saving107
macrumors 603
I've been a long time Apple fan and have purchased many launch day products and this one is by far the oddest one, the fact alone that is says ships 4/24-5/8 is not reassuring.
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Apple Updated Website "The Watch is Coming."
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I've been a long time Apple fan and have purchased many launch day products and this one is by far the oddest one, the fact alone that is says ships 4/24-5/8 is not reassuring.
It looks like the Australian site has now been updated to say "The Watch is coming" (presuming you guys actually see this page when you visit Apple).
It seems to me that Apple would not have announced in their keynote the 4/24 date if they didn't have enough manufactured stock to fill initial demand.
Now, granted, it does appear that stock is not meeting demand.
However, that being said, it does appear that there is enough stock on hand to get the watch into many of the hands of those that were successful enough to be in the first wave of order dates.
It's not like Apple only has a couple hundred of these watches made. They have thousands that have been in production for months. It's just unfortunate that they could not keep up with demand. Same thing happened with iPhone 6, though on a lesser scale. However, in that case, Apple still delivered ahead of scheduled arrival dates.
Now, granted, it does appear that stock is not meeting demand.
However, that being said, it does appear that there is enough stock on hand to get the watch into many of the hands of those that were successful enough to be in the first wave of order dates.
It's not like Apple only has a couple hundred of these watches made. They have thousands that have been in production for months. It's just unfortunate that they could not keep up with demand. Same thing happened with iPhone 6, though on a lesser scale. However, in that case, Apple still delivered ahead of scheduled arrival dates.
Back in September of 2014, sure, I could understand "The Watch is Coming." But now in April? Come on. Another CYA for their delays. They don't want to piss off any one else who goes into the Apple Store and preorder. They can't say it's coming on April 24th but when they walk into the Apple Store, all the employees tell them it's delayed for months, until June and July.
I was in for the try-on and had a bunch of people asking when they could buy it. It was so sad as I had to listen within ear-shot that it wasn't available anytime soon and they have to preorder it online, even though the supposed launch/available date is April 24. I could tell the potential customers (like you and I) was devastated from just glancing at them.
I had the audacity to tell one of the customer and employee as they were conversing that I was actually camping up all night in my pajamas waiting to make the preorder.
So sad. 🙄
I was in for the try-on and had a bunch of people asking when they could buy it. It was so sad as I had to listen within ear-shot that it wasn't available anytime soon and they have to preorder it online, even though the supposed launch/available date is April 24. I could tell the potential customers (like you and I) was devastated from just glancing at them.
I had the audacity to tell one of the customer and employee as they were conversing that I was actually camping up all night in my pajamas waiting to make the preorder.
So sad. 🙄
Last edited:
TrueBlou
macrumors 601
I was just about to say the same thing. Either way though I wouldn't read too much into it. I think if anything it's probably to reflect the fact that anyone ordering now hasn't a snowflakes chance in hell of getting it for the 24th.
I think that Apple is taking away 'available on 24th' because it simply isnt. No store will stock them and if you have NOT preordered in time, the watch will NOT be available on April 24th.... Simples...
But then... who am I 😀
Edit: Uk still says 24th so I am not to fussed 🙂
But then... who am I 😀
Edit: Uk still says 24th so I am not to fussed 🙂
😀 This forum is going Nuts 😀
The problem is that will get worse the closer we get to next Friday 😀
Yeah, people are getting too paranoid around here.
I just read an article on Cult of Mac about 2.3 million units being produced and there are too many people worrying they are not going to get their watch on the 24th.
Oh come on, you're on these forums contributing too. This is the place people get crazy over overanalyzing news and rumors 😉
Difference is, I am not posting "My confidence has fallen that we won't get our watches on the 24th."
At least I am being positive (as are most of the sensible members of this forum) based upon prior experiences and knowing how many watches have already been manufactured and Apple needing to get them in the hands of online customers by the 24th.
This is different from most Apple launches so nothing is certain. With the link band starting at 4-6 weeks, and even the sport and SS have a 2 week range for deliver by.
I feel fairly confident that many will get theirs by the 24th, but they obviously left themselves a large cushion for a reason. Wouldn't bank on anything for sure since this has been the most bizarre launch I've seen in a long time
We are at an agreement point.
Thing is, Apple will get a huge black eye if they don't get these watches in the hands of customers on the 24th. All sales are going to us -- the online customers who ordered at 12am PST/3am EST.
There are over a million watches already produced and ready to go.
I don't know why Apple put up the crazy shipping date range. That is where you and I are in agreement that something weird is going on.
However, back to point "A", it's very unlikely that the initial wave of orders won't arrive on time.
There are already many posts from MacRumors members who have talked to Apple Executives (not reps who work out of homes) who are saying that Apple purposely overestimated shipping dates and will over deliver.
I am keeping a positive spin on this, because thinking sensibly, I can't see Apple going through a huge amount of bad press because they couldn't deliver to their customers on the promised launch date.
No, I don't see this going horribly wrong.
Which is misleading. For us, of course not. We're Apple geeks who preordered at the stroke of midnight and have been following this watch since its inception.
You have to imagine in from an "average consumer's" perspective. I know for a fact that if I saw an ad that said a video game, or dvd, or anything, was "available 4/24", I would assume that means I can go buy it on 4/24 WITHOUT a prior order.
A more appropriate would have been "Releasing 4/24" or even just "Coming 4/24".
John,
I agree with you the launch was mishandled.
However, for once, the online community prevailed!
I agree with you the launch was mishandled.
However, for once, the online community prevailed!
bnekic
macrumors 65816
I'm confident mostly everyone with 4/24-5/8 will get their watches on launch day. The watches have been in production for what 2 months now, Apple probably has over a million units in inventory. Also the updated wording on the website just reflects expectations for customers placing orders now. I'm expecting our orders to change to preparing for shipment this weekend with an updated delivery date.