Last night,
we reported that Apple is apparently angry at Best Buy for an iPad 2 sales stunt pulled by company personnel. A Best Buy employee claims that the store was intentionally hoarding reserves and holding off on selling the supply it had in stock. According to rampant speculation, Apple had got upset and effectively turned off iPad 2 supplies to the retail giant, "blacklisting" Best Buy for the time being.
By Friday morning, many had chalked up the report to unfounded rumor-mongering. But on Friday, Best Buy curiously announced that it is suspending sales of the iPad 2 due to "supply constraints." Some are naturally seeing this as evidence of Apple carrying through with its threat to temporarily "blacklist."
"Our stores have been asked to temporarily hold non-reserved iPad 2 inventory for an upcoming promotion," Best Buy spokesman Jeff Haydock tells CNET. "Best Buy continues to receive iPad 2 inventory from Apple on a regular basis. As we've said previously, we are fulfilling customer reservations first. This is a customary practice for us when there are supply constraints. Best Buy enjoys a great partnership with Apple and we're delighted by the customer response to iPad 2."
Following Crunch Gear's initial report about the Best Buy-Apple skirmish, the publication followed up today with a revision to last night's report saying that Apple COO Tim Cook has denied any knowledge of Best Buy withholding iPad 2 supplies, provoking Apple's hot temper. Still, some aren't buying the "all is well and fine" talk coming out of Best Buy and Apple. For many, the timing of last night's report and today's admission that iPad 2 sales are suspended at Best Buy is far too suspicious to chalk up as mere coincidence.
Source:
CNET,
Crunch Gear 
