With shipping estimates starting to slip for the new iPad around the world since the tablet became available for pre-order on March 7th, it was only a matter of time before Apple sold out of its pre-order stock entirely. Shipping estimates for the U.K. and U.S. slipped to March 19th this past Friday.
Apple has confirmed in an official statement that it has now completely sold out of its pre-order iPad stock in less than 5 days.
An Apple spokesperson told CNET that, “Customer response to the new iPad has been off the charts and the quantity available for pre-order has been purchased” adding, “Customers can continue to order online and receive an estimated delivery date. Beginning Friday, March 16, the new iPad will be available for purchase at Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers on a first come, first-served basis.”
Shipping estimates for all new iPad models are now at 2-3 weeks in many countries, including the U.K., Germany, France, Japan, Canada, and Australia. Hong Kong is showing the new iPad as “currently unavailable.” Oddly enough, the U.S. Apple online store is still showing a March 19th delivery for iPad pre-orders. We expect that last date to change soon. Shipping estimates in the U.S. have now slipped to 2-3 weeks.
The new iPad will launch on Friday, March 16th in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Switzerland, U.K. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Apple says that it will bring the tablet to 26 other countries by March 23rd, making it the company’s fastest product rollout ever.
If you can’t handle waiting for a delayed delivery, you’ll have to brave the store lines this Friday to get your hands on the new iPad. Unlike past product launches, Apple is expected to make the third-generation iPad available for purchase at its retail stores early Friday morning, rather than late afternoon.
