Report: Best Buy Barred from Selling iPad 2 (said sold out, had pre-determined daily sales quota)

[The Straight Story]

Report: Best Buy Barred from Selling iPad 2

Best Buy could be in deep trouble with Apple over mishandling sales of the iPad 2. In fact, the electronics retailer might be banned from selling the device at all.

Citing a "reader who works at Best Buy," CrunchGear reported that Best Buy was telling customers that it had sold out of the iPad 2, when in reality it was holding onto stock after having reached a pre-determined daily sales quota.

CrunchGear said Apple's displeasure comes from high up; COO Tim Cook allegedly got wind of Best Buy's foul play and he's none too pleased.

TUAW has also weighed in to say that Apple has ordered a freeze on sales of the next-generation tablet through Best Buy. Apple has reportedly yanked all the iPad 2s Best Buy had in stock, save for demo models.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2383307,00.asp

[Buzz Clik]

1. That's pretty funny. Apple vs Best Buy. Not sure who I want to lose that one. Both?

[Poll_Blind]

2. You read my mind on that one...

:rofl:

PB

[emulatorloo]

3. Dunno, what best buy did sounds pretty F'up to me. Telling customers they don't have something

when they do?

How would you feel if you went somewhere to buy something you wanted and the asshole told you it was "sold out"?

[Poll_Blind]

4. One of the many questionable (at best) practices of Best Buy.

The Cracked list of 5 Ways Hi-Tech Retailers Are Secretly Screwing You features Best Buy quite a bit!

PB

[emulatorloo]

5. Yeah, they are awful, they've always been awful.

I never shop there, although I will admit going there to do hands ons with products.

[Fuddnik]

7. I do the same thing.

Do my shopping and testing there, then buy it cheaper online.

They screwed me once on a restocking fee for a defective GPS, that gave wrong directions, after road testing it in the back room. I chopped my Best Buy credit card up in front of the manager, and told him, "Fuck You".

[Poll_Blind]

8. As an aside, where do you recommend for online shopping?

I have always gone to NewEgg and once through TigerDirect, but I'm always looking for new places to check for deals when I do mah shoppin'

PB

[Ellipsis]

10. Small Dog electronics will give you great service.

Macmall is pretty much the best price scenario.

Macsurfer will direct you to many.

[Poll_Blind]

11. Thanks!

PB

[emulatorloo]

18. Other World Computing is excellent for add-ons too

+ one on MacMall.

In addition to macsurfer

http://www.macprices.net/

[walldude]

16. I've been using NewEgg for years and have never

found a better place online or off. Unless you live in the west and have a Fry's near you. Fry's is geek heaven.

[emulatorloo]

17. NewEgg is excellent.

[jmowreader]

20. If you really want to shit a brick...

go to http://www.audioquest.com/pdfs/RetailPriceBook_v2010-May-web.pdf and look up the "Niagara" cable.

0.5 meter pair of "analog audio interconnect" cables $1200.

20 meter pair of the same cable $16,800.

Why in fuck you're throwing line-level signal down sixty feet of wire is an open question, but it gets better: the "WEL Signature" cable, 20 meter length, is $52,800.

They have USB cables too--the cheap one is $29 for a 5-foot cable (and it's cool looking--the green connector covers dress them up) but there's also a $650 cable in there.

They have some cheaper cables--the "headshell leads" for your turntable (they connect the phono cartridge to the arm) cost $25 for a set, which isn't bad if you've got a really nice turntable.

Otherwise, you gotta be shitting me.

[RobinA]

6. Apple

Is this the same Apple that came out with iPad 2 right after everyone had bought the soon-to-be-obsolete iPad 1 for Christmas? Boo hoo.

[emulatorloo]

13. That's a pretty lame "argument"

That is how technology works, there will always be new products.

Additionally it is not as if iPad 1's stopped working the day iPad 2 was announced.

[adigal]

9. Well, if we want to take down corporations, we need to stop buying

this crap, especially since the first I-pads came out, what? A year ago? Keep buying their crap, America!! We'll show those corporations!

[emulatorloo]

14. The iPad is an excellent product that lots of people like

There will always be new products, that is how technology works. Faster processor, new product.

I use electronic devices, they make my life a lot easier and also bring me enjoyment.

I have no interest in "taking down Apple" or any other corp that is doing innovative work in technology,

[adigal]

19. Sure, keep buying and complaining about corporations,

while spending money on their newest gimmicks

[rufus dog]

21. have to agree

The wife wanted an iPad for Christmas and I hated the idea. A fucking tablet for 700 bucks that doesn't have a usb port and can open an app at a time, f that. As always ran out of time and bought it. Still thought it sucked refused to use it. She actually introduced herself to the digital age and actually began to use emails and web searches. Then I sat down one night and used it, have to admit it is good.

[petronius]

12. What's the benefit to Best Buy of not selling something when they have it?

Are they hoping that someone will make impulse purchases of other products, on two trips to the store? Do they plan to bump the price when they're the only one with the product left? :shrug:

[emulatorloo]

15. In the old days they used to do a lot of "bait and switch"

I would go there looking for something that was on sale, they would claim. "Oh that is sold out, but look this other thing is similar buy this instead.


I assume this is more of the same.