Bad service. Misleading website and email communication.

Definitely NOT the "authentic Apple experience" that iStore claim on their website!

On 18 July 2020 I bought an apple iPad 7 128Gb through the iStore website (www.myistore.co.za). Most of the 128Gb options were either shown to be on Back Order or to be unavailable online. However, I did fine one (gold colour) that appeared to be available. I purchased through the website and received an email saying that delivery would take approximately 5 days, but to expect some delays due to couriers being limited by lockdown.

On 23 July 2020 I contacted the iStore call centre to find out when the order would arrive as I had not yet received a tracking number via email. I was told that they were currently out of stock and they could not tell me when my order would arrive as they had to ship iPads in from overseas. I would not have bought the iPad if I had known that it's arrival time would be indeterminate. The website did not indicate that the item I bought was back-ordered and the email I received did not indicate this either. Both channels created the distinct impression that there was readily available stock.

Note that this is not a whimsical purchase. My child requires it for school. It's a very expensive electronic device which I would not ordinarily buy.

I was told that the only way to cancel the order was via email and that processing would take 3 days. I have sent a cancellation email.

Overall very bad service and a misleading website.