Reason for EVO Shortage

[thelonewizard]

I was at the Sprint Store today, and I was talking with one of the reps, who I've been going to for a few years now. I got on an alrady 50+ person long waiting list, but, while doing so, she told me why there's such a shortage of the EVO. Below:

"The reason the EVO is unavailable everywhere is because of a defect. The defect is something about the screen seperating from the phone, I think. They told me they were redoing it, then mass-producing them."

There you have it. Once HTC fixes the light-leakage, we'll have EVOs easily accessible.

If this informed you in any way at all, could you please hit that Thanks button? Thanks.

 

[Rigmaster]

Different Sprint Rep - different reason. There's absolutely no consistency to what SRs say. That rep fed you some BS.

There is a screen parts shortage that's affecting production of a wide variety of phones from almost every maker (except Samsung and Apple).

That said, I hope they fix production issues, including screen separation and light leakage.

 

[mrancier]

That is quite interesting. I just called Telesales about 20 minutes ago and got a rather odd statement from a CSA : She said that They did not have EVOs in stock, and that select stores have the "old ones", and that she could help me call around if I wanted one of those. However, she said, HTC is making the "new ones", but they are in the process of testing to make sure that high volume production isn't going to affect quality. After I heard this, I asked "so, are you saying you've halted sales of EVOs because of a defect ?". At this point the poor girl got real nervous and started saying that there is no problem with the EVO at all (like 5 times), that they are simply out of stock, and that HTC is testing production in high volume for quality control. She seemed very nervous.
This whole story seems to tie into what the OP said. Have they finally decided to fix QC issues and are throwing the last of the first batches to the stores in low density areas, for the desperate ? It sounds plausible.

 

[thelonewizard]

I think that, with a combination of a lack of good screens is the problem. As Rigmaster said, shortage of screens. The only thing I don't understand is why there's not a shortage of screens for Samsung, yet HTC is experiencing a shortage of screens from their supplier, Samsung.

 

[novox77]

I think that, with a combination of a lack of good screens is the problem. As Rigmaster said, shortage of screens. The only thing I don't understand is why there's not a shortage of screens for Samsung, yet HTC is experiencing a shortage of screens from their supplier, Samsung.

It stands to reason that Samsung would protect its own inventory before another company's. If there was a food shortage, would you sell your reserve food to your neighbor? Or save it for your own household?

While the initial batch of EVOs did suffer from the glass separation problem, subsequent batches were fine (like the one I got), and the current shortage has NOTHING to do with glass separation anymore.

Current delay is due to demand for the EVO (and other android phones) being a LOT higher than originally anticipated, so there is a shortage in displays. While it's inconvenient for people who want to buy or need a replacement, it is sign that Android adoption is really taking off, and that is a good thing in the long run.

 

[355spider]

It's funny my mom and dad just got Droid Xs together with a family plan. He turned in his Evo and 3 people in the store begged to buy it from him.

 

[EarlyMon]

There is a screen parts shortage that's affecting production of a wide variety of phones from almost every maker (except Samsung and Apple).

Read this weekend that Apple is now having to deal with shortages from LG, one of their primary screen providers for the iPad - so while we have no evidence of their having a problem for their phone, yet, they're by no means immune.

UPDATE 1-LG Display may cut output; can't meet iPad demand | Reuters

I think Ars Technica or the Register did a follow-up and tried poking into their iP4 supply, but I can't back that up with a link and google's not my friend today, so take that with a mountain of salt.

And even Sammy's not got an infinite supply for themselves, and with the Galaxy going world in every form factor possible....

 

[edlex]

I believe the early issues were pretty much in the initial batches. We may still see issues in subsequent units but not at the launch levels. I got mine from Sprint.com on June 30 and don't have any issues so far. We aren't privy to HTC production plans but for all we know they are ramping up to release another phone and its slowing everything down. The fact that its sprints only 4 G phone may have something to do within too.

 

[EarlyMon]

It stands to reason that Samsung would protect its own inventory before another company's. If there was a food shortage, would you sell your reserve food to your neighbor? Or save it for your own household?

Oddly, many people don't get that this is morally, ethically and legally OK.

If Samsung produces a component that becomes a market differentiator, they're simply not required to give it to the competition for whatever reason.

In this case, Samsung sells phones and sells parts, too. They don't care which. If they could no longer produce some other component, hypothetically leading to an inability to meet cell phone demand while those screens stacked up - they'd turn right around and sell them to others.

But I read of a few people referring to this as a Samsung conspiracy or Samsung collusion.

No. One party cannot collude nor conspire with itself - and no one's entitled to anything.

Oh yeah, almost forgot - I am John Galt.

 

[BetterMost]

I totally believe that they are coming out with still another version. This is exactly what they did with the Incredible in fact they are still on hold at Verizon. The new Incredible models are even getting a new box style so as not to confuse the older phones with the latest version. This phone is problematic and needs fixing. Im guessing they will fix the screen issues the battery issue once and for all and the sinking power button and maybe even more on board memory and 2.2!! To bad we get stuck with the old crap or maybe we wont once the new model arrives they may change them out for the chronic complainers such as myself. Trust me if a new model surfaces I will squeeze one out of Sprint or HTC come hell or high water!

 

[EarlyMon]

Trust me if a new model surfaces I will squeeze one out of Sprint or HTC come hell or high water!

I have EVERY confidence that you'll be able to do just that, even if your Evo is working perfectly.

Once you're in that position, I would like for you to do me a great personal favor.

Don't tell us about it.

Oh - one more thing - while you're busy not telling us about it, could you please, please, pretty please not tell us about it some more?

You see, the problem is quite simple:

Some of us just aren't as strong as you are.

That's right, when you constantly berate a phone and a manufacturer for things you didn't personally suffer, but others did - well, it just makes me so ashamed at my weakness that I just want to almost get up out of the basement and tell Mom.

In fact, I tried it once, I tried to say, "Mooooooooom, why can't I be as strong as BetterThanMost?" - but - she cuffed me before I finished saying Mom - and I was saying it good, too.

So now I just have to sit in the dark in the basement eating Cheetos and hoping that it doesn't make my hands glow.

So - you can do that for me, can't you?

And you're not going to mind spelling mistakes in this because I'm crying and I can't see real good - geez -- don't tell anyone that part, ok?


Pleeeeeeeeze?

PS - Of course, you know that's going to be a rev 4 and that all even-numbered revs from HTC are cursed. Everybuddy knows that.

 

[nahpungnome]

I have EVERY confidence that you'll be able to do just that, even if your Evo is working perfectly.

Once you're in that position, I would like for you to do me a great personal favor.

Don't tell us about it.

Oh - one more thing - while you're busy not telling us about it, could you please, please, pretty please not tell us about it some more?

You see, the problem is quite simple:

Some of us just aren't as strong as you are.

That's right, when you constantly berate a phone and a manufacturer for things you didn't personally suffer, but others did - well, it just makes me so ashamed at my weakness that I just want to almost get up out of the basement and tell Mom.

In fact, I tried it once, I tried to say, "Mooooooooom, why can't I be as strong as BetterThanMost?" - but - she cuffed me before I finished saying Mom - and I was saying it good, too.

So now I just have to sit in the dark in the basement eating Cheetos and hoping that it doesn't make my hands glow.

So - you can do that for me, can't you?

And you're not going to mind spelling mistakes in this because I'm crying and I can't see real good - geez -- don't tell anyone that part, ok?


Pleeeeeeeeze?

PS - Of course, you know that's going to be a rev 4 and that all even-numbered revs from HTC are cursed. Everybuddy knows that.

ouch

 

[BetterMost]

ouch

If a manufacturer makes changes to a product that just was launched they are not doing it for there good health. They are doing it because the product has been found to be defective in some way. Now if they offer to repair the old units and bring them up to the new specs I would be happy with that. If not I want a new product one without the flaws they just changed. Why should anyone settle for anything less? I won't, I didn't pay for second quality goods.

 

[BetterMost]

I have EVERY confidence that you'll be able to do just that, even if your Evo is working perfectly.

Once you're in that position, I would like for you to do me a great personal favor.

Don't tell us about it.

Oh - one more thing - while you're busy not telling us about it, could you please, please, pretty please not tell us about it some more?

You see, the problem is quite simple:

Some of us just aren't as strong as you are.

That's right, when you constantly berate a phone and a manufacturer for things you didn't personally suffer, but others did - well, it just makes me so ashamed at my weakness that I just want to almost get up out of the basement and tell Mom.

In fact, I tried it once, I tried to say, "Mooooooooom, why can't I be as strong as BetterThanMost?" - but - she cuffed me before I finished saying Mom - and I was saying it good, too.

So now I just have to sit in the dark in the basement eating Cheetos and hoping that it doesn't make my hands glow.

So - you can do that for me, can't you?

And you're not going to mind spelling mistakes in this because I'm crying and I can't see real good - geez -- don't tell anyone that part, ok?


Pleeeeeeeeze?

PS - Of course, you know that's going to be a rev 4 and that all even-numbered revs from HTC are cursed. Everybuddy knows that.

Have a lot of stock in HTC? It would seem so by your babbling rant. My suggestion is to sell it FAST!

 

[EarlyMon]

If a manufacturer makes changes to a product that just was launched they are not doing it for there good health. They are doing it because the product has been found to be defective in some way. Now if they offer to repair the old units and bring them up to the new specs I would be happy with that. If not I want a new product one without the flaws they just changed. Why should anyone settle for anything less? I won't.

Yeah! So, watch out, HTC!

You're dealing with someone who won't take maybe for an answer.

Your dealing with someone who wants a product, one without the flaws changed!

So, you just better give him one with the flaws unchanged!


GRRRRRR. Grrrrr.GRRRRR.ggrrrr. GRRRrrr!!!!

Don't. Make. Me. Tell. You. Again.

 

[woofermazing]

I totally believe that they are coming out with still another version. This is exactly what they did with the Incredible in fact they are still on hold at Verizon. The new Incredible models are even getting a new box style so as not to confuse the older phones with the latest version. This phone is problematic and needs fixing. Im guessing they will fix the screen issues the battery issue once and for all and the sinking power button and maybe even more on board memory and 2.2!! To bad we get stuck with the old crap or maybe we wont once the new model arrives they may change them out for the chronic complainers such as myself. Trust me if a new model surfaces I will squeeze one out of Sprint or HTC come hell or high water!

The new Incredible you are talking about may have a Sony manufactured screen. HTC is switching the Desire to a Super LCD because Samsung can't keep up with demand and because HTC has not been impressed with AMOLED so far.

HTC would not change the amount of memory on the EVO two months after release, that's ridiculous. Everyone will be able to get Froyo, not just your hypothetical revised model.

HTC confirms switch from AMOLED to Sony's Super LCD | Electronista

 

[twospirits]

Be nice people.

TS

 

[meyerweb]

The only thing you can be sure of is that a rep at a Sprint store has no inside knowledge about anything. Probably not even next week's work schedule.

 

[Syph]

As usual, take this with a grain of salt.
On Saturday I spoke with a Sprint rep over the phone and I was told that her office was just told to tell customers that Evo's will not be available for online or telesales until October. She had no idea if it was hardware faults or just lack of phones, but she was just told relay that to customers.

If this is true, I wonder if this delay is related to the mass reproduction of the device.

 

[BetterMost]

As usual, take this with a grain of salt.
On Saturday I spoke with a Sprint rep over the phone and I was told that her office was just told to tell customers that Evo's will not be available for online or telesales until October. She had no idea if it was hardware faults or just lack of phones, but she was just told relay that to customers.

If this is true, I wonder if this delay is related to the mass reproduction of the device.

Look at the Sprint web site now. It used to say Evo is in such popular demand we are TEMPORALLY out of stock. Now it just says out of stock check our retail stores some might have them. Its all in the wording, HTC has pulled the phone. This might be why the sales guy at Sprint the other day was telling the customer not to buy the EVo and go with the Samsung.

 

[cooden]

I work as a store manager for Sprint (Preferred Retailer) and my store gets 10-15 EVO's in every Friday. We haven't heard of any such thing with the phone, we are even getting updates on how many we are getting this Friday. I am also one of 2 ASC's (service centers) in my city and we haven't seen any problems with the EVO at all.

 

[sean76]

Seriously...he said, she said! Do you people really believe Sprint reps know the real reason behind any shortage? Their lucky they know what day it is. To be honest, its ridiculous! This is 2010, in this day and age HTC should have no problems mass producing any of their devices. And if its a screen shortage, shame on them for not thinking ahead...moronic if you ask me.

 

[EarlyMon]

It seems to be Sprint.

As noted in the financial pages within the past few weeks, it turns out that Sprint marketing execs got their bonuses doubled from 10% to 20% when it turned out that the 4G launch was so wildly popular that it caused an inventory shortage.

Had stock been sufficient? No bonus multipliers.

This probably goes on Sprint's doorstep - not HTC's.

 

[GirlGoneGeek]

Look at the Sprint web site now. It used to say Evo is in such popular demand we are TEMPORALLY out of stock. Now it just says out of stock check our retail stores some might have them. Its all in the wording, HTC has pulled the phone. This might be why the sales guy at Sprint the other day was telling the customer not to buy the EVo and go with the Samsung.

OR it might be that the sales guy at Sprint wanted to make a sale so he was pushing the in-stock item.

HTC has not pulled the phone. I'll believe it when I see it on CNET, Ars Technica, TechCrunch, Mashable, Gizmodo and Engadget. Not here from you.

 

[thelonewizard]

I really didn't expect to evoke such a response from the community. I was just trying to just give back by giving the only information I had about this. Also, EarlyMon, you are like, a God.