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Google's Nexus 4 smartphone sells out in the US in 50 minutes

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Re: Google's Nexus 4 smartphone sells out in the US in 50 minutes

#91
post #37
post #24

The fact that it is 2012 and stores still refuse to just let you give them money and then have them ship you a product is ridiculous. I don't want to sit here and wait for a store to open or for things to come 'back in stock' to buy a phone. That's why we invented computers, to automate boring tasks. I give you money, you put my name on a list, as phones come in, you ship them in the order of the names on the list. P…

Consumers usually have an expectation of quick turnaround, and when they don't have a quick turnaround, they expect good feedback about when to expect what they paid for to be delivered to them. In light of that, no, we don't really have the technology to automate all of those business decisions (especially so early in the product lifespan) and give a precise prediction about when a consumer can expect the product wi…

You make it sound like Amazon is put through the ringer for estimates like "2-3 weeks" or even "when more are available.". They aren't.

I think the most people are not upset they sold out, but upset that: a) Many of them did put in the effort to get up (or stay up) and get there in time, and had to suffer checkout issues. b) There is no Plan B, nor any other information coming out of Google. They are forced to go round the merry-go-round of refreshing the Play Store and waiting and waiting to see something change.

Most people just want to say "I want this, take my money when you can" and forget about it. It shouldn't take so much effort to give a company your money.

Re: Google's Nexus 4 smartphone sells out in the US in 50 minutes

#92
post #24

The fact that it is 2012 and stores still refuse to just let you give them money and then have them ship you a product is ridiculous. I don't want to sit here and wait for a store to open or for things to come 'back in stock' to buy a phone. That's why we invented computers, to automate boring tasks. I give you money, you put my name on a list, as phones come in, you ship them in the order of the names on the list. P…

Im sure the PR machines are involved too. "iPhone sells out" always hits the headlines (online and otherwise) in a big way, stoking demand (if it's sold out it must be good - and if I get one faster than everyone else I'll be able to show it off) Put it this way - I'm sure it won't remain "sold out" (inaccessible to purchase) for long...

Yes, I don't believe there are physically no more Nexus 4's left to be sold.

It's a PR/Marketing ploy, a good one and if I was in Google's shoes it's exactly what I would be doing too.

Anyone who thinks this is Google's coders not able to take a credit card and put you on a wait-list isn't thinking outside the box.

Re: Google's Nexus 4 smartphone sells out in the US in 50 minutes

#94
post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The concept of "we charge your card when the product ships" was invented how many years ago? It sounds like Google is retrofitting physical products into a store that was never meant to handle them.

Even if they only take a hold to ensure the funds are on the card, many (most?) banks won't tell you that the money wasn't charged yet, and they'll make it unavailable.

Then why don't they just charge the card before they ship... and if that fails then they send you an email saying so, amend your details within 48 hours or it ships to the next person in line.

Not exactly difficult.

Re: Google's Nexus 4 smartphone sells out in the US in 50 minutes

#95
post #77
post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If people are willing to pay that, it's the market price.

No, this is price discrimination. There are _some_ people willing to pay more to have it. It doesn't represent that the aggregate demand is at this price.

It may not be the optimal point on the supply-demand curve, but if supply is limited, then the price is whatever people are willing to pay.

Re: Google's Nexus 4 smartphone sells out in the US in 50 minutes

#98
post #51
post #2

It sold out way quicker than that. I tried to purchase it right away, had a phone in my cart, then when I went to checkout, it was gone and said Coming Soon. This was within the first 10 minutes of the phone going on sale. UPDATE: The store is back up. 16gb appear to be sold out, but I just successfully purchased an 8gb model. ANOTHER UPDATE: I just bought the 16gb model successfully as well. Both orders show as pend…

Update at 10:30 AM PST - 16gb model said 'In Stock', I added to cart and the message says 'There was a problem with your order' with a big blue button saying 'GO SHOPPING!' I would expect better E-Commerce management from Google, who claims to have the brightest people working for it.

Update at 11:30 PST -

Bought the 16GB successsfully. Took 2 mins. I believe the 'Sold Out' news in the morning drove more customers curiously to the Google Play website, thus letting them buy it today even if they wanted to wait. No one wants a supply issue like the iPhone 5. As I thought, Google is way smarter than Apple to be prepared for high volume sales on it's platform.

Well played, Google.

Re: Google's Nexus 4 smartphone sells out in the US in 50 minutes

#99
post #98
post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Update at 10:30 AM PST - 16gb model said 'In Stock', I added to cart and the message says 'There was a problem with your order' with a big blue button saying 'GO SHOPPING!' I would expect better E-Commerce management from Google, who claims to have the brightest people working for it.

Update at 11:30 PST - Bought the 16GB successsfully. Took 2 mins. I believe the 'Sold Out' news in the morning drove more customers curiously to the Google Play website, thus letting them buy it today even if they wanted to wait. No one wants a supply issue like the iPhone 5. As I thought, Google is way smarter than Apple to be prepared for high volume sales on it's platform. Well played, Google.

I suspected it has more to do with duplicate orders getting canceled. I was able to snag one as well about 30 minutes ago.

Re: Google's Nexus 4 smartphone sells out in the US in 50 minutes

#100
post #93

This joker is selling his nexus 4 for £1200 ($1900) in the UK http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/lg-GOOGLE-NEXUS-4-8GB-UNLOCKED-BRA...

I'm pretty sure selling something you don't actually have isn't allowed on ebay (he's selling a phone he hasn't received, and in all likelyhood wont receive as google could quite easily cancel the other 2 orders as they seem to be a mistake).
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