Sam OliverCiting a source at Best Buy, CrunchGear reported this week that Best Buy was holding off on selling iPad 2 units it had in stock, telling customers they were sold out when, in reality, the stores had just reached their internal quota for that day. That strategy is rumored to have upset Apple, which is allegedly no longer allowing the retailer to sell the iPad 2.
"No less than (Apple Chief Operating Officer) Tim Cook is involved in this little snafu, and will be helping with the negotiations," the report said.
In addition, TUAW also received a tip that Apple "ordered a freeze on sales of the iPad 2 through Best Buy." The report also claimed that the retailer has pulled all stock except demo units.
Best Buy has been a partner in selling the iPad since the first-generation device launched last April. A year ago, Best Buy was the only non-Apple retailer that was allowed to sell the iPad, though other options such as Walmart and Target were added as the year went on.
Best Buy also has a unique partnership with Apple, as the electronics retailer commits a significant amount of floor space devoted specifically to Apple products in many of its stores. Best Buy began adding Apple boutiques to its stores in 2008.
In March, it was also rumored that Best Buy was considering giving the iPad to all of its on-the-floor sales associates at its 1,100 U.S. stores. It was said that employees would use devices such as the iPad to educate consumers and process purchases.
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99 Comments
wizzle wuzzle?
This comes as no surprise; my only experience with Best Buy was less than stellar. Frankly, I wondered why, other than distribution, Apple had any association with these grifters.
Sounds to me like BB is trying to artificially prop up the tablet competition.
They probably think it is in their best interest to have a competitive field of tablets and be able to get better pricing from Apple.
Appears as though their plan has backfired.
Unambitious, loser Best Buy managers resorting to shady tricks, lies and deception inorder to fill their "internal quota"?
And what was up with that dumb Best Buy ad with the iPad wrapped in tape VS the Xoom? Why would they be dissing their best selling tablet?
Clearly, there are a bunch of morons with shit for brains in charge of Best Buy. Apple needs to wack them around a little bit and make them understand how ethical businesses operate. Otherwise, Apple should just pull all of their stock out from Best Buy and ban all Apple products from Best Buy stores permanently if they are not willing to comply or if they are unable to comply.
Apple doesn't need Best Buy.
Isn't this what apple stores were rumored to have been doing. Best buy needs to carry the iPad, just like apple needs best buy to carry it, because otherwise, best buy will be selling someone else's tablet, and telling customers the other tablets are better. A lot of people will get sucked in by this strategy.