The Genius of the "rough" Apple Watch Rollout

[nanocustoms]

Okay, so most of us here are long time Apple Fans, and we know the drill.

Every year, theres a new phone, new iPad, etc. So we do what we always do... We take note of when the preorder starts, and we set our mental clocks (alarm clock) to be at the Apple.com website, on our Apple Store App, or near a phone so we can call telesales.

We spend the next 2 weeks on Macrumors, discussing what we ordered, tracking planes, posting pics of our score, venting, and then we disappear.

This time around, however, the launch wasn't as smooth as we are used to, and I have to say that I am more addicted/antsy about getting my watch than ever!

My wife was one of the "lucky" ones. She got her White SS on launch day (damn right, I ordered it at 0:03), while she waits for her SS Link.

I was one of the less fortunate, who ordered a SG Sport, and got "unlucky". Mine showed up on Monday. I was at the 0:03:40 mark.

I looked on ebay and saw that they were going for $700-900 bucks. I am no sucker. I sold that mofo.

Now I sit in wait for my Wifes SS Link, and I finally cracked and ordered the SB Link for myself late last week.

Long story short, Macrumors gains, Apple Gains, we suffer together. It's been a fun group. Really reminds me of the camaraderie I experienced with the 3G launch. I was the first to NOT get a 3G on launch day. You can bet your bottom dollar I was there the next morning at the crack of dawn. The friends I made in line I am still in touch with today.

Anyways. </rant>

 

[cruzmisl]

What was rough about it besides some impatient people not wanting to wait?

 

[nanocustoms]

What was rough about it besides some impatient people not wanting to wait?

We have grown accustomed to apple product launches covering the preorders (at least the first days worth) on the official "launch" date.

For some of us to see the elongated shipping windows out the gate, I think it would qualify as "rough".

I'm not complaining. I'm in my 30s and can agree to terms I've been given. You won't hear me whining, but that doesn't mean that waiting isn't "rough".

My comment is about how delayed gratification has actually made me more interested in the product.

Let's be honest here, when you get the new iPhone, the novelty wears off in about a day or so. Then it's back to real life. With this slower rollout, a void has been filled by hanging out in the forums.

I can almost assure you that after I get my SS SB link, I'll be a ghost.

Cheers

Chris

 

[bashmagic]

What was rough about it besides some impatient people not wanting to wait?

A few weeks, sure. A month? Ok, whatever.

2 months? BS. Pure and simple. Sorry, but that's not reasonable for a product like this, from a company like Apple. With all of their resources, they could have and should have been prepared.

And if they couldn't have been prepared, they should have delayed the launch another month.

 

[Jimmie Geddes]

I wonder if part of the 'genius' is the feedback coming in and reported issues with the Apple Watch, allows Apple to make adjustments/fixes (like replacing black sport bands), before it gets on the wrists of the masses, who will probably get their Apple Watch in June at earliest. Apple's getting tons of feedback from its most loyal users and fans for a brand new product that's constrained.

 

[Eightyone]

People have forgotten the iPad 2 launch.

There were no preorders, just hopes of being able to reserve one - if - the Apple Store received one, that you were lucky enough to claim.

That, or line up daily, for weeks and walk away empty handed.

 

[Michael CM1]

A few weeks, sure. A month? Ok, whatever.

2 months? BS. Pure and simple. Sorry, but that's not reasonable for a product like this, from a company like Apple. With all of their resources, they could have and should have been prepared.

And if they couldn't have been prepared, they should have delayed the launch another month.

So they delay the launch another month and people get their watches just as quickly on the calendar as they would have had Apple not delayed the launch.

You can't perfectly gauge interest on a product that doesn't exist, nor can you prepare for a part on a new device going kaboom and screwing up your rollout. As I pointed out before, ask people who have bought new video game consoles about wait times. I bought a Wii on the day it launched and waited overnight. I didn't see one in stock at any store I went to or on Amazon or anywhere else for at least six months. About every other video game console that anybody actually wanted went through something similar.

Also, you cannot just wave a magic wand to ramp up production. There isn't some limitless factory where you can pump out 1 million watches per week. The demand is going to spike at launch and then taper off, so the people in charge will get some educated estimate on how much above "normal" prodction they want to go at first and then slow down over time. It's basically like Black Friday where some store may have 20 checkout lines but still can't meet demand. They aren't going to install 20 more just for that one weekend.

 

[srosgen]

Definitely Rough

A month after April 10 launch people are still waiting for status updates. I haven't even seen an Apple Watch in the "wild". No one lining up for try-ons in Apple stores. I'd call that pretty rough from every angle you look at.

 

[kupkakez]

A month after April 10 launch people are still waiting for status updates. I haven't even seen an Apple Watch in the "wild". No one lining up for try-ons in Apple stores. I'd call that pretty rough from every angle you look at.

I also have not seen any others in the wild, just mine! I also live in Austin, TX which is booming with techies everywhere. Either people aren't buying, still haven't gotten it or I just don't hang out at the right places.

 

[Pbrutto]

I have seen many open appointments at the local Apple Store, I honestly don't think people are buying them. I don't know if that's because people are hearing they are hard to come by or if they don't want to bother till they know they can get one in store. You have to know that apples customers that really pay the bills, not us fan boys, aren't going to deal with this mess until they go in, say "oh I like this one", pay for it, and walk out with it in hand that day. That is still shopping to people who are gonna spend 350-1,000 bucks on impulse. Anyone who knows they want a watch already preordered it and are stuck waiting like us.

 

[syclonefx]

A month after April 10 launch people are still waiting for status updates. I haven't even seen an Apple Watch in the "wild". No one lining up for try-ons in Apple stores. I'd call that pretty rough from every angle you look at.

I see them everyday at work, three people have them. It's rough seeing them with one and mine won't probably ship until the end of June.

 

[k3ith]

I think the delay and agony of having to wait ruined the experience for me and kinda tarnished my love for the product.

 

[Esexx]

I also have not seen any others in the wild, just mine! I also live in Austin, TX which is booming with techies everywhere. Either people aren't buying, still haven't gotten it or I just don't hang out at the right places.

I don't think too many people are buying them. My work (Los Angeles Area) for instance...70% have iPhones (most are 6/6+) and I am the only one who pre ordered an AW. Only 1 other is thinking of buying one, but is still unsure.

 

[shaown]

I dunno - I feel like a lot of people at work have them, I've seen a dozen or so.
-Shaown

 

[susan12369]

It probably would have been smoother if they had offered less options. 38 options for an entirely new product is a lot, and if they had offered 6 or 8 options, then it may have gone much more smoothly and then everyone could buy additional bands to suit their preference.