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Apple Won't Allow Swapping of Bands at Apple Watch 'Try-On' Appointments

Sunday March 29, 2015 8:21 pm PDT by Arnold Kim
The Apple Watch will be available for in store previews and Try-On appointments starting on April 10th. The Apple Watch comes in a variety of sizes, colors, and band-types which can make the decision of how to pick a band and Apple Watch combination complicated.

applewatchtable
Apple has a number of recommended combinations highlighted on their online store, but also sells bands separately, allowing customers to potentially mix and match between the various Apple Watches and bands. Some combinations could yield a mix of materials that readers feared may not look natural together, such as an aluminum Apple Watch Sport and a stainless steel accented band. The stainless steel Apple Watch is the most cosmetically versatile but carries a $200 premium over the aluminum Apple Watch Sport.

Apple, however, will not allow customers to try arbitrary mix and match options during their Apple Watch Try-On appointments, presumably in the interest of time and simplicity. According to retail training materials MacRumors received, Apple specifically states that they "will not size links or swap bands" at the Try-on table or Try-on cases. Try-on appointments for non-Edition Apple Watches are meant to last only 5-15 minutes. Apple will have 18 specific Apple Watch combinations on display at their Try-On tables and 10 specific combinations at their Try-On cases.

Apple Watch pre-sales and try-on appointments start on April 10th, and the official launch of the Apple Watch is April 24th.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 5
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)
[ 258 comments ]


Top Rated Comments

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Velin
52 months ago
Just cancel this stupid product. Divert the future billions you will waste to improving OSX, Macs, and iPhone.
Rating: 59 Votes
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JFazYankees
52 months ago
This might make sense time-wise, but it's huge step in the wrong direction in terms of customer experience.
Rating: 41 Votes
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levitynyc
52 months ago
This seems like a royal cluster**** waiting to happen.

Oh well. People will still buy them anyway.
Rating: 23 Votes
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lewisd25
52 months ago
The more I hear, the more worried I am about this launch.
Rating: 21 Votes
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HenryDJP
52 months ago

Apple never marketed anything such as this gadget. So much buzz about this watch, they are afraid it won't sell well - that's why.


Or maybe the Anti-Apple crowd is afraid it WILL sell. ;)
Rating: 21 Votes
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HenryDJP
52 months ago

It is a big deal when Apple has continuously emphasized the ease of swapping bands.


You're missing the point. Apple set these appointments up simply as a courtesy because they know it will be a big crowd of customers swarming the stores to buy one. They appointments are only 15 minutes. Have you ever worked in retail? Customers take much longer than necessary. Allowing them to switch bands will slow everything down and other customers will get pissed. Some control has to take place.
Rating: 18 Votes
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Rogifan
52 months ago

This might make sense time-wise, but it's huge step in the wrong direction in terms of customer experience.


How many people will actually want a mismatched watch and band? Who's going to spend $450 on a stainless steel bracelet and pair it with an aluminum watch? I think there's going to be A LOT fewer customers wanting a model that Apple isn't offering. And I think these mismatched combinations are going to look a lot worse than people think. There's a reason Apple chose the models they did.
Rating: 17 Votes
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boast
52 months ago
Will people make Edition appointments just for fun? Or will they require credit pulls first, lol
Rating: 13 Votes
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HenryDJP
52 months ago

I like Apple I really do, but all of these "rumors" I'm hearing is just pulling me closer and closer to wanting an Android Wear. It's as if they keep restricting what people may want and aside from normal Apple price gouging.


Just get the Android wear and be done with it. Apple sure won't take a loss from your non-sale. :)
Rating: 12 Votes
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FlatCable
52 months ago

I like Apple I really do, but all of these "rumors" I'm hearing is just pulling me closer and closer to wanting an Android Wear. It's as if they keep restricting what people may want and aside from normal Apple price gouging.


I'm convinced you are switching platforms to get a different watch just because of this.

Also... How many minutes can you try Android Wear watches?
Rating: 12 Votes

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