Yes We Have No iPod Shuffles Today

Apple Stores opened an hour early today to kick off the launch of the Mac mini, iWork, and iLife '05.
Many people were hoping to snag an iPod shuffle, but sadly they are backordered for 2 to 3 weeks and none were to be had at any price (though for you impatient moneybags out there I am sure many iPod shuffles are available via eBay).

News.com

reports that several people walked away very unhappily without an iPod shuffle in hand. The interesting thing is that the couple of people they spoke with who purchased a Mac mini were first time Mac users. This seems to bode well for Apple's chances with wooing more switchers to the platform.

Now, keeping in mind that I know nothing of Apple's supply chain, I think it is odd that Apple didn't manufacture more iPod shuffles than it seems they did. Was this just poor planning on their part, or is Apple willing to risk some immediate sales in order to keep the iPod shuffle frenzy in high gear by keeping them scarce?