iPhone Stock Fail

SupaMonkey

SupaMonkey

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So launch was at midnight right? Got an sms at 12:45 (ie: 12hrs 45minutes after launch) from Vodacom telling me that all stock was sold out.
Fail.
Oh well, maybe by the time they get the next batch their contract options will have improved (*wishful thinking*)
 
Stock scarcity seems to be on the 32GB and that seems to be a manufactured scarcity in certain places. There appear to be a lot of 16GB stock at some MTN & Voda stores.
 
SupaMonkey said:
So launch was at midnight right? Got an sms at 12:45 (ie: 12hrs 45minutes after launch) from Vodacom telling me that all stock was sold out.
Fail.
Oh well, maybe by the time they get the next batch their contract options will have improved (*wishful thinking*)
Click to expand...

makes you wonder if there was ever any stock in the first place...
 
deonvr said:
+1
I totally agree with that, too much hype from VC with nothing to show in the end
Click to expand...
Just call them liars, because that's what they are.
They even have a pre-order system that allows the pre-orderer's to order more stock than was shipped.
LIARS!

Oh yea, I'm sour because the only way that I am getting a HTC Wildfire is to import the damn thing myself. Ludicrous.
 
Increase in demand generally does mean an increase in price. But that's not really relevant to this discussion. What you meant, is a decrease in supply leads to an increase in price, which is also true but still not really the story.

A company will look to maximise profit, and less supply = fewer devices sold, albeit it at a higher price and therefore higher margin. Economies of scale of production of a device like this mean that costs go down as supply is ramped up, so you can potentially sell many more devices at only a slightly lower profit margin per unit.

Having too much stock of 16GB models and too little of 32GB means lost or delayed sales and increase in overall inventory levels and therefore working capital. Not something companies will do intentionally.

The risk is trying to judge demand and not oversupply the market. So yeah, there are a few interesting points here, but throwing buzzwords and phrases around doesn't really tell the full story.
 
Whats annoying is that they had big billboards, and sections of their sites advertising pre-booking and they MUST of had a better idea of what kind of stock they should've need. Not "oh, lets sell everything we have in 12 hrs". They should of also known that the 32GB version would of been the more popular one. *sigh*
 
I'm also unhappy with this pre-order stunt. I was also not impressed with the "no stock" sms (I got them too) and then hearing that the stock was concentrated at Vodaworld for the launch. Was there really ever a real intention from Vodacom to deliver on the pre-orders? Feels like we participated in a cheap marketing stunt. I somehow doubt that I will ever get a call from Vodacom to tell me that they're calling in reaction to my pre-order.
 
It's really not rocket science. Vodacom ran short of stock because they were not given the quantity that they ordered from Apple. And it's not Apple's fault, because the manufacturer couldn't supply Apple with the quantities that they need. So, each country is rationed. There is a stock problem worldwide, not just sunny SA.
But it is no big deal, waiting a week or two for the next shipment, is not the end of the world. I am quite happy to wait till around November before I get one.
 
surfs-up said:
It's really not rocket science. Vodacom ran short of stock because they were not given the quantity that they ordered from Apple. And it's not Apple's fault, because the manufacturer couldn't supply Apple with the quantities that they need. So, each country is rationed. There is a stock problem worldwide, not just sunny SA.
But it is no big deal, waiting a week or two for the next shipment, is not the end of the world. I am quite happy to wait till around November before I get one.
Click to expand...

We understand this. The question I have is: Did anyone that pre-registered actually get a call from VC to say the phone is available please come fetch, and if so how did VC determine who of the pre-regitered persons get first option? If no-one on the pre-registration list was actually called (even with the low stock levels) why do the pre-registration process at all? Why have a pre-registration process when you know that only those that live in Gauteng and can make the opening at Vodaworld will actually get a chance to buy the phone (and so jump the "queue")? Surely Vodacom knew the stock realities. To me (and I may be alone in seeing it this way) the pre-registration was a waste of time that created hopes where none actually existed. Will not bother doing this again. Clearly who you know is more important (no news there).
 
What VC did was prioritise their list of people who pre-ordered. I imagine that they would have looked at your totals spend on accounts, future income potential, how long you have been a client for etc and then obviously they had to "prioritise" some political / networking people.

You hit the nail on the head with the "who you know: statement.

That being said, i made sure i was on every waiting list possible and started building the relationships with contact details i found online to ensure that i was going to get one. When i got the sms on Wednesday i was then able to send emails to the 4 people i have "networked" over the last 4 weeks and guess what my phone is ready and waiting for me.

I was even able to negotiate for them to keep it for me until Sunday when my upgrade is due..

Honestly in this day and age you need to work the system in order to get what you want. I have been around the block to many times to have simply entered my name onto a "public" waiting list and expect that i am guaranteed a phone.

PS For anyone who desperately wants one in CPT, the iStore in Canal Walk has stock of the 16GB....
 
Thanks for that Acydebyte. I was told yesterday afternoon by Vodashop and Cellucity that the iPhone 4 will not be sold on upgrades (as part of first issue; upgrades will be handled later) ... so you did your "homework" well :D .
 
BeVonk! said:
I'm also unhappy with this pre-order stunt. I was also not impressed with the "no stock" sms (I got them too) and then hearing that the stock was concentrated at Vodaworld for the launch. Was there really ever a real intention from Vodacom to deliver on the pre-orders? Feels like we participated in a cheap marketing stunt. I somehow doubt that I will ever get a call from Vodacom to tell me that they're calling in reaction to my pre-order.
Click to expand...

+1
 
BeVonk! said:
We understand this. The question I have is: Did anyone that pre-registered actually get a call from VC to say the phone is available please come fetch, and if so how did VC determine who of the pre-regitered persons get first option? If no-one on the pre-registration list was actually called (even with the low stock levels) why do the pre-registration process at all? Why have a pre-registration process when you know that only those that live in Gauteng and can make the opening at Vodaworld will actually get a chance to buy the phone (and so jump the "queue")? Surely Vodacom knew the stock realities. To me (and I may be alone in seeing it this way) the pre-registration was a waste of time that created hopes where none actually existed. Will not bother doing this again. Clearly who you know is more important (no news there).
Click to expand...

+1
 
No sweat.... Vodashop and Cellucity are lying to you.

They were letting them through on upgrade but only to existing clients that had been prioritised due to previous spend, account length etc.... or via smaller stores that had ordered iPhones and had no waiting lists...
 
Just received a sms from Vodacom stating that they just received new stock and that i should reply to be contacted...well I replied and received another one stating that I'll be contacted by an agent within 48 hours...now it's the waiting game again.
 
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