Best Buy, other retailers delaying iPhone 5 preorders
updated 01:26 pm EDT, Fri September 21, 2012
Parties blame low shipments from Apple
Best Buy, Walmart, and Sam's Club are delaying sales of iPhone 5 preorders to some customers, MacRumors notes. One person says that they received an email from Best Buy warning him that he wouldn't have his phone today, and that it might take up to 28 days before it's in stock. The person claims moreover that he was the first person to preorder a black 64GB model at his location, and that all of his friends got the same email.
Several people are complaining that Walmart stores also haven't received their iPhone 5 stock. When asked, workers at the stores either said to check back later on Friday, or that they had no idea when shipments might be coming in. Sam's Club -- the warehouse chain owned by Walmart -- is informing customers that preordered iPhones will arrive "approximately 7 to 10 business days from the original September 21 release date."
Both Best Buy and Sam's Club are blaming a lack of shipments from Apple. During an iPhone launch Apple typically reserves most units for its own stores, leaving smaller amounts for carriers and third-party retailers. The company appears to be having an especially hard time satisfying demand with the iPhone 5 however, and may be deprioritizing partner retailers.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: 09-21-12
I guess pre-ordering from a less tech heavy area helps. I ordered my Black 64 AT&T iPhone 5 at 3:30 p.m. from Best Buy on the first day of pre-orders, and I'm scheduled to pick mine up today at 5:00 p.m. :)