Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Surface Pro Sold Out? Really?

In the latest Surface-related blog from Panay, he states that the response to Surface “has been amazing.” He added: “We’re working with our retail partners who are currently out of stock of the 128GB Surface Pro to replenish supplies as quickly as possible.” Hey, that’s great news, right? Sure, until you read the nearly 100 comments by, almost exclusively, disgruntled Surface consumers. Based on nearly every one of the blog’s comments, It’s clear Microsoft is playing the retail “sold out” game to the hilt.

After doing some investigative work on their own, consumers responding to Panay’s blog found that many Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) and Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPLS) stores received nothing more than a demo version of the Surface Pro. As you can imagine, Best Buy and Staples “sold out” of Surface Pros in a hurry — easy to do when you don’t have any to begin with.

To date, I’ve given Microsoft some leeway in its Surface sales totals; there was too much disparate information to determine how things were really coming along. But according to some estimates, Best Buy and Staples received only 30,000 or so Surface tablets in total. For a much ballyhooed rollout? That’s too obvious a ploy to ignore.

Panay’s blog, and, even more importantly, the feedback from potential Surface customers, says it all: Microsoft is playing the game, and consumers are paying the price — at least for now. Overcoming the price tag, limited battery life, and available storage concerns were going to be challenges for Microsoft, regardless. But letting the marketing department dictate the Surface Pro rollout, virtually ensuring it would be “sold out,” could cost Microsoft dearly in the long run.

The article Microsoft Surface Pro Sold Out? Really? originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Tim Brugger.

Fool contributor Tim Brugger has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Apple and Google. The Motley Fool owns shares of Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Staples.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.