iPad 3G Release / Ship Date Controversy

iPad 3G Release / Ship Date Controversy

There seems to be a bit of confusion settling in regarding the iPad 3G release data / shipping date. People are now being told that if they pre-ordered an iPad Wi-Fi + 3G, then they won’t be receiving their iPad 3G until after the stores get them on April 30th.

According to a press release yesterday by Apple, the iPad 3g will be delivered to US customers who’ve pre-ordered on Friday, April 30, and will be available in Apple retail stores the same day starting at 5:00 p.m.

However, this doesn’t seem to line up with a phone / chat session someone had with Apple customer support. The dialogue below basically states that if you pre-ordered your Pad Wi-Fi + 3G on or after April 19, it will ship per the dates quoted on the Apple Online Store. As of today, iPad Wi-Fi + 3G orders will ship May 7.

Here’s the complete dialogue from someone chatting with Apple customer support over this issue:

Hi, my name is Deborah. Welcome to Apple!
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Deborah: How may I assist you today?
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You: Hello. I have a few questions about the ipad
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Deborah: Sure! How can I help?
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You: I preordered a 3g ipad the other day. My email says ships by May 7th. But reports are that the 3g will be in the store 5 pm on 30 April
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You: I have a hard time believing that I wont get my pre order until after they are in the stores
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Deborah: I am happy to explain.
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You: ok
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Deborah: iPad Wi-Fi + 3G orders placed on or after April 19, will ship per the dates quoted on the Apple Online Store. As of today, iPad Wi-Fi + 3G orders will ship May 7.
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Deborah: Many of the store models have been reserved over the last month.
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Deborah: Due to overwhelming demand, the stores are no longer accepting Reserves.
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Deborah: It will be first come, first serve. With the excitement of the product, many locations will likely sell out.
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You: Mine was preordered on April 19th in the morning
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You: so according to you I should have in on 30 April
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Deborah: No. iPad Wi-Fi + 3G orders placed on or after April 19, will ship per the dates quoted on the Apple Online Store. As of today, iPad Wi-Fi + 3G orders will ship May 7.
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Deborah: You placed your order on the 19th.
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You: so you are telling me that even though I preordered mine, I will not get it until a week after the store gets it?
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Deborah: Correct. Pre-orders began in March. Orders will ship in the order they were received.
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You: Then what is the point of preordering? that is a terrible business practice and I bet you are going to have a lot of ticked off people. I know I am going to be if that is true
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Deborah: Keep in mind orders have been placed for a month as well as Retail Store reserves.
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Deborah: It is first come, first serve. Those that ordered or reserved earlier will receive the product first.
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You: I understand all that and that makes sense. but that has nothing to do with preorders shipping a week after the store recieves the item
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Deborah: To clarify, inventory designated for retail store release and online orders prior to April 19th has all been depleted.
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Deborah: New order or stock will ship as it is available.
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You: Then Apple should have stopped calling it preorder. A preorder is an order placed for an item not yet in the store, reserving their own personal copy before the release to the store, guaranteeing delivery on release date
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You: I do not understand how you all can justify a preorder shipping a full week after the store gets them