News
iPod shortages expected this holiday season
If you plan on buying an iPod for someone as a gift this year, you may have quite a search ahead of you. BusinessWeek reports that numerous retailers are already warning that they won’t be able to keep up with demand for the hot devices.
“With the holiday shopping season at hand, two truths are swiftly emerging about Apple’s iPod,” says BusinessWeek’s Peter Burrows. “First, the product is going to be a gigantic hit. Second, there are going to be shortages. The only question is how big the shortfall will be. Some retailers say they’re getting far fewer iPods than they requested—in two cases, fewer than half of their weekly orders. Also, retailing giant Circuit City expects demand to outstrip supply through the end of the year.”
Crutchfield, which currently has $4 million of all iPod models on order, said that Apple typically ships less than 30% of what the online retailer requests each week. “If you want to get an iPod for someone this Christmas, I’d advise you to get it now—if you can find one,” says Scott Anderson, merchandising manager for online retailer Crutchfield.
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1
Glad my mom and dad already bought mine! (I paid for half of it, before i start getting ‘spoiled kids replies’
Posted by WldKt in United States on November 22, 2005 at 1:59 PM (PDT)
2
Of COURSE there will be shortages. How else can you make it look like your thing is more popular than it is and create that buzz?
The Evil Empire is doing this with Xboxes…Apple’s doing it with iPods. Apple IS Microsoft, people. Time to stop pretending otherwise…
Posted by stark23x on November 22, 2005 at 2:12 PM (PDT)
3
somehow, i doubt apple is intentionally creating shortages to create buzz this time around, maybe they are constrained by manufacturing capacity and availability of parts like Flash Memory chips but no, i dont think its intentional
Posted by khyberny on November 22, 2005 at 2:39 PM (PDT)
4
I haven’t been following what outlets like BestBuy and CompUSA have had in stock, but the Apple Store I frequent has had PLENTY of 5Gs and nanos in both colors and sizes the past two or three weeks.
I’ve also noticed that the past couple of times I’ve been in there, the 5G’s been getting significantly more attention than the nano, if activity at their respective display tables is a reliable indicator.
Posted by flatline response on November 22, 2005 at 4:02 PM (PDT)
5
It’s all lies…anyone who wants an iPod can get one. Worst case scenario is that it’s not in stock at the first store you stop at, but some store on the same block, or in the same mall will have it.
There’s no shortage…just something new for people to say about the iPod, especially considering the current hot story is the supposed shortage of Xbox consoles.
I guess the Apple vs. Microsoft battle will never end.
Posted by Talking Madness in Los Angeles on November 22, 2005 at 4:21 PM (PDT)
6
I would just shop online. You can usually find out who has and doesn’t rather than wasting gas going to the store. Apple online seems to have plenty online right now.
I know it’s not as fun.
Posted by AF Bargain Gatherer on November 22, 2005 at 5:21 PM (PDT)
7
Sharper Image isn’t selling the 5Gs on their own because the demand is so high…they’re only selling them to people who buy a package with the speaker sets.
Posted by Anna on November 22, 2005 at 9:33 PM (PDT)
8
Guess who’s going to be at the 4AM doorbuster… ME! It’s going to be crazzzy.
Posted by Jon on November 22, 2005 at 9:45 PM (PDT)
9
Anna-
I think The Sharper Image is just trying to make a few extra bucks. Fry’s Electronics is selling the Xbox 360 as part of a package. Packages includes the console and four games…$639! Crazy!
Posted by Talking Madness in Los Angeles on November 23, 2005 at 12:43 AM (PDT)
10
I just bought a 60gb Black iPod online at Apple.com about an hour ago no problem! Says it’ll ship in 1-3 busniess days…I guess we’ll see!
Posted by jC! on November 23, 2005 at 12:45 AM (PDT)
11
So is EBGames, bundle only. One comes with a Plasma TV at over a $1k!!
Posted by jC! on November 23, 2005 at 12:47 AM (PDT)
12
Tesco’s in UK was sold out of the 4GB version and the black versions so i ordered online.
Posted by Dom on November 23, 2005 at 9:59 AM (PDT)
13
Packages includes the console and four games…$639! Crazy!
No, the crazy part is that they had ZERO problem selling out at that price.
Even crazier is the $800-$900 closing prices on eBay for the premium package. $500 above retail…incredible.
Posted by flatline response on November 24, 2005 at 1:19 PM (PDT)