Does any other company act like this?

[cmChimera]

At what point do we admit that Apple's launch of the Watch has been slightly less than perfect?

Launch hasn't even happened yet.

Can you think of another product or company that announces a new product in September, with the promise of a launch early the following year, but with no launch date, finally announces the launch date in March, the launch itself being six weeks after that announcement and then, when pre-orders finally open, cannot give even the very first people to order a narrower delivery window than two weeks?

I can think of plenty of companies that announce products and then never release them, or companies that release half-assed versions of products in order to get them out on some artificial deadline. Thankfully, Apple isn't that company.

Further, they allow people to see the new product in their shops, but don't let them buy the product in their shops.

Technically untrue. You can reserve and pick up in the store.

We live in a world where you can order a product on Amazon at four in the afternoon and they will guarantee to deliver it to you the following day. I have a confirmation e-mail timed at 08:01 BST – the first minute of the launch – and they can't give me a window narrower than two weeks, which starts in two weeks time.

This is the comparison you want to make? Do you even comprehend how bad of an analogy this is?

The only defence any of you could come up with would be some nonsense about them either not wanting to make too many in case they didn't sell, or them having production difficulties. To the former I say, don't be ridiculous. It was obviously they'd sell vast amounts. You want a spare Milanese loop? They're shipping "in June". What? Really? Are you kidding me?

Quality product takes a long time to produce, and lots of people want it.

Production difficulties? Don't announce dates if you can't get your act together.

If no one owns an Apple Watch on April 24, wake me up. Until then, you're whining over nothing.

Yes.

http://www.cinemablend.com/games/PS4-Sales-Top-One-Million-Launch-Day-60597.html

It has 4 in the name. There have been three Playstations before the Playstation 4. Try again.

 

[profmjh]

That leads me to believe that you're using a logical fallacy: Appeal to emotion. The emotion being "i hate apple I hope it falls"

I obviously don't hate Apple. As I said, I've been brand loyal to the company since 1988. I've bought every iPhone they've made. I've bought most of the desktops and laptops they've made. And iPads.

I do hate badly run businesses and badly executed business plans.

Fortunes do rise. And they do fall. I'm not saying Apple is going to go bust next year. I'm saying companies only survive in the long run if they keep their customers happy. Look at how many of the biggest companies in the world 100 years ago are still around today. Things change.

Apple has I think been lucky. For some reason – which may be because Jobs and Ives really are geniuses – no other company has managed to produce products of the same style and quality. But some day Apple will find itself with a true competitor. And it had better watch out.

Apple is not flawless. It is not above criticism.

 

[parallax33]

Do we need another new thread every time a thought pops in to someone's head? OP couldn't you have used the existing thread on Angela Ahrendts (which I believe you started?) for this rant?

It's a public forum :/

 

[profmjh]

Try again.

I don't respond to being patronised.

 

[SixtyK]

...and some will realize, its not needed.

I knew from the beginning that this wasn't needed.

I didn't order an Apple Watch because of some poetic life purpose that only the Apple Watch can fulfill... I ordered it because it is a shiny new Apple toy that I decided to save my pennies and get when it became available. I stayed awake to place my order as soon as the pre-sale started (just like a lot of other people in eight countries), ordered the 42mm Space Gray Sport (just like a lot of other people), and got a delivery date in mid-May.

Am I pissed off about that? No. I'm excited to get it when it comes. So I won't be the first person to have it the first day. So what?

 

[16Paws]

At what point do we admit that Apple's launch of the Watch has been slightly less than perfect?

Can you think of another product or company that announces a new product in September, with the promise of a launch early the following year, but with no launch date, finally announces the launch date in March, the launch itself being six weeks after that announcement and then, when pre-orders finally open, cannot give even the very first people to order a narrower delivery window than two weeks?

Sure, I can think of one... Apple. With the original iPhone. (obviously different dates but the timing was similar with the exclusion of the delivery date range)

 

[oftheheavens]

I don't respond to being patronised.

you just did.

 

[profmjh]

you just did.

Ooh! You got me there! That was super clever of you!

Oh look. I can be patronising too.

 

[MH01]

Do we need another new thread every time a thought pops in to someone's head? OP couldn't you have used the existing thread on Angela Ahrendts (which I believe you started?) for this rant?

Please follow you own advice in that case.

 

[Nebrie]

Sure, I can think of one... Apple. With the original iPhone. (obviously different dates but the timing was similar with the exclusion of the delivery date range)

Also, the iPad. In exchange, the market has punished Apple's employees every time by forcing them to figure out how to quadruple production within the year.

If Apple's fortunes fall, it will be because their Scrooge McDuckian money vault has vastly exceeded it's capacity and literally burst open.

 

[Rogifan]

Please follow you own advice in that case.

Er, I'm not starting threads left and right in this forum.

 

[ZombiePete]

Er, I'm not starting threads left and right in this forum.

I know you are but what am I?

 

[pragmatous]

And you're the expert in business plans and running a business? Instead of posting on this forum complaining you should be applying at Apple to increase your bank size by a 1000% or start your own "Apple" company.

You buying Apple products as proof to this idea that you're not appealing to emotion is only a red herring. The issue at hand is your statement that Apple allowed people to pre-order the products 2 weeks before it comes out, allow customers to try it on, and you're complaining it's not out for 2 weeks.

It boggles my mind :. I can only conclude you're appealing to emotion.

I obviously don't hate Apple. As I said, I've been brand loyal to the company since 1988. I've bought every iPhone they've made. I've bought most of the desktops and laptops they've made. And iPads.

I do hate badly run businesses and badly executed business plans.

Fortunes do rise. And they do fall. I'm not saying Apple is going to go bust next year. I'm saying companies only survive in the long run if they keep their customers happy. Look at how many of the biggest companies in the world 100 years ago are still around today. Things change.

Apple has I think been lucky. For some reason – which may be because Jobs and Ives really are geniuses – no other company has managed to produce products of the same style and quality. But some day Apple will find itself with a true competitor. And it had better watch out.

Apple is not flawless. It is not above criticism.