AppleInsider Staff
After announcing online Apple Watch preorders would commence on April 10, Apple on Friday said it will allow buyers to pick up their reserved device at brick-and-mortar locations on April 24, launch day.
In an updated Online Apple Store section, Apple says customers will be able to pick up their Apple Watch orders in store as an alternative to home delivery. AppleInsider has confirmed the service applies to preorders and will be available on launch day.
Prior to Friday, it was unclear how exactly Apple intended to roll out its first wearable device. Even when Apple announced it would begin accepting Watch reservations starting on April 10, the company failed to detail order fulfillment choices, leaving some to speculate that in-store pickup would not be an option.
Unlike recent hardware releases, the company decided to make demo Watch units available at Apple Stores and Apple Watch shops two weeks before launch for personalized try-on sessions.
After sampling different models at participating brick-and-mortar stores on or after April 10, customers can place an order with sales floor staff, though launch day availability is not guaranteed. Those interested in being one of the first to own Apple Watch should consider preordering online prior to participating in a try-on session as orders can always be modified or canceled as long as they have not shipped.
As launch day approaches, Apple is ramping up advertising efforts across all forms of media, including print and television. On Friday, a new section called "Guided Tours" was posted to the Apple Watch webpage, offering virtual demonstrations of tentpole device features.
Apple Watch goes up for preorder on April 10 at 12:01 a.m. Pacific. The anticipated device will hit store shelves two weeks later on April 24.
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15 Comments
This was how I bought my iPad mini retina. It wasn't launch day, but it was still the period where supply was so constrained you had to reserve a unit online before going in to the store to pick it up. It wasn't a great experience because they didn't have a dedicated sales assistant dealing with all the people coming in to pick up their reserved units. So it ended up a small group of us there milling around waiting for sales assistants to become available, who were of course busy (as the Apple Store always is) and then it wasn't clear who was first, who was second etc. They need to have a sign, e.g. "Watch reservations this way" and a lecturn where you line up, manned by a dedicated person.
You just know Angela Ahrendts has a ton of experience with this sort of thing. Where is Ron Johnson when you need him?
The try on thing is a pretty slick idea, really embracing the "personal-ness" of the watch for anyone that's on the fence about getting one. Of course, if you're like me and pretty close to convinced, then the 14 day return window gives you plenty of time, too, especially if you just gotta have one on launch day.
Do you no longer provide links to the source anymore?
Yeah, I'm going to pre-order the minute it becomes available, then wait for it to arrive. Assuming everything's cool (it fits, etc.) that will be easier. I don't think I'll bother with going for in-store pick-up. I really love the Apple Store, but it's all the way on the other side of town. And I just don't really bother with leaving the house that much anymore, other than to go to the bar. :)