iPhone 3GS: Canada’s Rogers has sold out
By Ronald O Carlson
Apple’s exclusive iPhone partner north of the border in Canuckistan regularly draws the ire of users and pundits, but it’s also apparently drawing lots of new customers, too, as the company has sold through its Cupertino approved allotment fruit-flavored phones.
The Globe and Mail reports that Rogers Communications, Apple’s sole Canadian wireless operator able to carry the iPhone, has sold out of the hot-selling handset. Thereupon, the carrier is telling customers product will continue to be in short supply and that it will fill orders on a first come, first served basis.
“We are out of stock and still taking orders as our inventory continues to come in week to week,” said Liz Hamilton, spokeswoman, Rogers. “While we have continuous incoming inventory, we are filling back orders on a priority basis and we appreciate the enthusiasm and patience of our customers.”
Here in the land of milk and Honey Nut Cheerios, AT&T is faring only slightly better, warning customers that the time between ordering an iPhone 3GS and getting one can be up to two weeks. However, pundits are saying that what little supply Americans have comes at the expense of other markets because of the importance of winning the smartphone war in the U.S.
“If you’re in short supply and the smart-phone companies are [fighting] it out in a war, you want to protect your beachhead. You want to be able to fight the battle in the most important areas of the world, and quite frankly that’s the United States. You’ve got to reserve your supply for the biggest battle grounds,” said Kevin Restivo, senior analyst for mobility, IDC Canada. “Rogers can’t be thrilled about the supply situation.”
Robbing Peter to pay…
And, this line of reasoning highlights a longer issue for Apple’s wireless partners elsewhere around the world — when will they be able to start selling the iPhone 3GS? Obviously, if they can’t get the number one smartphone, they’ll sell what they can get and this creates obvious challenges both short term and down the road for the mothership and its often troublesome wireless partners.
Honestly, this ongoing inability to meet demand for a hot selling product reminiscent of the Apple of old and that’s a state of affairs that the company must avoid at all costs…
What’s your take?
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August 18th, 2009
LOL, way to go there Rogers, way to go!
RT
http://www.online-anonymity.net.tc
August 20th, 2009
I live in Canada and they told me they get them in all the time.
August 20th, 2009
This is from an email on the 11th
“I have some iPhone 3GS in stock now. They seem to be coming in a bit more regularly now.”
August 28th, 2009
No stock in Montreal (at Fido St Catherine they have put a hand written note telling that even 16GB are out of stock).
Apple Store doesn’t have stock either. Even for the display, they don’t have 3GS.
September 8th, 2009
I’ve been waiting since June 23rd since my order of the 16 GB Black 3GS, and with each call they cannot seem to track and trace my order- they couldn’t even tell the address it was being shipped to- without cancelling my order first- LMAO. Sure hope there is a FANCY rebate since they promised I would have one by my travel date of July 17th. Not likely. Fido says the longest wait has been 3 weeks. Lucky Peeps!