iPod Touch (Non) Shipment Fustration
Apple September 20th, 2007
As I’m sure most of you will know, the iPod touch is now freely available in most Apple Stores in both the United States and the United Kingdom. However many who pre-ordered via Apple’s website a couple of weeks back haven’t had theirs shipped yet - including me.
I ordered my 16GB iPod touch the day after it was announced, and still have an estimated shipment date of the 28th September, with delivery on the 2nd of October. The fact this hasn’t been brought forward has got under my skin over the past few days, and I’m rather frustrated.
I believe Apple should have started shipping the iPod touch to those who pre-ordered online either before, or alongside those who can now walk into an Apple store and pick one up on impulse.
Don’t undervalue your big spending and loyal customers Apple, we’re stuck here sitting and waiting for our product because why? Because we were loyal and ordered as soon as we could - via the online Apple Store.
September 20th, 2007 at 7:58 am
Its been known that the online ones would ship on or around the 28th since the day they announced them so I don’t see how you can get mad about it. I know it might be frustrating but it’s not like they lied about it or tried to hide it or something.
September 20th, 2007 at 8:49 am
One thing you have to realize is that Apple (or Steve Jobs, for that matter) is NOT your friend. You may like their products a lot, as I and many others do as well, but Apple is out to make a buck. That means that getting it into retail stores has to take priority over online orders, because many, many more people buy iPods from retail outlets than directly from Apple.
September 20th, 2007 at 9:01 am
The frustration is coming from the fact Apple said it would be available from the 28th, then they bring it out in stores weeks earlier, but those who had already ordered still have to wait. In a perfect world, it’d always be first come, first served.
September 20th, 2007 at 9:18 am
Glenn, why don’t you go to a shop, buy it and then cancel your online order? If you can get it quicker and for the same price that way then you may as well.
September 20th, 2007 at 9:20 am
Maybe the wait will be good. Alot of them have had problems with the screen. Maybe yours won’t. This might be a good thing.
September 20th, 2007 at 9:23 am
It’s a 16 gig issue.
Check your facts before publishing. Stores have the 8 gig and maybe very limited amounts of the 16. Besides, you are half way around the freaking world.
September 20th, 2007 at 9:47 am
Consider yourself lucky. My estimated delivery date is 5th October…It used to be 2nd but it got changed today. :-(
September 20th, 2007 at 9:52 am
I would, but they aren’t in any stores over here yet.
There are actually many 16GB version on offer at the Apple Stores, while the 8GB is currently out numbering them, a 16GB iPod touch is not impossible to find at an Apple Store.
September 20th, 2007 at 10:12 am
HI Glenn,
I have not heard of any UK stores having stock…. but am in London tomorrow and will be at Regent Street so will check then.
Best,
Jon
September 20th, 2007 at 10:23 am
Tbh Glenn, Im a bit lost here. What are you upset about exactly? That Apple haven’t got you your iPod before they said they would? Ok I would totally understand if they were pushing back release dates but for my money, you can’t complain…. yet :p
September 20th, 2007 at 10:25 am
I’m just annoyed that those who decided to put down the cash day one don’t have their units yet, but those who decide this second they want one, can head down to the store and get one. A little far fetched, but it is bugging me.
September 20th, 2007 at 10:28 am
I was in the same boat…My Apple online order even went into prepared shipment status thereby making it impossible to cancel online. I called them up and they put me down for an immediate return and refunded the cost of shipping. I went to Best Buy and bought a 16GB with zero problems (don’t know why Taylor believes that there are limited amounts of 16gb units).
September 20th, 2007 at 10:41 am
Hmmm. I have been on the good and the bad side of Apple’s delivery etc but in my experience they never actually take your money on a pre-order until they are ready to ship, so if they have taken your money already that is somewhat weird.
September 20th, 2007 at 10:51 am
Right I get ya - at least you have a set date when you know you will have one. As opposed to a guy walking into a store who doesnt really have a clue if theyve sold out etc. But I see where your coming from.
September 20th, 2007 at 10:52 am
Don’t be too mad. I purchased a 16gb and it has screen issuses
September 20th, 2007 at 11:38 am
Actually, they said it would be available in September, no specific date or anything. The online store said it would ship *by* the 28th, not *on* or *from* the 28th.
I do understand your frustration, but it seems a little silly to me. You gotta have patience in life (A 512MB shuffle was my primary iPod for 4 months, so…).
And, as jeff mentions above, they have inferior screens to the iPhone and sometimes with pretty major problems. Every single review has pointed that out (check out Playlist for example: http://playlistmag.com/reviews/2007/09/ipodttouch/index.php ). If I were you, I would go as far as to cancel my order and see if they fix or acknowledge it.
Oh, and my new nano is great.
September 20th, 2007 at 11:50 am
The problem with Apple is that retail and online stores are completely separate in the grand scheme of things.
Therefore, my buying a Touch from a store and cancelling my online order, while seeming similar, is in fact a big deal to Apple.
Its a big shame that these things aren’t integrated, but that’s the truth of things. And I, as a consumer, have the right to choose where I get it from. The annoying thing is that I now have to wait 7 days for a refund for me pre-order :(
September 20th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
I would, but they aren’t in any stores over here yet.
You’re contradicting yourself….If you decided to go to a store and get one right now you wouldn’t be able to. I really don’t understand why you’re complaining.
September 20th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
I think Glenn is referring to those that have the option of visiting a Local Apple store. Anyhow I’m pissed that I don’t have a wireless keyboard yet Glenn has one and I don’t even have a ship date.
September 20th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
Glenn, I feel your pain.
I ordered mine over a week ago, before they started appearing in stores in the US. My ship date is the 28th, and delivered by the 3rd [though based on past experience, I'm expecting it to arrive on the Monday after shipping on the Friday]
I was a little annoyed that they started shipping in America, and it seems to be more than just a few demo units per store that are “accidentally” being sold to customers - it appears that there was a substantial shipment, enough to get the supply lines full.
It’s given me a little relief that there are screen problems with the first batch that was shipped, and I’m hoping they will fix it by the time they ship mine.
Still, the waiting SUCKS.
Also, I recommend downloading the tracking widget by Mike Piontek. http://mikepiontek.com/software/mac/delivery-status.html
it’s been recetnly updated to fix incorrect dates due to US/international formatting.
September 20th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
I can’t wait any longer. I live in Idaho, which is Apple Store-less state, and while everyone else can pick one up in a store I have to wait.
I did go through amazon and got it next day air for about $303, though.
September 20th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
I agree Glenn, that is so lame they havent shipped your poduct yet! I’ve been in the same boat before, with the 5gen ipod and 1gen shuffle. I know how you feel.
September 20th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
I did not know that the screen issue was only on the 16 gig model. What I was trying to tell him was that maybe not getting his right away that they will have the screen issue fixed. There is some kind of coating that is not on the buttom of the screen that is causing the issue with the screen.
September 20th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
Well, this is not good, but I can say you are lucky because you can order and wait your iPod. I’m from Russia and here we have IMC. Yesterday it starts sell iWork’08. We would be able to buy new iPod maybe in end of October or November.
And no order. Just wait and go to store to buy a double price products.
So, you are not all bad ;-)
September 20th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
Just called London Regent St, and they said it’s still not going to be in stock until the 28th.
But the guy did sound like he was LYING :-)
September 20th, 2007 at 11:50 pm
Hi Glenn, I know how frustrated you are a colleague in my office also had his 16Gb on pre-order, but to our surprise contacted a local apple premium reseller who had some in stock. We went down (so I could show him where the store was and drool )to pick it up.
His touch is effected by the negative black issue, not good when its such a nice product. Wait for yours to some from the on-line store you might be lucky enough not to have a defected product.
Rich
September 21st, 2007 at 4:34 am
Im reealy peeved about this one. I want my ipod touch already! Now they’re selling them in stores in the UK and I have to wait till the 28th just for shipment? disgusting.
btw you spelt frustration wrong :)
September 21st, 2007 at 11:22 am
looks like Apple are admitting there are some faulty units and are remedying the situation.
i think that’s good news for me.
September 21st, 2007 at 11:30 am
Went to Regent Street today - they had sold out as of this morning, so did have them in. Loads there to play with as demo models and they were mobbed.
September 21st, 2007 at 8:02 pm
Aw. That sucks. :(
But at least you’ll get your iPod Touch on a specific date.
Cheer up :)
September 21st, 2007 at 11:46 pm
Cry me a river. Go get a life and stop whining like a bitch.
September 22nd, 2007 at 7:34 am
Thanks for that insightful comment. This is a technology blog, where I talk about concerns and opinion regarding the tech world. If you had a personal blog talking about your life and were complaining about something like the long line at the supermarket, I wouldn’t come and make a comment like that. I don’t think it’s me who needs to grow up.
September 22nd, 2007 at 3:52 pm
I understand your frustration. You being loyal did not cause a quicker shipping time. I’d be a bit ticked, but the wait is soon over.
Nice blog by the way, for being such a young lad.
September 22nd, 2007 at 9:40 pm
Wow! I can’t believe how unsympathetic and downright patronizing some of these comments have been. For those of you that don’t get it, let me try to spell it out for you:
You (pre)order a product, which usually means you have a bit of (pre)cedence over the general buying public. You’re told the product will begin shipping in a few weeks. You wait patiently. You then find out that the product is already available in select stores, while you’re still awaiting shipping. This frustrates you, and you vent via a post on your personal blog. Sounds perfectly reasonable to me. If Apple was able to ship iPod Touch to retail outlets, I see no reason why Glenn shouldn’t already have his on the way.
Glenn, I think the reason some people have jumped down your throat, is because you made Apple the center of your frustration. God forbid that you should, even mildly, imply that Apple isn’t perfect, or subject to making a poor decision from time to time.
September 22nd, 2007 at 9:48 pm
I think I will jump in at this point and will point out why some of us didnt get it.
Simply that Apple told Glenn a date when he would get his iPod touch and so far they haven’t broken that date - ie they haven’t pushed back the date or w/e. So officially Glenn has nothing to complain about.
But the post was more pointing out: why would you ship to stores first - before your pre-orders. Which is a damn good question to ask!
Your posts certainly seem to provoke some strong opinions/reactions Glenn ;)
btw - considering all the issues with the iPod Touch, your probably better off not getting it yet!
September 22nd, 2007 at 9:49 pm
You’ve interpreted my post absolutely 100% as intended. I’m frustrated because I got in first, yet others are jumping line. On another note, it ships in 6 days time :-)
September 22nd, 2007 at 9:52 pm
I’m totally happy with the current shipping timeframe, just a little hacked off Apple decided to get it in retail stores before fulfilling pre-orders. Looks like most of the screen problems have been sorted, fingers crossed I get a good one :-)
September 22nd, 2007 at 11:41 pm
Well, as I said before, Glenn is lucky since my date has been pushed back - It was originally estimated for 2nd October delivery but now that’s the 5th.
September 23rd, 2007 at 6:14 am
These reactions are pretty surprising to me and totally uncalled for. Glenn pre-ordered the iPod Touch and it is now available in stores while he is still waiting for his order to be shipped. That seems like a justified reason for complaint. Perhaps some people are just mad that you are getting an iPod touch. I don’t know what else could cause such nasty reactions.
September 23rd, 2007 at 11:22 am
“In a perfect world, it’d always be first come, first served.”
First off, this is apparently not a perfect world.
“Glenn pre-ordered the iPod Touch and it is now available in stores while he is still waiting for his order to be shipped. “
That’s how shipping works. *Pre*ordering is still ordering, and therefore it takes a couple weeks to ship. Did, anywhere on their site, it ask or guarantee for overnight shipping?
In other words, this is the very nature of shipping things, and I don’t see a reason for this frustration, except that you can’t wait to get your hands on Apple’s latest toy.
September 23rd, 2007 at 11:29 pm
people that ordered the touch the day before me [and earlier] have received emails over the weekend saying it is shipping, and will arrive by the 27th.
at this stage, it appears that people who opted for the engraving are the only ones getting emails, hopefully this will change tomorrow.
September 25th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
I can’t believe that people have jumped on Glenn just due to his valid concerns.
For the person that says Glenn is contradicting himself, you obviously don’t understand the fact that Glenn lives in New Zealand, where, as he said, they haven’t yet received the iPod Touch in their stores (none of which are actually Apple Retail Stores). He’s only somewhat disappointed about the fact that those Americans, and others where Apple stores are located, have the option to go get one at any point in time. (I work at Best Buy, and we’ve had them for at least a week)
I totally agree with you, Mr. Wolsey. The moment that they left the warehouse for the retail stores, I believe that that is when they should have been put into shipment for those loyal customers that PRE-ordered the product.
September 25th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
You might be surprised when it arrives Glenn. My Mum and a colleague of mine both got theirs today, 3 days before it was supposed to be even shipping here in Australia. I can’t imagine NZ would be too different.
Check out my first impressions here: http://www.jameskirsop.com/archives/163.
I actually haven’t seen a touch in any stores in Sydney yet, so I think people who purchase online are getting them before stores. I’ve heard that some stores won’t be getting stock in for at least another month!
September 25th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
iPod touch has shipped, will be here tomorrow afternoon. I’m pretty stoked now :-)
September 26th, 2007 at 3:16 am
Hey, I’ve been researching the ipod touch for a while and I can’t seem to get an official answer on how much video a 16GB would hold with and without music. I know you haven’t received yours yet but I’m hoping you can give me an idea?
Thanks :]
September 26th, 2007 at 6:04 am
Hi, Kelly. It looks like the 16 GB version is claimed to be able to hold roughly 22 hours of video. I’ll attack the link so you can see where I found this info.
http://www.apple.com/ipod/whichipod/
Alex
September 26th, 2007 at 6:04 am
Hi, Kelly. It looks like the 16 GB version is claimed to be able to hold roughly 20 hours of video. I’ll attach the link so you can see where I found this info.
http://www.apple.com/ipod/whichipod/
Alex
September 26th, 2007 at 8:02 am
I just spoke to apple on the phone and the man on the phone told me that any orders placed before the onset of typhoon whipa in asia, were made and packaged in china, and are delayed due to said typhoon, as fedex is having trouble getting the packages to the states. Anything ordered after the 18th or so is shipping sooner because they have started shipping those orders from the stock here in the US that was meant for stores (ie they are not shipping anymore to stores, and now they are using those to fill the more recent orders) they can’t send the stock from the US to the original orders because most of them are already made, with the serial numbers and such, in china, and boxed with shipping labels even, and they would then have lots of ipod touches registered by serial number to the people who ordered them stuck in china, that would then have to be reprogrammed and reregistered upon arriving here to be resold in the stores, should they have sent the earlier orders the stock from the US. (i know, this is confusing). I know this SUCKS because my ipod touch is waiting in china right now, but at least it explains a little bit of the delay. Apparently, their intent was to ship these ones from china before or around the 18th, 10 days early according to their predicted dates, but the typhoon prevented such. darn mother nature! (but my prayers go out to those who were effected by the typhoon… my ipod can wait a couple days, the people of north korea, eastern china, and japan are more important)
September 27th, 2007 at 3:01 am
[
Thank you Alex. :]
September 27th, 2007 at 5:16 am
I got a notice that my touch was shipped yesterday for deivery by friday, but the tracking on FedX only shows that data was transmitted to them by Apple - not that it was actually shipped. Anyone else getting this?
September 28th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
my iPod touch arrived yesterday. No matter how long the wait is, its definitely definitely worth it. Unboxing photos are at http://www.flickr.com/photos/harrisonx
September 28th, 2007 at 10:54 pm
hey i was just wondering if the ipod touch is definatly out in the apple retail stores? i’m going on saturday to the apple store at the trafford centre so do u think i would be able to get my hands on one???
September 29th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
I wouldn’t count on it 100%, but it’s highly likely they’ll have one in. Give them a call before hand to make sure.
September 29th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
Cheers ;) i’ll let you know if i get 1 lol
September 30th, 2007 at 9:40 pm
I didn’t manage to get 1 i rang up and he said he had just sold the last one :( i dunno where to try now
September 30th, 2007 at 9:50 pm
Just ordered the 8gb from argos online and it is due for delivery on tuesday whooooooooooo!
October 1st, 2007 at 9:15 pm
I’M AM REALLY ANGRY
I ordered my iTouch the 6th september, I think it was one or two day after the keynote. Now I got an E-mail the 29th september that it shipped, and I was so happy, because in the E-mail they said it would take about 4 or 5 days till I get it. This morning I checked the shipment status and it said 9th october. Are they kidding me….I called Apple and a bored and unfriendly man just repeated the same answer: it comes from China. Is this the way you treat a loyal customer . I ordered my imac, software, ipod accessories and much more direct from the online Apple store. This was definitely the last time I ordered something from the online Apple store. Not only they released the product earlier in stores, but it seems like non Apple stores gets the Ipod earlier as those who pre-ordered it. I think that this is like a slap in the face for those ipod enthusiasts who pre-ordered the iPod touch, and their are no excuses for that behavior. Is this “Think different”?
October 1st, 2007 at 9:19 pm
If theyve shipped it theres nothing they can do except guess the arrival date and notify you if this changes.
They have done this. I think you may be jumping on the Apple bashing train at this point. Every company behaves in this way - it happened to me just the other day on EBuyer, they notified me of the date change and i had it then.
October 2nd, 2007 at 8:45 am
ordered mine on sept 14th, now October the first and it’s still “prepared for shipment”, I would have been very happy with the service if they’d actually shipped on on the 28th, considering they said it would be “on or by the 28th” but this is just poor customer service. I walked past a shop today, I could have walked in bought on e and be home playing with it now. Seeing as I don’t have the money to do that I have to sit and wait. I’m a patient person but I’m fairly hacked off that it’s not even been shipped yet.
Pre-order just seems to mean they get your money earlier than joe public but not that you get your iPod earlier than him
October 3rd, 2007 at 3:24 am
You haven’t received your ipod even though u pre-orderd, because the idiots at ipod decided to send ur ipod during a CHINEASE NATIONAL HOLIDAY WHEN FEDEX IS CLOSED, so my package is stuck in china for another week!! and I live in Canada, dont they have a plant int the USA? stupid Apple!
Read my below article on my experiance tyring to obtain the ipod touch:
http://ipodhacked.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19&pid=37&st=0&#entry37
October 5th, 2007 at 10:08 am
Good think you got yours. I still have not gotten the ipod touch 16GB I pre-ordered
October 6th, 2007 at 12:24 am
I was able to get fedex to hold it and pick it up earlier
Otherwise I would of got it coming Tuesday since Monday is a holiday :)
But ya mine came from china, so china is still in business.
October 6th, 2007 at 8:08 am
Don’t order from argos they don’t have a clue told me i wud have mine by tuesday and now they tell me after telling me another two dates that they will have to ring me wen they find out. So basically you’ll get it wen you get it. So i cancelled my order. :(
October 7th, 2007 at 3:02 am
Whoop! Got 1 today from currys its so awesome and v. sexy lol
October 8th, 2007 at 9:12 am
Argos shops tell customers that they have the 8 gb in stock but it has to be shipped to you in 2 days. On the day it never came and when I phoned up Argos they said that apple had recalled them back. I don’t know when ill get it.
October 9th, 2007 at 12:36 am
Order date: 11 September
Shipment date: 28 September
Delivery date: 3rd October
Amended delivery date: 5th October
Amended delivery date: 9th October
Amended delivery date: 11th October
Amended delivery date: 19th October
I’m pretty piffed off at the moment as I am regularly near 3 apple stores in the UK
October 11th, 2007 at 9:15 am
Cancel your order and buy it from a store?
November 1st, 2007 at 11:59 am
What I want to know is when the iPhone is coming to Canada. This is getting really frustrating!