High return rate?

[briloop]

This website states that the Apple Watch "...seems destined to become the most unpopular product in Apple's line-up—one that will top the charts for returns, resale and abandonment." http://bostinno.streetwise.co/2015/04/28/apple-watch-returns-policy-how-to-return-apple-aapl-watch/

Thoughts?

 

[placidity44]

I'm sure it will have a high return rate. It is a phenomenal product but a lot of people who buy it have a high misconception on what it does and who it is for. People need to remember this product is meant for micro interactions and to complement your iphone not replace it.

 

[foxkoneko]

there's also alot of people who bought a bunch just to try out sizes.

 

[jjlannoo]

This website states that the Apple Watch "...seems destined to become the most unpopular product in Apple's line-up—one that will top the charts for returns, resale and abandonment." http://bostinno.streetwise.co/2015/04/28/apple-watch-returns-policy-how-to-return-apple-aapl-watch/

Thoughts?

Dont worry so much what others think

 

[Zeos]

Perhaps for now, but I really think Apple is onto something here. They have to start somewhere, and IMHO this is a good start. The next couple of generations should have some exponential improvements across the board.

The other thing to think about... With Apple working hard to innovate and cram as much technology into such a small package, this is bound to have a very positive impact on the rest of their mobile line as innovations makes their way into those other products.

 

[techno-Zen]

I'm extremely happy with my 42 SS, but even I bought and returned 2 others, both 38mm..

I have ZERO plans to not be an Apple Watch owner

 

[iTom17]

I'm sure it will have a high return rate. It is a phenomenal product but a lot of people who buy it have a high misconception on what it does and who it is for. People need to remember this product is meant for micro interactions and to complement your iphone not replace it.

This exactly.

You know, I've just had this conversation the other day. I'm a student Systems Administration, and most of my classmates are into this kind of gadgets as well. I asked them "what a smartwatch really mean to you?". They basically all said the same. It's meant to act as a small smartphone strapped on your wrist. But it's different from that. A lot different. Like you are saying, it acts as a device for micro interactions and it's meant to complement your iPhone. Definitely not to replace it.

People are indeed having a too high misconception about the Apple Watch - or any other smartwatch on the market. It goes the same way it did with the iPad. People didn't know what it was supposed to to. Act like a huge iPhone? Or a small Macbook? It just took some time for people to find out what the iPad really is for.

I believe it will be the same with the Apple Watch. Though I still think people shouldn't be buying one and return it afterwards. Unless of course, it doesn't fit them or it has any defect, and they need to replace it with another. But that doesn't seem to be the main problem here unfortunately.

Anyway, I am really happy with my Apple Watch Sport. I haven't been so excited about an Apple product in years. I thought the iPhone 6 blew my mind, but Apple Watch gave me the 'wow' effect I had once I got my very first Apple product (the iPhone 3G). Something I really missed after all those years.

 

[Subdiv]

there's also alot of people who bought a bunch just to try out sizes.

Yup. I wanted to try both the 38 (which I returned) and the 42 under real world conditions, and not during a 15 minute store appointment on a watch that is running a demo loop. I wouldn't be surprised if the initial month of orders has a 15-20% return rate for a variety of reasons.

 

[IAmNotCreative]

Not surprised at all. The watch is a unique product in that it will be worn for long periods, so it has to pass not only the computing/UI/use case test like other products, but also the fashion/comfort "can I wear it on me?" test. This fashion test is more nuanced with the different material, size, color and weight combinations that are available, making it a lot more difficult to choose "the one" compared to other products in the lineup

Also, unlike say an iPad or iPhone or Mac, a 10 minute try-on appointment is not very helpful in determining the long term wearability of a particular combination

 

[foxkoneko]

Yup. I wanted to try both the 38 (which I returned) and the 42 under real world conditions, and not during a 15 minute store appointment on a watch that is running a demo loop. I wouldn't be surprised if the initial month of orders has a 15-20% return rate for a variety of reasons.

I ordered on day one for a black sports with a mid May deliver date.
Ordered a green one on the launch date & got it 3 days later so kept that & returned it before the end of the 14 days when my SG arrived

 

[sishaw]

Time will tell. It's not so interesting to me what the return rate is as compared to iPhones and iPads. Those are apples and oranges comparisons. My question would be, how many people end up buying and keeping it as compared to other items in the same space, such as Pebble and the various Android watches.

Apple has been too successful in too many areas for me to bet against them.

 

[Cu4ttro]

Time will tell. It's not so interesting to me what the return rate is as compared to iPhones and iPads. Those are apples and oranges comparisons. My question would be, how many people end up buying and keeping it as compared to other items in the same space, such as Pebble and the various Android watches.

Apple has been too successful in too many areas for me to bet against them.

I think you're on the right track in terms of comparing the return rate of other smartwatches, but even with that in mind you can't ignore the fact that the Apple Watch is a substantially larger financial investment, which means that where someone who bought a Pebble or Android Wear might stop using it and just toss it in a drawer, even a slightly unsatisfied Apple Watch owner would likely choose to return the Watch.

So I think the return rate, if it were found to be higher than that of other smartwatches on the market, is more an indictment of Apple's pricing models than the product's capabilities.

 

[bigdog5142]

I think the return rate will be VERY high...because of the way that Apple did their ordering. I can't tell you how many people ordered multiple watches...to get one. For most of us, we wanted the watch and liked a few band options. Whatever watch comes first...the others get cancelled/returned/sold on eBay or Craigslist.

 

[Mascots]

I'm about to return mine, but instead intend to purchase a more expensive model in it's place.

I'm sure people like that (and there is an amount that isn't negligible) would be counted as "Returned" and only returned on stats like these.

 

[eneisch]

The quote from the USA Today guy about having to constantly enter a passcode is BS. As long as you are wearing the watch you don't have to enter it. I even think the option was on by default in the Apple Watch app (but I can't remember for sure). Technology is not for the stupid...

 

[hotnickels]

The quote from the USA Today guy about having to constantly enter a passcode is BS. As long as you are wearing the watch you don't have to enter it. I even think the option was on by default in the Apple Watch app (but I can't remember for sure). Technology is not for the stupid...

You have to turn on "unlock with iphone" he probably missed the option when he set it up.

 

[sishaw]

...

So I think the return rate, if it were found to be higher than that of other smartwatches on the market, is more an indictment of Apple's pricing models than the product's capabilities.

Apple's products are often priced higher than one would think they should be. I think the first Macbook Air was $1799 or something, unless I'm remembering wrongly. Still, Apple seems to do OK.

 

[Arran]

I'm about to return mine, but instead intend to purchase a more expensive model in it's place.

I suspect that's common. Going into it cold, SS pricing of $550 for a completely unknown device is unreasonable.

I'd suspect $550 only becomes reasonable after you've test-driven the cheaper $350 model for a week or two. Only then do you realize the device is useful - so what's an extra $200 for something you're now sure you'll wear daily.

 

[KPOM]

That article is a month old, and I haven't seen any others since then that have suggested anything unusual about the Apple Watch return rates.

 

[Mascots]

I suspect that's common. Going into it cold, SS pricing of $550 for a completely unknown device is unreasonable.

I'd suspect $550 only becomes reasonable after you've test-driven the cheaper $350 model for a week or two. Only then do you realize the device is useful - so what's an extra $200 for something you're now sure you'll wear daily.

Yeah, this is me to a T.

$550 wasn't unreasonable, but it was more than I was willing to spend on a product that comes in a cheaper flavor and that I have yet to have experience with.