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bcollett

macrumors member
Original poster
May 5, 2015
70
57
I placed an order a few days after the announcement for a black nylon band. The estimated "Available to Ship" time was 2-3 weeks and it remained that for a week or two after launch. Some of the other nylon bands shared this time estimate, most others were shorter.
I've been very eager to get my new band and have been checking almost daily to see if it is in stock at my nearby Apple Store. Today though, I noticed that the estimated arrival for EVERY color nylon band is 4-6 weeks. That's quite an odd jump three weeks after they've been available, especially for the colors that had short ship times.

Does anyone have any guesses why the ship times shot up? Did they just become available in another country or something?
 
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vincenz

macrumors 601
Oct 20, 2008
4,285
220
It's a popular band, but I bet it has a LOT to do with a lot of the bands not fitting correctly with many watches. Many replacements having to be given out from new retail packaging would eat up existing stock.
 

bcollett

macrumors member
Original poster
May 5, 2015
70
57
It's a popular band, but I bet it has a LOT to do with a lot of the bands not fitting correctly with many watches. Many replacements having to be given out from new retail packaging would eat up existing stock.

I'm not convinced. The amount of replacements needed for the ship time of ALL of the bands to at least double is simply too large. I feel like you're suggesting something like half of the nylon bands already shipped are being replaced, which sounds absurd for anything besides a recall.
 

perezr10

macrumors 68020
Jan 12, 2014
2,014
1,486
Monroe, Louisiana
Yeah, I've been disappointed too. I ordered a Scuba Blue nylon band for my wife on Mar 29 and the order status still shows "Available to ship in 1-2 weeks".
 

ricktat

macrumors 68000
Feb 18, 2013
1,933
1,767
I would say they are redesigning/retooling something to limit the faulty bands. Especially since they all went to 4-6 weeks at the same time.
 
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vincenz

macrumors 601
Oct 20, 2008
4,285
220
I'm not convinced. The amount of replacements needed for the ship time of ALL of the bands to at least double is simply too large. I feel like you're suggesting something like half of the nylon bands already shipped are being replaced, which sounds absurd for anything besides a recall.

Not trying to convince you of anything, just giving my educated guess.

Neither you nor I know of the amount of replacements that have taken place, so you do not know that this amount is "simply too large" and that this exact reason caused the shipping time to double.

I never suggested any number as to the amount being replaced. You are suggesting that I have somehow suggested that based on my opinion, which you seemingly pulled from thin air because I did not use any words to indicate that something like 50% are being replaced.

I am surmising, based on anecdotal evidence and that of my own experience, that many are being replaced. These replacements have had to come from somewhere. As with all new products, the only replacements Apple has on hand for some time will be retail packaging ones. I'm sure they are well aware of the issues with the bands, and are working as fast as possible to get this resolved.
 

bizack

macrumors 6502a
Apr 21, 2009
611
399
Not trying to convince you of anything, just giving my educated guess.

Neither you nor I know of the amount of replacements that have taken place, so you do not know that this amount is "simply too large" and that this exact reason caused the shipping time to double.

I never suggested any number as to the amount being replaced. You are suggesting that I have somehow suggested that based on my opinion, which you seemingly pulled from thin air because I did not use any words to indicate that something like 50% are being replaced.

I am surmising, based on anecdotal evidence and that of my own experience, that many are being replaced. These replacements have had to come from somewhere. As with all new products, the only replacements Apple has on hand for some time will be retail packaging ones. I'm sure they are well aware of the issues with the bands, and are working as fast as possible to get this resolved.

I received a replacement band in a white box (non-retail). Sent directly from Apple. But I do suspect the 4-6 week ship time for all bands has to do with the fitment issue. All stores near me (Northern California) are reporting no stock (before you could at least find Pink everywhere).
 

vincenz

macrumors 601
Oct 20, 2008
4,285
220
I received a replacement band in a white box (non-retail). Sent directly from Apple. But I do suspect the 4-6 week ship time for all bands has to do with the fitment issue. All stores near me (Northern California) are reporting no stock (before you could at least find Pink everywhere).

That's good to know-- they must have just started doing that very recently. Same here, used to be able to see pink and red/gold in many stores in the area, but then they all seem to have disappeared overnight. They must have been pulled from the shelves.
 

gppittjk

macrumors regular
Sep 19, 2012
143
59
Got my shipment notification yesterday and it's arriving tomorrow.

That's good to know. I ordered April 7 (pearl nylon) and had the 1-2 week window. Fingers crossed they've solved the issue and have the mass production line moving. Looks like they hit 2 weeks for you basically on the dot.
 

applemaven

macrumors newbie
Apr 6, 2011
10
5
Ohio
I ordered pearl nylon 4/1 & got shipping notification this morning, should be delivered Fri :) Storm gray classic buckle ordered at same time now shows preparing for shipment.
 

bcollett

macrumors member
Original poster
May 5, 2015
70
57
My band(order details above), was charged a day ago and updated to "Preparing for Shipment." I'm confident it will arrive within their estimate.
 

gppittjk

macrumors regular
Sep 19, 2012
143
59
I ordered pearl nylon 4/1 & got shipping notification this morning, should be delivered Fri :) Storm gray classic buckle ordered at same time now shows preparing for shipment.

38 or 42mm? If 42, there's a chance mine could be shipping in the next few days as well. Congrats!
 

Dino F

Suspended
Sep 16, 2010
4,515
3,404
Croydon, South London, UK
That's weird - I just checked the U.K. Apple Store App and for the black Woven band, it states shipping is now "1 business day". If I order today, it delivers by 22nd April!

Are these now all back in stock (though these were weeks out of stock)?!
 

Brookzy

macrumors 601
May 30, 2010
4,985
5,577
UK
That's weird - I just checked the U.K. Apple Store App and for the black Woven band, it states shipping is now "1 business day". If I order today, it delivers by 22nd April!

Are these now all back in stock (though these were weeks out of stock)?!
They're all still backordered 4-6 weeks in the States. Lucky us! :p
 

ricktat

macrumors 68000
Feb 18, 2013
1,933
1,767
My 42mm Black nylon ordered on Friday will be here tomorrow.

Other models are now showing stock at Apple.
 
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IphoneIssues

macrumors 65816
Dec 30, 2010
1,028
617
Just asked this question somewhere else. Guy told me he ordered a nylon last week, and t said 4-6 weeks, but changed to "now shipping" like immediately.
 

TypeMRT

macrumors 6502a
Sep 7, 2007
528
134
Manufacturing must have just caught up with demand. The 42mm Black has been showing a 4-6 week wait, now it available for overnight delivery. I might* give a try to replace the black sports band for working out.

*ordered: free 2-day shipping for Thursday delivery turned into free overnight shipping for Wednesday delivery.
 
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gppittjk

macrumors regular
Sep 19, 2012
143
59
The 42mm pearl band I ordered on 4/7 charged last night and has been preparing for shipment sll day today. Should hopefully be here this week.
 

IphoneIssues

macrumors 65816
Dec 30, 2010
1,028
617
I see the red/gold, the royal blue and the black all have shipping times of about a week or less, for the 42 mm. Looks like things are finally changing.
 

wizzywig27

macrumors 6502a
Nov 27, 2012
976
725
Ordered a 42mm pearl last night at about 7pm ish and was dispatched today for delivery on Tuesday after bank holiday (uk)

Hope this helps - was quoted 3-4 weeks
 
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