Black Friday is only just beginning to roll out across all the stores in the United States, but many buyers who are excited to get their hands on a deeply discounted iPad Air 2 will be deeply disappointed to find that the newest Apple tablet is no longer in stock at Best Buy and Target.
On Thursday, retailer Best Buy decided to add the iPad Air 2 to its long list of electronics devices eligible for a $100 discount for Black Friday. Instead of the regular $499 for the 16GB Wi-Fi only model, Black Friday shoppers could get the entry-level iPad Air 2 for only $399 from any of Best Buy's physical stores and the Best Buy website. The low-end 16GB Wi-Fi and Cellular model was pegged at $529. Target also decided to offer a $140 gift card for all iPad Air 2 Black Friday sales, along with a $20 discount for Microsoft's Office 365.
Unfortunately, those who were hoping to get their hands on a lower-priced iPad Air 2 won't get their discounted Apple slates anytime soon. As many people who have flocked to Twitter complain, Best Buy and Target have already ran out of the iPads. Black Friday is only just beginning, folks!
Since all the IPad Air deals are sold out online, I might as well just wait and go downtown and get one from the Apple Store.
— Kathy (@FusionofColor) November 28, 2014
Was excited for my first Black Friday, but @BestBuy sold out of iPad Air 2 before the sale even started!#areyouserious — Brian Moelich (@BrianMoelich) November 27, 2014
I was so close buying the ipad air for $399 online. But it was sold out when I tried to finish. Booo #blackfridaydeals
— Amanda Marie (@roxybella_manda) November 27, 2014
I feel really accomplished about this iPad I bought at 3 am because they are now sold out. — Elba Orellana (@elbaorellana) November 27, 2014
The lightning-quick sales of the iPad Air 2 is most likely a result of Best Buy giving early Black Friday access to members of its Elite and Elite Plus loyalty program. Heading over to the Best Buy online store will return results for all iPad Air 2 versions sold out. The same results can be found on Target's website. It is unclear whether the two stores will replenish their stocks anytime soon.
Still, there are a few other places that offer a discounted iPad Air 2, although the offers are not as attractive as Target's $140 gift card and Best Buy's $100 off. The second best option buyers can get is to purchase their iPad from MacMall, which currently offers $40 off for each of the 16GB models, both Wi-Fi Only and Wi-Fi and Cellular. That means shoppers can get the 16GB Wi-Fi in silver, space gray or gold for $459 while the cellular model costs $589. For those who are more concerned about storage than a data connection can get a cheaper 64GB Wi-Fi Only version for only $559, but the cellular 64GB version is $679.
The biggest discount MacMall is offering is $99.01 off the 128GB Wi-Fi and Cellular iPad in space gray, slashing the price down to $729.99, which should be nearly as good a deal as the $100 offered by Best Buy for anyone who is planning on getting the high-end iPad. However, customers will have to place their order and wait several days before MacMall ships their new iPad to their doorsteps.
Those who can't wait that long can go for the second best option, the 128GB Wi-Fi and Cellular model with a $75 discount sold for $754. The 128GB Wi-Fi only models in all colors are sold with a $50 discount, so shoppers can grab a 128GB Wi-Fi only iPad for $649.
