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Apple Watch Order Statuses Shifting to 'Preparing for Shipment'

Saints1 said:
Here's my best guess as to why the orders are not actually being shipped in order the order was taken:

Anyone that has pre-ordered an iPhone in the past knows that the shipping notifications and tracking starts in China, not Louisville. My guess is that Apple made a deal with UPS this time around that UPS will decide who gets shipped the watches in each batch (but they probably have to stick to the order wave).

It's clear that UPS is deciding where the watches that arrive in these batches are going. They apparently are tied into the billing system so that when they scan a watch delivery Apple will charge the card and the ball starts rolling.

Now, as an example, lets say UPS gets a batch of 50,000 42 SG Black watches. They need to deliver 40,000 to Texas, which is the largest number for a state in that batch. UPS is taking 40,000 of those watches and shipping them to Texas. They'll find the next state that's closes to 10,000 (the remaining watches in that batch) and ship to that state. This would cut costs for UPS a lot! If it were truly in order the order was received, I'm sure that 50,000 batch would go to 50 states. That's at least 50 flights compared to just 2.

I could be completely wrong, obviously, but I bet that's what's happening and would explain why they are not being shipped in the order the orders were actually received. As long as they stay in the same "wave" of orders, it shouldn't cause too much of a difference and they save a lot of $$$ for shipping costs (Apple and UPS).
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You could be on to something. Especially with how iPhones were always shipped. I can't remember how many times I received a tracking number for an iPhone preorder that said it was in Shenzen - or something like that.
 
JohnnySFLA said:
Very interesting idea and you're right, my iPhone's have been tracked from China in the past. Since Apple offers "free delivery", they may have a contract with UPS for a fixed amount and UPS amongst other carriers are finding ways to make it as cost effective as possible.

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So aluminum comes in a long thin box and SS comes in a square box. Cool!
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One thing I've noticed is that all my IPhones that have tracked from China have shipped via FedEx. From what I've read most of the watches are coming UPS.
 
Saints1 said:
Here's my best guess as to why the orders are not actually being shipped in order the order was taken:

Anyone that has pre-ordered an iPhone in the past knows that the shipping notifications and tracking starts in China, not Louisville. My guess is that Apple made a deal with UPS this time around that UPS will decide who gets shipped the watches in each batch (but they probably have to stick to the order wave).

It's clear that UPS is deciding where the watches that arrive in these batches are going. They apparently are tied into the billing system so that when they scan a watch delivery Apple will charge the card and the ball starts rolling.

Now, as an example, lets say UPS gets a batch of 50,000 42 SG Black watches. They need to deliver 40,000 to Texas, which is the largest number for a state in that batch. UPS is taking 40,000 of those watches and shipping them to Texas. They'll find the next state that's closes to 10,000 (the remaining watches in that batch) and ship to that state. This would cut costs for UPS a lot! If it were truly in order the order was received, I'm sure that 50,000 batch would go to 50 states. That's at least 50 flights compared to just 2.

I could be completely wrong, obviously, but I bet that's what's happening and would explain why they are not being shipped in the order the orders were actually received. As long as they stay in the same "wave" of orders, it shouldn't cause too much of a difference and they save a lot of $$$ for shipping costs (Apple and UPS).
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If that's the case anyone in SoCal, Inland Empire have a shipping confirmation for 42mm SG?
 
Popinbottles said:
One thing I've noticed is that all my IPhones that have tracked from China have shipped via FedEx. From what I've read most of the watches are coming UPS.
Click to expand...

I think that's probably a location thing. Every iPhone, or anything else Apple, that I've ordered has always come from UPS. In fact, I don't think I've ever had anything I've ordered from Apple get delivered by FedEx.
 
Saints1 said:
Here's my best guess as to why the orders are not actually being shipped in order the order was taken:

Anyone that has pre-ordered an iPhone in the past knows that the shipping notifications and tracking starts in China, not Louisville. My guess is that Apple made a deal with UPS this time around that UPS will decide who gets shipped the watches in each batch (but they probably have to stick to the order wave).

It's clear that UPS is deciding where the watches that arrive in these batches are going. They apparently are tied into the billing system so that when they scan a watch delivery Apple will charge the card and the ball starts rolling.

Now, as an example, lets say UPS gets a batch of 50,000 42 SG Black watches. They need to deliver 40,000 to Texas, which is the largest number for a state in that batch. UPS is taking 40,000 of those watches and shipping them to Texas. They'll find the next state that's closes to 10,000 (the remaining watches in that batch) and ship to that state. This would cut costs for UPS a lot! If it were truly in order the order was received, I'm sure that 50,000 batch would go to 50 states. That's at least 50 flights compared to just 2.

I could be completely wrong, obviously, but I bet that's what's happening and would explain why they are not being shipped in the order the orders were actually received. As long as they stay in the same "wave" of orders, it shouldn't cause too much of a difference and they save a lot of $$$ for shipping costs (Apple and UPS).
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Thats a really really really likely scenario. best guess yet.
 
Popinbottles said:
Fingers crossed that the 5 planes headed to Louisville are carrying a crap ton of 42mm Stainless with black sports bands and anything with a pink band. They should arrive a little after midnight east coast time. ;)

There also seems to be a plane headed toward Ontario California
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Would they ship out to arrive tomorrow though?
 
Saints1 said:
I think that's probably a location thing. Every iPhone, or anything else Apple, that I've ordered has always come from UPS. In fact, I don't think I've ever had anything I've ordered from Apple get delivered by FedEx.
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I have always had Next Day and Overnight come UPS and anything that is 2-3 day come Fedex. Which is uncommon for any other shipping or delivery. Fedex is usually the faster delivery service for us here, UPS ground is most common UPS delivery.

weird.
 
Popinbottles said:
Fingers crossed that the 5 planes headed to Louisville are carrying a crap ton of 42mm Stainless with black sports bands and anything with a pink band. They should arrive a little after midnight east coast time. ;)

There also seems to be a plane headed toward Ontario California
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Oh! What time does the Ontario flight land? That could be me!

Found out that it is 10:35PM. Hopefully I'll wake up to a confirmation. Still possible to be delivered tomorrow!
 
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JohnnySFLA said:
Very interesting idea and you're right, my iPhone's have been tracked from China in the past. Since Apple offers "free delivery", they may have a contract with UPS for a fixed amount and UPS amongst other carriers are finding ways to make it as cost effective as possible.
Click to expand...

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It doesn't make sense though that NONE of the pink ones have shown shipped.
 
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Apple Watch

Has any apple watch ss with black sport band shipped to anyone anywhere. I ordered at 12:01 am guess i should of picked the white band ......... This will be the first time i have not had a new apple product on launch day since the iPhone 4 :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:
Lets hope the 5 planes have them on it and there coming to canada :)
 
kalexn said:
[/color]
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It doesn't make sense though that NONE of the pink ones have shown shipped.
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If they don't have any pink bands, there's nothing to ship.

Another thing that leads me to believe that my hypothesis may be correct is that, as far as I've seen, there is no one that had a deilivery date of 4/24, and only 4/24. With the iPhone, if you got your order in soon enough you would have an estimated delivery date of launch day and nothing else. I bet the very first person that actually ordered the watch was given the two week delivery estimate starting with 4/24. That leads me to believe that it depends on whether or not UPS, or whatever carrier, would have enough fiscal reason to ship to your area if other areas would fill a plane and save money, even if you were the first to order. There's a two week window for them to get you the watch, so... That's not how it worked with the iPhone and the iPhone was actually shipped to an individual from China (Apple decides where it's going) as opposed to UPS.
 
Keenanryan said:
Has any apple watch ss with black sport band shipped to anyone anywhere. I ordered at 12:01 am guess i should of picked the white band ......... This will be the first time i have not had a new apple product on launch day since the iPhone 4 :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:
Lets hope the 5 planes have them on it and there coming to canada :)
Click to expand...

There have been some people posting photos of their SS BSBs shipping, but not many at all. Very peculiar.
 
kalexn said:
Would they ship out to arrive tomorrow though?
Click to expand...

I honestly don't know. I'm holding out hope since I'm only three hours away. Whenever I've ordered items from Gilt which also has a distribution center there I usually get them the next day.
 
Saints1 said:
Here's my best guess as to why the orders are not actually being shipped in order the order was taken:

Anyone that has pre-ordered an iPhone in the past knows that the shipping notifications and tracking starts in China, not Louisville. My guess is that Apple made a deal with UPS this time around that UPS will decide who gets shipped the watches in each batch (but they probably have to stick to the order wave).

It's clear that UPS is deciding where the watches that arrive in these batches are going. They apparently are tied into the billing system so that when they scan a watch delivery Apple will charge the card and the ball starts rolling.

Now, as an example, lets say UPS gets a batch of 50,000 42 SG Black watches. They need to deliver 40,000 to Texas, which is the largest number for a state in that batch. UPS is taking 40,000 of those watches and shipping them to Texas. They'll find the next state that's closes to 10,000 (the remaining watches in that batch) and ship to that state. This would cut costs for UPS a lot! If it were truly in order the order was received, I'm sure that 50,000 batch would go to 50 states. That's at least 50 flights compared to just 2.

I could be completely wrong, obviously, but I bet that's what's happening and would explain why they are not being shipped in the order the orders were actually received. As long as they stay in the same "wave" of orders, it shouldn't cause too much of a difference and they save a lot of $$$ for shipping costs (Apple and UPS).
Click to expand...

Best theory I've heard yet. Seems to make complete sense.
 
This whole situation is baffling. The if's and what if's and what about's that have cascaded through my mind over the past week...ugh. I know one thing - if I'm upper management of Apple, I'm embarrassed. If I'm not embarrassed - I'm not doing my job. If you cause all this hype about a product and you don't have product to ship to a customer that was confirmed 10 MINUTES after the opening bell...what the actual **** are you focused on? Making sure that the fashionistas in Euroland can buy (or maybe just choose for free) 45 different colored bands on the launch date? Great. Thanks.

Apple does things well, don't get me wrong. Great products, but wow. This is a nightmare. I've studied Jobs' style over the past few years and I must say, this would've given that man a heart attack.
 
IM totally inept. I can't read the flight things.

Is there any chance that there is anything going to Louisville and coming to atlanta that could indicate that a Processing could turn to Preparing for shipment and then shipping by tomorrow or no?

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Erock2550 said:
This whole situation is baffling. The if's and what if's and what about's that have cascaded through my mind over the past week...ugh. I know one thing - if I'm upper management of Apple, I'm embarrassed. If I'm not embarrassed - I'm not doing my job. If you cause all this hype about a product and you don't have product to ship to a customer that was confirmed 10 MINUTES after the opening bell...what the actual **** are you focused on? Making sure that the fashionistas in Euroland can buy (or maybe just choose for free) 45 different colored bands on the launch date? Great. Thanks.

Apple does things well, don't get me wrong. Great products, but wow. This is a nightmare. I've studied Jobs' style over the past few years and I must say, this would've given that man a heart attack.
Click to expand...

Amen
 
James Baldwin said:
It is inconceivable they don't have a full understanding where every single Apple watch is right now. That they are not willing to share this information with those who have paid considerable sums of money for such products is more than just a little unacceptable in my opinion.



What is the need in all this opaqueness though? Honesty would be much more appreciated, if they said, it is in X and will only reach you by Monday 27th, or even the 7th of May, I would be disappointed but at least I would have a firm date and I could accept that. The unknowing is what I can't stand.
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First time pre-ordering a product, eh?

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Erock2550 said:
This whole situation is baffling. The if's and what if's and what about's that have cascaded through my mind over the past week...ugh. I know one thing - if I'm upper management of Apple, I'm embarrassed. If I'm not embarrassed - I'm not doing my job. If you cause all this hype about a product and you don't have product to ship to a customer that was confirmed 10 MINUTES after the opening bell...what the actual **** are you focused on? Making sure that the fashionistas in Euroland can buy (or maybe just choose for free) 45 different colored bands on the launch date? Great. Thanks.

Apple does things well, don't get me wrong. Great products, but wow. This is a nightmare. I've studied Jobs' style over the past few years and I must say, this would've given that man a heart attack.
Click to expand...


You're obviously new to Apple pre-ordering. Pre-orders on a new product (especially in a new category) are sold out within minutes.

Just look at WWDC. Tickets sold out in 70 seconds two years ago. It got to be such a problem that they went to a lottery system.

What's to be embarrassed about? That they sold so many watches and have so much demand? No one ever promised that you'd know where the product was every step of the way. You ordered one, and they gave you an estimated shipping window.
 
Madman8 said:
IM totally inept. I can't read the flight things.

Is there any chance that there is anything going to Louisville and coming to atlanta that could indicate that a Processing could turn to Preparing for shipment and then shipping by tomorrow or no?

I wish I knew for sure, but I don't. I do know that I track a lot of shipments coming to my house and I go to bed thinking "there is no way it will be here tomorrow" and I wake up in the morning with the message that says "On truck for delivery."

Yes, these are completely different situations where they are sent within the US and I can track them from days in advance. I don't think it is completely out of the question, but it could happen.

Regardless you and I will have our watches soon. Just take a deep breath...have a drink...or whatever helps you chill until that day comes. It will come...
Click to expand...
 
Erock2550 said:
This whole situation is baffling. The if's and what if's and what about's that have cascaded through my mind over the past week...ugh. I know one thing - if I'm upper management of Apple, I'm embarrassed. If I'm not embarrassed - I'm not doing my job. If you cause all this hype about a product and you don't have product to ship to a customer that was confirmed 10 MINUTES after the opening bell...what the actual **** are you focused on? Making sure that the fashionistas in Euroland can buy (or maybe just choose for free) 45 different colored bands on the launch date? Great. Thanks.



Apple does things well, don't get me wrong. Great products, but wow. This is a nightmare. I've studied Jobs' style over the past few years and I must say, this would've given that man a heart attack.
Click to expand...


Naw. They're going to be rightfully proud of launching and legitimizing a new category of product. They will be satisfied with their decision to, for the first time, assign people date ranges for their delivery. This way people know what they can expect.

Those executives can't control individuals' irrational thought that they are entitled to delivery on launch day despite being given a range of delivery times. They will rightly commend their support staff for handling a large volume of people with questions/complaints/whining/senses of entitlement about their orders and doing so kindly and professionally.

Bottom line, kudos to Apple. They deserve to celebrate.
 
Madman8 said:
IM totally inept. I can't read the flight things.

Is there any chance that there is anything going to Louisville and coming to atlanta that could indicate that a Processing could turn to Preparing for shipment and then shipping by tomorrow or no?

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Amen
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I just checked the UPS ground shipping map and Atlanta is within the one day shipping range from Louisville. That's if they ship it by ground. I would hope they would ship your item by air. This all depends on if the configuration you ordered is in this batch. That's a lot of if's but I hope that helps. :)
 
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