Users face long wait for iPod shuffle

Posted on 20 Jan 2005 at 13:46

After huge demand in the US, iPod fans may face a wait of up to four weeks if they want to get their hands on Apple's latest music player, the iPod shuffle.

Apple's US online store currently lists both the 512Mb and 1Gb models as having a delivery time of between two and four weeks, while the UK online store lists the product as shipping in three to four weeks. Dealers contacted by MacUser also admitted to having none in stock, although some were prepared to take orders for the product with delivery times in the range of four weeks. All other iPod models are available for immediate delivery at both dealers and the online store.

US dealers, as well as Apple's own retail stores, received their first shipments of the product on the day it was announced and quickly sold out - some within hours of the iPod shuffle becoming available. Supplies are so limited that users are currently selling shuffles on eBay at well above the retail price - as much as $145 for a 512Kb version, which normally sells for $99. UK sellers are demanding £109 for the 1GB version, which retails at £99.

With the iPod accounting for 35 percent of Apple's sales in its last financial quarter, a delay in availability of the latest model - which is widely expected to be a huge hit with consumers - could affect the company's ability to meet its own financial targets for this year.

However, with over 10 million iPods sold in total since its introduction, and sales of the other models reported by dealers as `strong` even after Christmas, the product should easily retain its status as the overall number one music player in the market.

One dealer added that some users coming into stores for iPod shuffles had instead bought the more expensive iPod mini. `There's been a lot of people walking in for a shuffle and leaving with a mini instead - which can't be a bad thing for Apple,` added the dealer, who declined to be named.

Author: Ian Betteridge