Apple COO Tim Cook denies spat

At least some Best Buy stores are holding back stock of the iPad 2, according to reports. One source claims that the retail chain has had all stock pulled except for demonstration units. Another initially explained that Apple was upset with a Best Buy policy, in which customers would be told there were no iPad 2s in stock when in reality a store had just reached a daily quota. Apple COO Tim Cook was said to be directly involved in resolving the situation, information supposedly backed by an Apple representative at a Best Buy outlet.

The second source claims, however, to have later got in direct contact with Cook via e-mail. "My understanding is most of their stores sold all of their initial supply on the first night of the launch and the balance were out by the following day," Cook's response reads. "I am not aware of any units being held."

Regardless, a third source identified as a worker at a southeastern Best Buy says his store also pulled iPads. "I handle pretty much everything Apple related in our sales department including inventory, training, and keeping up with the latest Apple news," he writes. "Yesterday we received a small shipment of iPad 2's, and as soon as they were brought out to the sales floor my supervisor told me that we could not sale them. I asked him why and he said that the managers received an internal email saying that we were to hold any available iPad 2's and were not allowed to sell them. We were also instructed to tell customers that we were out of stock and not to mention anything to customers about the inventory we were holding. No one really had an explanation as to why, so we locked them up in the warehouse until we hear more from upper management."

An internal memo for a California Best Buy, sent out via SMS, has been obtained by Boy Genius Report. "NewsFlash: ipads cannot be sold according to BBY. All ipads except for preorders MUST be held until further notice. Cant tell customers were holding them either," the message states.

Best Buy has been an essential retail partner for Apple. The company was the first major third-party retailer to sell iPads, and also handles a large number of Canadian iPad sales under its own name and the Future Shop brand.

By Electronista Staff