Microsoft Apologizes for European Surface Delivery Delays; Customers Get Gift Card Instead

European consumers who preordered Microsoft’s new Surface for Oct. 26 delivery and didn’t receive their device on the promised date are today receiving something else instead: An apology and a gift card from Microsoft.

Responding today to complaints from early adopters who, after receiving a confusion of email alerts telling them first that their Surface order had been delayed until November, and then that it would ship on time, did not receive the device on the promised date, Microsoft on Monday said not to worry. Surface preorders have not mysteriously been canceled, as some rumors suggested. And they will ship, as soon as Microsoft can resolve whatever cock-up it is that hampered them in the first place.

“We are aware of the issues related to Surface shipments, and are working hard to get them delivered to customers as quickly as possible,” a company spokesman told AllThingsD. “Customers will be notified via email as soon as their order has shipped and will be offered a €50 gift card for their inconvenience. We sincerely apologize for the delay.”

That gift card, $64.50 at current exchange rates, is good for use at Microsoft’s online store. And while it won’t completely ease the disappointment of eager early adopters affected by the delay, it’s a nice gesture.