Hello,
I don't know how many have noticed this but here goes... rant time.
Apple has a wide customer base, with millions of users worldwide. Yet when they release a product, it's immediately on backorder.
Apple, for some reason, does not increase their supply chain to accommodate the influx of orders that they know will arrive on release. I have not noticed any other consumer electronics firm doing this. It's almost like if you don't preorder it within the first hour, you're not going to get one until 6 weeks later.
Now, for the first product, I can understand. But this has happened with several products, namely beginning with the iPhone 6 (or maybe earlier, and I didn't notice this). This was 2 years ago. And apple still hasn't figured it out.
Now, granted, I'm not an apple slammer. I love apple, and all the work they have put in to making great products. But this is one of the things about apple that really bothers me. I know they could get even more sales if they would simply increase their supply chain to reflect projected demand on their products, since they have a history of under producing on launch. I guess this was prompted by my wanting to buy a pair of airpods, and seeing the "6 weeks" on the apple store page.
By techluver, 20 December, 2016
Forum
Apple Hardware and Compatible Accessories
Comments
Well
It strikes me that they may be doing this deliberately. The sense of rush involved means that they may be likely to get an even bigger influx of sales than they otherwise would. Think about it: a pre-order is still a sale. Considering how regular this is, I'd label it more as a deliberate marketing ploy. Which, of course, doesn't mean it's not a disturbing trend as well.
A more disturbing trend
Personally, I'm more concerned about the lack of software quality testing, particularly for MacOS and I'm not reerring only to VoiceOver here. I'm also concerned about the off-the-wall decisions they're making regarding their laptops. That's a far more disturbing trend than not being able to get something the first day, imho. Not being in touch with what the customers actually want will lead to far more trouble than supply chain issues.
Re:an increasingly disturbing trend within apple
Hi,
With all due respect I must disagree with the assertions in the post that started this thread specifically as it pertains to Apple not getting it right. Mind you I don’t disagree that it isn’t inconvenient and sometimes annoying. But I think even a rudimentary knowledge of basic economics and marketing principles of supply and demand might indicate that Apple has it exactly right or at least right enough for their purposes. I.E. creating a greater pent up demand at launch only makes the product seem more enticing and keys into the human tendency to enjoy the hunt to acquire something seemingly more rare thus increasing its perceived value. Either way they’ll sell plenty so I don’t think delays in the supply chain are bothering them much. Granted they’re not always intentional sometimes components are in shorter supply or as was the case with AirPods initially Apple themselves delayed them because something was amiss in their estimation before launch.
All I’m saying is that nothing is ever simple or cut and dry and there are often many reasons in play for how much and when products hit the market place and channels of distribution.
Robin's on the right track
The subject line is most of what I wanted to say. Pertaining to the stuff about laptops and software is for another thread entirely.
i wish to disagree
I feel that they may be alienating certain customers, who otherwise may be going to their products. There are many "right now" shoppers, who wish to have it "right now", instead of waiting for their pent up anxiety stuff.
I'm not saying that you don't have a valid point--you do. But the apple fan base would buy it whether it came out right then or 6 weeks later. The sales they are missing out on are the impulse ones when it's hot and has been just released. In other words, not the apple fan base, but the ones that are on the fence. I mean, if a fence sitter can get an iPhone in 6 weeks, or an android now, what will they choose?
In fact, I don't think their anxiety thing is working, because some people are mad that they can only get it 6 weeks later, so it would offset the small increase they would get. Just my opinion.