Apple's iPad resellers are revolting
Secrecy rules raise hackles
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Apple's Premium Resellers are getting iPads to sell on Friday - provided their shops pass Apple's stringent standards.
But retailers are irritated at Apple's insistence that they do not take pre-orders or publicise the launch on their websites or in store until Friday morning.
They were even more annoyed at DSGi's claim that it has an exclusive deal to sell the devices in the UK. Independent resellers will get iPads to sell, but only if they obey Apple's omertà.
An Apple dealer, speaking to us on condition of anonymity, said he was in the middle of re-merchandising his shop and training staff. Once this is complete he must email photographs to Apple for approval by 8pm on Thursday night. All being well he can then get on with selling the gadgets on Friday morning.
He said enquiries from punters had outstripped any other Apple launch he had worked on, with each store getting 15-20 queries a day. He said he had a "humongous list of would-be customers" and even had people asking if they could queue overnight to ensure they're near the front of the queue.
The official news is that Apple's own stores will open at 8am on Friday in order to deal with the flurry of breakfast news crews and fanbois desperate to get their hands on the gadgets.
Apple's UK website is now also showing independent retailers offering the pad - there's a link to London stores here.
We're also guessing, in the name of good news management, that shortages will quickly become a big story. ®
COMMENTS
Apple's iPad resellers are revolting
They certainly are. I can't stand them myself, either.
Worse are the people who pay money for these products. They are truly the dregs of society!
Gotta give Apple their due.
Despite the HUGE amount of anti-Apple-fanboi-ism exhibited by Reg commenters, you've got to admit that they know how to whip up a media frenzy around objects of desire. And who can blame them? Would you rather sell an item for peanuts with a small penetration or sell out 100% at a premium price? It's a no-brainer. AND you'll even get resellers jumping through hoops to flog your kit (similar to what Sony did with the Playstation, perhaps).
You may not like it, but this will be another marketing victory for Apple.
(cue: loads of thumbs-down)
And
You will certainly need Norton Antivirus & Office 2010, wont you?
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