Apple uncertain about iPod supply for Holidays

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in Current Mac Hardware edited January 2014
Apple Computer chief executive Steve Jobs said last week that even though his company is pumping out more iPods than ever, demand might outstrip supply this holiday season.



"We've taken our best guess, and we're building a lot, but the demand may be even larger," said Jobs, perched on a wooden stool during the grand opening of the company's mini store in Stanford, Calif.



"So if you want to be sure to get an iPod this holiday season, I'd get one soon."



Apple is betting on its best holiday quarter yet. After moving over 2 million iPods during its previous quarter, the company appears on pace to nearly double that figure during the current quarter.



Analysts agree. Earlier reports claim that the company, along with its new distribution partner, Hewlett-Packard, are planning to ship about 1 million iPods per month starting this October.



An ample supply of iPods come December, coupled with aggressive promotional campaigns, could further escalate sales and drive the company beyond the $3 billion quarterly revenue mark for the first time in its corporate history.



Apple is widely expected to add to its music offerings next Tuesday during a special music related event at the California Theatre in San Jose, Calif.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 13
    Shortage mentality: it's a wonderful thing!



    People who have never gotten flu shots before have their panties up in a knot because this year, there is not enough vaccine to go around.



    >> Steve Jobs said last week that even though his company is pumping out more iPods than ever, demand might outstrip supply this holiday season.





    For the holiday season, suspend the "Think Different" slogan and go with "iPod: Harder to get than a flu shot!" You'd probably get stone-deaf people to stand in long lines to get one then.
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  • Reply 2 of 13
    louzerlouzer Posts: 1,054member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by macFanDave



    >> Steve Jobs said last week that even though his company is pumping out more iPods than ever, demand might outstrip supply this holiday season.





    For the holiday season, suspend the "Think Different" slogan and go with "iPod: Harder to get than a flu shot!" You'd probably get stone-deaf people to stand in long lines to get one then.




    Nah, he's trying to spur early demand, because he's afraid people won't want to buy it come December, and they'll be stuck with a bunch of extras.



    Or, he's trying to get people to buy it now rather than wait, so they can get the so-called news organizations touting the hard-to-find iPod, boosting sales even more (you know, it'll be the tickle-me-elmo of 2004!). There'll be videos of people lining up at Target to get one at 6am, the crowds running through the store, beating each other over the heads to get the other to let go of the last one.



    Now, on an off-topic topic, anyone think apple will actually advertise the new iMac by the holiday season? I mean, its been a month, not a single TV ad. I guess they didn't want the ads to be seen by people who'd heard the press buzz. Better to let the buzz die down, otherwise, they actually might be able to intrigue some people to buy it.
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  • Reply 3 of 13
    Woaw... 4 million ipods in 90 days.. Thats a LOT....
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  • Reply 4 of 13
    "Think Different" has been "suspended" for many years now. At the moment there seems to be plenty of iPods - mini, regular and HP versions available. Even my local Apple store had them in stock as did CompUSA. Best Buy, I don't know since I've never been able to find them there. My local Target also is selling mini's. Soooooo, a bit of hyperbole from SJ (who'd've thunk?) seems to be what this is all about.
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  • Reply 5 of 13
    Buy now!

    Buy often!

    Buy, buy, buy!



    The little ipod that could!
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  • Reply 6 of 13
    The iPod is simply the best thing apple retail has come up with.
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  • Reply 7 of 13
    Quote:

    Originally posted by Louzer

    Nah, he's trying to spur early demand, because he's afraid people won't want to buy it come December, and they'll be stuck with a bunch of extras.





    Exactly my point. If he spurs early demand, the panic spirals until they get cleaned out of iPods and then "scalpers" sell them for gouged prices to the truly desperate.



    Maybe to further the panic, Apple ought to copy the Department of Homeland Security's ridiculous color-coded threat level system. Except we'll use the old iMac color names: iPod 40's are at shortage level Tangerine and mini's are at Cherry, but if you want a 20 GB model, it's at Blueberry.
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  • Reply 8 of 13
    The iPod market has been nuts for over a year and, even though there is a breather right now, I have a feeling that it is going to go wild again. The problem is that most people will wait until December (or even the week before Christmas) to buy and will be surprised that there is nothing lift. Buying early is definitely a wise idea!



    The other killer is the potential of a flash based iPod micro for around $100-$150, which is also going to drive the market nuts.



    I've bought all I am going to for a while so I can relax. It will,however, be fun to watch how things go after Thanksgiving.
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  • Reply 9 of 13
    I'm betting that the new flash-based iPods are going to be called "iPod Baby". You heard it here first! I came up with it from my own brain!
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  • Reply 10 of 13
    Quote:

    Originally posted by scotty321

    I'm betting that the new flash-based iPods are going to be called "iPod Baby". You heard it here first! I came up with it from my own brain!



    I'm ROTFL at the thought of the "Austin Powers"-inspired ad campaign --

    "How do you like my iPod, baby?"
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  • Reply 11 of 13
    nagrommenagromme Posts: 2,834member
    Corrected headline:



    Apple Uncertain About iPod Demand For Holidays



    Also, re flash iPod naming... "iPod Mini"! I predict multiple sizes (GB and thickness) of Mini, some flash, just like there are multiple sizes of regular iPods. They don't all need new names.
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  • Reply 12 of 13
    They are worried there will not be enough iPods to meet demand. On Tuesday they will announce new iPods which will increase demand even further. You've got to love their logic.
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  • Reply 13 of 13
    ishawnishawn Posts: 364member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by TWinbrook46636

    They are worried there will not be enough iPods to meet demand. On Tuesday they will announce new iPods which will increase demand even further. You've got to love their logic.



    Yeah I read about that. I told my friend to wait...and they would bring those out...but he didn't believe me (I assume you're talking about the 60GB color one), ordered it a few hours ago.

    I'm glad I don't have the money for one now!
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