iPad 2 Best Buy Rumors Addressed

There has been some controversy flowing around the web, regarding rumors about Best Buy witholding sales of the iPad 2. Both Best Buy and Apple have apparently addressed these rumors.

The rumor was that Best Buy was holding back iPad 2 devices, even though they were in stock, and instructing employees to tell customers that they didn’t have any.

The root of the rumor appears to be from a tip sent to CrunchGear, by a Best Buy employee. Boy Genius Report claims to have actually obtained an internal communication delivered to all retail employees at a Best Buy store in California, which said:

“NewsFlash: ipads cannot be sold according to BBY. All ipads except for preorders MUST be held until further notice. Cant tell customers were holding them either.”

They also shared the following statement from Best Buy, saying:

“Best Buy continues to receive iPad 2 inventory from Apple on a regular basis. As we’ve said previously, we are fulfilling customer reservations first. Our stores have been asked to temporarily hold non-reserved iPad 2 inventory for an upcoming promotion. This is a customary practice for us when there are supply constraints. Best Buy enjoys a great partnership with Apple, and we’re delighted by customer response to iPad 2.”

CrunchGear’s original tipster sent an alleged note from Apple COO/acting CEO Tim cook, saying, “My understanding is most of their stores sold all of their initial supply on the first night of the launch and the balance were out by the following day. I am not aware of any units being held.”

It does seem a bit out of the norm that Cook would send such a note to some random Best Buy employee. Take from it what you will.

There has been talk about friction between the two companies, but there’s really no concrete evidence to back up such a notion, as far as I can tell.

iPad 2 sales have been estimated at 2.4-2.6 million for March, despite the somewhat strange lack of any official numbers from Apple.

The iPad 2 recently went on sale in 25 more countries, beyond the U.S. RadioShack also started selling the device. It’s even received high marks from Consumer Reports, after the organization blasted the iPhone 4 (both the AT&T and Verizon versions).

There are 3 Comments. Add Yours.

Paul
April 10, 2011 at 8:48 am

Any idea when Apple and Adobe will kiss and make up. The one thing holding me back from getting an Ipad is their ongoing fued and the lack of flash, even though the “kind” salespeople at Apple and Mac stores have assured me that flash is going to be a thing of the past, I’d like to have it available? Or if Firefox will ever be able to be used on the pad. That might resolve it.
- Doug
  April 11, 2011 at 11:29 am
  
  Don’t hold your breath. Flash will never be on the iPad or iPhone. The apple mobile devices carry a low speed processor and simple can’t handle Flash. I was hoping that the A5 chip would change that, but it won’t. So, the alternative is to get an Android XOOM or some other device with a better/faster processor.
Joseph Ruberto
May 18, 2011 at 9:27 am

RE: Best Buy I have been on the I Pad 2 reservation list at the Niles,Ohio store since Mid March 2011 and have not received any calls to get my Ipad2. I called the store and was told the have not received any ipad2s from apple since their inital shipment.I have a $100.00 deposit on the Ipad2 Best Buy employees told me problems in Japan was the issue. At this point I think I contact an Apple store to get one