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July 30, 2003
on buying an iPod
Have you tried to buy an iPod in the last few weeks? It's impossible - out of stock everywhere. John Lewis found a few in far flung places, such as Southampton, but every London Apple stockist is out of iPods (a few others have noticed this in the UK and Australia).
Here's the standard scene:
* FX: walks up to counter *
Chris tries to get computer shop assistant's attention.
10 minutes later, on the verge of giving up, get a sneer of helpfulness from said assistant.
C: Have you got the 30 Gig iPods in stock?
A look of derision, a growing smile. He knows he's won. I have no chance.
A: No!
C: Well, do you know when they'll be in stock?
A: We might have some 15Gbs next week.
And, at that, their attention span has waned, knowing that a sale, and commission, will not be present on this occasion.
After repeating this vignette in about 10 places, I've given up.
There are two problems: Apple's supply chain and the horrid experience of all computer stores (even John Lewis seems to employ cocksure whippersnappers in their computer department).
The iPod, whilst desirable, is overpriced. It's even 100 pounds cheaper in the US for the 30Gb model. It's a luxury item that many people don't need. They lust. I lusted. I convinced myself that 400 pounds is a small price to pay for having so much music in my pocket. I convinced myself that I could afford the 400 pounds. I was ready for the purchasing experience. I didn't need to be sold on the item. I was going to be the easiest lay the salesperson had ever seen.
And I sit here unfulfilled. If Apple breaks the date off, I'm not going to hang around.
The stores could have done something to avert this. None of them seemed to keep a waiting list, and none of them publically proclaimed that they had none in stock, therefore avoiding the salesperson experience in every store.
So what am I doing? I know there will be a cheaper, more featureful, lovelier version soon.
I could order online, but all sites have a vague 1-2 week delivery time. If I happen upon a good deal, say in the US, I may pick one up - the US ones won't have the European volume limitation either. It's a waiting game.
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