In store pickup for pre-orders

[CharlieCat666]

I was at the Apple store today and they told me that you'll be able to pick up online pre-orders in store on release day. Just in case anyone was wondering.
You guys think you'll want to pick it up in store or just have it delivered?
Which do you think would be the surest choice to get your watch on launch day?

 

[Night Spring]

First of all, I would take the word of store employees with a grain of salt. They are not always the best informed. Until there is official word that in-store pickup will be offered, it ain't official.

That said, yes, in-store pickup is the best way to guarantee you have the product on launch day. However, it does mean you have to make a trip to the store to pick it up.

If you preorder online and snag a delivery date of 4/24, you have almost as good a chance as in-store pickup to get your watch on that day, and you save yourself a trip to the store.

 

[rjlawrencejr]

Which store were you visiting? That is exactly what I hope to do. I love the Apple Store atmosphere on launch day so I hope that truly is the case.

 

[CharlieCat666]

First of all, I would take the word of store employees with a grain of salt. They are not always the best informed. Until there is official word that in-store pickup will be offered, it ain't official.

That said, yes, in-store pickup is the best way to guarantee you have the product on launch day. However, it does mean you have to make a trip to the store to pick it up.

If you preorder online and snag a delivery date of 4/24, you have almost as good a chance as in-store pickup to get your watch on that day, and you save yourself a trip to the store.

Eh, the store is a five minute walk from my house; I could use the exercise. Besides, launch days are exciting. I remember the first iPhone launch, it was a great time, even though I was in line for like two hours (didn't have a preorder, though).

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Which store were you visiting? That is exactly what I hope to do. I love the Apple Store atmosphere on launch day so I hope that truly is the case.

The Uptown Minneapolis store. They're one of the better ones in the area, I'd be pretty surprised if one of the employees was just running his mouth

 

[Night Spring]

Eh, the store is a five minute walk from my house; I could use the exercise. Besides, launch days are exciting. I remember the first iPhone launch, it was a great time, even though I was in line for like two hours (didn't have a preorder, though).

In that case, in-store pickup would work great for you. I do have an Apple Store nearby as well, and often go by on launch days even when I'm not buying the product just to take in the atmosphere.

 

[Zeebedy]

Which store were you visiting? That is exactly what I hope to do. I love the Apple Store atmosphere on launch day so I hope that truly is the case.

Same here, I'm looking forward to camping out, also hope to be first in line of it, last time for the iPad mini launch i was second



RTJ

 

[CharlieCat666]

Same here, I'm looking forward to camping out, also hope to be first in line of it, last time for the iPad mini launch i was second



RTJ

Always sort of wanted to camp out.
Usually all the cool tech comes out in the winter/colder months, which is no good for MN.

Man, it sure would be cool if they did a midnight release for the Apple Watch, though. Not really Apple's style... but it would be a blast!

 

[iamMacPerson]

In that case, in-store pickup would work great for you. I do have an Apple Store nearby as well, and often go by on launch days even when I'm not buying the product just to take in the atmosphere.

That's what I am planning to do, order online with delivery then go check out the store on launch day. No way I'm gonna camp out here though, it's already hitting 90 here in the LA Area in the afternoon and I'm sure it'll just get worse. Luckily my store is just down the street so it's not that far of a drive.

I just hope the carrier gets here early. FedEx usually gets here before 1PM even on launch day and UPS may get here by EOB on a regular day, if I'm lucky.

 

[Night Spring]

I just hope the carrier gets here early. FedEx usually gets here before 1PM even on launch day and UPS may get here by EOB on a regular day, if I'm lucky.

Heh. I have mine delivered to my office. Somebody's always there during the day so I don't have to worry about missing delivery. FedEx usually get there before noon, UPS sometimes comes later in the afternoon.

Oh, well, guess some things stay the same on both coasts!

 

[imnick]

I'm from Australia but will be travelling in Hawaii on launch day. Does anyone see there being any issues with me buying from the US online store and picking up on holidays?

I will be there from the 21st but I'm worried that if I try and preorder in store they will no longer be taking preorders for launch day.

 

[rorschach]

First of all, I would take the word of store employees with a grain of salt. They are not always the best informed. Until there is official word that in-store pickup will be offered, it ain't official.

Well here’s your official word:

On April 24, Apple Watch will be available online or by reservation in Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers in China and Japan. Customers who purchase online or in-store from Apple will be offered Personal Setup to customize and pair Apple Watch with their iPhone.

https://www.apple.com/pr/library/2015/03/09Apple-Watch-Available-in-Nine-Countries-on-April-24.html

 

[I am Sampson]

I'm debating between office delivery and store pickup.

Does anyone know if it is absolutely 100% gauranteed they won't just sell my watch to someone that walks in before me as I won't be able to get there till near closing time and will be ordering the most popular and thus in demand version.

 

[Night Spring]

I'm debating between office delivery and store pickup.

Does anyone know if it is absolutely 100% gauranteed they won't just sell my watch to someone that walks in before me as I won't be able to get there till near closing time and will be ordering the most popular and thus in demand version.

When you send in an in-store pickup order, they grab a box and stick on a sticker with your name on it. So no, once you get your order in, they won't sell it to anyone else.

 

[Trickhot3102]

If I preorder on the 10th, would it arrive at my house on the 24th or shipped on the 24th?

 

[czecho7]

If I preorder on the 10th, would it arrive at my house on the 24th or shipped on the 24th?

Should arrive on the 24th.

 

[melman101]

I definitely think I'm going to do in-store. Just in case I pick the wrong size. I'm still undecided on if I should get 38mm-42mm.

 

[AFDoc]

In-store pick up is the way to go if it's offered... Those that were smart enough to pre-order will have that little extra smile on their face as they are ushered in quickly while those that didn't pre-order enter at a trickle......

I wasn't going to get one when they first came out but I was sold the second I could get my notifications on my wrist... add in the other things and it was a no brain'er for me to switch to the apple watch side.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Will pre-order for store p/u. I'm not at home during the day to sign for it.

 

[Knowimagination]

If this is for sure I will definitely be doing it. I like the launch day environment in store and I may even take the day off if it is feasible.

Plus UPS and FEDEX both deliver to my house between 6-8 pm its terrible I swear I am the very last stop each day.

 

[technosix]

If this is for sure I will definitely be doing it. I like the launch day environment in store and I may even take the day off if it is feasible.

Plus UPS and FEDEX both deliver to my house between 6-8 pm its terrible I swear I am the very last stop each day.

The prior responses here reveal a distinct lack of knowledge of Apples policies. Clearly stated in numerous Apple materials and on the Web, here is the facts.

All products ordered via Apple.com or via the mobile app, or via the phone, will be shipped to the Apple Store per your request. It's been like this for years.

I have always had every order, especially my many $3,000+ special order MBP'S and Mac Pro's delivered to the store. Here's why...

With the decline in Apple quality had I not had my 2015 fully maxed out MBP Retina laptop delivered to the store where I requested an Apple employee to witness the unboxing, I would have been screwed.

The sealed box was in perfect condition, yet inside was a dinged dented laptop with a broken, yes multiple breaks in the display glass. As it happened an Apple manager just walked by as I removed it from the box, the expression on his face said it all.

So back it went. A new order was placed meaning two charges on my credit card since Apple doesn't do replacements on the same order number. They're Pro Apple not Pro Customer, but I'm used to that.

A very long six weeks later, I finally got what I paid for.

 

[Knowimagination]

The prior responses here reveal a distinct lack of knowledge of Apples policies. Clearly stated in numerous Apple materials and on the Web, here is the facts.

All products ordered via Apple.com or via the mobile app, or via the phone, will be shipped to the Apple Store per your request. It's been like this for years.

I have always had every order, especially my many $3,000+ special order MBP'S and Mac Pro's delivered to the store. Here's why...

With the decline in Apple quality had I not had my 2015 fully maxed out MBP Retina laptop delivered to the store where I requested an Apple employee to witness the unboxing, I would have been screwed.

The sealed box was in perfect condition, yet inside was a dinged dented laptop with a broken, yes multiple breaks in the display glass. As it happened an Apple manager just walked by as I removed it from the box, the expression on his face said it all.

So back it went. A new order was placed meaning two charges on my credit card since Apple doesn't do replacements on the same order number. They're Pro Apple not Pro Customer, but I'm used to that.

A very long six weeks later, I finally got what I paid for.

Two things:

1) You seem to have absolutely terrible luck with apple purchases.

2) I am aware you can do it for current products but I don't think it is always the case with pre-orders especially when we are talking a brand new product category for apple.

 

[Night Spring]

The prior responses here reveal a distinct lack of knowledge of Apples policies. Clearly stated in numerous Apple materials and on the Web, here is the facts.

All products ordered via Apple.com or via the mobile app, or via the phone, will be shipped to the Apple Store per your request. It's been like this for years.

Sorry for your bad experience. But preorders during launch week of a product is different, especially for iOS decices. Sometimes they don't take preorders for in-store pickups, only walk-ins or delivery to your home/business. And when they do take preorders for store pickup, they grab boxes out of the large inventory they have on hand for launch, and mark it with your name. I do know what I'm talking about, because I've done launch week in-store pickups many times. I would expect the watch to be treated more like iOS devices than a Mac.

 

[technosix]

Sorry for your bad experience. But preorders during launch week of a product is different, especially for iOS decices. Sometimes they don't take preorders for in-store pickups, only walk-ins or delivery to your home/business. And when they do take preorders for store pickup, they grab boxes out of the large inventory they have on hand for launch, and mark it with your name. I do know what I'm talking about, because I've done launch week in-store pickups many times. I would expect the watch to be treated more like iOS devices than a Mac.

Thank you for the detailed information.

Here's what I'm learning after reading your post and making a quick call to two of the three Apple Stores in my area.

I didn't call the third store because it's closest to me and the one I frequent the most. They've always handled my pre-order iPhone's and iPads for myself and my friends. In fairness it's important to note it's one of the largest in California and maintains a very large staff.

Stores two and three are close, yet different. One says they handle pre-ordered products on launch day, the other store does not.

 

[The Doctor11]

I'm gonna go with delivery. I don't think my parents really want to dive to the Apple Store.

 

[Esexx]

I don't know yet, first though is to have it delivered do my work since it is very safe and people are always there to sign for the package.

However, he sure thing is to pick up in store. I do not really like the crowds though.

Undecided so far.