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Maxfield - Los Angeles
- Thread starter sleepyking
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That's the dumbest reason yet. Apple clearly screwed the pooch on this launch, and had NO inventory in their own stores, or much to even ship for their own customer's pre-orders -- and this was not by design since they had unexpected supply constraints and manufacturing defects to contend with. Yet they made sure their high end boutique partners around the world had plenty of inventory during the first two weeks of the launch. Apple issued a statement after the botched pre-order, that for the initial launch no watches would be sold in stores, but they evidently only meant their own. All of the exclusive boutiques worldwide had an ample supply, with continued shipments, seemingly at the expense of their own customers. Selling out of a particular model due to demand is a good thing that happens even to high end fashion goods at such stores (we're out of Fendi bags, but we're expecting a new shipment next week assuming the boat doesn't get held up in a typhoon, or a dock worker's strike). Apple's ability to manufacture enough watches to supply ANY demand is severely constrained and their ability to FAIL to supply stores like Maxfield with an ample supply is evidence of nothing but their own inability to meet demand. Apple is in control of NOTHING with respect to this launch, even evidently their own manufacturing. However, they have let stores like Maxfield be in control of everything -- something they do with no other retail partner.
I've been following this thread for the past few weeks and honestly, debating the sales process/Maxfield's store policy/Apple's decision to sell in these stores is pointless. Please for the love of God, drop it.
At this point, it is what it is. Whether you've pre-ordered through Maxfield or Apple, you will get your damn watch eventually. Bitching and moaning about it online isn't going to do a damn thing to speed up your order processing.
I think we can all agree that Apple screwed up this launch by launching too many SKUs and not accurately anticipating demand for certain models. That being said, all signs point to them ramping up production and slowly but surely fulfilling the pre-order backlog. In the grand scheme of things, there are more important things to worry about than whether you get your watch right now or in a couple of weeks.
In my opinion, this thread is best served as a resource to keep people updated on what inventory Mayfield currently has in stock, the models/order dates of those of you lucky enough to have gotten a call.
At this point, it is what it is. Whether you've pre-ordered through Maxfield or Apple, you will get your damn watch eventually. Bitching and moaning about it online isn't going to do a damn thing to speed up your order processing.
I think we can all agree that Apple screwed up this launch by launching too many SKUs and not accurately anticipating demand for certain models. That being said, all signs point to them ramping up production and slowly but surely fulfilling the pre-order backlog. In the grand scheme of things, there are more important things to worry about than whether you get your watch right now or in a couple of weeks.
In my opinion, this thread is best served as a resource to keep people updated on what inventory Mayfield currently has in stock, the models/order dates of those of you lucky enough to have gotten a call.
Dang sorry some of you guys are still waiting.
Mine was available about 2.5 weeks from pre ordering.
I think all that waiting though has reduced the hype and once I got it, I found I had not much use for it for the time being. Great to look at, but I still found myself using my phone more of the time.
Perhaps will rebuy directly from Apple so I'd at least have 14 days to really test it out
Just picked up my wife's 38. They don't have any 42s. They have a few 38s in SS Milanese, 1 stainless with black band, and 1 sport alum with blue band. They are now saying average delivery is 2 weeks and the 42 SG sport is the most popular and will take the longest. I would not suggest coming here. The appts were just starting to happen when I got there.
They are still saying they are faster than Apple and are urging people to buy from them instead of Apple. I ALMOST said something.
So much for Maxfield not needing Apple.
They are still saying they are faster than Apple and are urging people to buy from them instead of Apple. I ALMOST said something.
So much for Maxfield not needing Apple.
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LOL! What a mess.
Glad there isn't a boutique "worth" anything here in NYC, we don't need any of our precious stock on the east coast getting diverted to any of Angela's friends.
LOL! What a mess.
Glad there isn't a boutique "worth" anything here in NYC, we don't need any of our precious stock on the east coast getting diverted to any of Angela's friends.
FYI - Apple.com is now down to 2-3 weeks on 42mm Space Grey and 1-2 WEEKS on the 38mm. Lol.
Just got my call today (exactly 3 weeks).. It doesn't matter anymore but if you're still waiting it'll be exactly 3 weeks before you get a call and I believe it's on purpose.. They have the watch but you will get a call on whatever the third week date is.
I purchased mine at Maxfield tonight, almost as they were closing for the day. A friend told me that they had some in stock. We walked in with no appointment, left with a 42mm SS with BSB and a 38mm SS with Milanese for my wife. At first they claimed no stock on the 42mm but the guy said, hold no, disappeared to the back for a bit and came back out magically with a few 42mm watches - SS BSB, SS Milanese and SS with Blue Leather. Seems like they have a few models reserved for celebs, clients and potential clients. Must have thought and assumed incorrectly we were in the latter category.
Funny thing is that I passed by on Monday, and was told that they only had the Edition watches in stock, the gold ones, and had to wait 2 to 3 weeks for the Sports model. It was interesting that he assumed I wanted the Sports. Only difference between Monday and today, was that on Monday I was driving my wife's car, a Mini Countryman, dressed in shorts and t-shirt and today I pulled up in my car, a BMW M4, dressed a bit better as my wife and I were going out to dinner.
Talked to the same guy, was polite on Monday, kissing ass today. Asked us if we wanted to check out their latest Rick Owens collection and had a puzzled look when we told him no thanks, we are clients of J Crew.
Although I got my watches, overall, it wasn't a great experience. No watches for you if you appear to be the Average Joe solely there for the Apple Watch, but suddenly watches magically appear if they think you might spend money on their other overpriced high fashion crap.
Funny thing is that I passed by on Monday, and was told that they only had the Edition watches in stock, the gold ones, and had to wait 2 to 3 weeks for the Sports model. It was interesting that he assumed I wanted the Sports. Only difference between Monday and today, was that on Monday I was driving my wife's car, a Mini Countryman, dressed in shorts and t-shirt and today I pulled up in my car, a BMW M4, dressed a bit better as my wife and I were going out to dinner.
Talked to the same guy, was polite on Monday, kissing ass today. Asked us if we wanted to check out their latest Rick Owens collection and had a puzzled look when we told him no thanks, we are clients of J Crew.
Although I got my watches, overall, it wasn't a great experience. No watches for you if you appear to be the Average Joe solely there for the Apple Watch, but suddenly watches magically appear if they think you might spend money on their other overpriced high fashion crap.
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I happened to be in LA for a business trip this week. I knew of Maxfield as the only Watch retailer in the country so I decided to research and stumbled upon this thread. After reading it, I was highly discouraged and decided not to even make the trip from Pasadena to the store. But I ended up at dinner in Beverly Hills and curiosity got the best of me so I stopped in around Tuesday evening of this week.
I was greeted by the outside security guy. His name was Eli. I asked him about the Watch and he was so informative and friendly. He explained that at that point they only had the Edition in and he suspected that the Memorial Day holiday had shipments fouled up because he said he stands there every day and watches UPS delivery more of the Watch. He then explained the entire process for getting an appointment and how during my appointment I could either buy an in stock Watch or order one. He offered to take me directly into the store to try on watches or simply buy an Edition model. I explained that I wasn't interested in that model and that I was from Pittsburgh and that I was traveling for work and his advice was to not order one as there was no guarantee on delivery times. But he strongly recommended that I swing by some morning around 10:30 before they open and wait to get an appointment because at that point they sell inventory that isn't needed to fill orders. So on Thursday, I did just that.
On Thursday, I got to the store before they were open. They were very gracious and someone came out to re-explain the process, and it was explained again the exact same way that the security guard had explained it. They then issued me an appointment card for 11:20am (the first appointment of the day). I explained that I was only in town for another day and that I really only needed an appointment if they had a 42mm Sport in stock, ideally the space gray. Again, they were as forthcoming as could be. The store representative said that there was really no chance of a space gray being available due to the number of orders they were waiting to fill on that model. But, he did say, that if I was interested in other 42mm Sport options that I'd be "very pleased during my appointment". I asked him what he meant and he simply said "I'm not able to tell you exact inventory because they are still processing a late shipment of watches from yesterday, but with an 11:20am appointment you should definitely come back." So I did.
At 11:00am I walked by the front of the store (20 minutes before my appointment time). I saw both the store rep that I scheduled with and Eli the security guard from a few nights prior. The store rep called me by name and offered to take me in early for my appointment. As he called me, Eli said "Hey Pittsburgh! You took my advice to come back!" Within 15 minutes, I left with a 42mm Sport with the white band. As I checked out, the associate at the register asked how I knew they had the Watch in stock and I said that I didn't. I just followed the process and suggestion of the security guard. Her comment was "it's good you did. We just got these in yesterday afternoon (Wednesday) but with the number of orders we had to fill from the shipment we weren't sure what we'd have to sell to walk-ins until this morning." She also said they get a shipment or two a day and almost on cue, UPS walked in with a bunch of Watch deliveries. She also invited me to walk around the store so I did. And everyone in the store was very engaging, talking to me about the product and designers and even asking about my new Watch.
I couldn't be more please with the process and people at Maxfield. No process is perfect, but at least they have one they seem to be following. They can't sell what they don't have and they don't make the watches so they're at the mercy of their supplier (Apple) and the supply chain (UPS). Perhaps they shouldn't be providing delivery dates or they should be saying they are estimates, but when I was there, they were clear over and over that I could order any Watch I wanted but there was no guarantee on delivery dates and that the average delivery time for any watch was changing daily as Apple sends units.
It doesn't benefit any business to not sell units on hand. If they have them, they seem to be 1.) filling orders first, rightfully so. 2.) Selling leftover stock according to their appointment process.
One last thought to anyone else considering stopping by Maxfield. As I read through this thread, one of the discouraging themes was that the store is somehow profiling people based upon looks, attire or perceived wealth. I was wearing flip flops, a t-shirt, an Angels hat and white shorts that I had spilled coffee all over the front of. I was driving a lousy rental car and I parked it right in front of the store. If anyone looked like they couldn't afford a Watch it was me. I'm a mid-western, baseball loving, gun shooting country boy. They couldn't have been more gracious and helpful.
So if you're in the area and contemplating, hopefully this encourages you to swing by. Be reasonable with them though. They can't sell what they don't have, and if I were them, I'd be very displeased that Apple has put them in a constrained supply situation where they have to disappoint so many people. No one runs a business with the goal of angering the masses.
I was greeted by the outside security guy. His name was Eli. I asked him about the Watch and he was so informative and friendly. He explained that at that point they only had the Edition in and he suspected that the Memorial Day holiday had shipments fouled up because he said he stands there every day and watches UPS delivery more of the Watch. He then explained the entire process for getting an appointment and how during my appointment I could either buy an in stock Watch or order one. He offered to take me directly into the store to try on watches or simply buy an Edition model. I explained that I wasn't interested in that model and that I was from Pittsburgh and that I was traveling for work and his advice was to not order one as there was no guarantee on delivery times. But he strongly recommended that I swing by some morning around 10:30 before they open and wait to get an appointment because at that point they sell inventory that isn't needed to fill orders. So on Thursday, I did just that.
On Thursday, I got to the store before they were open. They were very gracious and someone came out to re-explain the process, and it was explained again the exact same way that the security guard had explained it. They then issued me an appointment card for 11:20am (the first appointment of the day). I explained that I was only in town for another day and that I really only needed an appointment if they had a 42mm Sport in stock, ideally the space gray. Again, they were as forthcoming as could be. The store representative said that there was really no chance of a space gray being available due to the number of orders they were waiting to fill on that model. But, he did say, that if I was interested in other 42mm Sport options that I'd be "very pleased during my appointment". I asked him what he meant and he simply said "I'm not able to tell you exact inventory because they are still processing a late shipment of watches from yesterday, but with an 11:20am appointment you should definitely come back." So I did.
At 11:00am I walked by the front of the store (20 minutes before my appointment time). I saw both the store rep that I scheduled with and Eli the security guard from a few nights prior. The store rep called me by name and offered to take me in early for my appointment. As he called me, Eli said "Hey Pittsburgh! You took my advice to come back!" Within 15 minutes, I left with a 42mm Sport with the white band. As I checked out, the associate at the register asked how I knew they had the Watch in stock and I said that I didn't. I just followed the process and suggestion of the security guard. Her comment was "it's good you did. We just got these in yesterday afternoon (Wednesday) but with the number of orders we had to fill from the shipment we weren't sure what we'd have to sell to walk-ins until this morning." She also said they get a shipment or two a day and almost on cue, UPS walked in with a bunch of Watch deliveries. She also invited me to walk around the store so I did. And everyone in the store was very engaging, talking to me about the product and designers and even asking about my new Watch.
I couldn't be more please with the process and people at Maxfield. No process is perfect, but at least they have one they seem to be following. They can't sell what they don't have and they don't make the watches so they're at the mercy of their supplier (Apple) and the supply chain (UPS). Perhaps they shouldn't be providing delivery dates or they should be saying they are estimates, but when I was there, they were clear over and over that I could order any Watch I wanted but there was no guarantee on delivery dates and that the average delivery time for any watch was changing daily as Apple sends units.
It doesn't benefit any business to not sell units on hand. If they have them, they seem to be 1.) filling orders first, rightfully so. 2.) Selling leftover stock according to their appointment process.
One last thought to anyone else considering stopping by Maxfield. As I read through this thread, one of the discouraging themes was that the store is somehow profiling people based upon looks, attire or perceived wealth. I was wearing flip flops, a t-shirt, an Angels hat and white shorts that I had spilled coffee all over the front of. I was driving a lousy rental car and I parked it right in front of the store. If anyone looked like they couldn't afford a Watch it was me. I'm a mid-western, baseball loving, gun shooting country boy. They couldn't have been more gracious and helpful.
So if you're in the area and contemplating, hopefully this encourages you to swing by. Be reasonable with them though. They can't sell what they don't have, and if I were them, I'd be very displeased that Apple has put them in a constrained supply situation where they have to disappoint so many people. No one runs a business with the goal of angering the masses.
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I agree with what you are saying and it really is the luck of the draw, depending on when you go. The non space grey aluminum does pop up on occasion so I'm not surprised by that. Most people want the space grey. I think they are doing a better job (now) providing accurate information. They were not doing that 3 weeks ago, which is why the bitterness.
This is outrageous. I received my 42mm SS Milanese 3 days after ordering and my wife is still waiting on her matching watch ordered on the same day, 5/17 for a 38mm SS Milanese.
I've seen a couple of forum members above receive the same watch I ordered as walk-ins! Maxfield is really testing my patience at this point. I'm debating whether to charge-back and re-order from Apple...
I've seen a couple of forum members above receive the same watch I ordered as walk-ins! Maxfield is really testing my patience at this point. I'm debating whether to charge-back and re-order from Apple...
The 38s for all models have been shipping fast so im sure you would get hers faster from apple than maxfield at this rate.
Do you guys think I should order it from Apple and file a dispute with my credit card company at this point? 20 days so far....
