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Apple Watch for retail sale by reservation only, no band-swapping during try-ons - report

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.