I hope angela reads this thread.

[JayHova]

I hate that Apple won't have watches in stores on "Launch Day". And worse, they don't even allow us to pick up "Pre-orders" in store! All these people will get a new device at home, something no one has experience using, without any Apple support, and are expected to understand how to set up and use the watch out of the box?

But its okay, if I have trouble I can drive to the apple store and sign up for a workshop. ********...

Or apple could've allowed instore purchases or in-store pick up so apple employees can assist everyone with set-up and iphone pairing.

I thought Angela was hired to IMPROVE the customer experience, not eliminate it? Because I feel like that's exactly what this online BS is doing. Pretty much saying "If you like our new Apple watch, but it online and figure out the set up alone when it comes in the mail."

And I realize the set up for this could be very simple and easy to do, but Apple has positioned this product as their "Most Personal" device ever. But this online stuff isn't the same customer experience we come to expect from Apple.

My $0.02...

 

[saving107]

The only thing I am disappointed about is not having the option to pick up in store, my iPhone 6 didn't arrive until 5pm and it feels like such a waste of a day to be home all day waiting for the UPS to arrive. Having the option for in-store pickup I could have had my Apple Watch by 10am and gone on with my day.

I am taking next Friday off as a vacation day because no one will be home to sign for the package, with a time frame of 4/24-5/8 it will be upsetting if it doesn't arrive on 4/24 because then I will have make arrangements for a future unknown date to take another day off from work.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

The only thing I am disappointed about is not having the option to pick up in store, my iPhone 6 didn't arrive until 5pm and it feels like such a waste of a day to be home all day waiting for the UPS to arrive. Having the option for in-store pickup I could have had my Apple Watch by 10am and gone on with my day.

I am taking next Friday off as a vacation day because no one will be home to sign for the package, with a time frame of 4/24-5/8 it will be upsetting if it doesn't arrive on 4/24 because then I will have make arrangements for a future unknown date to take another day off from work.

You will probably have a good idea by the day before based on shipping tracking if it is coming on launch day.

 

[foxkoneko]

I hate that Apple won't have watches in stores on "Launch Day". And worse, they don't even allow us to pick up "Pre-orders" in store! All these people will get a new device at home, something no one has experience using, without any Apple support, and are expected to understand how to set up and use the watch out of the box?

But its okay, if I have trouble I can drive to the apple store and sign up for a workshop. ********...

If people really have that hard of a time figuring it out then they partially failed

 

[DirtySocks85]

I see threads like this and I just don't understand what the big deal is. Why is having your phone delivered right to your doorstep a bad thing?

Maybe I just don't get it because the nearest Apple Store locations are all a 3 hour drive away from where I live. I suppose I wouldn't be going to the store in any case.

 

[Wallabe]

You make it sound like you never own an electronic device before and it doesn't come with basic instructions.

Anyone know how to setup an iPhone?

Apple is doing you all a favor. Avoid standing in line for hours, you get it when it is available and arrive at your doorstep. No thieves, no hassle. Need more instructions? Apple.com

Early adopters who are eagerly waiting for the watch will have no problem tinkering and figuring how it works. Once stocks are plenty available and are in-stock in stores, then they will make it available.

If you think you really need help setting it up instead of discovering it for yourself, then go to the Apple Store after you receive it. I'm sure someone will help you.

 

[thatappleguytoday]

You make it sound like you never own an electronic device before and it doesn't come with basic instructions.

Anyone know how to setup an iPhone?

Apple is doing you all a favor. Avoid standing in line for hours, you get it when it is available and arrive at your doorstep. No thieves, no hassle. Need more instructions? Apple.com

Your missing his point completely

He is saying that she was brought in to improve the customer experience, but all this online jibber jabber has eliminated that experience.

I agree OP, there should be more user options for this launch, especially since it's the first new apple product since the iPad.

 

[JayHova]

I see threads like this and I just don't understand what the big deal is. Why is having your phone delivered right to your doorstep a bad thing?

Maybe I just don't get it because the nearest Apple Store locations are all a 3 hour drive away from where I live. I suppose I wouldn't be going to the store in any case.

It's an experience. I'm not saying we all like to stand in line and camp out. But for some of us, picking up in store adds a personal touch to the experience. (pretty sure this is what Apple was striving to do, right?). The buyer experience is what made Apple, well... Apple.

I'm sure Apple wanted to try something different with this launch, but I hope they allow in-store pick ups for future launches.

 

[dannyyankou]

If they made it available for in store purchase as well, shipping estimates would probably be drastically worse.

 

[saving107]

You will probably have a good idea by the day before based on shipping tracking if it is coming on launch day.

I know and I am not wasting a vacation day if I am not getting the Apple Watch on 4/24, I'll for sure go to work and figure out something once I know a date of delivery.

 

[JayHova]

If they made it available for in store purchase as well, shipping estimates would probably be drastically worse.

No they wouldn't. I would've chosen to pick up in store rather than delivered to my house.

I don't see how that changes anything? Instead of my address, they would ship to an apple store address...

 

[DirtySocks85]

I know and I am not wasting a vacation day if I am not getting the Apple Watch on 4/24, I'll for sure go to work and figure out something once I know a date of delivery.

Request that UPS hold for pickup at the local depot when you get the tracking info. No additional cost, and you can pick it up on the day it was supposed to be delivered if you call in advance. That's how I got my iPhone 6 at 9am on launch day.

 

[chibamac]

Hey Angela,

Please disregard the OP and everything he says. I think that logistically, this was the best way to release the apple watch. Not having to line up for a slim chance of getting the combination of watch and strap that we want suits me just fine.
And as for the instructions, look at the apple.com video walkthroughs or call Apple care. So easy.

 

[Wallabe]

For launch, I think they can only focus their resources on so much. Most of it are already in training their employees to help try on the watch. Not everyone had much experience doing that, so the learning is in the process.

When it comes to launch day, no one is really going to sit with you for an hour to teach you how to power on your watch and set it up. Go home, do that at your own pace. That's the benefit of being an early adopter. Once stocks are in place, and the dusts settles, they have more options to have a one-on-one appointment for an hour with you to help you set it up.

If you really insist on doing that when the product first launch, I'm sure someone might be able to help you. But if you are asking for each Apple Store to be flooded with 500+ people a day asking for help setting it up, where do they find enough employees to do that? No one is going to sit with you and figure out what each settings do. You'll have to figure that on your own as you go.

I'm sure there are some basic instruction to help you get started. Power it on, open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, point the camera at the watch face (QR code? whatever) so it can sync.

If you really can't figure it out, don't buy it. You're not an early adopter/tinker type of person. A typical "grandma" type of person isn't going to rush out on launch day and buy an Apple Watch. It might take them a generation or two to decide they might want one, like that of the iPhone. They lived long enough without one, they can live another year or two without it.

How is someone that is able to use a computer and an iPhone, is able to figure their way to a forum, but can't figure out how to setup a watch?

I have a feeling it's "lets play dumb and ask Apple for help" type of thing.

 

[saving107]

I see threads like this and I just don't understand what the big deal is. Why is having your phone delivered right to your doorstep a bad thing?

Because after 8am UPS tracker says "on truck out for delivery" with no other indication of a time frame, meaning I have to wait from 8am-8pm for this to be delivered.

My Apple store is 10 mins away from home and only 5mins from my work, so I could have gone on my lunch hour or even after work to pick it up and not have to waste a vacation day sitting at home waiting for the UPS.

Other option is to have UPS hold package to pick up at facility, but in my town I can only pick up between 2pm-6pm, thats why I tried my luck with the iPhone 6 and it ended up arriving at 5pm :/

 

[dannyyankou]

No they wouldn't. I would've chosen to pick up in store rather than delivered to my house.

I don't see how that changes anything? Instead of my address, they would ship to an apple store address...

In your case, it would probably have little effect. But if they sold it in store, they would set a certain amount to the side for in store purchase. This means there would be fewer watches available for delivery and a lot of people who want it delivered will have to wait longer.

 

[roland.g]

The number of people getting bent over this launch for so many different reasons highlights why while technology will continue to advance, society is not evolving but rather moving towards entropy and within 2-3 generations will most likely not resemble anything we have today.

 

[fullauto]

The scalping problems were out of control for the iP6 - I'm greatful Apple made the change. Well done Angela.

 

[SixtyK]

TL;DR - I'm being mildly inconvenienced and not getting my way so I'm outraged...

 

[papa8706]

The scalping problems were out of control for the iP6 - I'm greatful Apple made the change. Well done Angela.

I agree. In store launches have gotten out of control over the years. Many people work and can't afford to spend an entire day camped out at a mall just hoping that they have the one they want hours/even days later when it's their turn in line. This launch has been confusing, but if they iron things out and no harm is done in terms of fulfilling orders, I welcome this change.

 

[iHeading]

Because after 8am UPS tracker says "on truck out for delivery" with no other indication of a time frame, meaning I have to wait from 8am-8pm for this to be delivered.

My Apple store is 10 mins away from home and only 5mins from my work, so I could have gone on my lunch hour or even after work to pick it up and not have to waste a vacation day sitting at home waiting for the UPS.

Other option is to have UPS hold package to pick up at facility, but in my town I can only pick up between 2pm-6pm, thats why I tried my luck with the iPhone 6 and it ended up arriving at 5pm :/

Nobody is making you or forcing you to do anything, you are getting your panties in a bunch cause your entitled childish a$$ wants it first thing in the am, don't want to "waste" a vacation day or stay waiting at home? DONT! have UPS attempt delivery and if you are not there then pick it up in the weekend at the UPS facility. As for Apple "setting it up".. seriously? are you that slow that you need help? not self sufficient enough to go to Apple.com as someone else already mentioned and self-serve yourself? It appears you are computer literate enough to post in a tech forum, I believe you have enough grey matter left in that mostly hollow calcium based cavity to figure it out.

 

[cmjars]

I really enjoy Apple, everything they stand for and all the cool stuff they make... But this whole launch has made me pause, kinda feels like a "jump the shark" moment. Yes I did order a watch but my excitement is waning.

 

[kybldmstr]

I agree with the OP. I just wish in-store pickup was an OPTION. I like the personal experience of going into my local Apple Store on launch day to pick up a device.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

I agree with the OP. I just wish in-store pickup was an OPTION. I like the personal experience of going into my local Apple Store on launch day to pick up a device.

I did too, but the Macbook launch has me never wanted to order for in-store pickup ever again. My UPS and Fedex guys come late, so I know just leave work just a bit early and hate everyone posting their impressions in the morning, assuming launch day is still an option.

 

[JayHova]

Nobody is making you or forcing you to do anything, you are getting your panties in a bunch cause your entitled childish a$$ wants it first thing in the am, don't want to "waste" a vacation day or stay waiting at home? DONT! have UPS attempt delivery and if you are not there then pick it up in the weekend at the UPS facility. As for Apple "setting it up".. seriously? are you that slow that you need help? not self sufficient enough to go to Apple.com as someone else already mentioned and self-serve yourself? It appears you are computer literate enough to post in a tech forum, I believe you have enough grey matter left in that mostly hollow calcium based cavity to figure it out.

This whole issue isn't about "being too dumb to set up at home" as your post implies.

Part of it is business and marketing (which i'm implying you don't have much knowledge). Launch day for apple stores will look dead and empty. Sure waiting in long lines isnt the best experience, but why cant we set up a time to pick up our watch and set it up?

As an investor what would you rather see on launch day: an apple store filled with employees helping customers set up their watches or an empty store with not much going on?