Most Apple Stores, nearly all partners sell out of iPhone 4
updated 09:30 am EDT, Mon June 28, 2010
Online shipping times stretch out to three weeks
It may now be difficult or impossible to find an iPhone 4 in much of the US and Europe, suggests Deutsche Bank analyst Chris Whitmore. The firm spoke with over 100 retail outlets over the weekend, and Whitmore notes that 60 percent of Apple Stores were sold out by the end of Thursday, while all other contacted retailers were empty. These included Best Buy in the US, Orange in France and O2 and Carphone Warehouse in the UK.
More phones were delivered for Friday, but by the end of the day 80 percent of Apple Stores were sold out, and droughts had hit 90 percent of O2 shops, as well as all of the contacted Best Buy and Orange locations. On Saturday, only 5 percent of Apple Stores had any iPhone 4s available. Apple was ultimately revealed to have sold over 1.7 million units before Sunday.
At the US and UK online Apple Stores, meanwhile, shipping times have been extended considerably. Both sites now claim a minimum three-week wait, instead of a previous target of July 14th. Although not the company's longest-ever delay, the new timeframe may disappoint many shoppers given high ongoing demand.
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: May 2002
Same goes for Japan
No stock in any store, and orders can only be placed if the buyer accepts the fact that no estimate can be given for delivery. I heard today that SoftBank -- the local carrier -- has called some folks and tried to convince them to buy a different product, using the rationale that SoftBank has no idea when their original order might be filled.
Friends here in Japan who ordered 12 hours or so after the worldwide pre-order circus started on the 15th are still sitting without word on expected delivery. Meanwhile, acquaintances in the States who ordered several hours later have received their phones, which suggests that Apple is giving priority to their domestic market, (and Europe?)