ASUS Transformer Prime pre-order shipments delayed at Best Buy, Amazon

ASUS' Eee Pad Transformer Prime has already suffered a few setbacks on its march to the US market and unfortunately, it looks as if another obstacle may be on the horizon. According to a handful of tips we've received this morning, Best Buy has been sending out emails to users who pre-ordered the new tablet for delivery this week, informing them that shipments have been "back-ordered," and delayed by one to two weeks. This means, of course, that some buyers may not receive the device until after Christmas. In its email, Best Buy gave its customers the option of canceling their orders outright, replacing it with a similar device, or searching the product at a brick and mortar location (a customer service rep told us that there are no stores that currently have the Transformer Prime in stock). Some who ordered the slate on Amazon, meanwhile, have received emails informing them that their orders were "inadvertently canceled," and offering them the chance to pre-order it again today, along with a $10 gift card to make up for the inconvenience. We asked ASUS about the Transformer Prime's delivery status, and received the following response:

We started filling the pipelines this past week and will continue to do so on an almost daily basis this coming week, although any shipments to the partners after Wednesday will probably mean availability the following week based on logistics. But we expect the inventory pipeline to be full by the first of the year. The orders shipped this past week and starting this week will cover the pre-order allocations and then start allowing online or in-store availability.

We'll be following this story closely, so check this space for any further updates.

Posted in: Android,ASUS,Asus Eee Pad,Tablets