How Apple blew the launch

[JForestZ34]

So, if it wasn't "better" than the previous launches, it's a failure? Great logic.

Apple didn't fail on this product launch. The failure was in people's ability to keep their own expectations in check.

I will tell you how they failed in this launch.. Having random customers online orders being cancelled out of the blue when they only order 1 ipad and smart cover and tell them all you can do is re-order.. So now that customer has to wait 2-3 weeks for shipping... Tell me that's not blowing it...


James

 

[Surf Monkey]

I will tell you how they failed in this launch.. Having random customers online orders being cancelled out of the blue when they only order 1 ipad and smart cover and tell them all you can do is re-order.. So now that customer has to wait 2-3 weeks for shipping... Tell me that's not blowing it...


James

I don't see how a few online ordering glitches make this a "blown" launch.

 

[falconeight]

Apple are genius they could right ibox on shipping boxes and people would buy them.

 

[JForestZ34]

I don't see how a few online ordering glitches make this a "blown" launch.

It's more than just a few.. THey are more wide spread.. Apple is supposed to be geniuses right? THey should make sure they have stock and EVERY BUG is worked out before hand..


James

 

[Surf Monkey]

It's more than just a few.. THey are more wide spread.. Apple is supposed to be geniuses right? THey should make sure they have stock and EVERY BUG is worked out before hand..


James

LOL

1) Can you tell me the exact percentage of people who experienced problems with their online orders and how this relates to people buying online when it's not a product launch day?

2) Are you seriously arguing that the only way this could have been a success is if there were absolutely NO issues whatsoever?

Perspective. Get some.

 

[corriewf]

So, if it wasn't "better" than the previous launches, it's a failure? Great logic.

Apple didn't fail on this product launch. The failure was in people's ability to keep their own expectations in check.

So your argument is to lower expectations. You obviously don't understand what Apple is about nor how they have grown through the years.

 

[Surf Monkey]

So your argument is to lower expectations. You obviously don't understand what Apple is about nor how they have grown through the years.

Utter hogwash. Nothing in my reply suggests that I'm arguing for lowered expectations. What I'm saying is that people should try to be realistic. No product launch is ever going to be 100% perfect for 100% of the people. Nice try, though.

 

[JForestZ34]

LOL

1) Can you tell me the exact percentage of people who experienced problems with their online orders and how this relates to people buying online when it's not a product launch day?

2) Are you seriously arguing that the only way this could have been a success is if there were absolutely NO issues whatsoever?

Perspective. Get some.

I'm not arguing anything.... This isn't apple's first high profile launch of products.. They can still improve on A LOT..... You would have thought they would have done better....


Don't be such a apple lover.. Than can do a lot better and they stop thinking they can do no wrong...


James

 

[Freida]

Yeah... Ok tell me how this launch was better than past launches? Oh you can't? Awww I guess all you have left is to attack me.

I posted the link in hopes that you would get some reality check and realise the absurdity of your complain. Unfortunately I was wrong to hope that you would "get it".
Nevermind, enjoy your self-centered complaint and maybe when you decide to put things in perspective then you will get the answer you've been looking for.
Until then we are just wasting time with you.

 

[corriewf]

I posted the link in hopes that you would get some reality check and realise the absurdity of your complain. Unfortunately I was wrong to hope that you would "get it".
Nevermind, enjoy your self-centered complaint and maybe when you decide to put things in perspective then you will get the answer you've been looking for.
Until then we are just wasting time with you.

Do you normally go around thinking you are better than others with differing opinions and try to "save them"? Thanks for trying to be my hero Freida, but back to reality ok? Apple left out most of their normal launch protocols and blew the launch by doing so. They are not amateurs, they did this on purpose for publicity. I really think in the long run, it's gonna hurt them.

 

[Surf Monkey]

Don't be such a apple lover...

This kind of silly smear is the last resort of someone who has no argument.

 

[Surf Monkey]

Do you normally go around thinking you are better than others with differing opinions and try to "save them"? Thanks for trying to be my hero Freida, but back to reality ok? Apple left out most of their normal launch protocols and blew the launch by doing so. They are not amateurs, they did this on purpose for publicity. I really think in the long run, it's gonna hurt them.

I'm just at a loss to understand why the experience and/or opinion of one anonymous guy on an Internet message board is supposed to trump that of hundreds of thousands of others. I submit that it's actually you who is attempting to suggest that you're better than everyone else.

 

[corriewf]

Utter hogwash. Nothing in my reply suggests that I'm arguing for lowered expectations. What I'm saying is that people should try to be realistic. No product launch is ever going to be 100% perfect for 100% of the people. Nice try, though.

Of course no launch will be 100%...BUT! They didn't even try with launch. It was an utter free for all with little organization. That's not something I expect from Apple. Maybe if this was my first Apple product launch I wouldn't notice the huge difference with past launches. I don't think my expectations are exceedingly high.

 

[Surf Monkey]

Of course no launch will be 100%...BUT! They didn't even try with launch. It was an utter free for all with little organization. That's not something I expect from Apple. Maybe if this was my first Apple product launch I wouldn't notice the huge difference with past launches. I don't think my expectations are exceedingly high.

Simply untrue. Your location may have "botched" the launch, but many others report the exact opposite experience. In my case the Apple store had crowd control completely in hand. They let everyone know what the stock status was all through the evening. They handed out coffee, tea and water. They demoed the iPad 2 for people waiting in line and spent time answering all sorts of questions while we waited. In my ANECDOTAL experience, everything went very smoothly.

 

[glen e]

what do you want, a limo ride to cupertino and a personal walkthrough of the iPad 2 from Steve Jobs? Get a grip. You're one of millions saying "shut up and take my money". It is you who are lowering yourself to be prostrate in front of the Apple shrine in order to get a new iPad on day one.

If you want to maintain your dignity, just wait until there's plenty of stock, and saunter in, latte in hand at your majesty's convenience? The smart "customer" might just buy an iPad 1, save some money, and wait for greater advances in iPad 3.

And what is this "competition" of which you speak? Your hysteria belies your fanboyism. You are already reeled in. Even non-fanboys admit there's hardly anything out there that competes.

Well said...no one needs a ipad immediately.....i went on apple site yesterday and ordered up 2 covers and 32g pad....arrives 4/1 without pain....watching the fan boys wait in line and then bitch about it, warms my AAPL stock's heart.....

 

[corriewf]

I'm just at a loss to understand why the experience and/or opinion of one anonymous guy on an Internet message board is supposed to trump that of hundreds of thousands of others. I submit that it's actually you who is attempting to suggest that you're better than everyone else.

How so? I wanna see this! Lmao!

I guess people that don't like the new white bezel think they are better than thousands too? No, it's called an opinion, none of which has passed judgement on anyone other than Apple. Nice try though. If you take opinions towards Apple as a personal offense though, maybe that's something to think about huh?

 

[Charlie Sheen]

No they did it right they first teased us with rumors and then the ipad was just as we expected

 

[corriewf]

Simply untrue. Your location may have "botched" the launch, but many others report the exact opposite experience. In my case the Apple store had crowd control completely in hand. They let everyone know what the stock status was all through the evening. They handed out coffee, tea and water. They demoed the iPad 2 for people waiting in line and spent time answering all sorts of questions while we waited. In my ANECDOTAL experience, everything went very smoothly.

Although that sounds like a better experience there definitely other locations that differed in experience. Apple did a national product launch. There should not be that big of differences between one location to another.

 

[Surf Monkey]

How so? I wanna see this! Lmao!

I guess people that don't like the new white bezel think they are better than thousands too? No, it's called an opinion, none of which has passed judgement on anyone other than Apple. Nice try though. If you take opinions towards Apple as a personal offense though, maybe that's something to think about huh?

Seriously, dude. Grow up. You made an absolute statement: Apple blew the launch. If you're not willing to take the heat that such a statement is bound to elicit, particularly given the fact that most people here seem to have had a good experience on launch day, then maybe Internet message boards aren't for you.

 

[corriewf]

Seriously, dude. Grow up. You made an absolute statement: Apple blew the launch. If you're not willing to take the heat that such a statement is bound to elicit, particularly given the fact that most people here seem to have had a good experience on launch day, then maybe Internet message boards aren't for you.

Maybe you should take your own advice pal.


Originally Posted by Surf Monkey
I'm just at a loss to understand why the experience and/or opinion of one anonymous guy on an Internet message board is supposed to trump that of hundreds of thousands of others. I submit that it's actually you who is attempting to suggest that you're better than everyone else.

 

[kyleaa]

Most of the problems (not all) stem from the fact that other retailers were involved. I have a hard time believing Apple was responsible for coordinating the shipments of iPads to every individual Target, Best-Buy, etc. The fact that your store didn't get any is probably someone elses fault.

They may have opted to skip preorders in an attempt to make the experience consistent at all retailers.

Ultimately I would have strongly preferred they did preorders, but I know that wouldn't be the best solution for everybody. I called my target at 5PM and they had no problem telling me that they had already sold out, I'm not sure why anyone had to drive around to numerous stores as some people are mentioning.

 

[3N16MA]

Apple blew nothing. They got people to lineup all over the US for an iPad 2 while the people who did not get one will not be turned away from purchasing later. Lots of publicity and when something is in demand all of sudden people who did not want one get tempted.

 

[PracticalMac]

Sorry, but I feel like Apple really blew the launch and here are my reasons.

• Not enough stock at apple store- At my local store they were out of stock after an hour! Yikes! Didn't expect people to want this in high demand?
• Horrible stock at other retailers- Some targets and walkways didn't get any iPad 2s. The ones that did only got a few. A quote from a local walmart was that they were sold out in 3 minutes.
• No clear and concise restock info- I checked with the local apple store and they can't tell me if or when they are getting more. Not even and idea..just told to call back.

Apple simply cannot make it fast enough.

Either wait another 2 weeks for launch, OR release what you have and try and get the rest filled ASAP, but I am sure Apple already held back as long as possible.

The only thing Apple could have done is add a $20~50 premium for first in line buyers to counter the huge demand.

 

[robdam1001]

I don't see how a few online ordering glitches make this a "blown" launch.

It's not just that really, it's the FACT that BB, Walmart and Target stores either had many, a few or none to fulfill walk ups. Also, workers at these stores HAD NO CLUE as to when or even if they wold be receiving ipad2's for their stock. Poor planning and Launch IMO. Why didn't Apple inform their resellers of expected stock? It's comical. My 2 local Targets and Walmarts had a total of 4 ipads all 64GB black between all 3 stores on Launch Day.

 

[robdam1001]

Most of the problems (not all) stem from the fact that other retailers were involved. I have a hard time believing Apple was responsible for coordinating the shipments of iPads to every individual Target, Best-Buy, etc. The fact that your store didn't get any is probably someone elses fault.

They may have opted to skip preorders in an attempt to make the experience consistent at all retailers.

Ultimately I would have strongly preferred they did preorders, but I know that wouldn't be the best solution for everybody. I called my target at 5PM and they had no problem telling me that they had already sold out, I'm not sure why anyone had to drive around to numerous stores as some people are mentioning.

Agreed, great reply. EXCEPT in some cases, when you call you might not be given the REAL DEAL or maybe the person you speak with on the phone may not REALLY know what the deal is. You'd be better off going in person.