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Apple informing some Retina iMac orders of ‘unexpected delays’, shipments pushed back ahead of holidays

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New orders for Apple’s recently launched 27-inch Retina iMac aren’t the only ones seeing delayed shipment times as Apple has just started informing some customers of unexpected delays for orders placed as long ago as last month.

9to5Mac readers point to an email from Apple informing them that delivery of their shiny new iMac has been pushed back up to an additional two weeks. One reader contacted by Apple ordered the device on Oct. 31 and at the time was provided with a shipment estimate of 7-10 days and delivery estimate of Nov. 14-19.

In the email quoting an “unexpected delay” (pictured above), Apple added an extra 5-7 days to the “ships by” date and provided the reader with a new delivery estimate of Nov. 28 – Dec. 2, two weeks after the original Nov. 14 delivery estimate.

Apple just recently increased shipment times for new Retina iMac orders placed through its online store to 2-3 weeks, but it appears it’s also having a hard time making enough units to keep up with existing orders. Needless to say, if you want to get an iMac before the holidays, it might be your last chance to do so.

The increased shipment times are only for Apple’s new higher-resolution 27-inch Retina 5K iMac first introduced at its special event last month alongside new iPads.

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Comments

  1. Franklin McMahon - 9 years ago

    Last I checked it was actually 4 weeks out. If you go and do a iMac 5K retina custom order it will say 2-3 weeks but when you get to the last page to confirm you order you will see it is closer to a month. I did one this past week and the ship date was Dec. 15th. It does tell you the exact day it will ship, which is handy, but again you have to go through the while checkout process to the final confirmation page.

  2. sewollef - 9 years ago

    It’s just happened to me. I ordered a ‘maxed out’ iMac 5K i7 on October 30. Initial delivery date of Nov 21 has been pushed back to December 4. I’m bummed, but hey. I get to keep my $3,500 a little longer I guess.

  3. jwchelena - 9 years ago

    This is really not new news. I go back as far as 1982 with Apple equipment and while it would be wrong to say never but Apple ALMOST never has enough stock to meet orders for new items.

  4. Thorf - 9 years ago

    It’s definitely news for those people who are having orders delayed. I’ve put together a spreadsheet of people who’ve posted about delayed orders.

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pj-L-iwbRDIX4_ZUtsQZtySYovN0gIWISOzTF0xPb6k/edit?usp=sharing

    • jaicruvoir - 9 years ago

      hi
      I oder an Imac 5K M295x
      31 oct first shipping was 18-21 Nov
      14 nov new shipping date for 25 nov delivery expected 28 nov to 2 dec in France

      • jaicruvoir - 9 years ago

        I received a mail from Apple
        iMac arrived the 27 november!

  5. Chou-Chou (@chouxiong83) - 9 years ago

    I ordered mine on November 6th and just received an email confirmation saying mine has been shipped and will be here by the 28th. I’m located in Canada.

  6. Alvin English - 9 years ago

    Ordered the Retina iMac on November 14th. I was told 10-14 days before shipment. Today I received an email stating it is still on back order – without an estimated ship date. I am afraid to travel and miss the shipment.

  7. Peter Stremic - 9 years ago

    Wonder what Apple would do if people started canceling orders because of Apple’s less than forthright delivery promises… I wanted this year (for tax write-off purposes)… now I’m wondering if this was a stupid move.

Author

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jordan Kahn

Jordan writes about all things Apple as Senior Editor of 9to5Mac, & contributes to 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, & Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s Logic Pros series.