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

[Spetsnazos]

launch = D+.

Some people got it but I ordered within the first 20 mins and it's still "processing". That is pathetic. Just because you didn't click at the very first instant doesn't mean the launch window should be 2 months later.

Leading up to the pre order time, it was noted that it would be available on the 24th. Only when you went to preorder did all of the shipping windows move way out into the future.

Honestly? I would not have stayed up to 12:00 to order the watch if I knew that it would be ordered mid May. Now that its done with I'm not going to cancel or anything but I do have a bitter taste in my mouth.

I only gave it above an F score because some people did get their watch on the first day.

SG 42mm was 4-6 weeks the instant that the apple store went live. strong "Available on the 24th" lol.

 

[gvan]

launch = D+.

Some people got it but I ordered within the first 20 mins and it's still "processing". That is pathetic. Just because you didn't click at the very first instant doesn't mean the launch window should be 2 months later.

That midnight web pre-order process was way to easy to game. I really hope they never do it again. Next time I'm posting detailed instructions for gaming it all over this web site before hand. At least then everyone will have a fair shake at it.

I would recommend an old school wrist band process at the Apple stores next time. This word great for many a concert ticket in my youth...

 

[Spetsnazos]

That midnight web pre-order process was way to easy to game. I really hope they never do it again. Next time I'm posting detailed instructions for gaming it all over this web site before hand. At least then everyone will have a fair shake at it.

I would recommend an old school wrist band process at the Apple stores next time. This word great for many a concert ticket in my youth...

honestly I ordered at 12:13 only because I was clicking around on the site looking for "secondary" options. I was ready to go at 12:03 or whatever but the Space Grey was already at 4-6 weeks. I was pretty irritated so I started looking around at the SS 42mm. After another 5 mins I was just reminded myself that its not the one I wanted anyways so I went back and ordered the SG 42mm sport.

I just find it pathetic that if you pre ordered within 20mins 2 weeks before the official launch that you can't get it on the launch date. I am pretty sure everyone that was ready to preorder assumed you would get it on the 24th. It was kind of crystal clear before the launch and once it happened it was a bunch of "whats up with the shipment window...???"

Again I'm not going to cancel because my care factor isn't that high and I need the watch for development but if we're going to rate a launch lets at least be honest.

This ranks pretty high with the Nexus 6 launch :/

 

[QuiteSure]

I'm sorry to say, it is a botched failure. I've kind of been needing a watch for a little while, decided to put that off until the Apple Watch launched. When pre-orders started, I never dreamed that I would have to order at 3 am local time to get in the queue for one at launch day. Instead, I waited until 4:30 am and now I'm probably at the back end of the 5/13-5/27 window. For me to be excited about a product, to put off making other purchases, to wake up VERY early to pre-order one and then not have it for over a month after launch day is just dismaying. Yes I'll get it and then the whole wait and anticipation will become part of the past, but it just doesn't feel good.

And I still need a watch.

 

[jjohnson873]

You weren't around for the iPhone 4 white color launch, were you?

I've seen this iPhone 4 incident/launch referenced before. Apple learned from this failed launch and hasn't repeated this debacle again. This single point of failure shouldn't be used as justification of another failed launch. Apple just screwed this Watch launch up, plain and simple. Let's not keep dredging up old history and, instead, look at all the other successful launches that Apple has done correctly and ask WHY and WHO didn't plan accordingly, inside of Apple. This wouldn't be tolerated in most major corporations and it's a black eye for Apple.

 

[mikezmac]

This is ridiculous... Apple's integrity is taking a hit? Really? This place is full of drama queens with a sense of entitlement that is amusing at best and sad in reality.

They said it would be in short supply. They said it would start shipping at a specific date and it was. Anyone that ordered a watch was given a shipping window setting expectations on when you'll receive it. Apple doesn't charge you till it is ready to ship. Done. Simple.

Do I wish I had mine sooner? Sure. Do I check my order status more often than I should? Sure, I'm excited. But sheesh people, relax. This is all supply and demand and clearly the demand is far higher than the supplies despite Apple's best attempts. They communicated that supplies would be low and gave everyone realistic shipping estimates. They haven't charged anyone money for something that isn't shipping. So what exactly does Apple owe you again?

That's right, NOTHING.

You obviously do not run a business.

 

[NT1440]

You obviously do not run a business.

Do your clients whine and expect things earlier than the window you've concretely given them?

 

[mikezmac]

Do your clients whine and expect things earlier than the window you've concretely given them?

No, I would loose business.

My friend works for Apple and they themselves feel that this was a launch gone bad.

Defend mindlessly all you like. It won't change the fact that this launch was a bad one.

 

[KPOM]

I just find it pathetic that if you pre ordered within 20mins 2 weeks before the official launch that you can't get it on the launch date. I am pretty sure everyone that was ready to preorder assumed you would get it on the 24th. It was kind of crystal clear before the launch and once it happened it was a bunch of "whats up with the shipment window...???"

It depends on which model you ordered. I went for the 38mm Stainless Steel with Classic Buckle and got mine on the 24th despite ordering 2 hours after the pre-orders started. The 38mm Sport with Blue band was available the week of launch. With so many different combinations, some were available and others weren't.

Remember Apple had this issue with the iPhone 6 Plus, and there are a lot fewer combinations than with the Watch.

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It's okay for Apple to botch a launch. We can say they failed when they do. It doesn't mean we don't support them anymore. They are not perfect. If the supply was that short - they were not ready to launch this product case and point. Why upset your loyal fans by not having the product your trying to sell what's the point.

The point I think here is they made a promise about the release of the watch that they were not prepared to meet. So this was there only option. Trickle it out to a few people and say to your share holders we made Q1. When in fact June is the real time most people will be able to have one. Any company should be able to meet the first 10 minutes of preorders. This launch failed there is no need to get defensive. We all still love apple. But I am not so blinded that I can not see a failure when it happens.

Perhaps this is why Apple rarely announces a product until shortly before it is ready. With the Watch, they really didn't have much choice, since it would have leaked eventually. It was the same with the original iPhone. The difference was that back in 2007 they could struggle to produce 275,000 for the first weekend and take 74 days to produce and sell the first million, and people called it a smashing success. Now when not everyone who pre-ordered got it on launch day, the masses are calling for Tim Cook and particularly Angela Ahrendts to be fired, even though it isn't really her fault.

 

[mr.anthonyramos]

I am slowly beginning to feel that this really is a failed launch the longer I wait for my watch without any updates whatsoever from Apple.

 

[AJsAWiz]

Apple Watch Commercials

Just got finished watching one of their commercials and at the end it says:
Apple Watch Here

This would be more accurate:
Apple Watch Here
BUT you can't have it right now

Others have referenced the great iPhone White launch. I recall having my heart set on the white but settled on the Space Gray because they didn't have the white. Only a couple of people among the first 5 in line were lucky enough to snag the white. I waited in line, braved the rush for the mall doors avoided being crushed, all to get that coveted white to no avail.

Fast forward to the Apple Watch launch. I had my iMac, iPhone and iPad all primed and ready for the 3 am EST opening of the Apple Store. The store would not come up (despite multiple refreshes on my iMac) until 3:03 am. Subsequently I landed in the second (May 13 - May 27) delivery window. Again, I was disappointed but did not have the option to select another model without risking being put back (in the delivery window) even further behind. So, I just weathered the storm and waited.

On the positive side, my delivery did come sooner than expected (May 4th) and I was able to get a time frame from UPS Choice. In fact my doorbell rang (10:30 am) just as I'm typing this. I would hope that Apple has learned something from the Great White iPhone Debacle and the Apple Watch Launch Fiasco and will take steps to improve in the future. While I'm a bit disheartened about not getting my Apple Watch on launch I do understand that, in life, stuff beyond your control happens. So, I try to get back on the horse and continue riding. Sorry about the length of my post. Hope everyone gets their, somewhat, "Happy Ending" with the Apple Watch of their choice.

 

[KPOM]

I am slowly beginning to feel that this really is a failed launch the longer I wait for my watch without any updates whatsoever from Apple.

Has your delivery window passed yet? Didn't think so.

 

[Spetsnazos]

It depends on which model you ordered. I went for the 38mm Stainless Steel with Classic Buckle and got mine on the 24th despite ordering 2 hours after the pre-orders started. The 38mm Sport with Blue band was available the week of launch. With so many different combinations, some were available and others weren't.

Remember Apple had this issue with the iPhone 6 Plus, and there are a lot fewer combinations than with the Watch.

----------




Perhaps this is why Apple rarely announces a product until shortly before it is ready. With the Watch, they really didn't have much choice, since it would have leaked eventually. It was the same with the original iPhone. The difference was that back in 2007 they could struggle to produce 275,000 for the first weekend and take 74 days to produce and sell the first million, and people called it a smashing success. Now when not everyone who pre-ordered got it on launch day, the masses are calling for Tim Cook and particularly Angela Ahrendts to be fired, even though it isn't really her fault.

I mean I know some had a faster delivery date but if I was going to stay up until 12:00 and pre-order as Apple suggested then I should be able to choose the option I wanted. If I was told a week before that my option wasn't going to be available for the 24th or for a few weeks thereafter, then I wouldn't have even bothered to log on late at night and spam the refresh button. Whats done is done and I'm not going to cry about it but I can be a bit salty about the misleading information from Apple.

Has your delivery window passed yet? Didn't think so.

When will you fanboys stop harping on the delivery window? Man I like Apple but sometimes logic goes out the window when your favorite company does something wrong and you need to defend them at all costs.

 

[phirstube]

Has your delivery window passed yet? Didn't think so.

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

 

[KPOM]

I mean I know some had a faster delivery date but if I was going to stay up until 12:00 and pre-order as Apple suggested then I should be able to choose the option I wanted. If I was told a week before that my option wasn't going to be available for the 24th or for a few weeks thereafter, then I wouldn't have even bothered to log on late at night and spam the refresh button. Whats done is done and I'm not going to cry about it but I can be a bit salty about the misleading information from Apple.


When will you fanboys stop harping on the delivery window? Man I like Apple but sometimes logic goes out the window when your favorite company does something wrong and you need to defend them at all costs.

I'd much rather people have to wait a few weeks longer than get a product out with a faulty display or haptic sensor. Stop acting as if Apple intended to have all these supply issues.

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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.

Why not get to it, then?

 

[Supermallet]

I read the story that Apple was in talks with Nordstrom, but i guess that is a dead deal. My sense of "high end" might be skewed? Only been into a Nordstrom's once in King Of Prussia, PA..lot of clothes with prices way out of my range ($200 bucks for Diesel jeans already ripped..um, no - I saw Armani, Gucci stuff there as well.)

I personally never heard of Maxfield, it's strictly in LA. looking at their website..Apple watch still shows on the homepage..not sure if they still have them in stock, my guess is I doubt it.

Nordstrom's sells some high end items, but it's not a high end boutique. It's a department store, which means it sells some high end items, some lower end items.

Maxfield's is a boutique, and is very high end (the highest priced stuff at Nordstrom's is probably the lowest priced stuff at Maxfield's), and much to the chagrin of many who pre-ordered, they are getting new stock daily.

 

[Erieg1]

Question. I have read that Apple will start having watches in their stores in June. Is this before or after they finish with the pre-orders? Because if they have another soft launch with store stock before they fulfill pre-orders I believe it is legal to storm the stores with torches and pitchforks.

 

[Spetsnazos]

I'd much rather people have to wait a few weeks longer than get a product out with a faulty display or haptic sensor. Stop acting as if Apple intended to have all these supply issues.

They just found out about the supply issues on April 24th?

I would rate their launch much higher if they were transparent and gave feedback to those of us who spent time on their stupid website at 12:00.

Also the faulty display or haptic sensor defects have never been confirmed or mentioned by Apple, those are just rumors from another website.

So I ask again, why are they not being transparent with their initial misleading information? They stirred up hype and didn't deliver.

If they told me that my watch won't ship till June it would greatly affect my decision. Sorry but I don't see how you don't understand this part.

 

[phirstube]

So I ask again, why are they not being transparent with their initial misleading information? They stirred up hype and didn't deliver.

Loyalty to shareholders and not customers. It is sad really.

 

[Spetsnazos]

Loyalty to shareholders and not customers. It is sad really.

Which is fine, but I am not going to blindly give them a pass. In the eyes of the consumer, this is a failed launch. In terms of profits to the shareholders, its a success.

Imagine you waited in line all night at the Apple store and the store opened at 12:00. They then told everyone at the front of the line that the watch won't be available until May. You're 50th in line so by the time you get to the front they tell you that they've sold out and your watch wont be delivered until June.

That's the salty taste that everyone is getting.

It's not like some of us pre ordered on April 23rd and then started complaining about the shipping schedules. We are complaining because we ordered within the first 20mins lol.

Either way I'm more irritated with the Watch Dev SDK. They better open up the API to let me access more sensors or this watch is going to be failure in the long term. The reason why Apple is praised is very misleading. The developers are what keeps Apple relevant and the consumers that pay for apps keep the developers developing. Thankfully for Apple, Android sucks so bad that it's almost not worth doing anything unless you're paid by your company to do it.

 

[phirstube]

Which is fine, but I am not going to blindly give them a pass. In the eyes of the consumer, this is a failed launch. In terms of profits to the shareholders, its a success.

Imagine you waited in line all night at the Apple store and the store opened at 12:00. They then told everyone at the front of the line that the watch won't be available until May. You're 50th in line so by the time you get to the front they tell you that they've sold out and your watch wont be delivered until June.

That's the salty taste that everyone is getting.

It's not like some of us pre ordered on April 23rd and then started complaining about the shipping schedules. We are complaining because we ordered within the first 20mins lol.

Either way I'm more irritated with the Watch Dev SDK. They better open up the API to let me access more sensors or this watch is going to be failure in the long term. The reason why Apple is praised is very misleading. The developers are what keeps Apple relevant and the consumers that pay for apps keep the developers developing. Thankfully for Apple, Android sucks so bad that it's almost not worth doing anything unless you're paid by your company to do it.

To add insult to injury they are airing commercials that state the watch is Available Now. What a load of BS. Available to order now, not available. They justify it because they want the revenue flow to continue on into next quarter and the quarter after that. Once again sacrificing the customer for the sake of the shareholder.

 

[KPOM]

They just found out about the supply issues on April 24th?

I would rate their launch much higher if they were transparent and gave feedback to those of us who spent time on their stupid website at 12:00.

Also the faulty display or haptic sensor defects have never been confirmed or mentioned by Apple, those are just rumors from another website.

So I ask again, why are they not being transparent with their initial misleading information? They stirred up hype and didn't deliver.

If they told me that my watch won't ship till June it would greatly affect my decision. Sorry but I don't see how you don't understand this part.

Apparently they did catch the issue late in the game. Since when do companies publicize supply chain issues? Did Steve Jobs apologize because the white iPhone 4 was several months late? It just showed up one day, reportedly because Jobs was obsessed over the shade of white, but that was just a rumor as well.

Apple could have been somewhat more upfront that certain versions (e.g. link band) would be delayed, but they were correct that many watches shipped on the 24th. Anyway, there is no "right" to a product on the initial launch date. Apple clearly had supply chain issues, had delayed the watch as long as they could given the constraints of their September 2014 promise of "early 2014," and are pushing them out as quickly as they can.

There are lots of things they could have done differently, and I'm sure they are reviewing them now, but given the decisions already made and the communications already given in September and March, they have done reasonably well in setting expectations. The initial wave should have their watches by the end of this week, and others have gotten firmer dates for their deliveries, as well.

 

[bradl]

To add insult to injury they are airing commercials that state the watch is Available Now. What a load of BS. Available to order now, not available. They justify it because they want the revenue flow to continue on into next quarter and the quarter after that. Once again sacrificing the customer for the sake of the shareholder.

It is available.

Available for purchase. That does not state nor imply that it is available for you to walk out of the store with it in hand.

At lot of implications and assumptions are being made here, and not on the part of Apple.

Again, this is completely different to the White iPhone 4, where they stated it was available, yet wasn't for months after the launch date; in hand, for purchase, or otherwise.

BL.

 

[KPOM]

To add insult to injury they are airing commercials that state the watch is Available Now. What a load of BS. Available to order now, not available. They justify it because they want the revenue flow to continue on into next quarter and the quarter after that. Once again sacrificing the customer for the sake of the shareholder.

A for-profit company wants revenue. Shocking.

What are they supposed to do? Stop taking new orders? That would actually be bad customer service.

 

[phirstube]

Nobody is asking for an apology. Just better communication.