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

[NT1440]

Now,,, did we really hear of this short demand from Apple? no, the only watch Apple talked about was the Edition being limited. we always hear Apple news from other sources., not them (shh... Its a secret )

I any case I received mine on the 24th, and though it is a nice watch, it is not a great watch. I like some of its features and don't others.

To me Apple is a company and should release more information to their customers, but from what I've seen in these forums, many people don't even hold Apple up to the standards as they would Starbucks ( oh no they put too much sugar in my coffee, the world is at an end) while Apple can keep you in the dark, overcharge you, and change information as they please, and all I hear is " It is Apple"

oh no did I really type this

Over charge you? Did apple charge you more than the selling price?

What information has been changed "as they please"?

Rhetoric is great an all, but I'd like some examples rather than assertions.

 

[dexterbell]

You think this is bad? Have fun trying to get a new MacBook. At least the watches are in store to look at and play with. Most stores just barely started getting demo MacBook units in the US and forget trying to buy one at an Apple store even though its been "available" since April 10th. Apple stores still have no clue when they will have stock to sell. The watch launch is a huge success compared to the MacBook.

 

[scott99]

I have to agree somewhat with the OP. I don't think it's a failure perse, they sold a gazillion watches. That being said, I think they went about it the wrong way. To change from every other successful launches, and NOT sell the watch in store, was a mistake and has caused a lot of headaches for people who wanted the watch.

What I feel they should have done, was allow people to buy the watches in store. Maybe by allotments like they did with the appointments to look at the watch, and give the customer the option to buy the watch at that time. Keep the option to preorder, but you would create more excitement on launch date by giving the option to buy it in person. PLUS, you probably make the delivery process simpler because there would be less preorders.

 

[NT1440]

I have to agree somewhat with the OP. I don't think it's a failure perse, they sold a gazillion watches. That being said, I think they went about it the wrong way. To change from every other successful launches, and NOT sell the watch in store, was a mistake and has caused a lot of headaches for people who wanted the watch.

What I feel they should have done, was allow people to buy the watches in store. Maybe by allotments like they did with the appointments to look at the watch, and give the customer the option to buy the watch at that time. Keep the option to preorder, but you would create more excitement on launch date by giving the option to buy it in person. PLUS, you probably make the delivery process simpler because there would be less preorders.

How do you produce enough to stock up in stores AND fulfill online orders? Clearly they can't make these fast enough (whether or not thats related to rumors of production issues) to even get out to customers....how would they manage to get enough in stores as well?

 

[cwosigns]

Wow, is it May 8th already?

 

[phirstube]

How do you produce enough to stock up in stores AND fulfill online orders?

Step 1: Hire a manufacturer that does not make defective Taptic engine parts.

 

[d0minick]

Over charge you? Did apple charge you more than the selling price?

What information has been changed "as they please"?

Rhetoric is great an all, but I'd like some examples rather than assertions.

I havent gotten my watch yet. Not upset. Very excited for it still. But i dont mind debating my opinion that i think apple botched the launch. It was far from perfect. Not a big deal though.

But why are you so angry? Or are we getting the wrong vibe from your replies.

 

[NT1440]

Step 1: Hire a manufacturer that does not make defective Taptic engine parts.

Step 2: Learn anything about modern manufacturing (just in time manufacturing) before spouting nonsense as if its *just that easy* to mass produce new components. There is no manufacturing expertise on the taptic engine component, anywhere. Ramping up production with acceptable error free yields isn't something that just happens. You have to produce in order to work manufacturing issues out in real time.

 

[bunnicula]

The white iphone is not comparable because I was able to get a black one the same day.

And you could've gotten a 38mm Milanese loop first day if you ordered it in a timely fashion when preorders went live. Ditto the 38mm SS BSB or WSB. Ditto the majority of sport models in 38mm.

Soooo... It's actually better than the white iPhone 4 launch from a perspective of variety.

----------

Wow, is it May 8th already?

Exactly.

 

[Piggie]

Do you think Apple felt pressurized to come up with something new, seeing other companies also launching smart watches and them doing nothing, and also perhaps trying to pack too many things into 1 device?

Perhaps it was all too much, too soon, they could of started in a more simple and reliable, and cheaper way and gradually build up from a strong base position, giving them time to get things right before launching each aspect.

 

[NT1440]

I havent gotten my watch yet. Not upset. Very excited for it still. But i dont mind debating my opinion that i think apple botched the launch. It was far from perfect. Not a big deal though.

But why are you so angry? Or are we getting the wrong vibe from your replies.

I wouldn't call it angry, just annoyed.

People on these forums act like production is just a matter of signing contracts and waiting for delivery. It's not like that, at all, especially when you consider the scale Apple has to ramp up to with new manufacturing processes (curved on all four sides gorilla glass/sapphire, the advanced CNC methods being applied to make the cases, bonding fragile OLED assemblies to the newly manufactured curved glass covers). It's like no one can take the time to realize that this product is pioneering several new manufacturing technologies at the same time while doing it at a scale that no one else in the world has tried yet. It's not simple. Yet posters here act like waiting a month for a completely new product is the end of the world, and in doing so come off as uninformed and frankly spoiled consumers.

No one is going to die without the watch, the only reason you're waiting so long is because you just had to have it on day one. It comes off like whining from children that just can't deal with the fact that they know the christmas presents are on the way....they have to have it now! <- the you is rhetorical, not directed d0minik

 

[techno-Zen]

It's definitely a botched launch and it lands squarely at the feet Ahrendts. I actually feel very bad for Apple store staff, this also goes for the new Macbook launch. Their job is to sell new product but they can't..

4-6 weeks for delivery on a newly released product is a joke. Why the focus on online ordering? It's insane, and not having ANY exchange stock?? wtf!

I literally want to give Apple an additional $400 to upgrade from my sport to a 42mm Stainless model yet I can't and will likely change my mind and just keep my 38mm sport based on principal.

I love my watch, but this is just odd.

 

[NT1440]

4-6 weeks for delivery on a newly released product is a joke. Why the focus on online ordering? It's insane, and not having ANY exchange stock?? wtf!

Ever order a new model year of car?

 

[techno-Zen]

Ever order a new model year of car?

This isn't a car.

 

[phirstube]

It comes off like whining from children that just can't deal with the fact that they know the christmas presents are on the way....they have to have it now! <- the you is rhetorical, not directed d0minik

I just hope you realize how you sound in this thread. Militant, very militant.

My opinion is that Apple should have waited a little longer before launching the watch.

 

[NT1440]

I just hope you realize how you sound in this thread. Militant, very militant.

My opinion is that Apple should have waited a little longer before launching the watch.

But again, that's not how just in time manufacturing (AKA assembly in China) works. You can't "just wait". You set a date that expected yields will be able to saturate initial shipping channels. Clearly they've run into an issue, you can't find these issues until you start producing en masse, and then things get tweaked on the assembly line.

It's no different for cars, processors, ovens, etc.

I don't care if I sound "militant", I'd just like for some of these complainers to realize that not receiving a consumer product on launch day is not the end of the world. If it really effects you so much (again I'm not referring to phirstube here, it's "the royal you") it might be time to take a step back and evaluate why having a possession here and now is so dire to your life. Consumerism is out of control.

 

[Erieg1]

I just hope you realize how you sound in this thread. Militant, very militant.

My opinion is that Apple should have waited a little longer before launching the watch.

How far? Until Sept.? Make it a year sine the big announcement? I guess one of my gripes is that these watches have a limited life span (don't give me BS about how thats not true and your grandkids will wear these)

My watch came in and I know damn well this gen 1 watch will be trash in a year.

 

[sportsfrk214]

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.

When people ordered their Apple Watches, they were all given a delivery window in which it was clearly stated upfront when they would receive their order by. So far, there has been no substantial information to show that people are receiving orders on a date after the window they were promised. It's hard to argue that people were "mislead" when they ordered something that had a very clear date range on when they could expect their delivery.

I think I understand, to a small extent, what you're getting at. Launch day was heavily advertised as April 24, so to the average person there might be an expectation of decent availability on that date. In addition, Apple does have a decent track record of getting products to people on launch day. So there may have been an incorrect perception by some people as to what they could expect.

However as I said above, it was hardly misleading. If preorders didn't come with delivery estimates, and the only date you knew was that launch day was April 24, you could reasonably argue you were mislead. But when upon ordering a product you are given a specific range of dates in which to expect your delivery, as long as it comes in that range it's difficult to argue you were mislead. If May 8 comes and goes and people who were promised that date still don't have their watches, then that would be a different story.

 

[HelloMikee]

I have to say, this launch has been a disaster for the die hard fans. The fact they announced this watch so long ago, had models available to view on the 10th and then launched it with limited availability to ship, I'd say it's been quite pathetic.

 

[NT1440]

When people ordered their Apple Watches, they were all given a delivery window in which it was clearly stated upfront when they would receive their order by. So far, there has been no substantial information to show that people are receiving orders on a date after the window they were promised. It's hard to argue that people were "mislead" when they ordered something that had a very clear date range on when you can expect your delivery.

I think I understand, to a small extent, what you're getting at. Launch day was heavily advertised as April 24, so to the average person there might be an expectation of decent availability on that date. In addition, Apple does have a decent track record of getting products to people on launch day. So there may have been an incorrect perception by some people as to what they could expect.

However as I said above, it was hardly misleading. If preorders didn't come with delivery estimates, and the only date you knew was that launch day was April 24, you could reasonably argue you were mislead. But when upon ordering a product you are given a specific range of dates in which to expect your delivery, as long as it comes in that range it's difficult to argue you were mislead. If May 8 comes and goes and people who were promised that date still don't have their watches, then that would be a different story.

Reasonableness? Who do you think you are? Get out of this thread.

 

[3square]

I don't care if I sound "militant", I'd just like for some of these complainers to realize that not receiving a consumer product on launch day is not the end of the world. If it really effects you so much (again I'm not referring to phirstube here, it's "the royal you") it might be time to take a step back and evaluate why having a possession here and now is so dire to your life. Consumerism is out of control.

i wish you would stay objective and not make personal attacks. That's your personal opinion. If you think consumerism is out of control, why are you on a forum that talks about consumer product?

 

[NT1440]

i wish you would stay objective and not make personal attacks. That's your personal opinion. If you think consumerism is out of control, why are you on a forum that talks about consumer product?

I'm a fan of PRSI here.

Where did I make a personal attack? I clearly put a disclaimer in there. The "you" is in the hypothetical. I went so far as to clearly say I was not referring to the person I quoted as "you".

What's the issue?

 

[jeblis]

Name one person who has gotten a watch later than promised.

 

[phirstube]

Reasonableness? Who do you think you are? Get out of this thread.

Take notes. He formed his argument correctly.

What's the issue?

Your arguments come across as personal attacks on the collective "you". Other than that, nothing.

 

[scott99]

Do you think Apple felt pressurized to come up with something new, seeing other companies also launching smart watches and them doing nothing, and also perhaps trying to pack too many things into 1 device?

Perhaps it was all too much, too soon, they could of started in a more simple and reliable, and cheaper way and gradually build up from a strong base position, giving them time to get things right before launching each aspect.

I'm sure the "want" for those other smart watches were WAY lower than the Apple Watch, but I feel the other smart thing the other companies did, was make them available through phone companies as well as from their websites. For instance, in the US, you can get a Moto 360 at AT&T (that's where I got mine), Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile. Since Apple sells their iPhones at those phone stores, why didn't they do that with their watches as well. Sure it may sell out, I had to wait months for my iPhone 6+, but at least I had options as far as WHERE I purchase my product.