The UK (and the rest of the world) is just one week away from the official release date of the Apple iPad 2 and many people are asking, when can I pre-order one? Well Amazon have recently updated their UK facing site will a splash page featuring every iPad 2 model that will be available on the 25th, this is not solid proof that the retail giant will allow pre-orders but a good indication that they are gearing up for it.
Apple actually use the words pre-order in their notification splash page, it says”We’ll notify you when it’s available to buy from an Apple Retail Store or pre-order from the Apple Online Store.” So either Apple is either teasing visitors on their website or indeed plans to allow pre-orders from their own site.
Other sites that have prepared splash pages and notifications of pre-orders/order information include Argos, PC World and Vodafone. None of those pins a date or even uses pre-order in their spiel like Apple does.
If retailers haven’t started pre-orders by Monday then it is very unlikely to happen at all and users will simply be able to order it online via all the various outlets (including Apple) on March 25th – the same release date as in shops. To be fair this is also what happened in the US.
One thing that has puzzled consumers is the reason why Apple has made them wait so long to pre-order the iPad 2 especially when you consider the original iPad was on offer three weeks before the official release date last year. The probable answer is that they haven’t needed to accept pre-orders and sold out initial stocks in the US without proving pre-orders – they are probably bargaining on the same thing in the UK.
Do you think Apple will/should offer pre-orders on the iPad 2?
..they better have pre-orders in store at least! I don't really fancy queuing for ages and not getting one….
I know. I will queue if I have to but would prefer a pre order
resellers have been told directly by Apple NOT to offer any type of pre order option to customers
Too bad, because I've just registered with PC World, Carphone Warehouse, John Lewis, Best Buy as well as Currys, oh and also Miscos. Seems Apple can dictated, whether the resellers abide is another thing.