Most likely referring to Asians or Middle Eastern tourists to a Western country. There's a luxury outlet-type mall and the Asians in the summer time stroll that place with their suitcase to make sure all their purchases will fit into their luggage before flying back to Asia.
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Apple Watch for Sale in Retail Stores by Reservation Only, No Walk-In Sales
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Most likely referring to Asians or Middle Eastern tourists to a Western country. There's a luxury outlet-type mall and the Asians in the summer time stroll that place with their suitcase to make sure all their purchases will fit into their luggage before flying back to Asia.
I think there are a few motivations here. First, it's the first product completely designed in the post-Steve Jobs era. It doesn't need to be the next iPhone (something like that comes around once in a generation, if that often). However, if it is a complete flop it puts pressure on Tim Cook to step aside. If it is a smashing success, it pretty much guarantees that he'll retire at Apple. More likely it will be somewhere in between.
It also is a major test for Angela Ahrendts. The Apple Retail stores have been a huge success story, but revenues are flatlining, and in some respects they are a victim of their own success. If she can remake the retail experience she puts herself in good position should Tim Cook decide to go into philanthropy, or to take another CEO position somewhere else if he doesn't.
You bring up some good points. The retail stores are a zoo at times, very noisy and very crowded. The watch is going to draw even more people in who want to check it out. I wonder when they will have display models so you can just walk in and check it out? Or will you always have to be one on one with an employee?
I suspect it's more about trying to cultivate interest by limiting supply, not the first time Apple has taken a page from the DeBeers book.
That said, other than as a status symbol I've yet to understand why someone would want one at any price.
I don't see any issues with this, you have 2 weeks to go to the Apple Store and place an order, then you can pick it up on the 24th or whenever your model will arrive. If you are not near an Apple Store you just order online.
One thing this could solve, is with problems of so many models and also low initial supply. This way they can ship what they need to each store and not have to figure...well this store should get more SS then the that store.
This only helps customer satisfaction, nobody is getting shut out on launch day, you will know for sure if you are getting one or not.
Appointments are going to be filled fast on the 10th
One thing this could solve, is with problems of so many models and also low initial supply. This way they can ship what they need to each store and not have to figure...well this store should get more SS then the that store.
This only helps customer satisfaction, nobody is getting shut out on launch day, you will know for sure if you are getting one or not.
Appointments are going to be filled fast on the 10th
There are a lot of people here who are missing the entire point of this system.
It's to try on the watch.
Which takes time, and requires a specialist to assist you.
You can only cram so many specialists and so many customers into a store before the experience becomes horrific for everyone.
The reservation system ensures that everyone who tries on the watch gets to do so in a comfortable fashion.
If you don't want to try on the watch and just want to buy it, you can do that.
How is this bad?
It's to try on the watch.
Which takes time, and requires a specialist to assist you.
You can only cram so many specialists and so many customers into a store before the experience becomes horrific for everyone.
The reservation system ensures that everyone who tries on the watch gets to do so in a comfortable fashion.
If you don't want to try on the watch and just want to buy it, you can do that.
How is this bad?
I hope it's true. Maybe it will solve the Chinese black market gang problems. Leadership need to remember they are not our customers, the people who come in regularly are and they should be able to buy when there is a launch, not watch the same people line up, show a piece of paper because they don't speak English, and pay with thousands of new 100 bills only to smuggle them into China, leave the store and get in line to do it again.
Perhaps someday you will understand.
I didn't until I talked to a friend who has an Android smart watch. He works in an emergency department (as a physician). He often can't reach into his pocket when he gets a message, because he is wearing latex gloves and could contaminate them, or the phone, or both. He uses the notifications on his wrist to triage his calls, messages, and emails, and he will only respond immediately if the incoming communication is urgent.
money can't buy everything. If you want a gold apple watch, I suspect they would require prior notice by phone to make sure the watch is available at the store of your choice. Remember, only select stores receive apple watch edition inventory.
Step aside? Have you seen Apple's stock price since Tim Cook took over? He ain't going anywhere regardless of what happens with the Apple Watch.
Wow
Wow, if this is true then Apple really had no concerns at all about selling this product. If you are saying that a product which must be sized to your wrist and seen to confirm your interest in it as a fashion accessory is not available for sale unless you've pre-scheduled, then Apple does not give any fks.
As I post this, I'm really wondering if I read the article correctly. Because this is going to be such a hard way to sell the device, I'm shocked.
Well lets see.
I will swing by the store and check out the devices, read the reviews, and then make up my purchase decision. No pre-order at midnight for me.
Wow, if this is true then Apple really had no concerns at all about selling this product. If you are saying that a product which must be sized to your wrist and seen to confirm your interest in it as a fashion accessory is not available for sale unless you've pre-scheduled, then Apple does not give any fks.
As I post this, I'm really wondering if I read the article correctly. Because this is going to be such a hard way to sell the device, I'm shocked.
Well lets see.
I will swing by the store and check out the devices, read the reviews, and then make up my purchase decision. No pre-order at midnight for me.
You mean people that start a listing at retail or less and have impatient people that cannot wait a week bid up on their own free will?
Or people that mark it up four times as much right out of the gate?
What time on April 10 will I be able to preorder apple watch I want blue sport edition 42 mm with apple care and I live in east coast they will ship my apple watch to my dads own office he has
Has Apple given a official time on April 10 when the apple watch will be up for order
They are doing this to optimize first-run inventory.
Instead of having a bunch of inventory sitting in stores all over the world where it can't reach customers that want it... they are only shipping it to the stores once an order has been placed. This will allow them to better utilize their first-run stock.
Once the factories are churning out more than are being bought and they can build up adequate stock at the stores they'll relax these rules.
Makes sense to me.
Can't wait to get mine... but I haven't decided whether I'm going to ship directly to my house or pick mine up at the Apple Store. Right now I'm leaning towards Apple Store so I can get some instant gratification in the morning ;-)
Instead of having a bunch of inventory sitting in stores all over the world where it can't reach customers that want it... they are only shipping it to the stores once an order has been placed. This will allow them to better utilize their first-run stock.
Once the factories are churning out more than are being bought and they can build up adequate stock at the stores they'll relax these rules.
Makes sense to me.
Can't wait to get mine... but I haven't decided whether I'm going to ship directly to my house or pick mine up at the Apple Store. Right now I'm leaning towards Apple Store so I can get some instant gratification in the morning ;-)
Have you ever shopped at an Apple Store? There are no salesmen. They don't need them, the products sell themselves.
And if you want to try on the watch, how do you expect to just walk in and do so for the most hyped product of the year? As if you're the only person who might like to do so that day. Do you think they should just have a specialist standing by just for you in case you decide to stop in?
If only there were some way to arrange for that to happen... like a reservation system of some kind, maybe.
Do you do this often? I mean laugh and feel sad for no reason?
I would see a doctor if I was you
