Need a few iPads? You’re SOL, says Apple


Rumors have been creeping around the internet that Apple is quietly limiting the number of iPads individual consumers can purchase.

As is often the case, the policy is nebulous and the accounts of iPad purchase banninations vary widely. One of the first people to report a “no iPad for you” incident was a blogger who posted about the incident in an entry titled “How I went from Apple store newbie to lifetime ban in one week” on his blog, Protocol Snow. The young man says he was attempting to pick up a few iPads for friends on the NeoGAF gaming forum when he was banned at the Apple Store, probably by some jerk in a “Genius” shirt.

Below is a quote from the post- rather lengthy, but worth reproducing because it does a great job of conveying the frustration inherent in such a vague policy. (Quoting begins after Apple Store staff members disappear into the back and the dude trying to buy the iPads overhears them discussing his last store visit.)

Me (nonchalantly) — “Is there an issue?”

He’s still staring at his monitor and a few seconds pass before Guy #2 carefully says, “There is a limit to the number of iPads that customers can buy.”

Me (playing dumb) — “Oh, is that right? What’s the limit?”

Guy #2 — “Only 2 per customer.”

Guy #1 — “I’m sorry sir, but you have reached your lifetime limit of iPad purchases and will not be allowed to buy any more.”

Me (anticipating that statement) — “Is the iPad limit per person? Per credit card? Per household?”

Guy #1 — “All I can say is that you have reached your lifetime limit.”

Me — “What does that mean? Can I use a different credit card to buy it? I’m buying this for a friend.”

Guy #1 — “You are not allowed to buy this iPad.”

Me — “Uhh… is it ok if I have a family member or friend come to buy it for me? My reservation doesn’t expire until 6:00 PM.”

Guy #1 — “All I can say is that you have reached your lifetime limit.”

Me (suddenly realizing what he’s saying) — “Wait, what? Lifetime? What does that mean?”

Guy #1 — “All I can say is that you have reached your lifetime limit of iPads and will not be allowed to buy any more.”

Me — “I’m banned from buying iPads? I know there’s a shortage right now, but I can’t buy any more once there’s plenty of stock?”

Guy #1 — “All I can say is that you have reached your lifetime limit.”

In a post referencing the above incident, Cult of Mac says that a hospital hoping to purchase 100 iPads was told the lifetime limit was three, not two iPads. Doctors from the hospital had initially commented that an iPad would make their jobs (and ostensibly, the level of care they are able to provide) far more efficient.

Although no one wants to see popular tech toys put out of reach by eBay vultures or other predatory resellers, what if you’ve got four kids? Small business owners who might benefit from the iPad? Schools, or even homeschooled kids? If you like your iPad, can you not buy one for your mom and your boyfriend, too? It will be interesting to see how this pans out- and if you’ve been turned away from the counter without an iPad, we’d love to hear about it in the comments .

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