yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] kristovaher:
Well, what happens is that Asus announces retail availability, after which they give a go-ahead for sellers to put up pre-orders. First in line there are the launch-partners (Adorama and Amazon were not one of them according to Asus list). These sellers will report the amount of pre-orders to Asus. Early in December this was done, which led to this mess.

Asus did not expect this many pre-orders. As a result, reports emerged that it is not likely that orders placed on 1st of December and after will get shipped before Christmas. All launch partner orders placed in November seemed safe. Some sellers stopped getting pre-orders at that point.

But now it seems that GameStop is getting an advantage before every other launch partner. They seem to promise ample stock to even have it for sale on release date on 19th. So many who did order from a launch partner in November, might still end up without a tablet.

As for Adorama, they likely were promised the stock from the surplus, but that surplus sold out quickly in pre-orders since Asus did not expect that high a demand. Adorama is the only other seller who ships internationally, so I am fairly confident their pre-order amount is massive (together with B&H who simply stopped taking pre-orders at some point because of it).

So yeah, it was Asus fault for not estimating the demand correctly, but that is not common. We cannot be upset with Asus because of it. We can, however, be upset with Asus if they take tablets reserved for pre-orders away and give them to GameStop for a bigger launch.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] hihihehe:
i ordered 32 GB Grey and spammed their live chat.

one of them said 15th Dec will receive the stock and another is about 2 weeks from today which will be the week of 19th..
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] :
64GB Amethyst Gray

Order Date: 11/28/2011

Order Status: Backordered

have not had any contact with the support to ask for the delivery date.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] avinash60:
32GB Amethyst Gray; without dock

Preordered on 26 November and it says Backordered on the order history page.

No communication from them yet in the form of any emails except the one confirming my order.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] jamesey10:
When i ordered my ATP on Dec 2, I also ordered a laptop from B&H. The rep on the phone "promised" me that I'd get my ATP with the first batch that arrives.

My current status on their site is "backordered." No correspondence since my order.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] nrollier:
I ordered the 64GB grey model on 11/28/2011 and status is "backordered" as well. A sales rep's answer regrading the expected release/shipping date was not really informative though..

"Unfortunately at this time we don't have an estimate on the arrival of this product. This is a new item and is being released in small quantities by the manufacturer.

As we receive them we ship them to customers that have already placed an order, and its shipped in order that we received them.

I'm sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, please be assured your order will be fulfilled as we continue to receive stock."
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Rumbleweed:
This is the same reply I received for my TF placed with BH in April 2011. After waiting several weeks with no new info I cancelled the order and placed it elsewhere.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] kristovaher:
Original TF came out in April, no? You didn't preorder?

Anyways, if they will do the same for me, I'll cancel it. But I doubt that B&H would not dispatch this month, I preordered on the first day it was available at B&H and my card was also charged and their support told me in chat they expect to ship all November pre-orders this month.

But of course nothing is guaranteed. I just wish there'd be more information, at the moment it looks like only GameStop will actually have the tablets.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] thornd7:
I ordered from B&H on 11/28. Ordered an 32Gb Champagne. Status is listed as backordered. Keeping my fingers crossed. I intentionally avoided amazon/bestbuy and went with the less popular color to try to increase my odds of getting one of the units in initial stock.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] vonslydog:
What Asus list are you talking about? Are you talking about their pre-order link page? Or is there some other list that I have missed floating around out there. Because Amazon most certainly was on the Asus pre-order page. It wasn't removed until the cancellation fiasco started.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] new2q9c:
B & H chat 12/07/11

I contacted B & H this morning. Thought i'd share what I was told.

I paid using paypal and the money was taken rout right away. I am hoping this would give me priority since I am paid. Unless they charge prior to shipping, i'm not sure.

sharon : When do you expect to start shipping Asus Transformer Prime pre-orders?

Dana R: Hello sharon. My name is Dana, and I will be glad to assist you.

sharon: Hi dana. I hope you can answer my question. ;)

Dana R: I don't have a date from Asus yet.

Dana R: All order are supposed to be fulfilled this month though.

sharon: I was just curious too if everyone that pre-ordered will get theirs or there is a chance that some will be stuck with nothing?

Dana R: According to our buyer all should be filled.

sharon: oh that's great news! will you be sending an email out?

sharon: if and when you guys start shipping?

Dana R: Yes, you will get tracking when it ships.

sharon: ok thank you. that is all, have a nice day!

Dana R: You're welcome
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] kristovaher:
That's basically what they've told everyone who has asked by now. Do note that they are saying things like 'are supposed to be' and other words (like 'expected' and 'likely' what they told me) that can be just as easily a way to keep you from canceling a pre-order.

I still hope that they get them, but since they said that items arrive by this weekend at the sellers already and there's no information on that yet at all, it is getting a little bit fishy (not just in B&H but everywhere). Originally Asus left an impression that preorders set in November would be dispatched next week (some here even thought that tomorrow), but this seems like its not going to happen now.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] kristovaher:
Yeah they were there, but are not there anymore while others - who also are not taking any preorders now - are still there. I think Asus planned to have Amazon as launch partner, but things went wrong between them at some point. This is very obvious especially now that Prime's are vanishing on Amazon's site entirely.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] tlo729:
Here is the email from today when I last inquired:

"Upon checking the status of your backordered item (ASTF201B1GR) estimated date given to us by the manufacturer is by the 3rd week of December. Please note these are estimated dates given to us by the manufacturer. They are generally accurate, but are subject to change at the discretion of the manufacturer.

Per review, no changes on the ETA provided by the previous representative

. "

Up to distribution I suppose to be telling the truth here on what they are sending to Adorama.....
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] vonslydog:
I certainly wouldn't qualify that as "very obvious." It's pure speculation. The page for the keyboard dock on Amazon is still there. What does that mean?

I know we're all frustrated, but we need to resist the urge to treat hunches/theories/speculation as fact.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Bimboy:
+1

I think it is more likely that Amazon asked ASUS to remove them as a pre-order partner, as all of the inventory is already spoken for. It's equally likely that the other merchants have not asked ASUS to do that (yet). It's also the reason why they removed the pre-order pages, as they are sold out of the allocation for the pre-order.

One thing for certain, the Amazon fiasco has been a headache for them, as well as those of us who were affected (and likely ASUS as well - who would like their flagship launch as unblemished as possible). I know I gave Amazon a piece of my mind, as did many others.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] morphiend:
i'm just trying to save the $50 bucks in taxes by buying online through adorama. i still have a pre order with bestbuy as well. is having the prime a few weeks earlier worth $50? decisions decisions.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] digimuzik:
Days, maybe not. Weeks? Heck yeah! In any case, doesn't Best Buy let you return stuff even after a couple weeks?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] morphiend:
are you suggesting i buy the prime from best buy and then return it when my adorama order comes in? :eek:
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] adiliyo:
lol, if you chose to do that just be aware the return/exhcange period for best buy on computer stuff is 14 days iirc.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] kristovaher:
Well, today is 8th, the earliest it was rumoured that pre-order stocks arrive. But B&H representative told me that they have not heard anything of pre-order shipments arriving, but they are expecting them 'this month'.

Sounds pretty bad, anyone heard news about pre-order stocks?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] hihihehe:
i asked them before in live chat last 2 days and they said they will receive stock about 15th of dec..

most likely they will ship out on 19th
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] CrunchyDoodle:
I placed my pre-order on 11/26 for a 64GB grey Prime and matching dock. They did put a hold on the credit card I used for the order. I expect they will ship when they get stock and not a minute before.

Bye.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] avinash60:
Ok, so this is the reply I got from their backorder team:

Looks like there is no solid date yet on the arrival. Hopefully late this month will mean the 19th..
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] kristovaher:
Now it seems GamesSpot will get a supply of docks as well. I am totally seeing things go exactly like they went in UK with Galaxy Nexus release, GameStop seems to be grabbing the exclusive here, giving Asus both a large-chain release and store presence.

And I talked to B&H support again, I was among the first to order from B&H and they said today that there's just a 'chance' for me to get the order this this month.. I am worried that B&H does not ship orders in the order they were placed, I was quite sure that placing my order so early I would be in the first shipment

Also their support doesn't seem to know how many they will get in stock at all, which is another bad sign, since other stores are already stating how much their first shipment will be and if pre-orders will get delivered or not.

So B&H and others are rather useless for early adopters willing to pay for first-come-first-serve priority. It seems that it would be better to get it from GameStop, except that is impossible for an international user.

I hope so.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] kristovaher:
Alright, I just talked to B&H customer support. Highlighted the important parts.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] riz_o:
I pre-ordered my TF201 (64gb Champagne) on 12/6/11 and got the email saying it was on backorder.

I then emailed them asking why my order was still pending and when I can expect shipment, and this is the response I got:

Hi,

Thank you for your inquiry on the status of your backorder. According to the manufacturer estimates we expect to fulfill your order for the following item(s)

ASTF201C1CG by 12/26/11

ASTF201DCKCG by 12/26/11

Please note these are estimated dates given to us by the manufacturer. They are generally accurate, but are subject to change at the discretion of manufacturer.

When an item is out of stock, we try to accommodate the customer as best we can. Your options are:

1. Wait for the back-ordered merchandise to arrive. You are currently on the list for the item. We will ship the item as soon as it arrives to our warehouse.

2. If waiting is not an option, a different in-stock item may satisfy your needs. You can pick out a different item on the website and email us back with the substitution request. If you are unsure what other item might work, please call our sales department at 800-223-2500 where a representative should be able to assist you in locating a suitable replacement.

3. You can also cancel the back-ordered item. We understand that it is sometimes not possible to wait. We'll be sorry to lose your order, but we'd be sorrier to lose your goodwill as a customer. There is never a fee/deduction, as long as it is cancelled before the item ships. Simply reply to this email with your cancellation request.

If you do not respond, the order will remain open as-is and the item will automatically ship when it arrives. Please bear with us as we are at the mercy of the manufacturer. We hope to fulfill this order soon.

If you have any further questions, or require additional assistance, feel free to contact us. You may reply to this e-mail or call our toll-free phone number: (800)223-2500.

Thanks for Shopping with Adorama.

Alycia M.

Customer Service Specialist

www.adorama.com - More than a Camera Store

(800)223-2500.

Keeping my hopes up.. :D
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] speed817:
I got pretty much the same response except mine said....

SKU: ASTF201B1GR by the 4th week of December

whatever the heck that means.....
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] kristovaher:
Well that means you should get it by Christmas at the latest!
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] speed817:
i hope so!
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] kristovaher:
If Canadian sources are correct then Transformer Prime will be delayed, the entire first batch seems to be broken with WiFi issues and WiFi being weak. There are direct quotes and more information available here.

Has anyone asked B&H if they are affected or know anything about this?

EDIT: Their customer support told me that 'We have not received similar notices from ASUS'
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] avinash60:
NCIX seems to have made the delay official, going as far as sending 25$ coupons to its pre-order customers and saying that there is no official ETA. I hope we see a Christmas miracle and get the primes in the US on 19th, but it does look bleak right now.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] keatre:
Helen and/or other Adorama Pre-Order people;

Have you received word about them being delayed due to the WiFi issue?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] kristovaher:
What does NCIX got to do with B&H and their stock?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] avinash60:
They mention an "indefinite worldwide delay" due to the wi-fi issue in their emails to the preorder customers.

Also users from Taiwan have issues with wifi and GPS signals, which may or may not be relevant to the delay since Asus could have been working on the fix these few days.

From Taiwanese Users
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] kristovaher:
Well, as I mentioned above, B&H said they've heard nothing about the delay and are still on track for 19th. And as other threads pointed out then weaker WiFi is unlikely to delay release.

Some companies just might use this as an excuse of delayed release on their part and so far B&H does not seem to have problems.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] avinash60:
It seems so, since official word from Asus now is that all is going as per schedule. NCIX does seem to be using the wi-fi issue as an excuse..
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] new2q9c:
Chatted with Sales

Here's what I got... it's good that they are not cancelling orders... it's bad that we may not get it in time for Christmas. But that's not really that bad though. As long as it comes and that my order doesn't get cancelled.

Me: When I asked if there is a shipping update yet...

Dana R: All will be shipped out before the end of the year but we haven't gotten a definite ship date yet.

Me: Does that mean you already have them in stock? Just waiting for the shipping? I've been hearing of people's orders being cancelled. I'm worried.

Dana R: We have not gotten them in from Asus yet. No orders are being cancelled.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
That's not what Asus said. They said it's still being released on the 19th. If things were going "per schedule" they would have honored their inventory commitments to Amazon and other resellers who have all received pushed-back dates. I'm guessing that to make the 19th claim, they're going to end up shipping far fewer units then they anticipated. Which models and colors and to whom they're being shipped is anyone's guess.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] kristovaher:
The before the end of the year thing sounds bad. They are totally not as specific about dates as the guy was that I talked to last week. Has anyone else asked B&H today for an update?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] phoenix573:
Hey guys

Any news on preorders from Adorama, I know it's probably not one of the first stores to get stock, but just wandering if anyone has heard any update whether they will be shipping around the same timeframe as BB/Tiger/Gamestop?

Really looking forward to my first tablet, the TF Prime has been on my wishlist since I first caught wind of it, I've got so many different ideas for it + Im looking forward to the new software development in the near future. This forum has been a great source of info so far, big up to everyone that's contributed so far.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] HelenOster:
The latest update I have, is that, according to the manufacturer, the WiFi range on the TF201 did not meet their quality standards, and they will be implementing a new solution to improve the WiFi.

At this time their delivery schedule is still uncertain.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] skeptikal:
Thanks Helen. Can you tell us whether that came from Asus or a 3rd party?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] curreyr:
Thank you Helen.

Please update this thread when there is further information.

I have a 64gp Champagne (+dock) on order from Adorama simply because you are providing updates as they become available at your end.

That saves me time by trying to track info via someone on the phone, and saves you folks from being bothered unnecessarily by people trying to track info down via the phone.

I have one question.

If the dock and tablets arrive at different times (from asus) will they be shipped independently?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] skeeter123:
.from earlier today :

... ."according to the manufacturer, the WiFi range on the TF201 did not meet their quality standards, and they will be implementing a new solution to improve the WiFi. At this time their delivery schedule is still uncertain."

Nicely BAMF'D
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] avinash60:
I got a similar reply from Juan:

-----

Me: Do you have any definite ETA on the arrival of the Asus Transformer Prime (ASTF201B1GR)? Also, is there any definite news on its shipment date from Asus?

Juan B: Hello ***. My name is Juan, and I will be glad to assist you. Please give me a few moments to begin working on your inquiry.

Me: Ok

Juan B: Sorry, we do not have an arrival date.

Me: I see- do you by any chance know if it might arrive within this month?

Juan B: We do not have an arrival date.

Me: Thank you.

-----
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] wynand32:
Other vendors (e.g., Frys and Adorama) are now repeating the wifi delay story. So, I'm afraid it might be real, and we might not be seeing these things from any source until after the New Year.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] beavertank:
This is from just a few hours ago:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/12/asus-delays-transformer-primes-release-until-wifi-fix-is-found/

". . . we heard back from ASUS directly and were told that the prime is scheduled for release the week of 12/19."
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] HelenOster:
It was from Asus, via our purchasing department.

I appreciatethat so many of you are going to feel let down - especially those who had holiday gifts in mind.

But I firmly believe that Asus are a decent company. These glitches were completely unforeseen and they were left in the unenviable position of either holding back shipments or sending out gear that they weren't 100% sure about

In my opinion they've done the right thing; as a consumer there's nothing worse than getting gear that isn't reliable and then having to deal with all the inconvenience of shipping it back for repair or replacement.

It says a lot about the company's integrity that they are risking losing holiday gift $$$ to make sure they get this right.

---------- Post added at 06:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:07 PM ----------

We usually ship back orders as they come in, except for orders from customers outside the US where there are not only additional shipping costs to consider but the aggravation of dealing with customs clearance etc.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] avinash60:
The theory that the numbers might be low and Asus might be funelling the QC passed primes to Best Buy and Gamestop might be true..

Can't really say but this is how it is looking like like right now..
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Todd_W:
Thanks Helen. I have an order with Adorama and I really appreciate the updates.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] morphiend:
thanks a ton for all the updates helen. i will think of adorama for my future purchases.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] skeptikal:
+1 for me too. I'm thinking of switching systems from Pentax to Nikon. I'll definitely be using Adorama. It doesn't hurt that you guys foot the bill for printing Stern's North Shore Animal League calendar to boot. Baba Booey to you all. :p

Sorry for the OT post, all. ;)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] kristovaher:
Well, apparently the delay 'is' happening. From what can be figured out at the moment, there is a delay happening due to misbehaving WiFi and Asus is giving release priority to BestBuy and GameStop, who will get the 'working' devices.

This makes it sound like B&H (and all their international orders) gets the shaft. They told me that I'd have the device by Christmas, but now it seems unlikely.

Has anyone heard from B&H about this BestBuy and GameStop preference and them not getting the stock at all before holidays?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] kristovaher:
I talked to B&H customer support again, they've not received stock or any new information from Asus other than making it sound even more unlikely that any of us gets our order by Christmas. They've taken a step back from last weeks statement where they expected to fulfil orders in few days.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] nrollier:
Just wait another week and see what happens.. Apparently, they have no idea themselves and asking every 5 minutes does not help either.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] kristovaher:
Every five minutes? Hardly, I've contacted them once a week and only with a question regarding recent developments. Fact is that BestBuy and GameStop will definitely release on 19th, but B&H does not even have any stock yet and does not expect it for 19th anymore either while a week ago they did. As such, the theories put forth by others in previous threads that BB and GameStop are favored seem true and others will get it after the Holidays or 2012.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] kristovaher:
Another customer-service chat was reported in transformerforums.com. Basically most notable information posted is this:

B&H estimate that they will get their stock on 19th and will ship after that date.

B&H don't have an ETA for the dock.

From everything I have heard from the buyer our shipment will cover the pre-orders.

This is bad for international orders that will be unlikely to be delivered by Christmas. It is also shame that they have no idea when they will get the dock, so even if you get lucky and do get the device by Christmas, it is unclear when you will get the dock. This is twice as bad for international orders who have to pay import fees and customs processing.