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Executive Team Response Regarding Launch
- Thread starter andrewpturko
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It was in the back of my mind on top of everything else we discussed. Just thought that manufacturing delay info was already a given. He used the terms supply was behind demand more so than simply saying manufacturing delays.
I said on the first day of preorder that i anticipated lines on 4/24 and all i got was people talking down to me.
It was more along the lines of "It could very well change.", vs "We don't know.". Also yes, I didn't think about that when posting, but he did mention some watches weren't immediately available at all due to supply constraints and the high quality control standards of the bands, esp the link bracelet.
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Did you happen to record the conversation? It'd be great to hear it.
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"Demand outstripping supply" is a far cry from admitting to manufacturing delays, and was already something they had stated in a press release.
Sorry, I'm not really doubting you had the conversation, but I would suggest you be careful about what you report that Apple said to you. In any case, glad your email got replied to.
I did not get the chance to record it, I wasn't expecting it!
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Fair enough.
Did they email you back to setup a time to talk or simply call you? I emailed Steve Jobs a few years back and they tried to setup a call a few times.
I don't see how it took anyone 40 minutes to get through to order a watch. It took me a few minutes to order 2 watches, one for myself and one for my wife. I had my confirmation e-mails seconds later.
The ordering process went super fast with no lag like past iPhone launches. No need to check carrier upgrades. It was simply point and click.
Go figure.
The ordering process went super fast with no lag like past iPhone launches. No need to check carrier upgrades. It was simply point and click.
Go figure.
To the person who suggested using the 4/24-5/4 preorders for store stock, bad suggestion I stayed up late to preorder and am in the early group you feel should be made into store stock. It sounds like you are griping because you didn't get in early. Not my fault.
They called me, no setup time.
Before we ended the call he gave me his contact info, told me to reach out to him directly any time if I had any more concerns.
It's customer experiences like these that set Apple apart from the rest.
Did he ask you not to put this all over Macrumors
Thinking about this more it's a good question, did apple know or care this info would be be shared on this or any site?
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I was surprised too, that when I went in for my try-on appointment yesterday, the Apple employees were telling us that they may have some stock in-store on April 24th, but that they weren't sure how much, as in it could be very limited.
And they also confirmed that they were planning on having the bands for sale as accessories in-store starting on the 24th as well.
My own little conspiracy theory about all this is that Apple is trying to get away from having launch day lines, as well as trying to wean everybody off of having to have the item on launch day. Not encouraging people to come to the store on launch, as well as giving out ranges of dates on the orders, tells me that they may be trying to "trickle out" the watches over a month or two, rather than try to fulfill everyone's order on the same day as they have in the past. I know UPS and FedEx drivers absolutely hate Apple launch days, and their workload doubles on those days (think: a couple million extra packages in their system for delivery on that one specific day, and higher than normal for weeks afterward), and so I'm wondering if the carriers also had a hand in convincing Apple to try a new approach.
Of course this may all be just bull hockey, and the simple reason is they're not sure how many orders they can fulfill yet, lol. But that statement by Angela Ahrendts about no more lines leads me to believe they may be trying a new strategery this time around.
And they also confirmed that they were planning on having the bands for sale as accessories in-store starting on the 24th as well.
My own little conspiracy theory about all this is that Apple is trying to get away from having launch day lines, as well as trying to wean everybody off of having to have the item on launch day. Not encouraging people to come to the store on launch, as well as giving out ranges of dates on the orders, tells me that they may be trying to "trickle out" the watches over a month or two, rather than try to fulfill everyone's order on the same day as they have in the past. I know UPS and FedEx drivers absolutely hate Apple launch days, and their workload doubles on those days (think: a couple million extra packages in their system for delivery on that one specific day, and higher than normal for weeks afterward), and so I'm wondering if the carriers also had a hand in convincing Apple to try a new approach.
Of course this may all be just bull hockey, and the simple reason is they're not sure how many orders they can fulfill yet, lol. But that statement by Angela Ahrendts about no more lines leads me to believe they may be trying a new strategery this time around.
Amen Brother!!!
How OP, did it take you 40 minutes to place an order for a watch when the Apple web site had zero issues with the load.
Having played your cards like a master poker player you may have raised your level to that of "music royalty" and perhaps will be getting a free watch sooner than later.
Well played Sir, well played.
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But now they undoing that by making their latest statement and getting people's hopes up. I mean, what if we only get it a week earlier?
They are trying to assuage speculation as to why the whole launch is severely delayed. I ordered 4 minutes in and will get it 1.5 months late. Something went wrong. I think they needed to load new software on every Watch.
If you really read what Andrew posted, though, they didn't actually say anything that they haven't already. They acknowledged his concerns, said they were working on solutions, and that was basically it. Also bear in mind that we're hearing his interpretation of their comments to him, not an actual statement from Apple, so take it all with a grain of salt.
Are you serious? The software has been in the can for awhile. Lead times on a release like this has to be on the order of months.
I also ordered two watches 4 and 5 minutes after they were available (38 and 42 steel milanese) and they have the standard 4/24-5/8 ship date. Some models clearly are in lower supply than others, yours unfortunately fall into that category.
Well, 24 April is the first day when customers can actually take home the watch. How else would one call that day? That doesn't mean that mean that some people don't get the message, but having been in those lines at launch day, the people there are among the best informed about the launch particulars and news spreads fast along the line.
Thank you for being woman/man enough to write this reply! I have faith in the goodness of humanity again!
Trust me, as someone who has not hesitated to escalate things to the corporate level, they do listen, long or short emails.
im surprised they didnt offer you a free apple watch or bands for taking your time to write email which had 50-50 shot of getting read by tim...
Quote from Andrew's email,
"With all due respect, The Apple Store is a retail store, where things should be stocked and available for purchase. As well designed as the try on tables are, the Apple retail store is not simply a "try on and order it online (like I could have at home)" gateway, in my humble opinion."
Almost every time Apple has a keynote of a launch they mention new stores being opened, the number of visitors to those store, and how much customer's enjoy their experience in the store's. Like Andrew said, Apple needs to have some stock in those retail stores on launch day. Customers do not want to drive to a retail store to be told to use a kiosk and order online. Something they can do at home. I understand you can see the watch and try it on now, but for "launch day", they should provide some stock.
They are also having issue's with the New Macbook Retina launch too, and I think also telling people it will only be available through online ordering even on launch day. This has been a very confusing launch for Apple, with these product's.
At least they have Apple Watches in stores to see and try on. Apparently they do not have demo units of the new retina MacBook in most stores.
I think they will correct these issue's, I hope, for the next launch. And hopefully for this launch, would be even better.
They have retail stores so customer's can try, see, want, and buy Apple products, made by Apple.
Good job Andrew. Here's hoping they will fix the issue's with these product launches very soon.
"With all due respect, The Apple Store is a retail store, where things should be stocked and available for purchase. As well designed as the try on tables are, the Apple retail store is not simply a "try on and order it online (like I could have at home)" gateway, in my humble opinion."
Almost every time Apple has a keynote of a launch they mention new stores being opened, the number of visitors to those store, and how much customer's enjoy their experience in the store's. Like Andrew said, Apple needs to have some stock in those retail stores on launch day. Customers do not want to drive to a retail store to be told to use a kiosk and order online. Something they can do at home. I understand you can see the watch and try it on now, but for "launch day", they should provide some stock.
They are also having issue's with the New Macbook Retina launch too, and I think also telling people it will only be available through online ordering even on launch day. This has been a very confusing launch for Apple, with these product's.
At least they have Apple Watches in stores to see and try on. Apparently they do not have demo units of the new retina MacBook in most stores.
I think they will correct these issue's, I hope, for the next launch. And hopefully for this launch, would be even better.
They have retail stores so customer's can try, see, want, and buy Apple products, made by Apple.
Good job Andrew. Here's hoping they will fix the issue's with these product launches very soon.
I wouldn't blame Apple for any "manufacturing delays".
It's a new product. Completely, blank-slate-style new.
It will take some time for the Chinese workers to get it right.
It's good that they've set themselves realistic dates for the delivery.
Nothing worse than moving a delivery date further and further into the future!
It's a new product. Completely, blank-slate-style new.
It will take some time for the Chinese workers to get it right.
It's good that they've set themselves realistic dates for the delivery.
Nothing worse than moving a delivery date further and further into the future!