Space Gray Band Options Frustrating

[jid963]

I'm looking to upgrade from a SG Series 0 to a SG Series 3 Nike. Problem is, my only choice is another black band. Ideally I'd prefer to have the platinum band that comes with the silver nike watch, since I already have a black band from my series 0.

I've asked and apple's response is, "you can always buy an extra band to suite your preferences"

The predetermined combinations are just annoying. $429 for a watch is tolerable. $479 for the combination I want to have a second band sit and collect dust is just silly.

Also think the red sport loop that comes with the silver would look sharp on the black..but again that's gonna cost you an extra $50.

 

[matthew23]

If they even sell the red nike band separate....it is an exclusive band....

 

[wche]

Do they plan on selling the Nike sport loop bands separately? I don't see them in their accessories line up

 

[Bryan Bowler]

I understand your desires, but in Apple’s defense, they can’t stock a thousand different pre-packaged combinations, so they have to pick a few different options for each casing color and then sell the rest of the bands separately. I can understand why they do it this way.

If you order the 42mm Nike+ w/ Black/Pure Platinum Nike Sport Loop, I’ll help lessen some of your cost of buying the stock band for a discounted price. If that interests you, send me a PM.

 

[brian3uk]

But you've got a choice between black and gray sport band TBH I think they should sell the watch and bands separately.

 

[KarimLeVallois]

But you've got a choice between black and gray sport band TBH I think they should sell the watch and bands separately.

That would be the ideal, mix and match!

 

[ACST]

But you've got a choice between black and gray sport band TBH I think they should sell the watch and bands separately.

On the one hand yes, but on the other hand it's a bit weird selling a watch without a band.

 

[troubleonline]

But you've got a choice between black and gray sport band TBH I think they should sell the watch and bands separately.

On the one hand yes, but on the other hand it's a bit weird selling a watch without a band.

As a consumer I get really annoyed when I have to buy something that is clearly needed to use or operate the main item or is unique to that item. There was something recently that irked me but can't recall what. Might have been a charger for an item.......

I assume though that there is a decent market on eBay in unused/unwanted bands ........

 

[jid963]

I understand your desires, but in Apple’s defense, they can’t stock a thousand different pre-packaged combinations, so they have to pick a few different options for each casing color and then sell the rest of the bands separately. I can understand why they do it this way.

If you order the 42mm Nike+ w/ Black/Pure Platinum Nike Sport Loop, I’ll help lessen some of your cost of buying the stock band for a discounted price. If that interests you, send me a PM.

The issue of stocking too many combinations is easily avoidable if they simply package them separately. Then it'd simply be boxes of faces and boxes of bands. I'd argue that it makes inventory much easier since it'd reduce the number of SKU's significantly.

Then when you buy, you choose your band and your face and you get two boxes. I'd even understand if they still forced you to buy them as a package whenever you bought a face, so that you are always getting a fully functioning product as intended.

 

[predation]

As a consumer I get really annoyed when I have to buy something that is clearly needed to use or operate the main item or is unique to that item. There was something recently that irked me but can't recall what. Might have been a charger for an item.......

I assume though that there is a decent market on eBay in unused/unwanted bands ........

But are they legit apple bands. Too many fakes to get scammed.

 

[sirenized]

I understand your desires, but in Apple’s defense, they can’t stock a thousand different pre-packaged combinations, so they have to pick a few different options for each casing color and then sell the rest of the bands separately. I can understand why they do it this way.

If you order the 42mm Nike+ w/ Black/Pure Platinum Nike Sport Loop, I’ll help lessen some of your cost of buying the stock band for a discounted price. If that interests you, send me a PM.

they could however just sell the watch face (boxed and ready to ship) and allow people to add band of choice/preference separately.

 

[Cowmonk]

I felt the same (no point getting a band like the one I have), so took a random punt on the olive loop thing. It's insanely comfy and a nice silver/grey far more than it is olive (olive... seriously, what a name to go with).

I do not regret decision at all... but I know I would never have risked it had it not been for already having the sport band from s0.

 

[Bryan Bowler]

The issue of stocking too many combinations is easily avoidable if they simply package them separately. Then it'd simply be boxes of faces and boxes of bands. I'd argue that it makes inventory much easier since it'd reduce the number of SKU's significantly.

Then when you buy, you choose your band and your face and you get two boxes. I'd even understand if they still forced you to buy them as a package whenever you bought a face, so that you are always getting a fully functioning product as intended.

I understand and appreciate where you’re coming from, but Apple would never do it that way. From a marketing perspective, it needs to be a complete watch when you buy it and it all needs to be in the same package.

Again, I know where you’re coming from...but hundreds of millions of dollars are at stake and the details that go into marketing are very important.

 

[cambookpro]

I understand and appreciate where you’re coming from, but Apple would never do it that way. From a marketing perspective, it needs to be a complete watch when you buy it and it all needs to be in the same package.

Again, I know where you’re coming from...but hundreds of millions of dollars are at stake and the details that go into marketing are very important.

Not sure why they couldn't do it like Macs - sell stock configs online and it their retail stores, but also have a way to order custom combinations of faces and bands. Order time might be longer, but would mean people could get exactly what they wanted.

If they can custom engrave iPads, put different processor, GPU, RAM and SSD combinations in Macs, I don't see why this would be impossible.

 

[jid963]

I understand and appreciate where you’re coming from, but Apple would never do it that way. From a marketing perspective, it needs to be a complete watch when you buy it and it all needs to be in the same package.

Again, I know where you’re coming from...but hundreds of millions of dollars are at stake and the details that go into marketing are very important.

I'm not here to argue, and I do get what your saying. They aren't the worlds largest company for no reason....

The irony is, for me to get the "complete watch" that I want. I get 2 boxes, a superfluous band, and a wallet that's $50 lighter.

 

[Bryan Bowler]

Not sure why they couldn't do it like Macs - sell stock configs online and it their retail stores, but also have a way to order custom combinations of faces and bands. Order time might be longer, but would mean people could get exactly what they wanted.

If they can custom engrave iPads, put different processor, GPU, RAM and SSD combinations in Macs, I don't see why this would be impossible.

The reason they can’t do this is because there are over 12,000 different combinations of the Apple Watch. (I’m not joking, there really are over 12,000 choices.) Maybe this article will help everyone understand. It’s outdated and the number is now higher, but the premise is still the same:

https://www.imore.com/there-are-now-nearly-11000-combinations-apple-watch-cases-bands-and-faces

Apple is doing it the smartest way they can. If you want a different band than what comes with the stock configurations, then you need to spend a little extra money to do so.

 

[cambookpro]

The reason they can’t do this is because there are over 12,000 different combinations of the Apple Watch. (I’m not joking, there really are over 12,000 choices.) Maybe this article will help everyone understand. It’s outdated and the number is now higher, but the premise is still the same:

https://www.imore.com/there-are-now-nearly-11000-combinations-apple-watch-cases-bands-and-faces

Apple is doing it the smartest way they can. If you want a different band than what comes with the stock configurations, then you need to spend a little extra money to do so.

There are thousands of combinations of iMac when you take into account keyboard language, preinstalled software, VESA mount, etc. Apple don't just have each one ready and waiting to go, they're built to order.

No reason why in a similarly low-volume product like the Watch that they couldn't build to order face and band configs.

 

[squirrrl]

The issue of stocking too many combinations is easily avoidable if they simply package them separately. Then it'd simply be boxes of faces and boxes of bands. I'd argue that it makes inventory much easier since it'd reduce the number of SKU's significantly.

Then when you buy, you choose your band and your face and you get two boxes. I'd even understand if they still forced you to buy them as a package whenever you bought a face, so that you are always getting a fully functioning product as intended.

This... I agree 100%, but then Apple knows you're going to want a different band so they will make at least $49 off you extra.
[doublepost=1506540849][/doublepost]

The reason they can’t do this is because there are over 12,000 different combinations of the Apple Watch. (I’m not joking, there really are over 12,000 choices.) Maybe this article will help everyone understand. It’s outdated and the number is now higher, but the premise is still the same:

https://www.imore.com/there-are-now-nearly-11000-combinations-apple-watch-cases-bands-and-faces

Apple is doing it the smartest way they can. If you want a different band than what comes with the stock configurations, then you need to spend a little extra money to do so.

Also, this article is a little misleading as they add "faces" as one of the options that they are including in the 11K combinations. considering most watches come with the same choice of faces (except Hermes, Nike and Series 3) I think it's misleading to put that in the calculations.

 

[brian3uk]

As a consumer I get really annoyed when I have to buy something that is clearly needed to use or operate the main item or is unique to that item. There was something recently that irked me but can't recall what. Might have been a charger for an item.......

I assume though that there is a decent market on eBay in unused/unwanted bands ........

Yeah i get the frustration but how is that different from not being able to buy a watch you want, instead having to pay extra simply for a different color band because they chose not to bundle that one? Also, some Apple watches don't even come with the charger, just the cable. The new iPhone doesn't come with USB-C cable but last 2 years of MacBooks are USB-C only so you have to buy a cable or an adapter. It obvious that Apple does this for more money, but from a consumer perspective it would be cheaper and less wasteful if they just let you build your own bundle. I mean who really needs another regular usb lightning cable or 5w charging block at this point.

 

[airjay75]

Of course Apple could sell the watch and bands separately - but, then they wouldn’t get to make all that extra money off of selling more bands! I really think that is the simple answer. It’s really classic Apple pricing. Sell the base model of something that is perfectly adequate for many people, but offer options to upgrade and purchase accessories where the price point is just enough to make you question whether it’s worth it, but ultimately not so much such that you ultimately decide against it if you really want it. Apple is a public, for-profit company at the end of the day - they’re out to make money and they know how to do it well.

 

[troubleonline]

Yeah i get the frustration but how is that different from not being able to buy a watch you want, instead having to pay extra simply for a different color band because they chose not to bundle that one? Also, some Apple watches don't even come with the charger, just the cable. The new iPhone doesn't come with USB-C cable but last 2 years of MacBooks are USB-C only so you have to buy a cable or an adapter. It obvious that Apple does this for more money, but from a consumer perspective it would be cheaper and less wasteful if they just let you build your own bundle. I mean who really needs another regular usb lightning cable or 5w charging block at this point.

I wasn't necessarily disagreeing with you about not being able to buy the watch you want! Although I quite like having lots of lightning cables so I can have them dotted about the place at home and at work and in the car for our phones and iPad's Still can't get used to having a decent battery on the 7 plus so overcompensate.

 

[Fireball Dragon]

Totally agree. Was a little difficult to decide (or not?) when I got my AW.

I wanted the space grey GPS, so didn't have many options; only the space grey or black sports band.

Already had black from my series 0, so opted for space grey. Really liked it from the moment I unboxed tbh! Will serve me well until my black sport loop comes next week.