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iPhone Shortages To Last 2 To 4 Weeks

Submitted by Edward Kirk on July 18, 2008 - 4:00pm.
in

People still looking to get their hands on an iPhone 3G might have a long wait ahead. Analysts with Piper Jaffray & Co. are predicting that Apple's widespread supply shortages of iPhone 3Gs will probably continue for the next two to four weeks.

"I bet we'll see these problems for another two to four weeks," said Gene Munster, analyst at Piper Jaffray & Co., referring to his estimate of the lead time necessary for Apple to increase orders from its suppliers and restock the depleted iPhone inventory. "Early demand has been more than they expected [because] they knocked it out of the park on the first weekend."

They believe that, as Ezra Gottheil with Technology Business Research Inc. said, Apple has underestimated the initial demand for the device and that this is and the international launch are both contributing to shortages in the US and worldwide.

"There were outages last year, but not to this extent," Munster said, comparing the current situation with the launch last June of the first-generation iPhone. "This is a more sustained outage, and the demand seems to be sustained."

Meanwhile, eWeek has taken a count of Apple Stores with available stock ready for sale as of this morning around the US. You can check out their list at blogs.eWeek.com, or take a look for yourself at Apple's availability checker before 9:00p.m local time.

[via CompuerWorld]

Dang...thats unfortunate

Submitted by warlock on July 18, 2008 - 4:21pm.
i went to the Apple Store today and there were at least 30 people in line. I'm glad I camped out on the 11th to get one or else I probably wouldnt have one right now. :]

Submitted by frannyc28 on July 18, 2008 - 4:38pm.
EFF YEAH! Now I really don't care about those long hours waiting in line!... Well... on the Apple website says that here in NYC they still have all the models available (at least up until yesterday's report). Is this Shortages a general thing or just on the 21 states that the iphones were sold out? People run to NYC!

Submitted by baby-iphone.com (not verified) on July 18, 2008 - 5:30pm.
I went to my local at&t store two days ago and they told me they were out but i could order it and get it shipped there! so i did they told me it would take 10-15 Days but i got it today!

It May be Best to Order it from AT&T

Submitted by Unregistered (not verified) on July 18, 2008 - 8:19pm.
I stood in line 2.5 hours on July 11 at the closest AT&T store (a lot closer that either of the Apple Stores here in San Antonio) only to find out they were already out of the 16 GB iPhones. They said I could order one to be shipped to the store and that it should arrive in 3-5 business days. I went home and called the two Apple Stores to find out the lines were still long there, so I went back to the AT&T Store after lunch and ordered a 16 GB Black 3G iPhone. By then their initial warehouse supply had been spoken for, so they estimated it'd be 7-10 business days for my phone. But lo and behold, the phone came in this Wednesday - the 3rd business day! I went in and opened up a new account and they activated the phone for me. Within 20 minutes I walked out of the store a happy iPhone customer; the actual activation took probably one minute of that time (vs. the horrible problems experienced by many on July 11.) So maybe the best bet, if you don't want to stand in any more lines, is to order one at your nearest AT&T store.

Gene in San Antonio, Tx

Submitted by aqphoenix on July 18, 2008 - 8:28pm.
I ended up going the direct fulfillment route yesterday after a few snags kept me from doing it earlier in the week. I was told that it would be 10-21 days like everyone else that tried direct fulfillment and was pretty much okay with that. Through some strange twist of luck, my 16gig white iPhone 3G shipped today (the day after I ordered it!!) and should be available for pick up tomorrow. Maybe the shortage is lessening??

Submitted by xxx on July 18, 2008 - 10:45pm.
my store had all 3 types in stock today..... not to bad!

Submitted by xxx on July 19, 2008 - 2:12pm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by xxx View Post
my store had all 3 types in stock today..... not to bad!

and today....

out of stock!!!!

lol

Submitted by Kevin Dunahee on July 19, 2008 - 2:33pm.
Swung by two AT&T stores yesterday. The first store didn't even sell them but tried desperately to offer me one of "many different 3G touchscreen phones." I laughingly said, 'No, thanks."

The second AT&T store claimed they would have them by noon so I went and killed two hours and called back at noon. Now they might not have any until 5pm. I gave up. I'll just wait another week and hope demand lessens a bit.

Submitted by Unregistered (not verified) on July 19, 2008 - 10:12pm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered View Post
I stood in line 2.5 hours on July 11 at the closest AT&T store (a lot closer that either of the Apple Stores here in San Antonio) only to find out they were already out of the 16 GB iPhones. They said I could order one to be shipped to the store and that it should arrive in 3-5 business days. I went home and called the two Apple Stores to find out the lines were still long there, so I went back to the AT&T Store after lunch and ordered a 16 GB Black 3G iPhone. By then their initial warehouse supply had been spoken for, so they estimated it'd be 7-10 business days for my phone. But lo and behold, the phone came in this Wednesday - the 3rd business day! I went in and opened up a new account and they activated the phone for me. Within 20 minutes I walked out of the store a happy iPhone customer; the actual activation took probably one minute of that time (vs. the horrible problems experienced by many on July 11.) So maybe the best bet, if you don't want to stand in any more lines, is to order one at your nearest AT&T store.

Gene in San Antonio, Tx
Let me ask this now...because I too, went to my local AT&T store and placed the direct fulfillment order. They told me that they will not charge my credit card until the phone is actually shipped out. I was at the store on the 15th and found out the very next day that they charged my card. So I figured it wouldn't take too long for them to ship the phone. It is now Saturday (19th) and no iPhone!! I checked online and it shows as "on back order" in progress NOT shipped. I actually stopped by the AT&T store I placed the order in and they tell me it could take up to couple of weeks. So, is anyone going through what I am going through?

Shortage

Submitted by Unregistered (not verified) on July 20, 2008 - 1:40pm.
I did a Direct Fulfillment on 7/11 at my AT&T store around 3:30PM for a black 16GB iPhone. I was notified last night by e-mail that it had been shipped and I can pick it up tomorrow (Monday). So when the sales rep said it would be 7-10 days, he was right.

Submitted by Unregistered (not verified) on July 24, 2008 - 1:48pm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered View Post
Let me ask this now...because I too, went to my local AT&T store and placed the direct fulfillment order. They told me that they will not charge my credit card until the phone is actually shipped out. I was at the store on the 15th and found out the very next day that they charged my card. So I figured it wouldn't take too long for them to ship the phone. It is now Saturday (19th) and no iPhone!! I checked online and it shows as "on back order" in progress NOT shipped. I actually stopped by the AT&T store I placed the order in and they tell me it could take up to couple of weeks. So, is anyone going through what I am going through?


YES! I am going through the same exact thing. I ordered mine July 18th... and it's now the 24th, and mine says "back order" for the phone and freight, and not shipped yet.... FRUSTRATING... but, they DID say 21 days max.... ugh... i'm hoping it's not that long. I Need that freakin phone.