Disappointed with Try-On Appointment

[MeFromHere]

Reports say everyone is limited to 2 tries max.

But some seem lucky to try on more apparently.

I tried 6 or 7 different watches in one appointment. But the specialist was careful to never have more than two out of the drawer AT THE SAME TIME. He said that was the only rule he had to follow. He kept the drawer closed and locked except when he was bringing out a different watch.

In my experience, this is standard jewelry-store technique. It's theft mitigation, trying to be subtle and polite.

I think the original poster had the misfortune to get a somewhat confused specialist who was helping one of his very first customers.

 

[Supermallet]

The employee I had probably would have let me do anything, because he seemed to have no clue what the hell was going on. He put the watch on me upside down, seemed unclear as how the strap was supposed to go, and basically was useless for any question I asked. They also inexplicably had almost all 38mm watches in the drawer, and only one sport, a 38mm silver one. I ended up trying on a 42mm SS with leather loop, even though I pre-ordered a SG Sport. I liked the Watch a lot, but the guy was completely clueless. I felt embarrassed for him.

 

[AdonisSMU]

I tried 6 or 7 different watches in one appointment. But the specialist was careful to never have more than two out of the drawer AT THE SAME TIME. He said that was the only rule he had to follow. He kept the drawer closed and locked except when he was bringing out a different watch.

In my experience, this is standard jewelry-store technique. It's theft mitigation, trying to be subtle and polite.

I think the original poster had the misfortune to get a somewhat confused specialist who was helping one of his very first customers.

I tried on like every watch in the drawer. LMAO!

 

[leeingham]

I didn't mind the appointment, I expected a bit more and I could tell some of his questions were set up.
He asked me if I did running. I smirked. I don't run. I pole dance :lol: and I told him so (the pebble strap doesn't handle pole dancing well, FYI )

My friend asked if there would be any stock in store on 24th. No one would categorically say no. Every single rep was coy.

The manager I spoke to when I asked if it would be a weird launch day said we don't know yet and walked off implying there was some element of either doubt, unsurity or speculation in their voice

 

[ikm19]

I guess the first colony mall apple store is one of the worst apple store in Houston, I live very close to that apple store still go to highland or maybe to galleria.

 

[malone18]

Sounds like a crap experience. At my store the guy was really cool. I tried on the sport, Milanese, Classic buckle, and leather loop.

 

[Matthew9559]

I had an appointment at 5:45 today and the employee was very knowledgeable about the watch and the band overall. Gave nice, not over the top compliments, on certain styles on my wrist. Gave me a heads up that there would be only time to look at a couple more bands after I looked at 4 but I saw everything I wanted, thanked him and then went to go check out a demo watch to play with. All the watches were off and he said the appointment time was just to check out the bands. He said some turned on but shouldn't have I guess. Either way, no rushing and very pleasant!

 

[Cory Bauer]

I had a great experience at my try-on session, and I hope most other people today did as well.

What was interesting to me in hindsight was, we didn't once talk about the technological features of the watch, he didn't even ask me if I was familiar with what it could do (which I was); it was all about fit and aesthetics. I'm not complaining - that's exactly what I was there for - it's just a very, very different Apple Store buying experience.

 

[Clix Pix]

Overall, my experience was very nice -- I did not feel rushed and I was able to look at and try the various combos that I wanted, but the Apple associate did not attempt to remove links and such to make sure that the band(s) actually fitted me; we just sort of guessed at things overall, and that was fine with me., really. I was a little disappointed that the one watch and band combo (Space Grey Stainless Steel/Space Grey Link Bracelet) in which I was most interested were not available for try-on, just for looking at in the glass case/table......but I am in no rush, and on the 24th and after can always make another run over to the store to check things out again. I am not preordering; I am just going to wait until things settle down a bit. I've waited THIS long without an Apple watch in my life, what's a couple more months?

 

[PAdams2359]

Same Here

I just had my try on appointment and I must have gotten lucky because the Apple employee who guided me through my try on let me try on as much as I wanted. I tried four different bands and he even let me go through the experience of changing a band out.

My initial impressions: 42mm is not big at all and I think that is the one most men will want, watch is not as heavy as I thought it would be even the stainless models, screen looks great, and the tactic engine is very subtle (hoping there is a setting to turn it up a bit).

This was my experience. They could only take out one watch at at time, no biggie. I did not have an appt. it was raining so store was not crowded. Walk in an was helped. They could not have been nicer or more helpful. I walked around after to look at all the watch, and MacBook Pro that my son wants. His current one is 5 years old. I had another guy come up later and asked if I wanted to try on more. I told him I was just as undecided as when I walked. I did rule out blk ss. I might go with grey sport. That way I will not feel guilty if I decide to upgrade later and give this one to my son.

 

[JT2002TJ]

I tried on every watch in the drawer, he even pulled on from a different genius who was showing the last combo I wanted to see. I asked if he could show me how the bands come off, he said they weren't allowed to. But I got to try everyone.

 

[NateEssex]

Any accessories for sale in store?!? Bands,charging cables??

None, I asked.

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I tried on every watch in the drawer, he even pulled on from a different genius who was showing the last combo I wanted to see. I asked if he could show me how the bands come off, he said they weren't allowed to. But I got to try everyone.

I tried every band also. The rep even showed me how to take the bands off, pretty easy!

 

[AJsAWiz]

Very Impressive

I booked a try on appointment, online, for 3:45. I arrived early. There was a nice crowd and Apple had security personnel as well stationed by the door.

There were plenty of Apple employees on hand to handle the crowd. Several of them approached me after I entered the store. The first one told me I'd get to do the try on sooner, than my appointed time, if I did a "walk in". So, I changed he changed me to a walk in and I was seen in a few minutes. I knew what I was interested in so that made my session short and the rep happy too (since I already knew quite a bit about the Apple Watch).

Apple did a great job with this new product line and in introducing this product to their customers. I just would have liked to see a larger quantity of Watches available when it launches on April 24th.

 

[Cory Bauer]

Apple did a great job with this new product line and in introducing this product to their customers. I just would have liked to see a larger quantity of Watches available when it launches on April 24th.

I agree. The experience I had today wouldn't have been possible if there were hundreds or thousands of people lined up at the door to take one home today.

 

[TheBing1980]

I was also disappointed/underwhelmed with the try on. All of the try on models had dead batteries, so you couldn't really see how the OS felt when on the wrist.

The person helping me rushed through 2 options and that was it, not even 10 minutes in length. I get it, they're busy, they have a schedule, which is fine. But the store I was at still has time slots available for try on through the rest of today.

Also, it was awkward. The way in which they would attempt to put the watch on, they got weird when I was adjusting the strap, and they cupped their hands under the watch as I was removing it.

I was able to overhear other try ons. A lot of the dialogue didn't sound natural. You could hear phrases like we've seen leaked recently about their training and how to engage customers during the try on. "How does this band make you feel?", for example. A bit weird overall. Seems like some employees are out of their element.

Sorry to hear that!

My try on appointment couldn't have been better.

He let me try on 8 different models. He even took apart some of the stainless steel links to show me how to adjust the fit.

It wasn't awkward at all.

I was very impressed! #

 

[derekmess]

The girl that I had was also very uninformed. I could tell she had no idea about the product and I felt very rushed. The demo unit was also not on which really killed it for me. I was finally however happy to use an Apple Watch plus the 38mm was smaller then I thought but my goal was have something sleek so I think it does that job well.

 

[Mtmspa]

I didn't have an appointment, but went to the store 30 minutes before closing. A lot of people looking at and trying on watches. Guy asked if I wanted to try one on. I tried on the sport and the band was super comfortable and nice. The milense (sp) was also great. He explained how it had magnets on the band and not just the clasp.

I was surpirsed how thin it was compared to the pictures. Also, the 42 looked a LOT bigger and was easier to operate. Either looked good on my wrist.

 

[roland.g]

I tried on the SS link 38 and 42 as well as the 42 milanese loop, the 42 black leather loop and the 42 sport band in black. Then I tried the 38 and 42 SS links again and talked to the guy for 15-20 minutes. He was really cool. I ended the appointment and felt I could have tried on every option in his drawer.

 

[GUIZAR]

I went to Baybrook Mall in Friendswood it wasn't busy at all and I spent about 20 minutes they did not rush me at all and they we friendly I tried at least 7 bands. You should go there not far at all from Sugarland

 

[BobZune]

Sorry to hear about your disappointment. Mine was great. I actually had an 8:30PM appointment at the only store in Iowa (it is a two hour drive for me). I called and asked if earlier slots may be available, they said "may be" but didn't guarantee anything. I went over about 5PM and they were able to accommodate me in less than 10 minutes of waiting. I tried on several watches and bands (6-7), and spent about 15 minutes.

After that, I was able to check out the watches in the display case and the ones available (mounted on the bench with a 7-8 inch display next to them showing the features) to test out the features (except couldn't wear one and flick the wrist)/ Spend over an hour checking things out.

Tangents: It is interesting to play with the zoom - there is also a zoom mode that shows about 1/3 of the app icons zoomed in if you move them off center, which is useful to not "fat finger" the wrong app. Using the crown the zoom and actually activate the app is pretty useful too. The 42mm watch is not as enormous as I had thought. My ~52mm wide (175mm around) wrist can accommodate either size watch well).

 

[Sharkey311]

Crazy. My girl let me try on as much as I wanted. I tried the silver SS with link bracelet, silver Sport, silver SS with blue leather loop (and she offered to let me try it twice!) and 38mm sport and a Silver SS with Milanese. Tried a lot of them on lol

 

[sbbrown333]

I was in the Greenville store last night right before closing and met an employee so excited about getting the watch in She kept telling me how I needed to come in and see it. They seem great in that store!

Was it really busy?

It was busy when I was there but it was the store opening on the 10th, so that was to be expected. I love the Greenville store.

 

[barrikade]

I went to my 10am appointment at First Colony Mall in Sugar Land, TX pretty excited to be one of the first to try on. I had already preordered last night, but I wanted to try the different bands. I had favorited only the 42 SS Milanese.

Anyways, my genius first pulls then Stainless Link bracelet and put it on me. Really great design. Then, I said I wanted to try the Milanese Loop. Very, very comfortable and igneous design. I really like NATO straps for watches so I appreciated the look.

I told him I had already preordered last night but I wanted to try the different bands. In that much time, he had closed the drawer about 7 minutes into my appointment. I asked could I try the sport band, and he says sorry I can only let you try 2 of them on, you can make another appointment. I was so confused, I didn't even know what to say. I just walked out of the store annoyed. I never liked the people from that particular store, they're much nicer at the bigger stores in Houston. And now I'm here complaining to Macrumors lol

Anyways, I'm still hoping for a 24th delivery date.

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I had an appointment for the same exact store in First Colony Mall. Granted, I went middle of the day (2:00) on a Thursday (16th), so maybe that attributed to the slightly different experience.

The Apple guy I got was decent. He did let me try on as many different watches as I wanted, but only 1 watch could be out of the drawer at a time, AND he had to be the one to fasten the watch to my wrist. He was dry and almost robot like but was willing to take his time with me. He even walked me through the demo loop the watches were running.

In the end, I got what I needed, which was to see how 42mm fits on my ~173mm wrist. I can now confirm that 42mm is not too big and the sport band feels really comfortable and the watch is lighter than expected.

I'll probably pre-order Apple Watch Sport 42mm with White band and buy the black band. (I want the black band with the silver aluminum case, not space grey)