Update: Oculus has provided us with an update regarding their shipping issues:
The component shortage impacted our quantities more than we expected, and we’ve updated the shipment window to reflect these changes. We apologize for the delay.
We’re delivering Rifts to customers every day, and we’re focused on getting Rifts out the door as fast as we can. We’ve taken steps to address the component shortage, and we’ll continue shipping in higher volumes each week. We’ve also increased our manufacturing capacity to allow us to deliver in higher quantities, faster. Many Rifts will ship less than four weeks from original estimates, and we hope to beat the new estimates we’ve provided.
Original story follows:
The Oculus Rift might be bringing about a new way to play videogames and consume digital media, but it’s a piece of impressive tech that is still being held back by some mundane issues. Like the fact that many, many customers who pre-ordered their own headset have yet to lay hands on it, and probably won’t for a few months. Citing growing production issues, Oculus has started issuing lengthy delays to customers, and people aren’t happy.
It started earlier this month when Oculus made customers aware of issues with production, citing a parts shortage as the reason so many orders weren’t going to be going out on April 5th. Oculus then promised an update on April 12th, which started off with many pre-order customers getting notifications about a massive delay to their order. In some cases, the Oculus Rift has suffered as much as a two month delay, with shipping pushed well into July for existing orders.
As expected, the official forums are on fire. One customer pre-ordered within 30 minutes after pre-orders went live, and is being forced to wait until June. Another who ordered just a few moments later is having their order pushed back even further by two weeks.
30x order in the UK gives me 6/13/2016 – 6/23/2016, May was the shipping estimate when I ordered.
saw the update and it says estimated ship date 7/18-7/28. I just ordered a HTC vive and will come around May. so I’ll just have to enjoy htc vive for about 2 month before rift show up.
Mine updated too. A 26 with 06:14 now says estimated ship date 4/25 to 5/5
Same here. xxx248xxx 7min. Estimate shipping 02.05-12-05.
Order delays are indiscriminate too, with many prominent faces in the industry complaining about the lack of feedback from oculus themselves while also experiencing delays. Here’s Kotaku’s Patrick Klepek, who had his order moved from April to June.
The Oculus Rift that I pre-ordered has been bumped from shipping in April to June. What a smooth launch!
— Patrick Klepek (@patrickklepek) 12 April 2016
So yes, Oculus is struggling. And it’s a struggle that’s already seen them scrap existing shipping fees for orders in a bid to try and save some face. But in light of two month delays, Oculus will need to rethink a few things.
Last Updated: April 12, 2016
Ottokie
April 12, 2016 at 12:04
Hey Oculus, how about lowering the price to say sorry *wink wink
Alien Emperor Trevor
April 12, 2016 at 12:08
So to get one on time you have to be luckey.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 12, 2016 at 12:15
It’s gone from gimmick to gimme
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
April 12, 2016 at 12:40
As much as I want one, a 4k screen would be better…
Captain JJ the Isolatid
April 12, 2016 at 12:21
Two months.
Wow, so if I started saving when it was announced…then by the time of this new release date I would STILL not be able to buy it.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 12, 2016 at 12:23
This will cheer you up (refresh)
Captain JJ the Isolatid
April 12, 2016 at 12:24
Haha!
Excellent.
Admiral Chief in New York
April 12, 2016 at 14:06
Hi, I’m the Admiral Chief, and this is my favourite picture on the internet
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 12, 2016 at 14:58
XD
HvR
April 12, 2016 at 12:26
If you started saving a year ago R500 each month, by now you would still need R4000 to buy one, by the original launch you will be R4250 away from you goal and by the further 2 month delayed launch date you will only need R5340
Captain JJ the Isolatid
April 12, 2016 at 12:31
Yea. It’s not working for me.
I need food and wine too. Well, maybe not food.
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
April 12, 2016 at 12:39
Port or Pinotage?
Captain JJ the Isolatid
April 12, 2016 at 12:40
Pinotage or Shiraz. Port is a nightcap or an ice cream sauce 😉
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
April 12, 2016 at 12:43
I got my hands on a 1994 Cape Vintage, the biggest issue with any form of a port is that it is BOOZEY, like sticking your head into a whiskey barrel boozey, at 19% vol/vol, it will be the last thing you’d drink at night though….
But a good Shiraz…with a thick, medium rare steak….
Captain JJ the Isolatid
April 12, 2016 at 13:19
Yes!
Strawman Jim
April 12, 2016 at 13:03
Lol Peter Klepek is probably worried that he might not be able to afford it in two months time… cough! HULK HOGAN LEG DROP KILLS GAWKER!! I’m sorry it never gets old! Hahahaha!
https://media.giphy.com/media/11MhU7NWOigjdK/giphy.gif