O2 running out of Apple iPhones

According to a notice on O2’s website, there appears to be a bit of a shortage of the Apple devices: there’s no iPhones to be had online according to the operator, and stores are also running a bit short.

The operator says:

We are experiencing unprecedented demand for the device and whilst we are confident that all customers who want iPhone 3G will get one by the end of this summer, initial supply is limited and will be for some weeks. Here is what you need to know:

• We are working closely with Apple to get additional iPhone 3Gs. These will be coming in on a weekly basis. We’ll keep you posted on specific details by updating this web page daily.

• We are currently out of stock of iPhone 3Gs via our on-line stores and customer services but have limited availability in O2 retail stores as at opening time Thursday 21st August.

The site goes onto give a list of all the stores where you can get an iPhone and, to be fair, there’s a truckload of them so if you’re in the market for an iPhone, there’s definitely somewhere near you that’s selling the handset.

This wouldn’t be the old favourite tactic of only releasing limited stock of a device in order to get people running to the shops waving their credit cards in panic, would it?