Apple stores get iPhone 4 stock, resellers wait

Anthony Caruana
Thursday, 05 August 2010 14:39

Your IT - Mobility

A queue of over 100 people has gathered in front of Apple's Doncaster store. While carrier resellers are left waiting, Apple has replenished stock in its own stores. If you're quick and after a new iPhone 4, Apple has replenished stock in some of its stores. However, if you're looking to either get a new contract with your preferred carrier then you'll be waiting.

ITWire has found that some Apple stores have had their iPhone 4 stock replenished. The Chadstone store in Melbourne received a shipment this morning but that was sold out by lunchtime. Doncaster currently has stock and hopes to be able to look after the 100 or so customers although that will depend on whether shoppers only get one handset or two - the maximum for any one customer. The Perth store was also replenished yesterday although they're now running low. We doubt that they will have stock tomorrow.

Carrier partners Optus, VHA and Telstra were all sold out a few hours after the official launch on Friday 30 July with many opening their doors at midnight. We spoke to some resellers who were tight-lipped when asked if they were satisfied with their stock allocations. Many suburban stores reported allocations of as few as four units. The suburban Optus reseller we visited received just 10 units - four 32GB and six 16GB.

A call around carriers in Melbourne has found that in-store stocks have not yet been replenished. Most stores reported that any stock that was expected has already been allocated to customers that missed out on 30 July during the initial rush. Other potential resellers, such as Melbourne store My Mac Australia have not been allocated any further stock either.

A VHA representative told us, in a formal statement, that any stock that is received will be shipped directly to customers on their waiting list. The shipment is expected this week suggesting that Apple has prioritised its own stores over other resellers.

An Optus spokesperson told ITWire that limited stocks had come in but that there were going straight to customers who had signed on to Optus' raincheck system. Interestingly, the raincheck system required customers to enter into a contract last Friday even though the delivery date of their iPhone was unknown.

We're waiting for a formal comment from a Telstra spokesperson but our observation is that they had sold out their entire stock with store staff suggesting that more stock was expected this week.