Shrygue
July 9th, 2008, 20:16
via Gizmodo (http://uk.gizmodo.com/2008/07/09/o2_admits_iphone_3g_shortage_f.html)
Just a day after O2's pre-ordering Web site crashed under the pressure of UK shoppers wanting an iPhone 3G, the company has admitted that in-store numbers are going to be low.
In an email bombshell to one customer, in response to his complaint over the rubbish pre-ordering service, Stephen Shurrock, sales director at O2, wrote:
"Demand was at 13,000 orders per second. Frankly, we have to admit we just weren't prepared for this unprecedented level of demand. No website is. The next opportunity to get an iPhone will be when the device goes on sale in the high street on 11th July. O2 and Carphone Warehouse stores will be taking new orders and upgrade orders. Apple stores will only be taking new customer contracts. The approach on Friday will also be on a first come first served basis. The amount of devices will vary depending on the store but will be on average a few dozen iPhones in each O2 or CPW store.
We are expecting early queues and, like the online site, are expecting to sell out very quickly. Apple stores will have more devices. We will be receiving deliveries from Apple roughly once a week for the foreseeable future but it will be several weeks before stocks increase. We will release stock updates for the online shop as they become available.
Unfortunately, [Apple] have only been able to supply a small proportion of the number of phones we asked for, because they are launching simultaneously in 22 countries. We are confident that over time we will start to get sufficient volume to meet demand, but it is likely that stock will be in very short supply for some weeks to come."
A "few dozen"? A "few dozen" in any given store is pathetic. I see quite a few cases of iPhone Rage coming on this Friday.-Martin Lynch
Just a day after O2's pre-ordering Web site crashed under the pressure of UK shoppers wanting an iPhone 3G, the company has admitted that in-store numbers are going to be low.
In an email bombshell to one customer, in response to his complaint over the rubbish pre-ordering service, Stephen Shurrock, sales director at O2, wrote:
"Demand was at 13,000 orders per second. Frankly, we have to admit we just weren't prepared for this unprecedented level of demand. No website is. The next opportunity to get an iPhone will be when the device goes on sale in the high street on 11th July. O2 and Carphone Warehouse stores will be taking new orders and upgrade orders. Apple stores will only be taking new customer contracts. The approach on Friday will also be on a first come first served basis. The amount of devices will vary depending on the store but will be on average a few dozen iPhones in each O2 or CPW store.
We are expecting early queues and, like the online site, are expecting to sell out very quickly. Apple stores will have more devices. We will be receiving deliveries from Apple roughly once a week for the foreseeable future but it will be several weeks before stocks increase. We will release stock updates for the online shop as they become available.
Unfortunately, [Apple] have only been able to supply a small proportion of the number of phones we asked for, because they are launching simultaneously in 22 countries. We are confident that over time we will start to get sufficient volume to meet demand, but it is likely that stock will be in very short supply for some weeks to come."
A "few dozen"? A "few dozen" in any given store is pathetic. I see quite a few cases of iPhone Rage coming on this Friday.-Martin Lynch