The launch of the Microsoft Surface tablet appears to have hit a bit of turbulence. A number of customers in Canada and the UK who pre-ordered the tablet through the Microsoft Store as early as the first day have received emails indicating that their shipments will be delayed by a week:
The release date for the preorder product has changed. The product listed below will now be available on November 2, 2012.
Microsoft has not provided any explanation for the delay.
Microsoft’s online store shows that orders for the 32GB model without Touch Cover will now ship in three weeks in the U.S. It is also “temporarily sold out” in Canada and cannot even be ordered at this time. Other models still show that shipment will take place in “1-2 weeks.”
The Microsoft Surface is scheduled to go on sale on October 26th. Delays with pre-orders could be a sign that there will only be limited Surface tablet availability at Microsoft Stores (and Holiday Stores) at launch.
Update: Good news! Microsoft has looked into this matter and found that the emails were sent to customers in error. It provided the following statement to confirm that the pre-order original shipment dates will stand:
“Unfortunately, an incorrect email was sent to several of our international customers who pre-ordered Surface from the Microsoft Online Store in the past week. All customers should expect their devices by the original date given when orders were placed. Microsoft is following up with customers to confirm their original shipping date remains unchanged, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused.”
Read more: WPCentral