Apple iPad Backlog Worsens

March 13, 2012 by Douglas A. McIntyre

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) has already had to tell many people who ordered the new iPad from its website that they will not get the tablet by the original March 16 delivery date. Some of the orders will not be fulfilled until March 19. Based on media reports, for many people, deliveries may not arrive until the end of the month.

Apple said in a statement that

“Customer response to the new iPad has been off the charts and the quantity available for pre-order has been purchased. Customers can continue to order online and receive an estimated delivery date.”

Apple customers will not cancel orders because of the tardiness, if past habits are any indication. People have been willing to wait in long, long lines outside of Apple stores to get new products before. And, Apple has a habit of running low on products sold via its site, at least in the days immediately after a product is first introduced.

Apple shareholders will almost certainly cheer the news. The iPhone is the primary engine of Apple’s recent sales and earnings success. If the smartphone’s phenomenal performance can be augmented by the iPad, forecast sales posted by some analysts, some of which seem preposterously high, may be realistic.

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