Thank you Angela for a job well done!

[nwlondonlad]

Bring back the lines and scalpers, i just love watching (from the comfort of my home waiting on UPS) those youtube videos or people in tents and dropping their products 10 seconds into purchase

 

[leenak]

To hell with that, she screwed this one up big time.

1. Overall limited selection
2. Poorly trained retail employees
3. Major purchase point didn't accept all forms of currency (no gift card in Apple Store app)
4. No in-store purchases on launch day or near future. Also no in-store pickup or ship-to-store.

And there's plenty of other examples.

You blame her for those things? I'm sure she was like 'lets make sure that apple store app use gift cards".

I think that inventory limitations aren't her choice. My guess and lots of other people's guess is that they ran out of runway and wanted to get the watch out rather than keep delaying it but also there are manufacturing issues, multiple kinds of bands they want to support.

Honestly, if Apple wanted a smooth launch, they would've said you guys are only getting white or black rubber bands, the rest you buy as an accessory.

 

[MH01]

Actually certain watches were cancelled like those people with country issues, business credit cards etc...that happens every release. Angela isnt to blame for that.

You may want to read a few threads. Some very unhappy posters with random orders cancelled

 

[AdonisSMU]

missed this kind of good old fashion sarcasm here. Thanks

Dont think I didnt see what you did here....

----------

You may want to read a few threads. Some very unhappy posters with random orders cancelled

Happens with every release... You cant blame her for that.

 

[Cory Bauer]

Box the watch/charger and the bands separately.

Putting aside for a moment that it would be extremely tacky and un-Apple-like to do so, that wouldn't solve the issue of how many of each band style (and band size) to manufacturer, how many 38mm vs 42mm bodies to build, or how many sport versus stainless steel versus gold versus space black. In fact the problem would be exactly the same.

 

[Mr.C]

You guys do realize that when you tally up all watch sizes, bands, and band size options there is something like 54 different pre-boxed purchase options for Apple Watch, right?

Taking orders online and building them as they come was the only way to go. Trying to stock every store and guess the correct breakdown of inventory would have been virtually impossible. With these initial orders, they'll have data to help determine which models are most and least popular and stock stores accordingly.

I do agree with others that the process wasn't as smooth as it should have been and mistakes and poor decisions were made. The whole preorder process could have been handled better. That said I do agree with you. Selling a watch is a completely different proposition to selling a phone or tablet especially from the number of different options point of view.

Trying to sell something like the Watch especially during the original launch period frenzy would have been a logistical nightmare and impractical. Even more so because the watches are not the only thing they sell and there will be other customers looking at buying other products at the same time in their stores.

 

[Cory Bauer]

I like your response. Watching the initial demand should help them better gauge stock in the retail stores post launch with all the various possible configs. It makes a lot of sense.

Thanks. I feel like everyone (including the news organizations) flustered with no in-store product for launch day aren't taking this into consideration.

 

[barkomatic]

I think this is the smoothest launch ever by Apple and it could've been a real mess with all the different band sizes and watch faces etc. I actually think Angela handled this brilliantly! She is really showing off her expertise in fashion. I'm very happy!

*I honestly think Tim and the boys could not have handled this launch without Angela there to help.*

Do you work for their human resources department or something? Should I start clapping?

 

[iWooz]

What Angela are you talking about? I haven't seen Angela Merkel with an Watch.
*confused*

 

[Cascadians]

Unfortunately the long long lines of scalpers, for months, has to be overcome.

Online only is sad but fair.

 

[BSben]

Unfortunately the long long lines of scalpers, for months, has to be overcome.

Online only is sad but fair.

Looking at ebay tells a different story, there a re loads on offer. The long lines may be gone, but the hardcore fans will still feel cheated. Online will be slightly fairer, but not fair in people's perception.

 

[bking10]

Wouldn't it have made sense for there to be more time from when you could try on watches to when you could pre-order? How many returns will there be from people who didn't want to miss out, but also don't have a real understanding of what they prefer?

 

[bulbousnub]

You blame her for those things? I'm sure she was like 'lets make sure that apple store app use gift cards".

I think that inventory limitations aren't her choice. My guess and lots of other people's guess is that they ran out of runway and wanted to get the watch out rather than keep delaying it but also there are manufacturing issues, multiple kinds of bands they want to support.

She is VP of Online and Retail sales. Yes, I do in fact blame her for those things - because she's ultimately the one in charge of those things.