Glenn Wolsey notes that he is frustrated over iPod Touch (Non) Shipment:
I believe Apple should have started shipping the iPod touch to those who pre-ordered online either before, or alongside those who can now walk into an Apple store and pick one up on impulse.
Apple’s delays in delivering new-launch product via the online stores is not really something that new. It’s clear Apple, particularly in the US, have moved to a more retail centric model with Apple Stores being a priority for product launches — this results in pre-orders often1 dispatching well after the product has hit the shelves.
That works great in the US where there are often well-stocked Apple stores to waltz into, but not-so-great in other locations2 where resellers are the only option. Yes, Glenn could potentially visit a reseller that happens to have stock, but that’s not the point. If he orders online, it should be released within a short period from when the product hits the store shelves — that’s the right thing to do for those who splash-the-cash to pre-order.
The pre-orders are a sign-of-faith in a particular product where a consumer says “I trust you to do the right thing, here is my early tender for your product.” — the vendor should respond promptly to such good faith.
It hasn’t happened. And it should have.
- there are exceptions, I’ll grant you that dear reader (↩)
- .. some of the commenters seem to have fired from-the-hip and have not bothered to note that Glenn is actually in New Zealand. (↩)
≡ This is a journal entry relating to the topics of apple, hardware, ipod.
Brendan Borlase is a Systems and Network Administrator living in Adelaide, Australia, having lived, worked and breathed Information Technology for over 12 years. Learn more.
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