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That's a lot to assume Feathers. It makes perfect sense that Apple drastically reduce iPod production in light of the economy. Especially if Apple wanted to make sure they clear inventory prior to MWSF.

Wu contends that the sell-outs are unexpected in light of the ongoing recession, but may be attributable to a reasonable average selling price and matching public interest.

Or it could be due to Apple sending out limited number of units to the retailers, and trying to keep as much of the sales in-house as possible (will make the Retail stores look full and give them good sales numbers for the quarter).

Beedle the what?

He who knows all, sees all, divines all, understands all, recognizes all, and brings succor to the lost! Gawd, but how uneasy must lie the head of one who can so easily pierce the veil of lies and chicanery that is international corporate machinations!

Or, to put it more succinctly . . . Phhhhttt! You know nothing, sir. You are an imbecilic poseur and should be pitied AND censured.

But the "anal-ists" are always right and they're all atwitter that iPod sales are slumping to oblivion. Oh my!!! How can there not be any iPods available to people who aren't supposed to be buying them???!!!!

Testudo - I have about zero percent interest in Harry Potter but even I know what beedle the bard is.

As for the shortage. Yes, it's amusing there is a shortage at the same time analysts have been predicting gloom, but it actually suggests third party resellers have been conservative in their stocking/orders, as I equally imagine that Apple, like most firms, avoids holding inventory, but will be manufacturing to order.

no no iPod sales. I'd heard that people stopped buying iPods some time ago. Apparently everbody in the world that wanted one already had one. So let's see, now. The sales are imagined and the shortages are fabrications. I'm ready to believe that Apple employees are going into stores and just taking iPods off the shelves to put in a warehouse somewhere. Then miraculously a couple of days before Christmas when people are in a frenzy from pent-up demand, Apple will release them a few at a time to create artificially produced long lines outside of stores, thereby initiating massive pre-Christmas media buzz. Apple is truly devious. I hope the plan works.

When he said earlier this week that Apple should have had more aggressive discounts for Black Friday. If I think I will sell all I can make, why would I lower the price, again?