Consumers usually have an expectation of quick turnaround, and when they don't have a quick turnaround, they expect good feedback about when to expect what they paid for to be delivered to them.
In light of that, no, we don't really have the technology to automate all of those business decisions (especially so early in the product lifespan) and give a precise prediction about when a consumer can expect the product with acceptable reliability. There are too many factors that can delay delivery by a day or two, and accuracy within a day is extremely important for good customer service.
For a mass-market phone like this "It'll get there when it gets there!' is not an acceptable response to people who need a phone right now, or in the very near future. This isn't a raspberry pi.
There's no use pretending that high tech supply chain management is a simple process, and any hickups are really just ploys for media hype.
You make it sound like Amazon is put through the ringer for estimates like "2-3 weeks" or even "when more are available.". They aren't.
I think the most people are not upset they sold out, but upset that:
a) Many of them did put in the effort to get up (or stay up) and get there in time, and had to suffer checkout issues.
b) There is no Plan B, nor any other information coming out of Google. They are forced to go round the merry-go-round of refreshing the Play Store and waiting and waiting to see something change.
Most people just want to say "I want this, take my money when you can" and forget about it. It shouldn't take so much effort to give a company your money.
In light of that, no, we don't really have the technology to automate all of those business decisions (especially so early in the product lifespan) and give a precise prediction about when a consumer can expect the product with acceptable reliability. There are too many factors that can delay delivery by a day or two, and accuracy within a day is extremely important for good customer service.
For a mass-market phone like this "It'll get there when it gets there!' is not an acceptable response to people who need a phone right now, or in the very near future. This isn't a raspberry pi.
There's no use pretending that high tech supply chain management is a simple process, and any hickups are really just ploys for media hype.