Roger Fingas
Shoppers wanting to buy an Apple Watch from an Apple Store will not be able to pick one up without a prior reservation, at least at launch, according to a new report.
Prospective buyers will need to make a "Product Reservation" online to secure a specific model, eschewing Apple' usual Personal Pickup option, according to leaked training documents obtained by MacRumors. The documents also reportedly state that if a person simply walks into an Apple Store, retail workers should offer the option to try on a Watch, but then help them place an order through Apple's website or the official Apple Store app.
"Try-on" appointments will not reserve an Apple Watch for purchase, the report said. It's claimed that Apple will eventually allow walk-in purchases, but only once the the initial demand crush subsides.
The first try-on sessions should open up on April 10, when pre-orders are slated to start, even though the product won't launch until the 24th. It's also been said that although there are a variety of different bands for the Watch, people will not be able to swap them during try-ons.
This is presumed to be because most such appointments are expected to last between five and 15 minutes. The only exception is with people looking to buy an Edition model, who will have as much as 30 minutes. Prices for that line start at $10,000, and Apple has said that the Edition will be available in limited quantities and only at "select" stores.
Andrew Orr
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Wesley Hilliard
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Amber Neely
91 Comments
Good. Cut down on scalpels as much as possible.
Given that this is Apple's first wearable, I suspect they also opted to go the try-on route to minimize a high return rate...you're much more certain to keep something (personal) once you're satisfied how it looks on you, as opposed to putting it on at home for the first time and wishing you chose a different color or material. I'm sure there will be plenty of demo models showcasing a variety of band options already installed, so changing bands would largely be unnecessary.
I think by the time the 2nd gen watch comes out, they'll have a sales track record and regular watch stores will also sell Apple Watches.
Good. Cut down on scalpels as much as possible.
Yes, wouldn't want to cut into profits...
[quote name="thrang" url="/t/185471/apple-watch-for-retail-sale-by-reservation-only-no-band-swapping-during-try-ons-report#post_2700465"] I'm sure there will be plenty of demo models showcasing a variety of band options already installed, so changing bands would largely be unnecessary.[/quote] Not that they couldn't do this, but they would literally have to have every size and band combination they sell. I wonder if this prevents putting a stainless band on a sport watch for instance? However, one thing I would like to see as a potential customer is how easy it is to replace bands. Seems like it might be a more time consuming process than it otherwise appears. Perhaps at that volume a strain on a single demo watch mechanism? It does raise the question about selling additional bands. Until you see the watch and band on your wrist, how I'll you know? Perhaps once you buy a watch and bring it in with you, they will let you demo other bands on your own watch? EDIT: (Then again since they all look alike, I guess a customer can just try on the store demo model corresponding to the specific combination they own and are interested in).