Apple Watch **might** be the biggest Failure to Launch from Apple yet

[lashedup]

You obviously do not run a business.

LOL. Actually I do. Quite successfully I might add, but that's neither here nor there.

Look, sorry for the cheap shot I took at some people here, but really, I get that people are upset they have to wait. But the broad pronouncements of failure/conjecture and more based on the fact that some are personally irritated/upset/disappointed in having to wait just get to be a bit much.

I don't think anyone here can think of a single consumer electronics product at this scale, technology level and overall build quality/complexity that could have handled the initial rush of preorders. All we know are estimates at this point, but they range from 1-3 million orders in 24 hours. I wouldn't doubt it. Take the model proliferation necessitated by so many different build options and it only gets worse. Could Apple have only launched it in the U.S. first? Sure. Could the have only launched sport models with white and black bands to cut down on complexity? Sure. Could they have delayed the launch while the stockpiled more? Maybe, but I'm guessing a new iPhone launch late this summer and other new products would only clog the pipeline further.

I'd like to see my watch ship by now too. But reading through some comments in this thread makes it sound like some people are a little delusional in expectations given what they already know.

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Give me a breadboard, soldering iron, a LED screen and a accelerometer and I can come up with a working apple watch by June.

Solid example here...

 

[phirstube]

Solid example here...

Thanks! My sarcasm goes unnoticed most of the time and when it does get noticed people believe it. I go for the shock factor.

 

[eoblaed]

At some point they need to communicate with their customers. All the hype and build up for this watch has mislead people into thinking that they would have received their watches already. The company has placed watches on the wrist of celebrities but has made them out of reach for the majority of people who ordered them. This week we hear from the Wall Street Journal that apple has a problem with the "taptic" engine on the watch. Getting this information second hand has only expounded the frustration from their customer base. Apple should have never launched this product when they did and owe their entire customer base an apology. At the very minimum they should let the customers who have already ordered know what the issues have been. Their customer service department should contact the customers directly as opposed to leaking information through news outlets.

That's weird.

When I ordered my Watch, Apple told me when it was going to be delivered. So far, nothing has deviated from that.

Anyone that ordered something and thought they'd have it already when they're clearly told when they'll get it didn't read what Apple already told them. Why would Apple telling them again make any real difference?

Just because some of us haven't gotten our hands on the devices we want yet doesn't mean Apple owes anyone an apology. Let them keep working on getting out as many devices as the possibly can.

 

[lashedup]

Nobody is asking for an apology. Just better communication.

Dear Phirstube,

We here at Apple wanted to let you know that the watch you ordered is still on schedule for the delivery date we originally told you. Nothing has changed and we hope to be able to ship it as soon as it is ready.

Thank you for your order and patience.

- Apple Customer Service



- - - - - - - - - -

Does that make you feel better or stop complaining? Or does this still just come down to you being upset that you don't have your watch yet and still have to wait? This is a consumer product that you can easily cancel your order for any time you want and buy from a competitor. Right?

 

[phirstube]

Dear Phirstube,

We here at Apple wanted to let you know that the watch you ordered is still on schedule for the delivery date we originally told you. Nothing has changed and we hope to be able to ship it as soon as it is ready.

Thank you for your order and patience.

- Apple Customer Service



- - - - - - - - - -

Does that make you feel better or stop complaining? Or does this still just come down to you being upset that you don't have your watch yet and still have to wait? This is a consumer product that you can easily cancel your order for any time you want and buy from a competitor. Right?

I feel much better now. Thanks Apple!

 

[lashedup]

I feel much better now. Thanks Apple!

LOL - Well at least you have a sense of humor. Cheers!

 

[phirstube]

i find myself doing this way too often

 

[QuiteSure]

That's weird.

When I ordered my Watch, Apple told me when it was going to be delivered. So far, nothing has deviated from that.

Anyone that ordered something and thought they'd have it already when they're clearly told when they'll get it didn't read what Apple already told them. Why would Apple telling them again make any real difference?

Just because some of us haven't gotten our hands on the devices we want yet doesn't mean Apple owes anyone an apology. Let them keep working on getting out as many devices as the possibly can.

No. I waited until 4:30 am ET to order my watch. That should have been early enough to get my watch on 4/24, not have to wait another month. If Apple knew it was building watches to order and you would HAVE to order within the first 3 minutes to get a watch on 4/24, they should have said something.

Or here's a better idea: have a lottery. First come first serve really didn't work for this launch.

And another idea: pre-orders don't start at Midnight on the West Coast so east coasters and others have to order at an ungodly hour (i.e., 3 am, or even 4:30 a.m. like I did); make pre-orders start at 8 am on the West Coast so peeps on the east coast and Europe can order at a reasonable time.

Apple knew that the vast majority of pre-orders weren't going to be shipped on launch date and did not inform the public of that fact, and the launch was just unfair. That's how they blew it.

 

[bradl]

No. I waited until 4:30 am ET to order my watch. That should have been early enough to get my watch on 4/24, not have to wait another month. If Apple knew it was building watches to order and you would HAVE to order within the first 3 minutes to get a watch on 4/24, they should have said something.

Or here's a better idea: have a lottery. First come first serve really didn't work for this launch.

And another idea: pre-orders don't start at Midnight on the West Coast so east coasters and others have to order at an ungodly hour (i.e., 3 am, or even 4:30 a.m. like I did); make pre-orders start at 8 am on the West Coast so peeps on the east coast and Europe can order at a reasonable time.

Apple knew that the vast majority of pre-orders weren't going to be shipped on launch date and did not inform the public of that fact, and the launch was just unfair. That's how they blew it.

And shut out Australia, Oceania, and the Far East. Way to go. This is exactly what I mean by making it easy for one group, which ticks off another group. Apple couldn't win for trying.

BL.

 

[QuiteSure]

And shut out Australia, Oceania, and the Far East. Way to go. This is exactly what I mean by making it easy for one group, which ticks off another group. Apple couldn't win for trying.

BL.

Apple could have had a 24 hour lottery. That would have been less unfair.

 

[username:]

Demand hugely outstripping supply...
Sold out in seconds...
People angry over not being able to get their hands on a product because it is too popular...

Yeah massive fail apple

 

[eoblaed]

No. I waited until 4:30 am ET to order my watch. That should have been early enough to get my watch on 4/24, not have to wait another month. If Apple knew it was building watches to order and you would HAVE to order within the first 3 minutes to get a watch on 4/24, they should have said something.

Or here's a better idea: have a lottery. First come first serve really didn't work for this launch.

And another idea: pre-orders don't start at Midnight on the West Coast so east coasters and others have to order at an ungodly hour (i.e., 3 am, or even 4:30 a.m. like I did); make pre-orders start at 8 am on the West Coast so peeps on the east coast and Europe can order at a reasonable time.

Apple knew that the vast majority of pre-orders weren't going to be shipped on launch date and did not inform the public of that fact, and the launch was just unfair. That's how they blew it.

I ordered mine at 12:03am on pre-order day (black SS). I was told, before I finalized the order, that my watch would be delivered in June. No surprises.

I knew before I put my money down when my watch would coming. There was no misrepresentation on Apple's part.

 

[QuiteSure]

I ordered mine at 12:03am on pre-order day (black SS). I was told, before I finalized the order, that my watch would be delivered in June. No surprises.

I knew before I put my money down when my watch would coming. There was no misrepresentation on Apple's part.

I knew it too. I'm not saying Apple misrepresented or lied. I'm saying Apple's way of doing this launch was unfair. And being unfair, or even being reasonably perceived as unfair, makes it appear to be a failure.

 

[shandyman]

Apple Watch **might** be the biggest Failure to Launch from Apple yet

Apple could have had a 24 hour lottery. That would have been less unfair.

A lottery would be worse.

Also, it is first come, first serve, depending on style/band choice. Unless you wanted a situation where someone ordered a space black stainless steel and got given a normal stainless steel one, as that's what was available...

This is a new product for them, so there was no way to know how much of a demand there was going to be. Especially given the added complexity of bands!

Your other post reeks of self entitlement...

 

[QuiteSure]

A lottery would be worse.

Also, it is first come, first serve, depending on style/band choice. Unless you wanted a situation where someone ordered a space black stainless steel and got given a normal stainless steel one, as that's what was available...

This is a new product for them, so there was no way to know how much of a demand there was going to be. Especially given the added complexity of bands!

Your other post reeks of self entitlement...

LOL I'm not self entitled I'm just pissed. And if Apple's customers are pissed, then it's a failed launch.

 

[shandyman]

Apple Watch **might** be the biggest Failure to Launch from Apple yet

LOL I'm not self entitled I'm just pissed. And if Apple's customers are pissed, then it's a failed launch.

Only if there's justification to be pissed. All I've seen on here is people pissed for self entitled/made up/daft reasons.

Not all customers are pissed. Just a vocal minority.

If a vocal minority being pissed is what qualifies as a failed launch, then most of Apple's launches are failed, as there's always people like you posting as you don't get yours in launch day.

Realistically and logically, a failed launch would be if no one received the product on launch day. But, God forbid, anyone uses logic and common sense on this forum....

 

[mcdj]

Only if there's justification to be pissed. All I've seen on here is people pissed for self entitled/made up/daft reasons.

Not all customers are pissed. Just a vocal minority.

If a vocal minority being pissed is what qualifies as a failed launch, then most of Apple's launches are failed, as there's always people like you posting as you don't get yours in launch day.

Realistically and logically, a failed launch would be if no one received the product on launch day. But, God forbid, anyone uses logic and common sense on this forum....

How are people expected to possibly carry on living, without the gadget they weren't even sure would ever exist less than a year ago? What right does Apple have not to think of every single customer as an important individual, who deserves the utmost care and attention?

 

[shandyman]

How are people expected to possibly carry on living, without the gadget they weren't even sure would ever exist less than a year ago? What right does Apple have not to think of every single customer as an important individual, who deserves the utmost care and attention?

Haha that made me spit take!!!

Plus the people on this forum claiming they're gonna cancel and all that, most won't. The ones that do, never really wanted the device, other than to show off.

 

[seamor0512]

Demand hugely outstripping supply...
Sold out in seconds...
People angry over not being able to get their hands on a product because it is too popular...

Yeah massive fail apple

It probably would not have sold out in seconds if there was a supply to begin with. The people who received their watches on launch day are claiming their watches were made a week prior.

 

[eoblaed]

I knew it too. I'm not saying Apple misrepresented or lied. I'm saying Apple's way of doing this launch was unfair. And being unfair, or even being reasonably perceived as unfair, makes it appear to be a failure.

While I don't necessarily agree with the givens stated above or the conclusion, I can understand this viewpoint and it's one that can be reasonably debated.

My initial reaction was to the OP, though, specifically the bits:

mislead people into thinking that they would have received their watches already.​

and

owe their entire customer base an apology​

The first of which is patently untrue (and why I talked about a lack of misrepresentation), and the second of which, IMO, is not even remotely necessary.

And I'm not even discussing what comes across as a shocking and saddening apparent sense of entitlement that comes across in something like that OP.

 

[ksuyen]

Apple did misled people! I am so mad right now! I ordered my watch at 15th of April, and was promised to get deliverd at least 15th of May. How dare they deliver my watch exactly at 10AM 24th of April? Who asked them to be underpromised and overdelivered?

My point is, there is always 2 side of the coins. A lot of people get early delivery than expected. The problem is, they are not the ones who voice out loud in forums.

 

[NT1440]

When a large number of your core customers are upset, then they are right. We're not talking outliers here.

I think you overestimate the forum visiting constituancy that makes up Apple's consumer base.

 

[gvan]

I have owned a boat load of Apple stock for the last 4 years. I sold on Friday. This situation has caused me to drop Apple from my list of worlds greatest companies. The stock now needs a lower valuation before I get interested in owning it again.

 

[Joe1602]

I think you overestimate the forum visiting constituancy that makes up Apple's consumer base.

Show me a better place to gather data, and I'll go there. If you have any other data on consumers' opinions of the watch launch, I'm all ears.

 

[Tycho24]

LOL I'm not self entitled I'm just pissed. And if Apple's customers are pissed, then it's a failed launch.

If any MEASURABLE amount of people were as pissed as you claim to be, orders would've been cancelled en masse & we'd ALL have our Watches, due to that stock going back in inventory.
That's not happening. People aren't tripping. You're just tripping, pretty much alone.