Apple’s contracted iPad delivery agency TNT has almost 8,000 iPads waiting to be delivered in Sydney alone, with delays stretching through to next week.
The rush for Apple’s iPad has turned into a long wait for tens of thousands of customers who pre-ordered the sexy slate through Apple’s online store.
Transport driver Keith McGaughran, who subcontracts through his Due North Transport company for TNT Express, reports that TNT’s Sydney depot has “7,800 iPads ready for delivery in Sydney”.
In a post on the popular MacTalk forums, McGaughran – who used the online name of ‘Firsty’ – says the pallets of iPads “have been sitting in our depot for the last 2 days”.
TNT Express, which Apple uses to deliver products ordered online, has also cancelled all leave and its team of drivers began work at 5am Friday in an effort to clear the backlog, McGaughran said.
“The bad news is.... there is no way we will be able to deliver that many in one day.” With “just over 100 drivers” the iPad crush meant “about 70 extra delivery stops each over and above our normal work”.
The odds of receiving your iPad today will also depend on where you live. “Wetherill Park area (has) 2 drivers, 18 deliveries” and thus should pose “few problems” for delivery today as Apple originally promised, McGaughran explained.
But the Chatswood area has only two drivers and “350 deliveries (so) only the lucky will get one on Friday.”
McGaughran also cautions that if someone isn’t home to sign for delivery of the iPad today, they will have to arrange for re-delivery and “it could take till mid next week to clear the backlog”.
Haven't placed your iPad order yet? Better settle in for a long wait...
The high demand is also impacting on new orders placed through Apple’s online store, which now see the estimated shipping date listed simply as ‘June’ – giving the company over 30 days’ grace to make good in getting an iPad into your hands.
It could pay to simply hit the pavement, as reports are that authorised Apple resellers such as JB Hi-Fi have plenty of iPads in stock even as nearby Apple Stores run dry.