Previewed at WWDC, launching in the fall.
Apple Watch for Sale in Retail Stores by Reservation Only, No Walk-In Sales
As the Apple Watch launch approaches, details have been leaking out about how Apple will be handling sales of their new device. According to leaked Apple documentation, the company will not be selling the Apple Watch to walk-in customers at launch.
Apple will begin offering online pre-sales of the Apple Watch starting on April 10th, with the first deliveries occurring on April 24th, the official Apple Watch launch date. During those two weeks, customers will be able to have hands-on "try-on" appointments at Apple retail stores in order to help make up their mind.
However, according to training documents that MacRumors has received, Apple is not allowing any walk-in retail purchases for the Apple Watch at launch. Instead customers must make an online "Product Reservation" to hold a specific Apple Watch model at a retail store. This new "Product Reservation" system is used instead of Apple's "Personal Pickup" system for Apple Watches. Apple's retail training documents indicate that "If a customer walks in and wants to purchase a watch, offer the option to try on a watch. Then help them place an order online or through the Apple Store app."
Apple seems to expect low inventory for the Apple Watches, and notes that "try-on" appointments also do not reserve a specific Apple Watch for purchase. Apple expects to eventually allow walk-in purchases, but not until the initial wave of demand has passed.
Apple will begin offering online pre-sales of the Apple Watch starting on April 10th, with the first deliveries occurring on April 24th, the official Apple Watch launch date. During those two weeks, customers will be able to have hands-on "try-on" appointments at Apple retail stores in order to help make up their mind.
However, according to training documents that MacRumors has received, Apple is not allowing any walk-in retail purchases for the Apple Watch at launch. Instead customers must make an online "Product Reservation" to hold a specific Apple Watch model at a retail store. This new "Product Reservation" system is used instead of Apple's "Personal Pickup" system for Apple Watches. Apple's retail training documents indicate that "If a customer walks in and wants to purchase a watch, offer the option to try on a watch. Then help them place an order online or through the Apple Store app."
Apple seems to expect low inventory for the Apple Watches, and notes that "try-on" appointments also do not reserve a specific Apple Watch for purchase. Apple expects to eventually allow walk-in purchases, but not until the initial wave of demand has passed.
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)
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42 months ago
There is nothing worse than going in store and being told you then have to go online to arrange to come back in store - really getting fed up of the Apple Store experience, which I used to rate so highly.
42 months ago
I hope they do this for every product launch. Would help curb all the scalpers.
42 months ago
I laughed...then I felt sad for the people that do buy one.
Not sure why you did either of those things, this sounds like the ideal way to prevent a ton of returns for other sizes and bands.
42 months ago
apple watch is like the ipod hi fi of dumb, useless, completely unnecessary apple products. making it harder to purchase is just the cherry topping
42 months ago
Good move by Apple. They need to be thoroughly brainwashed into not returning it after a week.
42 months ago
I wonder if they are going to have pre-reservation for the April 10 try-on. Or are we going to have lines just to try-on the watch to pre-order the watch.
42 months ago
This is just simply not the way I buy things. i dont want to be bothered by salesmen. when I want to buy something I would like to at least test it without making a reservation.
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