While Apple and its carrier partners are the most popular sources for iPhone purchases, the new iPhone 5 was also made available through a handful of other retailers in the United States including Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Target, Sam's Club, and RadioShack. Model availability is typically limited at these outlets, but some customers find the more convenient locations and smaller crowds more appealing for their purchases.
It appears, however, that some of these third-party retailers are finding themselves unable to meet their iPhone 5 pre-order plans due to a lack of supply from Apple. One MacRumors reader received an email from Best Buy notifying him that his pre-ordered iPhone 5 will not be available today and may in fact take up to 28 days before it comes into stock.
I know that you're excited to get your new iPhone 5 and you can be sure we are as excited to sell it to you. Unfortunately, as of the night before the official launch, Best Buy® has not received enough of the specific model phone you ordered, and we will not have it available on launch day. You can be certain that we are working very hard to get you, as quickly as possible, the exact iPhone 5 model you pre-ordered. It could take as long as 28 days to find the iPhone you want. However, there is no doubt that the fact you pre-ordered a phone from Best Buy means you will be able to buy it before any consumer trying to find one on their own.
Trust us, we will be able to get you the phone you want – maybe not as fast as you might want, but likely as fast as anyone else at this point.
I really appreciate your patience and willingness to shop Best Buy. We look forward to getting you the phone you ordered with us.
The reader reports that he was first one to pre-order a 64 GB black iPhone 5 at his Best Buy location, and that he and all of his friends received this same delay notice.
Sam's Club is experiencing similar shortages, sending out notices to pre-order customers indicating that deliveries are not expected for another 7-10 business days.
Thank you for your recent iPhone 5 reservation. You may have seen some news reports today regarding shipment delays from Apple for the iPhone 5 launch. Unfortunately, this includes some of the anticipated shipment to our Clubs, resulting in reduced initial quantities of iPhones available. Reserved iPhones are anticipated to arrive approximately 7 to 10 business days from the original September 21 release date.
A Club associate will be contacting you to reschedule your pickup date and time when we receive your phone at the Club. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Finally, we've been hearing from a number of readers and forum members that Walmart stores have not received their iPhone 5 stocks. Some store employees have recommended checking back later today, while others have simply said that they have no idea when shipments will be arriving from Apple.
