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Yes. The Apple Watch boxes (The actual cardboard shell box) actually have serial numbers with a sticker on The bottom of the base of the box with a scan barcode. I’m assuming Apple wants the box to see if they can track the serial number to make sure it came from their shipping facility and not from some other retailer location/online site.
Something of that nature would also be my assumption.
 
Well, still no update on the stolen watch. But on the bright side I made the 40min drive to Best Buy tonight and bought one in person, too paranoid about shipping now. I’m loving the S3, soooo much faster than my S0.

c8yi1pxUSwqXlklhx9MS0A.jpg

I’ll update when I hear something about the stolen watch.
 
Good to hear they are doing something about it. John Hancock Life Insurance offers an Apple Watch program.

More are getting on-board, selling them or offering a discount. because that is a way to track your life, err steps.

My insurance company pays more in my HRA if I log a minimum steps each year, any device that can upload data fits the criteria.

I usually like Apple shipping, it usually arrives in 2 days for free via Fedex Home. While they try to be clever and say "AI" as the sender, we all know that is Apple, Inc. Obviously over time anyone handling those packages will likely know what is in each box since they have custom packaging for their products.
 
Hello. The Stainless Steel S6 i ordered for my wife for Christmas was stolen. The Fed Ex box was open when I saw it sitting in the carport screen door. The Apple Watch box inside had no nice Apple plastic wrap. The box had a footprint on it for some reason. Can’t decide if it was an inside operation somewhere along the way (maybe local Fed Ex shipping facility) or in fact someone who approached the carport. The latter is strange because they would have to investigate it, open the Fed Ex box, then open the Apple box, get the watch (which is all that was taken), step on it this creating footprint, then “carefully” put the package back as it was. Seems like they would have just simply taken the package. I called Apple And reported the situation. I’m thinking that any resolution will take a while. I have no video cameras anywhere but I’m thinking that my wife will get security cameras for Christmas instead. I’m not inclined to purchase anything else Apple related through the website or the Apple app which I have done many times in the past. Brick and mortar all the way for me now. Apple asked if I wanted them to ship me another one until this is resolved and I politely declined and stated that I will no longer be utilizing online ordering for any Apple products. And to think I was about to order a new Apple Silicon MacBook for my daughter.

What REALLY sucks is that theoretically Apple doesn’t know if I’m telling the truth or not which just feels slimy - but I get it. And also to think that it seems a refund should only ethically be made to my new Apple credit card - not technically. Apple has told me that, in these instances, the end consumer is usually refunded based on precedence. But of course, I need to wait until the investigation is complete.

I also don’t understand - why would anyone steal it with no knowledge of the fact that there is an IMEI number embedded in to the software and, should it be activated by anyone, this info could be sent to Apple - right? If the thief that has stolen it sells it, I pity the person who would turn it on only for it to be “bricked” by Apple because it could be flagged as a stolen unit.

For no particular reason, I contacted Fed Ex and informed them of the situation. Their response seemed to have read from a script essentially stating that someone stole it after the package was delivered. Like OP’s Fed Ex box, mine was listed as “AI” / Lebanon TN as the origin.

Excuse the rant and pessimism - it’s just really frustrating.

Still can‘t figure out the footprint although I wondered if it was a “no finger prints” thing but I’m not sure of why this would have been a concern for the thief. Surely, Apple wouldn’t have shipped an unwrapped unit with a footprint on it.

Anyway, think it through before you order and, as inconvenient as it may be, request a signature at the time of delivery.

Happy Holidays.
 

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Does Apple really do that?
With the Apple Watch, I don’t think they can. But I could be mistaken. Unless they changed something that would be able to detect with the Apple Watch once it’s activated, (specifically if it was LTE), then maybe it’s possible. Apple is always trying to find ways to combat theft, given how popular their products are for resale and other reasons, so it wouldn’t surprise me if it was doable.
 
Get the shipping weights, if it was stolen it would 100% differ.
Also, check the identifying numbers on the box - serial number, IMEI, etc. - to see if they match the ones on your order. This is wild speculation, but it is possible that the box you have with the footprint on it was just a replacement for the one that was stolen. This might explain the foot print if for instance it was a used one pulled from the trash.
 
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Apple really needs to require a signature for ALL watch deliveries. So far, all of mine required a signature but I have been seeing a lot of situations, including yours where a signature wasn’t required. But this may have been an internal theft, like others have said, check the package weights during transit. I hope that your issue gets straightened out and Apple does right by you.
 
Apple really needs to require a signature for ALL watch deliveries.

That has sort of gone out the door with Covid. I have had a number of signature required deliveries just left at my door. This happens even if I am home and the lights are on. Sometimes they don't even knock on the door.

Luckily my location doesn't have a theft problem. One or two times when I was there the delivery person just looked at me and then evidently signed for it himself.
 
Apple really needs to require a signature for ALL watch deliveries. So far, all of mine required a signature but I have been seeing a lot of situations, including yours where a signature wasn’t required. But this may have been an internal theft, like others have said, check the package weights during transit. I hope that your issue gets straightened out and Apple does right by you.

The signature required is overridden by the carrier, meaning that UPS does not require a signature for example. That took affect almost over a year ago where UPS/Fed-Ex no longer is requiring signatures on certain items (if you want to opt for a signature, you have to login under your account and make configurations to your scheduled delivery), but it’s disabled by default. You can also have your package delivered at a central hub or delivered to an alternate address like an office.
 
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Hello all,
Apple has issued a full refund to my Apple Card for the stolen device. The refund occurred 5 days after initial report of the theft and a dozen calls to Apple just to follow up aggressively. I did submit a police report 2 days after the theft on recommendation of a friend. I then called Apple the day after reporting to the authorities to make them aware of it. For clarity, I do not believe that letting Apple know that I filed a report is what ultimately led to a quick resolution but I would encourage anyone to submit an authority report if such things occur.

Happy holidays.
 
The signature required is overridden by the carrier, meaning that UPS does not require a signature for example. That took affect almost over a year ago where UPS/Fed-Ex no longer is requiring signatures on certain items (if you want to opt for a signature, you have to login under your account and make configurations to your scheduled delivery), but it’s disabled by default. You can also have your package delivered at a central hub or delivered to an alternate address like an office.

Wow! I didn’t know that carriers had the authority to do that. Thanks for the info!
 
That has sort of gone out the door with Covid. I have had a number of signature required deliveries just left at my door. This happens even if I am home and the lights are on. Sometimes they don't even knock on the door.

Luckily my location doesn't have a theft problem. One or two times when I was there the delivery person just looked at me and then evidently signed for it himself.

The drivers in my area do not actually get my physical signature! I stand at the door and them at the end of the steps and they get my name to confirm that the package is for me or someone at me house and sign it for me. If I’m not a home they leave a sticker (like they did before) for me to pick it up at the hub. We don’t have theft in my area either but the drivers here have always been cautious and its greatly appreciated. All it takes is one person with bad intentions to change things!
 
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Apple is so well known people know the address and the shipping label where Apple products goes to and from.

I returned an AirPods on a fedex drop box. I’ve never experienced this before and but Apple never received my AirPods. Luckily I contacted apple and they accepted my account. It’s so lame. Freaking thieves.

Lesson learners I drop it off and get receip at the ups store.
 
Here’s the label. The original tape seems to be a paper-y brown tape, which I’ve seen on Apple stuff before. The packing tape is on top.
Those are signature Apple labels. It sucks. A YouTube had their MacBook stole. The thrives just followed the ups driver and swiped packages. He caught them on camera confronted them and got their m1 MacBook back.
 
Imagine the volume of thefts when new iPhones are release.
Well, new iPhones were just released a month or so ago, and yes, there's always a few reports of thefts, but the overwhelming majority seemed to have been delivered just fine.
 
Those are signature Apple labels. It sucks. A YouTube had their MacBook stole. The thrives just followed the ups driver and swiped packages. He caught them on camera confronted them and got their m1 MacBook back.

He’s lucky thieves didn’t shoot him. Package stealing is really bad in OC CA
 
Hello. The Stainless Steel S6 i ordered for my wife for Christmas was stolen. The Fed Ex box was open when I saw it sitting in the carport screen door. The Apple Watch box inside had no nice Apple plastic wrap. The box had a footprint on it for some reason. Can’t decide if it was an inside operation somewhere along the way (maybe local Fed Ex shipping facility) or in fact someone who approached the carport. The latter is strange because they would have to investigate it, open the Fed Ex box, then open the Apple box, get the watch (which is all that was taken), step on it this creating footprint, then “carefully” put the package back as it was. Seems like they would have just simply taken the package. I called Apple And reported the situation. I’m thinking that any resolution will take a while. I have no video cameras anywhere but I’m thinking that my wife will get security cameras for Christmas instead. I’m not inclined to purchase anything else Apple related through the website or the Apple app which I have done many times in the past. Brick and mortar all the way for me now. Apple asked if I wanted them to ship me another one until this is resolved and I politely declined and stated that I will no longer be utilizing online ordering for any Apple products. And to think I was about to order a new Apple Silicon MacBook for my daughter.

What REALLY sucks is that theoretically Apple doesn’t know if I’m telling the truth or not which just feels slimy - but I get it. And also to think that it seems a refund should only ethically be made to my new Apple credit card - not technically. Apple has told me that, in these instances, the end consumer is usually refunded based on precedence. But of course, I need to wait until the investigation is complete.

I also don’t understand - why would anyone steal it with no knowledge of the fact that there is an IMEI number embedded in to the software and, should it be activated by anyone, this info could be sent to Apple - right? If the thief that has stolen it sells it, I pity the person who would turn it on only for it to be “bricked” by Apple because it could be flagged as a stolen unit.

For no particular reason, I contacted Fed Ex and informed them of the situation. Their response seemed to have read from a script essentially stating that someone stole it after the package was delivered. Like OP’s Fed Ex box, mine was listed as “AI” / Lebanon TN as the origin.

Excuse the rant and pessimism - it’s just really frustrating.

Still can‘t figure out the footprint although I wondered if it was a “no finger prints” thing but I’m not sure of why this would have been a concern for the thief. Surely, Apple wouldn’t have shipped an unwrapped unit with a footprint on it.

Anyway, think it through before you order and, as inconvenient as it may be, request a signature at the time of delivery.

Happy Holidays.

It kinda looks like a tire print
 
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