high. So now I'm without a phone (because I had to ship my sold unit out) and without a definite answer as to when I'll be getting my pre-order, something I had to initially put money down and was promised something that obviously didn't happen. Can any mod on here look into this for me? I know it's my fault for relying on Best Buy in the first place and putting my one and only phone up for sale, but it was supposed to work. I usually take someone's word for it if I'm putting money down and getting a "guarantee" - now I know to be more cautious next time. Any type of answer would be great. Thanks.

[Nokia]

BB took the same number of preorders as units ordered.

[lew8u]

My wife and I did the same thing.  We've been without phones now since the 15th (we put them on e-bay before the market got flooded).

[figment]

Nokia,

Your reply doesn't help in the least. I assume (and would hope) that Best Buy ordered the same amount of pre-orders they got in; something just went wrong and everyone is getting their 16GBs when people who wanted a 32GB aren't.

In other words, I know things are messed up right now - I don't need to blame anyone. I just need someone with authority to check into this for me and possibly let me know how long I'm going to be without a phone.

Thanks in advance.

[snaiyer]

Same here. I was number 6 for two iphone4 32GB orders for me and my wife and the local bestbuy said they got only TWO 32GB's - what is this.

Is it a joke?

They didnt even get a couple of them to give away atleast 10 or so? Why should we depend on bestbuy in future when thats there reputation is.

[Nokia]

Jacob has stated that right now, he doesn't know when additional shipments are arriving.

[c64]

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snaiyer wrote:

Same here. I was number 6 for two iphone4 32GB orders for me and my wife and the local bestbuy said they got only TWO 32GB's - what is this.

Is it a joke?

They didnt even get a couple of them to give away atleast 10 or so? Why should we depend on bestbuy in future when thats there reputation is.

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I was #11 and i missed the first shipment on 6/23, but another shipment came in today and received a call at 11:20am.As of this morning before the call i was in your shoes accepting that i might not be getting the iphone until july.i know this doesn't help your anger because i would be angery too if i was #6 and still waiting, but there still might be a chance for that second shipment.they couldn't give me an appointment until 6:00pm, you never know.

[ADMLOSTSAILOR]

Here is the deal:

Best Buy had 1 week to place a pre-order number to Apple.  Apple then had to allocate its devices already manufactured accordingly.  Foxlink, the company that is contracted to assemble the device from Apple then only had 1 week to build additional units.  So...Apple obviously built units before pre-orders start to have a stockpile available.  Well that is the stockpile that is depleted...Apple could not possibly know how many people would pre-order.  The ONLY way to have enough units ready to meet EVERY customer is to take pre-orders at least 12 months out.  That is the nature of manufacturing.  SO the next best system in place is what we are currently doing: Build a small stockpile, pre-order a month or a week or so before launch day and distribute the product as best as possible when they become available.  There is no other way.

I ordered a 32GB (was #14 in line for that) and my wife ordered a 16GB (she was #16 in her line).  They received 30 16GB's and 10 32GB's.  She is getting hers but I have to wait.  That is the nature of pre-order.  I am guaranteed a phone.  and I'm guaranteed that the 4th 32GB phone that store gets is mine.  The guy who didn't pre-order doesn't have that.

Forward thinking prevents errors like selling your phone on e.Bay before you have the replacement.  You should never put all your eggs in one basket.  You can still sell your phone elsewhere and get decent money for it...I'm getting almost $150 for my wifes 2G....once we have her phone.

Do not blame anyone but yourself for your lack of insight.  Best Buy, Apple, Wally-World, The Shack, AT&T are doing what they can with the system available.  If you don't like it...don't participate.  Your problem is no more important than Joe the Plumbers problem.

[snaiyer]

The point here is not what the iPhone manufacturing cycle is.

My point was that if I had been #6 or even #10 in AT&T or Apple store preorder, I would have a got an iPhone today - guaranteed.

So its about bestbuy I am talking about. Getting 1 or 2 phones on launch day is only disappointing their customers. Next time, I would definitely think of preordering anything elsewhere. 

AND it's strange - why doesn't anyone know how much iPhone4's are they getting until the last moment or when is the next shipment coming?

Isnt there a system in place? This is not something that happens suddenly, that someone randomly decides a day earlier which store gets how many phones.

[Nokia]

They put in an order, apple sends them what they feel like. Of course ATT is filling their preorders; they forced apple to give them most of BB's inventory.