Switching back to Stainless Steel

[richpjr]

There was no way I could have gone from my high end Swiss mechanicals to the aluminum sport. It feels like a cheap Casio compared to the stainless. And in three months I suspect there will be lots of regret over the scratch prone Gorilla glass on the sport.

Haven't bought one yet, but after having watches with sapphire crystals and others with glass, there is simply no way I'd go with glass. Add in the fact that IMO the stainless is much better looking and it's an easy decision for me.

 

[alexcue]

I ordered the SGS at 12:03 launch day. On April 16th my first day off, I went into the store to try it on. I also tried the SS one. I just couldn't justify the price difference. I've worn a watch all my life and my most expensive was a Seiko 5 and a Casio G Shock Atomic/Solar. A Watch is a utilitarian device to me, not a piece of jewelry. I love gadgets but don't need them to be the shiniest and draw attention to me.
I wear survival bracelets because I just like them and change them up, so my SGS has 3 bands already and a fourth on the way.
The ionX glass has only one tiny little scratch, which made me wish I'd gone for the Sapphire screen, but once i got over the shock, and seeing that it was actually pretty tough. I'm fine with it.
The SS bezels that I've seen show some scratches also! My SG aluminium looks fantastic! (lets hope I haven't jinxed it)
When AW2 comes out, I'll upgrade and swap them depending on if I'm working out or dressing up. If it's $200 at that time for the difference I'll spring for it.

 

[mac.cali]

I ordered the SGS at 12:03 launch day. On April 16th my first day off, I went into the store to try it on. I also tried the SS one. I just couldn't justify the price difference. I've worn a watch all my life and my most expensive was a Seiko 5 and a Casio G Shock Atomic/Solar. A Watch is a utilitarian device to me, not a piece of jewelry. I love gadgets but don't need them to be the shiniest and draw attention to me.
I wear survival bracelets because I just like them and change them up, so my SGS has 3 bands already and a fourth on the way.
The ionX glass has only one tiny little scratch, which made me wish I'd gone for the Sapphire screen, but once i got over the shock, and seeing that it was actually pretty tough. I'm fine with it.
The SS bezels that I've seen show some scratches also! My SG aluminium looks fantastic! (lets hope I haven't jinxed it)
When AW2 comes out, I'll upgrade and swap them depending on if I'm working out or dressing up. If it's $200 at that time for the difference I'll spring for it.

Let's say the next version is a slight upgrade with a faster chip and slightly better battery life. Kind of like they do with the S models of the iPhone. By then you feel $200 is worth it and not on day one because it's a first generation production?

 

[alexcue]

Let's say the next version is a slight upgrade with a faster chip and slightly better battery life. Kind of like they do with the S models of the iPhone. By then you feel $200 is worth it and not on day one because it's a first generation production?

I've been around the block with Apple products, so more than likely YES. lol

 

[HowlinAl]

Why not carefully evaluate the items you think you want before actually buying them? You are truly abusing the return policy and its people like you that ruin it for everyone else and drive costs up.

Why not mind your own business and let other people do whatever they want?

 

[Bryan Bowler]

Why not mind your own business and let other people do whatever they want?

Last time I checked, this was an internet forum where we're allowed to voice our opinions.

It is my opinion that buying an Apple Watch and deciding to return it because it's not for you, then buying another Apple Watch a week or two later to try it out again is borderline wasteful. So is buying one of each of the bands just to see which one you might want...that could be considered excessive too.

The overall point that I'm trying to make is not to be harmful towards the forum member I'm referring to, rather it's to point out that abusing a company's return policy is what causes costs to rise and return policies to tighten up. That's not a win-win situation for any of us.

 

[AppleWes]

Last time I checked, this was an internet forum where we're allowed to voice our opinions.

I agree and am thankful for different points of view!

Although Apple really pushes "just try it out and return if it if you don't like it". I've had Apple Store employees promote the 14 day return policy many times when I've looked at iPhone cases/Watch bands/etc... without me even seeming unsure of what I want.

I also agree it shouldn't be abused, but on the flip side, a lot of employees will push that on customers to just return if they aren't happy or change their mind. That will create/promote the attitude of some people to order everything and return a lot.

 

[AppleWes]

I admit I switched from SS Milanese Loop to Space Grey Sport and am very happy. Sport is a lot lighter and having not previously wore watches I didn't care for the flashy mirror finish of SS. Not too worried about the screen as I work in an office and cardio gym workouts.

"To each his own" 🙂

 

[profmjh]

Last time I checked, this was an internet forum where we're allowed to voice our opinions.

Well, it's easy to sit in judgment, isn't it.

Perhaps it hasn't occurred to you that Apple's business model relies on its return policy. Unlike, say, Sony products, you can't just buy an Apple Watch anywhere, you can only buy one in an Apple Store. (Actually you can't even buy one there, but hey.) You can't even buy them in Resellers.

If you want to try an Apple Watch or strap you have to go to an Apple Store. There are 39 in the UK and I don't live in the same town as one. Apple is endlessly banging on about how the Watch is its most personal product ever, and that certainly suggests that people will want to try them in real life.

For this reason, it allows returns. People can try on the watch and straps at home and decide if they like them or not. Which is what I did.

You seem to be suggesting that I should be limited to how many straps I can try. What's the number? How many am I allowed to look at?

You also criticise me for changing my mind. Presumably you've never done that. Well done.

And you blame me for the high price of Apple products. As a proportion of the profit margin on Apple's products, I imagine shipping costs from returns is a very small percentage. When you factor in the sales that would be lost if Apple didn't have an easy returns policy, the net cost to Apple may be not only minimal but negative.

And, as I said, Apple's profits have been healthily bolstered by my 25 years of customer loyalty. A loyalty that may well have been transferred to a competitor had they not had the approach to customer service that they have.

Your signature at the bottom of your message suggests that you have plenty of money. I doubt the extra dime my returns have cost you is going to cause you to have to have dry bread for dinner.

 

[HowlinAl]

Well, it's easy to sit in judgment, isn't it.

Your signature at the bottom of your message suggests that you have plenty of money. I doubt the extra dime my returns have cost you is going to cause you to have to have dry bread for dinner.

You have every right to return, exchange, upgrade, etc. as many times as you want and not have someone lay a guilt trip on you about it. This kind of service is one of the reasons Apple charges so much for their stuff.

 

[redman042]

I did the same. I was surprised to find that I did not enjoy the look of the SG case nearly as much as I expected. I haven't worn a watch for 20 years. But with one suddenly on my wrist, I realized after a week that I wanted something bolder and nicer. So I traded up to a SS with Black Leather Loop.

If I were to have stuck with a sport, I probably would have switched to the silver aluminum and bought a BSB separately. That's a pretty nice combo too. But the dark SGS is just okay IMO.

That said, it was a wise move for Apple to offer so many choices, because it truly is an individual thing.

 

[redman042]

Why not carefully evaluate the items you think you want before actually buying them? You are truly abusing the return policy and its people like you that ruin it for everyone else and drive costs up.

Wrong. I also did TWO try-ons before buying, and then changed my mind. And, I might add, paid them MORE for a better model.

The watch is a different animal. It is not a phone. It's much harder to know what you'll like long-term based on a rushed try-on appointment. You need to wear it for a few days or a week to be sure. Apple created a generous return policy for that very reason. They want customers happy for the long term. Not the quick sale and then abandonment like Samsung or others might be targeting. Long term customer satisfaction is a key metric they bring up at every shareholder meeting.

Some people do abuse the return policy but this is not one of those examples.

 

[Bryan Bowler]

Well, it's easy to sit in judgment, isn't it.

Perhaps it hasn't occurred to you that Apple's business model relies on its return policy. Unlike, say, Sony products, you can't just buy an Apple Watch anywhere, you can only buy one in an Apple Store. (Actually you can't even buy one there, but hey.) You can't even buy them in Resellers.

If you want to try an Apple Watch or strap you have to go to an Apple Store. There are 39 in the UK and I don't live in the same town as one. Apple is endlessly banging on about how the Watch is its most personal product ever, and that certainly suggests that people will want to try them in real life.

For this reason, it allows returns. People can try on the watch and straps at home and decide if they like them or not. Which is what I did.

You seem to be suggesting that I should be limited to how many straps I can try. What's the number? How many am I allowed to look at?

You also criticise me for changing my mind. Presumably you've never done that. Well done.

And you blame me for the high price of Apple products. As a proportion of the profit margin on Apple's products, I imagine shipping costs from returns is a very small percentage. When you factor in the sales that would be lost if Apple didn't have an easy returns policy, the net cost to Apple may be not only minimal but negative.

And, as I said, Apple's profits have been healthily bolstered by my 25 years of customer loyalty. A loyalty that may well have been transferred to a competitor had they not had the approach to customer service that they have.

Your signature at the bottom of your message suggests that you have plenty of money. I doubt the extra dime my returns have cost you is going to cause you to have to have dry bread for dinner.

Alright, alright. There's a lot of people getting fiesty here and there's no need for that. I was just pointing out that excessive returns ultimately drive the cost up for everyone. I've stated that what I said wasn't meant to bring harm or disgrace directly to you. I was just bringing up a point that one should make their best efforts to at least narrow down their choices before ordering and not use Apple's return policy as a carte blanche for ordering everything in the inventory just to take it for a test drive.

With that being said, it has become very clear that you are just trying to find the product that's right for you and you're not abusing anything. I also greatly appreciate Apple's return policy and am thankful for it. It gives me great peace of mind too and I'm glad its there if and whenever I need it.

 

[Jmona]

It's completely understandable if there's no Apple Store in site for you to go try a product. Having said that, if the product doesn't work, you have the return policy specifically for that.
Anyhow, I think about this matter, you all have deviated the thread to an unnecessary argument which has nothing to do with the threads subject or body.
If someone buys something, and then returns it; so what? You carry on with your life. It doesn't hurt you personally.

Apple products have been expensive since day one, being Apple I almost $1800 then and Apple II about double the price. No return factors really make a difference in Apple's pricing. I had that convo with Woz, who happens to be close friend of mine and my family's. Nothing, again, NOTHING influences apples pricing except for the fact that Apple products are worth the price compared to other brands because their quality isn't like a plastic pc, and the Apple Care service.
Now, can we please carry on with what the thread is for instead of arguing with each other? You're all ruining it for others.

When people who are having a bad experience with a product they initially wanted, upon trying it out they realize it doesn't work, they should never be subjected in to keeping certain product.
Unless you're the one guy who exchanged close to 500 iPhones in one year, and wound up going to jail after Apple opened an investigation and found out he was bringing stolen iPhones for replacement, and said replacements were sold, and now the guy is in prison for Fraud.

None of us are like that so stop bickering. What makes us different from guys like that is that we buy these products for our entertainment. And there's nothing wrong with returning a product if you are in fact buying for personal use.


Anyways, I decided to go for the SS with black classic buckle. I wished it got here in time for my chemo infusion on Monday but I'll wait till then to send this one since I have till the 23rd to send it back and my chemo infusion nurses want to see the watch. 😀

 

[dilutedq]

Went Space gray 42mm. Tried on both and the weight difference really shifted me towards that plus the matte look. I'm not a jewelry person and this is a first gen product. I'm just checking it out to see if it'll stick and come next generation if I still feel good about it I'll go all in on that one no problem.

 

[ste1164]

I also had a SG BSB but after watching some videos i was unsure if I liked it. I was at an apple store getting my iPhone repaired and they let me try on a SS. I have now returned the SGS and have ordered a SS with leather loop!

 

[2010lexus]

This post is so funny. Apple probably sold over 5000000 watches to about 750000 actual customers. That's why they didn't give any updated information at the WWDC on Monday, they have no idea of how many watches they actually sold.

 

[kirkhuffy]

I went with space gray. I personally like it the best as I'm not much for shiny jewelry and whatnot. I couldn't be happier with my decision. I put an edge to edge screen protector on (IQ SHIELD-which you can't see at all and is strong) and its holding up well. It looks awesome with my black leather loop too!

Anyway, what watch looks better is subjective. I laugh every time I see "watch A looks better than watch B. Watch B looks like a toy blah blah". Of course you like watch A better, it's the one you bought. But that doesn't mean Danny Applestone is wrong preferring the other model watch.

Everyone enjoy their watches!

 

[profmjh]

For the record, my link bracelet arrived today. I totally love it and will be keeping it.

So I've spent £519 on a 42mm SS BSB and £379 on an SS link bracelet. I'm pretty sure Apple will forgive my returns 😉

 

[Jmona]

I said screw it and sent back the SG back today. The sooner I get my money, the sooner I can order my extra Milanese Loop. 😀 Besides I want it to arrive before I leave for our camping trip at the end of the month. 😀

 

[perezr10]

Well, it's easy to sit in judgment, isn't it.

Perhaps it hasn't occurred to you that Apple's business model relies on its return policy. Unlike, say, Sony products, you can't just buy an Apple Watch anywhere, you can only buy one in an Apple Store. (Actually you can't even buy one there, but hey.) You can't even buy them in Resellers.

If you want to try an Apple Watch or strap you have to go to an Apple Store. There are 39 in the UK and I don't live in the same town as one. Apple is endlessly banging on about how the Watch is its most personal product ever, and that certainly suggests that people will want to try them in real life.

For this reason, it allows returns. People can try on the watch and straps at home and decide if they like them or not. Which is what I did.

You seem to be suggesting that I should be limited to how many straps I can try. What's the number? How many am I allowed to look at?

You also criticise me for changing my mind. Presumably you've never done that. Well done.

And you blame me for the high price of Apple products. As a proportion of the profit margin on Apple's products, I imagine shipping costs from returns is a very small percentage. When you factor in the sales that would be lost if Apple didn't have an easy returns policy, the net cost to Apple may be not only minimal but negative.

And, as I said, Apple's profits have been healthily bolstered by my 25 years of customer loyalty. A loyalty that may well have been transferred to a competitor had they not had the approach to customer service that they have.

Your signature at the bottom of your message suggests that you have plenty of money. I doubt the extra dime my returns have cost you is going to cause you to have to have dry bread for dinner.

Regardless of whether the return policy is part of their value proposition, Apple makes a calculated gamble that only a certain % of the market will be "high maintenance" like you profMatt. If more and more customers start to abuse the return policy, I guarantee that even Apple will change the policy or raise their prices. It's simple business.

 

[QquegChristian]

I'd like to point out that Apple doesn't have a return policy that is in any way out of the ordinary. You have to have a return policy to compete nowadays. In fact, Apple's policy of 14 days for the watch is more in line with phone return policies rather than other electronics.

I can buy a Pebble on Amazon, or at Target, WalMart, or Best Buy and return it with no questions asked in 30 days rather than 14. At Target I have 60 days because I've sold them my privacy by getting a Red Card debit card.

Apple's policy isn't generous, it is just the cost of doing business now. I work with a company that deals in impulse buys and has a 90 day return policy during the holidays. A 15% return rate is seen as great for them with many products approaching 25%. Reviews often proclaim "I ordered one in each color and will return the 4 I don't like" etc. The returns are absolutely worked into the price. Manufacturing of the goods I work with is about $2.50 per unit. They are sold wholesale to the retailer for $9 and sold to customers for $18. The wholesaler eats all returns, of which most go into trash/recycling. The retailer gets to have an amazing return policy because they don't foot the bill. We wholesale for $9 because it is triple manufacturing cost. Even though the true cost is $2.50, that goes up to $3 because of returns. Without returns, we could wholesale for $7.50, making the retail $15 instead of $18. So that is the true cost of returns.

Wholesale is triple manufacturing to deal with R&D, royalties, and overhead. In general, our products don't break even until the 30,000th unit is sold. Some products only ever sell 10,000 and some sell 60,000 or more, making up for the less popular products.

 

[stocklen]

I agree, the choices are amazing and there is something for everyone

Map, can I ask whether you found any differences on the digital crown between stainless steel and sport models?

I started with sport, and then bought stainless steel. I have been surprised at the 'press' action of the SS digital crown - its far more 'mushy' shall we say and the 'double click' is quite hard to pull off as the SS crown seems to travel less far than the sport.

The sport digital crown was a definite 'click' when pressing - the stainless steel is much less so. I am wondering whether this is correct - did you notice any differences?

 

[Michael CM1]

When I went to try them on, I was pretty sure I would go with a Sport. I mean $200 cheaper, right? Aluminum looks great on my phone, and a glass face -- that's also my phone! I had barely talked myself into getting one a bit after they were available for pre-order after finding out how much of a tax return I would get plus factoring in overtime.

Anyway, after first completely ruling out the 38mm because of how tiny they were on my wrist, I started with a 42mm Watch because it was on the band I thought looked neat. The band, a leather loop, was neat. But then the watch looked so damn good. The stainless steel just shines like crazy. I like brushed metal a bunch, it's what I use in my bathroom fixtures aside from the faucets and my parents have a nice kitchen faucet like that. But just looking at it, I was mesmerized. The screen was also sharp.

I tried on the Sport model and it was fine. I was being practical and really thought I could spend $200 on other stuff. I even ordered a Sport going out of the store because of the already-long wait. Then the next night after talking to my parents about their watches, I decided to go with the Watch model. I'm going into geology, which means a lot of stuff involving objects that could get hit by my clumsy wrist. Already in owning it I clunk the seat belt buckle almost every day. I also knew that the Watch models would match the fancier bands I liked, the leather loop and Milanese loop, unlike the Sport models.

So the next day I switched my order, got it five weeks later, really loving my decision. If I ever need to fancy myself up, I can do that with a Milanese band. I got the WSB due to cost, the look is pretty good for a sport band compared to the other four, and Tim Cook wore one of those so it was good enough for me. Then Stephen Colbert had a white one, so I feel in good company.

Really glad I got one, especially for the health tracking. Apple Pay is even easier, and Passbook use at Starbucks is also easier. I've also found a use for 1Password and even started organizing my calendar with work times and other stuff so it'll show up on my watch face.

 

[Michael CM1]

I love this post! It makes me feel better about the fact that:

1. I ordered the 42mm SS WSB. And returned it. The Apple Watch was not for me.

2. I ordered a regular clockwork watch. And returned it. It was not for me.

3. I ordered a 42mm SS BSB. And loved it.

4. I ordered a Milanes loop. And returned it.

5. I ordered a black leather loop. And returned it.

6. I ordered a black classic buckle. And returned it.

7. I have an SS link on order ...

Still loving the SS BSB. Keeping it for sure.

I'm Capt. Buyer's Remorse on anything that gets above about $20, so I get considering use of something for a while. But that is quite an extreme amount of returns. I don't know how long you kept the original Apple Watch, but if not for about 14 days you may not have given it enough time. Most reviewers were saying to give it a week. I found that about right. But I had also done a ton of reading on the watch versions beforehand and then after I ordered in those five weeks I waited for shipment.

So obviously only you know how you work, but I'd just suggest doing more research on these things before buying them. I mean you know it adds up, and it is a CODB, but that just seems like a lot, especially with the bands. However I'm also that type who if you bring me the wrong food but if it's something I'm OK with and I'm not overcharged for it, I'm all "whatevs." Maybe I'm just good at convincing myself I like something more than I actually do. Eh, different strokes and all. Glad you're liking that model. It's what I have with the WSB.