[Mac Guy]

Don't forget that delays and back orders are oftentimes used at ploys to make consumers think that the product is a must-have. I'm not saying that Apple is doing this, but I'm not saying that they're not either...

I'm saying they're not. No, I can't prove it in a court of law. But every time there's a shortage of an Apple item, someone plays this card.

I think it's ridiculous to think that Apple needs to create an artificial demand. They want to sell every singe phone they can. Every initial sale they don't make is one they risk losing to competition. Just because a lot of Samsung phones (compared to other brands) caught fire doesn't mean that customers of their products will switch to Apple products. Some will, most won't.

If Apple were really concerned about creating 'must-have' buzz they wouldn't offer pre-ordering and make us like up for the phones just like the old days.

I don't know why Apple is having so much trouble this time, especially since so many tech bloggers said this phone line-up was/is especially unremarkable.

Creating demand by implying a shortage is long time ploy used by the likes of the Home Shopping Network and talk radio advertisers to sell as many products of dubious value as possible. Creating demand by not selling phones is ridiculous.

[frrc21]

Don't even talk about it, I pre-ordered one on day one through my carrier website (MEO here in Portugal), and since Apple didn't ship enough iPhone's 7 Plus they hadn't enough to meet my order, and I'm still waiting (roughly one month and half) for Apple to send a new shipment!! That's insane! And I didn't even get the Jet Black or I would probably only get it on iPhone 8 launch...

[Just_Me_D]

I'm saying they're not. No, I can't prove it in a court of law. But every time there's a shortage of an Apple item, someone plays this card.

I think it's ridiculous to think that Apple needs to create an artificial demand. They want to sell every singe phone they can. Every initial sale they don't make is one they risk losing to competition. Just because a lot of Samsung phones (compared to other brands) caught fire doesn't mean that customers of their products will switch to Apple products. Some will, most won't.

If Apple were really concerned about creating 'must-have' buzz they wouldn't offer pre-ordering and make us like up for the phones just like the old days.

I don't know why Apple is having so much trouble this time, especially since so many tech bloggers said this phone line-up was/is especially unremarkable.

Creating demand by implying a shortage is long time ploy used by the likes of the Home Shopping Network and talk radio advertisers to sell as many products of dubious value as possible. Creating demand by not selling phones is ridiculous.

I did not say and I did not imply that Apple was creating demand by "not selling phones". I specifically mentioned that "delays and back orders". Remember, the OP is referring to shipping delays, i.e., iPhones that have been sold, but won't be delivered until weeks or months later.

[mapaulo]

anyone get any kind of update? another week down of waiting

[LDYNREDD]

anyone get any kind of update? another week down of waiting

Still waiting here. No change in ship date.

I did notice that estimated shipping for people placing orders from the Apple website right now have shortened. IP7+ jet black 256gb now says "ships in 3-5 weeks"

Given that I ordered October 7th and my shipping time frame was (and still is) Nov 30 - Dec 14, you would think that Apple would have shortened up my shipping time frame to be closer to end of November. It drives me nuts that someone ordering today will have basically the same shipping dates as I have even though I ordered one month ago.

Has anyone had experience calling Apple to ask about their shipment? Is this one of those cases wheeler the squeaky wheel gets the grease? If I phone them, is it possible they may move the shipping window earlier?

[n8ter#AC]

why is it that no one is talking about apples iphone shipping delays. It is actually insane to think that they have not updated carriers with any sort of expected date. i can't even find out why there is such a shortage.... why was supply so short right from the get go? and why is no one talking about it?

No cause many of us check the carrier site and go pick the phone up when one is in stock. Why wait till December when you could have had it weeks ago?

[LDYNREDD]

No cause many of us check the carrier site and go pick the phone up when one is in stock. Why wait till December when you could have had it weeks ago?

I refuse to be tied to a carrier...

[Ecm]

Have you seen this: iStockNow Live iPhone 7 and 7 Plus Stock Map

I used it to find a local Apple store with stock, grabbed one for my wife. A friend used it successfully as well.

[n8ter#AC]

I refuse to be tied to a carrier...

Same phones. Just buy it and walk out. It's nothing to do with tying yourself down.

Enjoy the shipping delays, though

[Anastayja1]

I refuse to be tied to a carrier...

Do you have a store near where you live that may have them in stock? I ordered online but it was taking a while so I would just check the Apple website at night. I got lucky and found a sim free 7+ a little over an hour away (MB 256gb; exactly what I wanted). I reserved it last Saturday and picked it up when the store opened that Sunday morning and cancelled my online order.

[LDYNREDD]

Have you seen this: iStockNow Live iPhone 7 and 7 Plus Stock Map

I used it to find a local Apple store with stock, grabbed one for my wife. A friend used it successfully as well.

Thanks for this great link, unfortunately it shows none available anywhere near me which confirms Apple website info. I will keep watching it though. Thanks

[LDYNREDD]

Same phones. Just buy it and walk out. It's nothing to do with tying yourself down.

Enjoy the shipping delays, though

I'm not sure if we are able to do that in Canada. Even if we are, I have checked with Rogers (my carrier) and they don't have my phone in stock.

[Premium1]

Don't even talk about it, I pre-ordered one on day one through my carrier website (MEO here in Portugal), and since Apple didn't ship enough iPhone's 7 Plus they hadn't enough to meet my order, and I'm still waiting (roughly one month and half) for Apple to send a new shipment!! That's insane! And I didn't even get the Jet Black or I would probably only get it on iPhone 8 launch...

Yeah that is madness. The whole point of a preorder is so they don't miss out on day one. Apple needs to figure something out. Either start production earlier, or wait longer before releasing it to many carriers.

[mapaulo]

No cause many of us check the carrier site and go pick the phone up when one is in stock. Why wait till December when you could have had it weeks ago?

thats not how it is done is Canada. Also the apple stores only carry the unlocked models. AAAnd i am on a corporate plan in which there is no brick and mortar store to go to to deal with them it is all on the phone and online.

[frrc21]

Yeah that is madness. The whole point of a preorder is so they don't miss out on day one. Apple needs to figure something out. Either start production earlier, or wait longer before releasing it to many carriers.

I forgot to update here, but fortunately they called me on Thursday and delivered it. I'm really happy with this phone but, I hope by the next time I upgrade (basically in 2 or 3 years) that Apple got better on supplying more stock... I know I don't live in a country where Apple thinks it should invest a lot (a proof of that is that we don't have any official Apple Store, we have a Apple Premium Reseller that basically uses the same design as an Apple Store but lacks a Genius Bar and all the cool things.)

[Premium1]

I forgot to update here, but fortunately they called me on Thursday and delivered it. I'm really happy with this phone but, I hope by the next time I upgrade (basically in 2 or 3 years) that Apple got better on supplying more stock... I know I don't live in a country where Apple thinks it should invest a lot (a proof of that is that we don't have any official Apple Store, we have a Apple Premium Reseller that basically uses the same design as an Apple Store but lacks a Genius Bar and all the cool things.)

I feel this year was really bad. I mean even when they first launched the larger models (6&6+) I do not remember these types of delays. You would think this being the 3rd year with it they would have it down, guess not.

[frrc21]

I feel this year was really bad. I mean even when they first launched the larger models (6&6+) I do not remember these types of delays. You would think this being the 3rd year with it they would have it down, guess not.

Well here in Portugal I remembered having some delays on the launch go the 6 and 6+, because at the time I wanted to buy my first iPhone (it would be a 6...) but I waited like until the first week of December (there were some stores with it, but I received 200€ off since I bought the new iPad, so I really had to buy it there), and I had to give up because the code was close to expire before the estimated shipping date and they wouldn't even let me pay it upfront (so I could use the code on time), so I had to go with the 5S (which I don't regret cause it is still an amazing phone)

[hinesmj]

I pre-ordered my 7+ JB right when it went live. I was originally told to expect mid-October, but ended up getting it late Sept. I'd suspect that if you were to order now, the phone would arrive much sooner than stated.

As to why the delays happened in the first place? Obviously their demand forecast was off. It happens. No way though could have foreseen the Samsung recall. I also thing the demand for the 7+ was much higher than anyone thought it would be.

[LDYNREDD]

I pre-ordered my 7+ JB right when it went live. I was originally told to expect mid-October, but ended up getting it late Sept. I'd suspect that if you were to order now, the phone would arrive much sooner than stated.

As to why the delays happened in the first place? Obviously their demand forecast was off. It happens. No way though could have foreseen the Samsung recall. I also thing the demand for the 7+ was much higher than anyone thought it would be.

I wish that were true...unfortunately, I called Apple yesterday to confirm that all is well with my order. I asked why people who order today (one month after I placed my order) have the same shipping time frame as I do (end Nov to mid Dec) and I was told that demand is high and they are still expecting deliveries to arrive during that time, no earlier.

[Torch4x4]

Ordered my 7 plus 128 black in verizon almost 2 weeks ago with a delivery date of December 3!!, it was sold out! ...but last week noticed that was available online and called them on November the 3rd to cancel my order and place a new order, the phone arrived on the 7th. that was fast!

[SprintDaddy]

Placed order for 7+ 128 on 11/2 with delivery date 12/2-12-9. Was surprised to see my order go preparing for shipment today.

[Chargerman165]

I am a VERIZON customer and a few weeks ago a friend of mine called and said our local cooperate store had a couple of 7+ 256 Matte Black in stock he went that afternoon and got one. I went first thing next morning and they were gonna but I checked online and they had them in stock. Due to an issue I had they shipped no charge overnight. May keep checking online.

[tlo07]

Placed order for 7+ 128 on 11/2 with delivery date 12/2-12-9. Was surprised to see my order go preparing for shipment today.

Lucky! I placed my order 11/6 and it said a delivery time of 12/5 - 12/12. Now for some reason the delivery time says 12/12 - 12/19 even though shipping estimates have changed since I ordered from 3-5 weeks to 3-4 weeks.

[Yancy Evans]

Hmmmm... Not sure why people are having these delays. I ordered my 7+ 256GB on Friday via AT&T. It's already on its way and will be here Monday. Now apparently AT&T IS having delays stocking in their stores.

[tlo07]

Hmmmm... Not sure why people are having these delays. I ordered my 7+ 256GB on Friday via AT&T. It's already on its way and will be here Monday. Now apparently AT&T IS having delays stocking in their stores.

Was that for jet black? If so, I should have ordered from AT&T instead of Apple!