14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has promised those who thoughtfully secured their own iPad unit ahead of launch that refunds are on their way. Apparently, those whose iPads will not make it to their door on April 3rd are getting the $12 for expedited shipping back, whenever their bank is done with the transaction.
The news comes via The Tech Herald, a site launched in early February, 2008 that came into existence after some of the editors and administration staff on the entertainment site Monsters and Critics decided they wanted to be involved in a website covering science and technology beyond the small tech section on M&C.
It claims that Apple wrote an email to all affected iPad customers, which reads, “Expedited shipping is not necessary to ensure delivery. Apple has processed a refund for the shipping charge on your order. Please contact your card-issuing bank for more information on when the credit will be posted to your account.”
There is no reason to try to confirm this beyond the Tech Herald report, given that Apple itself has confirmed delays for initial iPad shipments. Apparently, demand is very high for the device. The company has been faced with having to push some shipping dates to April 12th for some WiFi-only models. Needless to point out, Apple will want to be better prepared for the launch of the 3G model, which is slated to go on sale towards the end of this month.
Softpedia reported earlier this week that it wasn’t just huge demand for the tablet computer that spawned the delay, but also lagging shipments of iPad touch-panels from Taiwan-based TPK Touch Solutions. In light of these instances, Apple also removed the option of reserving an iPad for in-store pickup, Softpedia reported on Monday.