Return rate of apple watch?

[bikermahn]

I know a few people who bought the watch and are returning it, I myself am most likely going to return it because the main reason I got it was for notifications. It only works 1/2 the time where the taptic feedback works, or I notice it.

Any guesses on the return rate and how long it will be before the apple store is filled with refurbished units of these watches?

 

[profmjh]

According to my poll, 4 out of 31 so far.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1878049/

 

[ivandr]

According to my poll, 4 out of 31 so far.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1878049/

Sample size is a little small to conclude much, additionally you can't forget that the users on MacRumors are not equally representative of the general overall population so that further impacts any conclusions from the poll

 

[texasstar1981]

Sample size is a little small to conclude much, additionally you can't forget that the users on MacRumors are not equally representative of the general overall population so that further impacts any conclusions from the poll

bingo... much less OCD in the general population

 

[KPOM]

I know a few people who bought the watch and are returning it, I myself am most likely going to return it because the main reason I got it was for notifications. It only works 1/2 the time where the taptic feedback works, or I notice it.

Any guesses on the return rate and how long it will be before the apple store is filled with refurbished units of these watches?

Have you tried unpairing and re-pairing it? For me, it was as simple as resetting the Watch to get the feedback working again (holding down both side buttons until it restarts). Other than that, it's been fine, and I've had no issues noticing the feedback. I'd try tightening the watch a notch, particularly if you have a leather strap, but even with the elastomer band. They stretch out over time, so I've usually worn watches a tad on the tight side.

 

[kdarling]

Wearables have historically had a poor retention rate:

For smart wearables in general up until now, surveys have showed that by the six month mark, half the users have stopped wearing them for some reason.

Some get tired of charging them. Some lose the geek excitement. Some don't like the feel on their wrist, or the style. Some find glitches that make it unreliable. And so forth.

Now, Apple included enough functionality into their watch (notifications, apps, glances, Apple Pay) that with luck, perhaps more people will find the one or two things that will keep them wearing it.

 

[Arran]

...Any guesses on the return rate and how long it will be before the apple store is filled with refurbished units of these watches?

I'm thinking they may not be refurbish-able at all. Apple's usual refurb process is to remove the innards (the expensive circuits, processors, memory, etc) and put them all into a new outer casing. End result is a refurbished product that's free of scratches and, literally, looks like new.

But it seems from the iFixit teardown that removing the innards of the watch destroys them (too much glue holding things together). So they may just scrap returned watches entirely and recycle the materials?

And this total-writeoff of returned product may be why Apple is taking so long to deliver the more expensive models? Hoping the habitual "try-it-for-14-days-and-then-return-it" crowd will just lose patience waiting and go elsewhere to get their kicks.

 

[ToroidalZeus]

Wearables have historically had a poor retention rate:

For smart wearables in general up until now, surveys have showed that by the six month mark, half the users have stopped wearing them for some reason.

Some get tired of charging them. Some lose the geek excitement. Some don't like the feel on their wrist, or the style. Some find glitches that make it unreliable. And so forth.

Now, Apple included enough functionality into their watch (notifications, apps, glances, Apple Pay) that with luck, perhaps more people will find the one or two things that will keep them wearing it.

i liekd this post until i read the last paragraph

 

[caligurl]

Wearables have historically had a poor retention rate:

For smart wearables in general up until now, surveys have showed that by the six month mark, half the users have stopped wearing them for some reason.

Some get tired of charging them. Some lose the geek excitement. Some don't like the feel on their wrist, or the style. Some find glitches that make it unreliable. And so forth.

Now, Apple included enough functionality into their watch (notifications, apps, glances, Apple Pay) that with luck, perhaps more people will find the one or two things that will keep them wearing it.

i've been thinking a lot about this..... which, in itself says a lot! since i've only had use of a watch since about noon tuesday.... so not even a week.

i keep wondering what purpose is it serving me?

so far, in my experience, it really sucks at tracking my workouts...... so while i had hopes of it replacing my polar HRM, that's not going to happen. to many times during workouts the watch is greyed out (not even seeing my HR) and for most of my workouts (all except my bike ride yesterday) the calorie count is way low.

as far as a step counter.... it's off from my fitbit... i've actually walked around the house counting steps on my fitbit, so i know it's accurate... the apple watch..... notsomuch....

i also use my fitbit (one) as a silent alarm. can't do that with the watch cuz it's busy charging overnight.... i've gotten spoiled with not having a jarring alarm wake me!

and speaking of charging.... it drains the battery so much during a workout that i have to recharge it before i go to work.... so ya... the whole getting tired of charging it... i get it....

i don't get a lot of texts.... (but it is cool to see them on my watch!) so i like that part!

i love the "stand" feature (i have a desk job)....

i love the look of it.... it's sleek and black (ok.... gray) but i love the look!

so i'm really torn.... i want to love it.... but not sure i'm willing to spend the money on what's turning out to be to be almost a toy

i'm trying to find more uses for it so i can justify to myself keeping it!

 

[kdarling]

Now, Apple included enough functionality into their watch (notifications, apps, glances, Apple Pay) that with luck, perhaps more people will find the one or two things that will keep them wearing it.

i liekd this post until i read the last paragraph

Okay. Why?

Don't you think it was smart of Apple to put in enough features, that each owner would be more likely to find a reason to want to keep using it?

For example, people who always answer texts right away, might find the wrist notifications to be redundant. But... they might find that having Apple Pay on their wrist, or even some ticket app, makes it worthwhile to them.

 

[McDaddio]

According to my poll, 4 out of 31 so far.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1878049/

My analysis has it less that 0.5%
I was unable to determine how much was due to extra orders (e.g. trying out 2, returning 1).

 

[Armen]

I know a few people who bought the watch and are returning it, I myself am most likely going to return it because the main reason I got it was for notifications. It only works 1/2 the time where the taptic feedback works, or I notice it.

Any guesses on the return rate and how long it will be before the apple store is filled with refurbished units of these watches?

The taptic engine problem is a known issue and Apple will most likely replace your watch under warranty. If you still insist on returning it that is up to you.

I think the majority of returns will be based on lack of education. With all these videos and ads out there some people still think the watch is a iphone on the wrist while others think it only tells the time.

According to a podcast I was listening to only 25% of pre order units have actually shipped so it's too early to estimate a return rate.

 

[kdarling]

I was unable to determine how much was due to extra orders (e.g. trying out 2, returning 1).

Slice Intelligence, whose estimates of 1 million sold in the US the first day have been widely repeated, noted that the average US order was 1.3 watches.

They don't break it down, though. Obviously it's a combination of:

• Buy another for spouse etc.
• Buy two, return the one they don't like.
• Buy extra to sell on eBay / Craigslist.

 

[whatos]

Apple is highly skilled at hiding information they don't want known. They'll never release honest facts.

 

[samiznaetekto]

Now, Apple included enough functionality into their watch (notifications, apps, glances, Apple Pay) that with luck, perhaps more people will find the one or two things that will keep them wearing it.

I doubt it. If Apple doesn't enable always-on clock, I think most users will stop wearing it after 6 months, or wear it only for specific purposes (like going shopping to an Apple Pay store).

After the honeymoon wears off, the nagging thought "why I'm wearing this black screen with no time always visible?" will get them, sooner or later.

 

[rhsmd1]

of course some of us will actually use it as a watch, to tell time.
the other functions are a bonus.

 

[wdfly]

i didn't return my watch but i did cancel my 42 space black stainless link today and kept my space gray sport on order.

 

[SixtyK]

But it seems from the iFixit teardown that removing the innards of the watch destroys them (too much glue holding things together). So they may just scrap returned watches entirely and recycle the materials?

iFixit has since published a repair manual where the components are removed and replaced in a much less destructive manner.

 

[Arran]

...I was unable to determine how much was due to extra orders (e.g. trying out 2, returning 1).

Good point.

And then there are the folks who just order it to "play" for 14 days with no intention of actually keeping it.

 

[kdarling]

Apple is highly skilled at hiding information they don't want known. They'll never release honest facts.

Per their SEC filing, Apple does account for returns separately from sales.

After the honeymoon wears off, the nagging thought "why I'm wearing this black screen with no time always visible?" will get them, sooner or later.

Apple also greatly sold it as a fashion item. Fashion can turn fickle really quickly. Especially if too many people are wearing the same thing. I don't think it will matter much though.

Then there's the question of what will happen if they allow Android Wear into the Apple App Store. Which is a big if.

 

[AdonisSMU]

I doubt it. If Apple doesn't enable always-on clock, I think most users will stop wearing it after 6 months, or wear it only for specific purposes (like going shopping to an Apple Pay store).

After the honeymoon wears off, the nagging thought "why I'm wearing this black screen with no time always visible?" will get them, sooner or later.

Yeah that "always on" thing always gets me. /snark

Honestly, it never even crossed my mind until I came on MR yesterday.

 

[Arran]

iFixit has since published a repair manual where the components are removed and replaced in a much less destructive manner.

Going to the link, they still have this in their teardown:

Step 20
Pulling this mess out is a destructive procedure, but after ripping out some soldered connectors we get our first real look at the S1.

The repair manual aspect is, I think, for replacing batteries and broken screens. These are feasible 'repair' jobs for 3rd party repairers. But removing the S1 processor board intact, probably the most valuable internal component, looks like it's not going to happen. (Unless Apple has some clever method of dissolving their tenacious glue?)

 

[McDaddio]

Apple is highly skilled at hiding information they don't want known. They'll never release honest facts.

Any competent company should not reveal facts that they don't want known. Do people expect that they are entitled to know everything they want to know about a company? I am sure their competition would love for Apple to release all sorts of information.

Of course they release "honest facts". All facts are honest. If they were not, then they wouldn't be facts, they would be lies, and someone at the SEC or a shareholder group would take notice.

People of course get confused with what a fact is vs. what an opinion is ("this is our most exciting product ever").

----------

Apple also greatly sold it as a fashion item.

I am not too sure about this.
I always perceived it as a "this thing does a lot..oh, and it looks good too".

Look at their commercials were, at least lately, they are putting in a lot of messaging about features and connectiveness and relationships.

No different than how they sell the MBA which includes highlighting the sleek body, unibody design, etc.

Fashion is a feature.

 

[Kavier]

Apple is highly skilled at hiding information they don't want known. They'll never release honest facts.

I agree. I don't think anyone outside Apple will know the return rate.

 

[jjlannoo]

I know a few people who bought the watch and are returning it, I myself am most likely going to return it because the main reason I got it was for notifications. It only works 1/2 the time where the taptic feedback works, or I notice it.

Any guesses on the return rate and how long it will be before the apple store is filled with refurbished units of these watches?

My notifications work 100% of the time. Turn on prominent taptic