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Dealers
October 23, 2012
Waiting list for new 16GB iPhones now up to almost a month as stocks run low with networks
Dealers are being forced to wait up to four weeks to receive orders of the iPhone 5 as stocks of the 16GB version run low, with customers of Vodafone, Orange and O2 all reportedly suffering backlogs for delivery of the new devices.
A spokesperson for Vodafone told Mobile News the operator had the 64GB and 32GB versions available but the popular 16GB device was still on order with a three to four week wait on dealers’ deliveries.
He added it was normal to experience delays at the launch of new apple devices and a specific section of the website had been set up to allow dealers and customers to see the waiting time for devices before they order.
“We’ve been working closely with all our manufacturing partners to ensure we know when we expect to get a stock and can communicate that to our customers,” he said. “We set up the online service to ensure costumers always knew the length of the backlog before placing an order.”
High Street retailers have also been running low on stock with some stores selling out of the device during its first two weeks on sale.
O2 refused to confirm any delivery timescales but a spokesperson told Mobile News: “We’re in a similar position to previous iPhone launches. iPhone 5 continues to be one of the most highly demanded phones of the year and stock is extremely limited. We’re working with Apple to make more stock available as soon as possible.”
Orange declined to comment.