http://www.macnn.com/articles/12/09/14/gear.essential.for.older.iphone.ipod.accessories/
Lightning cables, adapters sell out at online Apple Store
updated 09:33 am EDT, Fri September 14, 2012
Gear essential for older iPhone/iPod accessories
Lightning cables and adapters have effectively sold out at Apple's online store, checks show. The basic Lightning-to-USB cable is now listed as shipping in two to three weeks. The Lightning-to-30-pin and Lightning-to-30-pin cable adapters are still slated to ship in October, but with a rush of overnight iPhone 5 sales, it's likely that new orders will only be delivered later in the month.
Aside from the new iPhone, the updated versions of the iPod touch and nano also rely on Lightning, which may be exacerbating demand. Adapters sales may be high because of the sheer number of iPhone and iPod accessories based on Apple's old 30-pin standard.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: 03-24-09
I bought my iPhone 5 at 12:20am pacific time, including an extra Lightning-to-USB cable. Even at that time it showed 2-3 week delivery. I added two more cable this morning (daughter didn't order her extra one early this morning) and they still show 2-3 weeks delivery so I don't believe Apple was intending on delivering extra cables when the first iPhones were delivered, making sure they had enough for the ones included with the phone.