No mixing and matching...not sure why people are surprised

[Rogifan]

http://www.imore.com/no-apple-watch-mixing-and-matching-come-april-10-collections-are-it

The minute the Watch website went up and Apple showed off models within each collection I knew that is what Apple would be offering for sale and if you wanted something else you'd have to buy another band seperately. No reason for Apple to show models if that isn't what they were planning to sell.

One of the comments on iMore's site calls Apple's bands "overpriced". Overpriced based on what? How can someone make that determination having not seen/felt the bands in person? What is the reference point?

 

[Armen]

http://www.imore.com/no-apple-watch-mixing-and-matching-come-april-10-collections-are-it

The minute the Watch website went up and Apple showed off models within each collection I knew that is what Apple would be offering for sale and if you wanted something else you'd have to buy another band seperately. No reason for Apple to show models if that isn't what they were planning to sell.

One of the comments on iMore's site calls Apple's bands "overpriced". Overpriced based on what? How can someone make that determination having not seen/felt the bands in person? What is the reference point?

People are unrealistic when it comes to pricing things out. For example I wear Joe's Jeans which are anywhere from $150-$200 a pair. People give me a hard time and brag about how they could buy 3 pairs of Levis for that price. My 1 pair of Joes has lasted me 4 years so far and are WAY more comfortable than Levis.

You get what you pay for.

 

[Rogifan]

People are unrealistic when it comes to pricing things out. For example I wear Joe's Jeans which are anywhere from $150-$200 a pair. People give me a hard time and brag about how they could buy 3 pairs of Levis for that price. My 1 pair of Joes has lasted me 4 years so far and are WAY more comfortable than Levis.

You get what you pay for.

It seems to me some people are equating more than they're willing to pay as being overpriced.

 

[Armen]

It seems to me some people are equating more than they're willing to pay as being overpriced.

Yeah. Everyone wants premium quality for dirt cheap prices.

"Apple is so overpriced". Ok? Don't buy their products. End of story.

 

[Bigserver1]

It seems to me some people are equating more than they're willing to pay as being overpriced.

This is very true. I would love to have the sapphire screen, ceramic back, and better (matching) band options of the stainless Watch model, but for a first gen I'm not willing to pay $600 for it. Maybe for future iterations I will. That said, I don't think the Watch collection is overpriced.

The Edition, on the other hand...Tougher to justify.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

It seems to me some people are equating more than they're willing to pay as being overpriced.

Exactly.

Don't want to shell out another $49 for the available black band that you can purchase separately for the silver Sport model? Apple is overpriced and screwing us big time!

 

[dacreativeguy]

These same people are happy paying over $2000 to make a phone call, because the initial "impulse price" of the iPhone is only $199. A $400 watch over the same 2 year period is only ~$15 a month. But with 75% of americans living paycheck to paycheck, the outrage over paying up front isn't surprising.

http://money.cnn.com/2013/06/24/pf/emergency-savings/

 

[Blackstick]

The Edition, on the other hand...Tougher to justify.

It's just targeted to people that would just as soon buy it at $50k or $200k... Lady Gaga sings for 1 hour at a corporate function and pockets $1Million, $17,000 to her is like one of us spending an extra $0.50 at lunch to get a larger drink or sweet potato fries.

 

[KPOM]

People complaining about Apple pricing is nothing new. Anyone who has priced out comparable "regular" watches will see that Apple's pricing isn't out of line. Also, there is "mixing and matching" to the extent that you can purchase additional bands.

I'm likely to get the 38mm space black link band, but the only thing that might tempt me to get the 38mm stainless steel link or the 42mm space black is the current lack of alternative bands. I can get the sport band for the 38mm, and the leather loop if I get the 42mm. OTOH, the regular stainless steel link offers the option of the classic leather, modern buckle, Milanese loop, and sport bands at 38mm, and the leather loop, Milanese loop, classic leather, and sport bands with the 42mm.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Apple add more band options later. A red modern buckle could go well with the stainless steel, and a black Milanese, or classic or modern buckles with DLC could go well with the space black. At minimum, competitors will be putting out lots of different designs, and are on notice that offering lots of band choices is a good thing.

 

[Rogifan]

This is very true. I would love to have the sapphire screen, ceramic back, and better (matching) band options of the stainless Watch model, but for a first gen I'm not willing to pay $600 for it. Maybe for future iterations I will. That said, I don't think the Watch collection is overpriced.

The Edition, on the other hand...Tougher to justify.

But Apple didn't design the Edition for you (or me). That's why there are cheaper watches with the same features as the Edition.

 

[ksuyen]

These same people are happy paying over $2000 to make a phone call, because the initial "impulse price" of the iPhone is only $199. A $400 watch over the same 2 year period is only ~$15 a month. But with 75% of americans living paycheck to paycheck, the outrage over paying up front isn't surprising.

http://money.cnn.com/2013/06/24/pf/emergency-savings/

It's not only in US, it's a worldwide trending. It's all about perspective. People more willing to pay $70 (inc rate) per month for a year rather than $700 upfront (which is cheaper). A smarter people will pay it full rather than pay the monthly fee. But most people would only see $70 vs $700.

 

[TonyC28]

I think people may be a bit surprised by the apparent lack of "mixing and matching" because Apple announced the Apple watch and the bands as something that could be mixed and matched. Yes, I know bands can be purchased separately. There is another thread going about the lack of black band when initially purchasing the silver Sport watch. It has nothing to do with the price. We know it's $349 for the watch and sport band. But why not offer all of the colors of sport band when making the initial purchase? It costs exactly the same. It's pretty clear that Apple, at least for the Sport, is trying to maximize profits with the bands. There's nothing wrong with that, I would too. But since this is a new category of product for Apple and they talked about the personalization that might have people looking at it a little side-eyed.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

I think people may be a bit surprised by the apparent lack of "mixing and matching" because Apple announced the Apple watch and the bands as something that could be mixed and matched.

Apple made no such claim. Customizable isn't synonym with mixing and matching out of the box, but you can still order bands separately and use them if you like.

 

[TonyC28]

Apple made no such claim. Customizable isn't synonym with mixing and matching out of the box, but you can still order bands separately and use them if you like.

I give up. You are absolutely correct. It makes perfect sense for us to have to possibly buy a watch "bundle" with a band we do not like and then have to separately buy a band that we like from Apple. Good business move by Apple. They are lucky to have you as an employee.

 

[Rogifan]

I think people may be a bit surprised by the apparent lack of "mixing and matching" because Apple announced the Apple watch and the bands as something that could be mixed and matched. Yes, I know bands can be purchased separately. There is another thread going about the lack of black band when initially purchasing the silver Sport watch. It has nothing to do with the price. We know it's $349 for the watch and sport band. But why not offer all of the colors of sport band when making the initial purchase? It costs exactly the same. It's pretty clear that Apple, at least for the Sport, is trying to maximize profits with the bands. There's nothing wrong with that, I would too. But since this is a new category of product for Apple and they talked about the personalization that might have people looking at it a little side-eyed.

Wow I coukd have sworn the silver aluminum watch had both black and white bands as options. That seems odd considering the stainless steel version does have those options. And it's odd too considering the space gray aluminum watch is the same price as the silver one. I wouldn't be surprised if that option becomes available if enough people ask about it.

----------

I give up. You are absolutely correct. It makes perfect sense for us to have to possibly buy a watch "bundle" with a band we do not like and then have to separately buy a band that we like from Apple. Good business move by Apple. They are lucky to have to as an employee.

Or don't buy anything and let the retail employee know why they didn't get a sale. There's obviously a reason Apple implemented a favorites icon on their online store. I'm sure they're tracking which combinations are most popular. And if store managers get feedback from employees that customers are asking for a combination that doesn't exist it's possible Apple add that combination. I can see that at least happening with the Sport collection.

 

[TonyC28]

Wow I coukd have sworn the silver aluminum watch had both black and white bands as options. That seems odd considering the stainless steel version does have those options. And it's odd too considering the space gray aluminum watch is the same price as the silver one. I wouldn't be surprised if that option becomes available if enough people ask about it.

No no no, it's not odd at all. And these aren't the droids you're looking for. Don't you dare say something bad about JayLenochiniMac's company.

 

[Armen]

No no no, it's not odd at all. And these aren't the droids you're looking for. Don't you dare say something bad about JayLenochiniMac's company.

There's nothing to say. Apple doesn't have to offer the black band with any of their watches except the SG just like the Cable company doesn't bundle all your channels into 1 tier.

I bought a pair of Phillips headphones. The Black model cost more than the other colors.

 

[TonyC28]

Why do you assume all colors are equal. You know certain cars in Black are more expensive?

How about because Apple charges the same amount for every sport band regardless of color...?

 

[briankeith513]

No no no, it's not odd at all. And these aren't the droids you're looking for. Don't you dare say something bad about JayLenochiniMac's company.

hahaha

 

[FlatCable]

Yeah. Everyone wants premium quality for dirt cheap prices.

"Apple is so overpriced". Ok? Don't buy their products. End of story.

The problem is that people know they want to get that. But only think that everything has a price later. Well... even worse than kids...

 

[Rogifan]

There's nothing to say. Apple doesn't have to offer the black band with any of their watches except the SG just like the Cable company doesn't bundle all your channels into 1 tier.

I bought a pair of Phillips headphones. The Black model cost more than the other colors.

But all the sport bands are the same price. And the space black sport watch is the same price as the silver sport watch.

 

[TonyC28]

But all the sport bands are the same price. And the space black sport watch is the same price as the silver sport watch.

You'd have more luck banging your head against a brick wall. We're in the land of Apple Can Do No Wrong so just smile and nod.

 

[Armen]

But all the sport bands are the same price. And the space black sport watch is the same price as the silver sport watch.

I was giving an example that companies don't have to put together packages to please everyone. Phillips decided their black headphones were going to be more expensive just because. I can choose to buy it or not.

Apple chose to package the black band only with the SG watch.

 

[TonyC28]

I was giving an example that companies don't have to put together packages to please everyone. Phillips decided their black headphones were going to be more expensive just because. I can choose to buy it or not.

Apple chose to package the black band only with the SG watch.

No, you gave an example of how some companies charge more for black. But ok.

 

[Armen]

No, you gave an example of how some companies charge more for black. But ok.

Apple is charging $49.00 more for anyone who wants the aluminum watch with a black band. Same thing.