Update on Surface Pro Retail Availability (U.S. and Canada)

So a curious thing happened today. Went to the Microsoft Store to check about 128 stock. None. Was told they usually maybe be 1 or so available before closing. Well that was an odd response. Later I went to Staples and was told by the manager that they do not sell Surface Pros 128, they are only avialable online at the Microsoft Store (available online LoL, I know). I've pretty much gone from irritated to amused regarding this whole fiasco. At this point I'm just going to sit back and watch, and start shopping for something else. Reminder: Unless you have a very large and loyal following for your products, products that are necessary, your competitors will only benefit from your market failures and software blunders. Just look at Nintendo.

I've called 14 Best Buy stores across the state and not a single one has a 128gb or 64gb in stock.

These are NOT THAT IN DEMAND I assure you (compared to any Apple product).

This launch has been a total failure of epic proportions. I'm glad MICROSOFT decided to completely ignore it's distribution channels in stocking this device. I'm the head of IT for my bank and I have interest to order 50+ devices for our loan officers and outside marketing / managers. Good to know Microsoft isn't interested in my $50,000 dollars, rather piss me off enough to go purchase a product from Acer or Samsung.

I do not understand the hush hush and pat on the backs of the incompetent Surface team. Microsoft seems to have forgotten it's core audience that makes them profitable........

Also note I called one Best Buy that said they had 4 128gb's in stock but they where purchased and paid for through Best Buy Business? What the hell I checked Best Buy Business throughout the week and didn't even see a single spot to order them, only SKU that even shows in that system is a 64gb RT.

GET YOUR S*** TOGETHER!! DON'T ALIENATE YOUR CORE LIKE APPLE DECIDED TO DO!

Now Microsoft Store Online via Phone will "take a reservation"

Microsoft Store is 200 miles from here

SO FRUSTRATED TODAY!! So after calling the twin cities microsoft store every day the past week to have them tell me that they were not doing a waitlist and that they dont have any 128 Pro's I decided to drive in and visit the store to speak to someone in person and to check out any accesories that Best Buy might not have. While there I was told once again, no, there arent any 128's however they would be more than happy to put my name on a list to reserve one.... WHAT?!?! Yes! They have had a list all week even though everyone I spoke to everyday up to that point on the phone said there was no list. The rep then said they have recieved shipments but that it was all going to people on the reserve list. This is some of the worst customer service I have ever experienced.

I tried to call Microsoft to spek to someon... anyone about my experience but after retelling my story the phone rep respinded with"would you like to buy a 128, I can check to see whats availiable at your local store" as though that had no listedned to the fact that I had just left my 'local'  store who told me they didnt have one.

 Whats really frustrating is that in the midst of this trainwreck of a release.. noone!! is taking any resposibility or explaing what is going on. Every is saying different things and it has resulted in me wasting my time and money.

I'm on waitlist at Best Buy and now microsoft and stilll... no Pro.

Im sure this post has between Bob & no hope of being read by anybody who has any influence within MS but regardless i'd just like to say how poor the marketing and distribution for this product has been from day 1 of announcment. I live in the UK and everyday have a quick look to see if there is any info about a release or price of the surface pro outside the 4 walls of the U.S and to be quite honest I think today may be the last time I waste my time bothering. The whole will they?/wont they? game is something I used to enjoy on christmas morning when I was 5 but as an adult in his 30's I prefer the idea of being told where, when, and how much I can buy the things I want. Get a grip MS as this whole sorry story is turning into a Joke!!!

Everybody's talking about their local Microsoft Store. You should consider yourselves extremely lucky that you even have one near you! I would die to have one near me, but the closest one to where I live is a full day's drive. If I could have Microsoft build a store near me, I'd probably accept it as one of the best Christmas or Birthday gifts I ever got (and probably more than half my gifts in the future would be bought there as well!)! But I would just consider yourselves lucky that you have access to one of the first places to get the product.

Update:

I've been calling my local MS store every morning all week checking for stock, and they finally told me they had some 128gb in this morning! They told me there was no guaranteeing I would get one, but thankfully I work right down the road so I went there on my break. There were 4 people in there already buying some.

I walked up to the counter and they asked me if I had one reserved, I said no. They said they had about 6 left, and one of those is now mine! I asked if they were expecting any more this week, and they didn't know, so those of you hopeful, it's still seems elusive, but there might be more this weekend as originally said.

I got their Pro Bundle which came with a screen protector, carry case, one type or touch cover, 1 year extra warranty and a copy of office. I also grabbed the wedge mouse.

Walking out the door I paid approx $1, 500.

I hope this helps some of you. Good luck folks! It's worth the wait.

When will the Pro and RT be on State bid lists? Likewise, when will they appear at places like CDW? I can't imagine a company going to an MS Store to purchase a couple hundred units.

Although there has been undoubtedly a huge problem with the launch of this device, I still can't wait to get one and I hope this finally puts apple in its place.  I am so tired of everyone raving over apple this and apple that.  I had a first generation ipod.  Sold it to my cousin and bought a zune.  Wayyyyy easier to use.  I was hoping back then that the zune would make apple go away.  Still waiting.  Also, absolutely no advertising for the zune. Oh, and I am also tired of people saying "well, just buy an ipod" Sorry, but the surface does wayyyyy more than the ipad. Ipad= oversized ipod.  Surface= Compact computer.  Nuff said.

Looks like stock has mostly gone to MSFT stores. If you want one this week, that's your best bet.

For user quixoteloco: This is where I bought on a walk in this afternoon (no pre-order):

Freehold Raceway Mall

3710 Route 9 South

Freehold, NJ 07728

Phone: (732) 358-5180

Got a call this morning from Microsoft Store in Century City. I had put my name on the list last Saturday when I went in. I was 45th so not hopeful about getting one before Saturday but they got enough in. Just picked it up!

Ohh boy everyone complaining about not getting one!

I got one ... it worked for 1 day. Next day no more booting.. Called MS service and only solution is to send it back! They wanted even to charge me for one more Surface pro to do the exchange!!! Can you believe this ?

So after my call to the MS service they said I have to return it. BTW I researched and found several other users had the exact same problem - 128GB Surface Pro not working after a few hours.

The crazy thing is MS told me to wait another 24h to get an email, which I did not get, to return the device. I called the next day again then MS told me they have to cancel this service request and I got another service number whole process again....

Now I'm finally able to send it back - lets see when I actually get my paid Surface Pro back. From the few hours I could use it  I can say that I'm absolutely amazed by it - it does what it says - it is a laptop in tablet form. I even tested some 3D applications on it and all worked fine!

The things that really need to be addressed here is the service issue! If MS designs a device that can not be opened; that can not be upgraded and fixed at all; there must be a better way of service. I guess most users will use it for business (the Surface Pro) as a business owner I can only shake my head about this crazy idea of service for such a device and buying extra protection ? Really ?? In the EU by law the device has to have 2 years warranty not so in North America.

I suggest Microsoft addresses the failing Surface Pro issue immediately by offering 2 years warranty world wide without extra cost that will at least send a proper message to the market that these devices will not drop like flies.

I'm not a happy customer right now as you can tell.

Dear Microsoft: Could you guys please send me an email when you ship another surface pro to my local Microsoft store so I don't have to keep checking your web site.  With no info from you, my anxiety level is increasing exponentially as the weekend approaches and I realize I'll have to out run, out drive, and out wit all of the other people who have commented here to get that one Surface Pro you've shipped.  You can send the email to getanotherdistributionmanager@microsoft.com.

Update: Still waiting to hear on Best Buy pre-order from 2 days ago.

Went to MSFT store, they got 25 128's in yesterday (not a major city location, central NJ). Keeping BB pre-order open to see how long it takes, they only had 4 on order.

Got to go unpack and setup :)

There's a story today on ZDnet about the Microsoft Complete Coverage that's available for this device for $99. Considering it's virtually irreparable, this coverage is practically a must (and in all fairness, I think it's an excellent price).

But BEWARE: According to comments appended to the article, you can only get this coverage if you buy through the Microsoft Store. Which, considering this awful, awful launch and its attendant customer (dis)service, makes me wonder just what kind of hoops I'd have to jump through should the worst happen and I had to make use of this coverage.

First off: Does anyone know for sure if you can only get this coverage through the Microsoft Store? (I understand it will probably take forever to get an official response to this, so here's hoping Pro owners can answer for us).

Secondly: Does anyone have any comparables for buying coverage through the retail stores?

See quote from article below.

_____________________________________________________________________________

The difficulty in repair has some people up in arms questioning why in the world they would pay $900+ for a Surface that may be rendered useless if they dropped it or spilled something on it. However, as one of the few lucky 128GB Surface Pro buyers, I can recommend you simply pay the $99 for the Surface Pro Complete warranty. This is especially recommended if you plan to carry your Surface Pro around all the time like I do.

The Microsoft Complete for Surface warranty gives you an extended warranty and support service for two full years. The protection covers your Surface even if you have an accident, such as a drop or spill. Given the difficulty likely present, as shown by iFixit, you will probably just get a replacement device if you break yours. If you look at the details of the plan, you will see that a defective battery, bad pixels, internal overheating, and more are all covered.

For comparison, the MacBook Air protection from Apple (for a similarly priced device) is priced at $249. The Apple plan covers your device for three years. The plan for Apple computers DOES NOT cover accidental damage. The iPhone plan, AppleCare+, covers accidental damage and costs $99, plus $49 for each damage incident.

You can purchase Microsoft Complete when your buy your Surface or within 45 days of your purchase. I purchase these for devices that I carry all the time and pay big bucks for (non-subsidized smartphones and laptops) and peace of mind for $99 is a great deal.

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I tried to see if I could purchase the Surface at BB (since they had one waiting for me) and then purchase Complete within the 45 days. No go. You have to purchase through the store is what I was told. I hope that is wrong.

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I was told that if you purchased it at BestBuy or Staples that you could purchase Complete at the MS Store, but you would have to bring the unit in to be inspected.

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I just tried to call the local store and got the main number. The lady on the phone routed me to myservice.surface.com. It appears you can buy Complete there. I could not do it since it needed my serial number.