Someone like George Clooney (or his agent) would probably be contacted directly by Apple and offered the Apple Watch for free.
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Apple Watch for Sale in Retail Stores by Reservation Only, No Walk-In Sales
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Someone like George Clooney (or his agent) would probably be contacted directly by Apple and offered the Apple Watch for free.
So with limited supplies, you would rather that Apple just let everyone WING IT and not even try to be organized? This is a pretty NEEDED method to try to organize orders and try-ons of multiple different watches and multiple different bands and multiple different sizes, etc. etc. ???
Try running the MOST SUCCESSFUL STORE ON THE PLANET and then post your EDUCATED critique, perhaps?
HAHAHAH, 500 dollars link band, 5000 dollars band with a little gold, limited supply?
I like how Apple is spinning this
Wow. Thank you for your insight. Gosh, you are amazing and wonderful.
Now take everything positive I said and well.. you know..
This is a good way to generate hype and make it look like it is going to be difficult to get one even if the supply is adequate. Brilliant marketing. Apple is taking no chances with a lack of interest, the more difficult it is to get, the greater the interest.
Potential Edition customers won't have to wait, they'll be put at the front of the queue and will be seen to by an Expert, not a Specialist- assuming the store carries it. Because not all locations will have a supply of them on hand, the appointment means they can have one delivered into store for you to try.
Also, potential customers won't simply be turned away if they haven't made an appointment. You can leave your mobile number and you will be sent a text as soon as a Specialist is available to see you.
The point of this system is to slow down customer interactions and thus allow potential customers to take their time in getting to grips with whatever Watch they have in mind and try the different bands. Apple Stores are just too busy to allow for the usual free-for-all regular product launches become.
Finally, product reservations are nothing new. Apple did it for the iPhone 6! If you know which one you want, cool. Reserve online, then pick up on the 24th at the time slot you've chosen. You have two weeks before release to get into store and have a play about with a Watch and decide.
Precisely. Apple is still nervous however. The marketing push is unprecedented. Having Siri tell you she is always working on the Apple Watch was another cleaver move. It's like, who gives a crap about it, yet, "listen to this" all over the place. Must give Apple credit for their Marketing Machine. The Lemmings are on the pier ready to jump off.
Literally this isn't going to happen. I'm beginning to doubt people even read. It's like any other Apple launch. There will be a limited stock. Don't assume you can just walk in and buy one. Also...you know online is right in your pocket or on a store laptop right? Plan accordingly.
let me get this straight... not only you have to make an appointment, you have to wait in store until there's an appointment open up?
I blame the lady from Burberry, giving Apple all the crazy ideas about how to sell "fashion" item.
I laughed, then I felt sad for you.
Seriously, can you really tell in advance that anyone who buys an Apple Watch will be making a mistake that deserves your pity? I don't know if I'll get one, and I won't make a decision until they're released, but I'm keeping an open mind. After speaking to several colleagues and to someone who has an Android watch that pairs with his smartphone, though, I'm thinking that the Apple Watch will prove to be a useful device.
Precisely. Apple is still nervous however. The marketing push is unprecedented. Having Siri tell you she is always working on the Apple Watch was another cleaver move. It's like, who gives a crap about it, yet, "listen to this" all over the place. Must give Apple credit for their Marketing Machine. The Lemmings are on the pier ready to jump off.
They have definitely gone all out on this. They don't seem to have the confidence that the watch will sell itself like their other products, but to be fair it is a new category. They are trying very hard to convince people that this is a must have.
This this this. I'm beginning to wonder if people even blooming read? Everything you wrote is in the article and people are just ignoring it to be outraged. Weirdos.
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What? No, you make an appointment and then show up at the time of your appointment. Why is this so hard for people? How do appointments work where you're from? *facepalm*
How about you post a list of your recent purchases... So that I can feel sad for you for the purchases that I don't think were good ones.
Heaven forbid people have different desires and needs. People really do seem the think the world resolves around them now.
I don't know where you are from, but where I'm from, we don't need to make an appointment to buy something. I just how to show up with cash/credit.
why do I have to make an appointment to buy a watch? What's next? make an appointment to take a shower or sleep?
I'm sure that it will be easy for Apple to refuse to sell because the try on units won't be able to pair up with anything except test iPhones and the stores won't physically have inventory on hand.
So the preorder starts on the 10th, and so do product demos, but making a reservation to see a particular watch does not allocate that watch to you? This sounds like a cluster---- in the making. I can't imagine anyone who waits for a demo will have a watch to wear on the 24th, and yet if people can't try on a watch to see which band/size is best for them, there's going to be a lot of returns.
you won't be. thus they lose nothing.
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my brother, these are most trying times. my heart is with you and i wish you courage.
Hmmmmm well I don't like apple as a company particularly and and I don't own any macs myself.... my wife does own an air. So if you believe that's the definition of a fanboy then sure, I'm a fanboy. I do like apple's products, believe they are well made and hold their retail value more than any other device when comparing phone to phone, tablet to tablet ect. I, because of kids, am pretty much entrenched in the apple ecosystem though iTunes and app store so I could get another brands device but it wouldn't serve me as well as the apple watch.
You don't have to wait in store, they will text you. However, you can stay in store and play around with a fixed demo unit. Also, it seems unlikely that you'll have to wait long if you plan your visit right.
1) Make an appointment for a couple of days after the 10th, when the chaos has died down.
2) Figure out which version you'd like and then make an online reservation for the 24th, or order through Apple.com.
Then don't make an appointment and buy one... YOUR non problem solved.
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You're making it way harder than it is.
I think it will be successful. This isn't the next iPhone, or even the next iPad, but it could be a nice steady stream of revenue. If even 5% of iPhone buyers get one of these, then that's 10 million a year right there.
It's important for Apple to play in this space because wearables might one day replace the phone. We aren't there yet (nowhere near), but the day may come. Even if this particular Apple Watch isn't a smashing success, Apple will learn some valuable lessons about marketing and retail. Think about the Motorola ROKR. It was a dud, plain and simple. But Steve Jobs said that it taught Apple a lot about how the mobile industry works, and what they could do to shake it up.
I think the Watch won't be a ROKR. It will enjoy decent first year sales. The second and third years will be the key to whether the current line is a true success. Apple seems to be promoting the idea that people will update the Watch and iPhone at the same time (2 year AppleCare+, cross-selling of the iPhone, etc.). Remember, the link band will last a long time, and even the leather bands should last 2-3 years with good care. Apple will likely sell improved versions "body only," letting people pay $299 or $499 to stay "current." Even if they don't, the Sport band versions are just $50 more. Could I see myself plunking down $1049 for the Space Black SS Link next month and then upgrading every few years for $500 or so? Sure.
They will have to deal with a lot of uppity the-customer-is-always-right types demanding their watches that day. I pity the employees.
Please let us know after you make the attempt (be sure to flash the cash so they can tell you are not a troll.)