Just because Apple hasn't missed any ship dates yet doesn't mean they haven't severely mismanaged expectations. Let's review:
- Apple Watch announced in September as coming "early 2015", leading many to believe "by March 31"
Many can be wrong since Cook said "early" meant Jan-April as you already wrote. Not Apple's fault.
- March 9 event: announcement that Apple Watch starts shipping April 24, preorders start on April 10. So not only April, but at the end of April.
So what? Is there some magical deadline that the excludes the last 2-3 weeks of a month?
- April 10 pre-order: Many people stay up late or wake up in the middle of the night to be among the first to order a Watch, only to find out that their delivery date is a 2-week range: April 24 - May 8
I stayed up until 3 am to order the iPhone 4S. Couldn't connect until 7am. It's called demand.
- Celebrities and other influential people in the fashion industry are "given" watches well before April 24. Some even get custom bands that ordinary users - who have probably spent more money on Apple products in their lifetime than these celebrities have - cannot purchase.
how do you know they were given away for free? Plus these are probably the "edition" line so no average user can buy it anyway.
- Some users who had 4-6 week estimate ranges are now getting theirs on or around April 24, even though they ordered later than other people who ordered very early and are still having to wait (ok, so this is because of a model mix issue, isn't the fault of the users who had 4-6 week estimates, but it's still a problem Apple should have foreseen).
Hey if you accurately predict demand on launch day between 18 different models, why are you posting on Internet forums? You could be COO somewhere.
So yes, I agree with ClemyNX that this launch is pretty bad. Apple would give one set of expectations ("early 2015", "April 24"), then come back later with something else: "early 2015 includes April", then "April 24" becomes "April 24 - May 8" (and not during a presentation, but first mentioned on the day of ordering). Meanwhile, celebrities are being gifted Apple Watches left and right, occasionally with custom bands that no one else can get. None of this has ever happened in an iPhone launch. People who got their iPhone orders in early with Apple's online store got their new phones on launch date, not within a previously-unannounced 2-week date range. And they also weren't seeing celebrities showing off their shiny new iPhone 5, 5s, 6, 6 Plus, etc. pre-launch date, in some unreleased color that no one else can get.
Yes, I get that they need to seed the celebrities to get more people buying watches. But for goodness sakes, why couldn't they have started that on April 24 or even May 1?
Did Apple say all apple watches would be delivered by 4/24? I can't find that press release.
Oh and who really cares if celebs get the editions early? No one. Btw, John Hodgman used an iPad, pre-release day, at that year's Oscars.
That the watch is physically available in store at Maxfield's on Friday to me speaks to an elitist approach that seems concurrent with Angela's oversight. I still say FIRE HER! The complaints about this launch compared to those who favor is is akin to lightning and the lightning bug
Nope, these complaints sound like a two year old throwing a tantrum when asked to take a nap.
So yes, I agree with ClemyNX that this launch is pretty bad.
I think we all need to agree that this is new and unchartered territory.
To all of the complainers on this board...stop with the "sense-of-entitlement" philosophy. I understand you (and I) are paying customers, but everyone knew that supply would be limited and demand would be high.
And who cares that Tim Cook announced in Jan that the watch should come in early 2015...WHO ARE YOU to feel any sense of entitlement based on his estimated release date?
This sense-of-entitlement attitude is killing the USA.
Every time I hear about: a parent yelling at a teacher, a soccer mom criticizing the soccer coach, a frivolous lawsuit, demands for more gov't handouts, an asian/black/old/gay/white person placing all the blame of their bad situation on their genetic content, and now...customers who flame about firing a Senior VP and whining about their shipment date for a product that was known to have more demand than supply...I want to punch someone in the head... figuratively of course.
I think we all need to agree that this is new and unchartered territory.
To all of the complainers on this board...stop with the "sense-of-entitlement" philosophy. I understand you (and I) are paying customers, but everyone knew that supply would be limited and demand would be high.
And who cares that Tim Cook announced in Jan that the watch should come in early 2015...WHO ARE YOU to feel any sense of entitlement based on his estimated release date?
This sense-of-entitlement attitude is killing the USA.
Every time I hear about: a parent yelling at a teacher, a soccer mom criticizing the soccer coach, a frivolous lawsuit, demands for more gov't handouts, an asian/black/old/gay/white person placing all the blame of their bad situation on their genetic content, and now...customers who flame about firing a Senior VP and whining about their shipment date for a product that was known to have more demand than supply...I want to punch someone in the head... figuratively of course.
Sorry, but it is not "entitlement" to be told one date - very publicly - only to find out while ordering that it isn't just 1 day, but a 14-day range for your order: on March 9 they announced "April 24", but then on April 10 when we early ones pre-ordered, it was "April 24 - May 8". No announcement before this ever mentioned a windowed launch for the first batch. For rounds 2, 3, etc. that would be understandable, but this has never happened for "first batch" iPhones. Why couldn't have they just been straight up with this up front? Or just announced a May date so they'd have more time to stock up on inventory? I'm just saying they could have managed expectations better. That's not an American thing, that's a "be honest with me as a human being" thing.
Sorry, but it is not "entitlement" to be told one date - very publicly - only to find out while ordering that it isn't just 1 day, but a 14-day range for your order: on March 9 they announced "April 24", but then on April 10 when we early ones pre-ordered, it was "April 24 - May 8". No announcement before this ever mentioned a windowed launch for the first batch. For rounds 2, 3, etc. that would be understandable, but this has never happened for "first batch" iPhones. Why couldn't have they just been straight up with this up front? Or just announced a May date so they'd have more time to stock up on inventory? I'm just saying they could have managed expectations better. That's not an American thing, that's a "be honest with me as a human being" thing.
Did they say everyone who preordered will get an apple watch on 4/24 or starting on 4/24?
Many can be wrong since Cook said "early" meant Jan-April as you already wrote. Not Apple's fault.
So what? Is there some magical deadline that the excludes the last 2-3 weeks of a month?
I stayed up until 3 am to order the iPhone 4S. Couldn't connect until 7am. It's called demand.
how do you know they were given away for free? Plus these are probably the "edition" line so no average user can buy it anyway.
Hey if you accurately predict demand on launch day between 18 different models, why are you posting on Internet forums? You could be COO somewhere.
Did Apple say all apple watches would be delivered by 4/24? I can't find that press release.
Oh and who really cares if celebs get the editions early? No one. Btw, John Hodgman used an iPad, pre-release day, at that year's Oscars.
You completely missed my point entirely. It wasn't until January that "early" was clarified to include April. That wasn't back in September 2014, that was 4 months later, in January. Then "April 24" was publicly announced at the March event, only to show up in the store as "delivers April 24 - May 8". So for some people who got into the first batch, "early 2015" could well indeed be "mid 2015", going by Apple's calendar.
As to the celeb watches, no one has stated that they paid for theirs, or that it's merely on loan. Hodgman at least did work on behalf of Apple, most of us consider him "part of the Apple family" due to his ad appearances. I don't recall Beyoncé ever doing an Apple ad. And many people do care if celebs are getting ones early. They aren't all editions either, some are getting the mid-tier Apple Watch.
Did they say everyone who preordered will get an apple watch on 4/24 or starting on 4/24?
You're playing word semantics. Tim Cook said on stage on March 9, "The Apple Watch is available on April 24th, and it will be available in many countries throughout the world" (Keynotes podcast of the March Special Event, time index 1:29:44). But everyone familiar with the past history of iPhone launches expected this to mean "delivers on April 24th", not "delivers April 24 - May 8".
Sorry, but it is not "entitlement" to be told one date - very publicly - only to find out while ordering that it isn't just 1 day, but a 14-day range for your order: on March 9 they announced "April 24", but then on April 10 when we early ones pre-ordered, it was "April 24 - May 8". No announcement before this ever mentioned a windowed launch for the first batch. For rounds 2, 3, etc. that would be understandable, but this has never happened for "first batch" iPhones. Why couldn't have they just been straight up with this up front? Or just announced a May date so they'd have more time to stock up on inventory? I'm just saying they could have managed expectations better. That's not an American thing, that's a "be honest with me as a human being" thing.
I see, you're the same type of "human being" who complains when a certain store item is not on the Walmart shelf when in fact you knew there was more demand than stock available? Did it matter that Walmart publicly advertised that item? No.
Did Walmart tell you personally that that item was indeed available and waiting just for you on a shelf marked, "DamonF"?
Did Apple send you or owe you a personal note ensuring your watch would also be waiting for you on the shelf marked, "DamonF"?
I see. Entitlement.
Oh, I see...if Apple instead posted a public ad on their website and emailed you at damonf@iwantmyapplewatch.com warning you:
"Dear DamonF, in case you were thinking of ordering an Apple Watch we just wanted to let you know that, well, there are millions of people ordering it and well, we're not sure we can meet that demand on Apr 24. We may have one for you, but probably not, it make take a few more days or a month to fulfill your order...just in case you were thinking of ordering one. Our sincere apologies." -Apple.
Sorry to be so b-tichy but I'm just so tired of this.
It wasn't until January that "early" was clarified to include April. That wasn't back in September 2014, that was 4 months later, in January. Then "April 24" was publicly announced at the March event, only to show up in the store as "delivers April 24 - May 8".
For the last time...anyone who is upset that the watch is delivering Apr 24- May 8, 2015 just because Apple ANNOUNCED a yet-to-be-manufactured-totally-new-technology back in 2014, has all of life's priorities f'd up.
OMG, it wasn't until January that it was clarified to be April??!!?? /s
I see, you're the same type of "human being" who complains when a certain store item is not on the Walmart shelf when in fact you knew there was more demand than stock available? Did it matter that Walmart publicly advertised that item? No.
Did Walmart tell you personally that that item was indeed available and waiting just for you on a shelf marked, "DamonF"?
Did Apple send you or owe you a personal note ensuring your watch would also be waiting for you on the shelf marked, "DamonF"?
I see. Entitlement.
Oh, I see...if Apple instead posted a public ad on their website and emailed you at damonf@iwantmyapplewatch.com warning you:
"Dear DamonF, in case you were thinking of ordering an Apple Watch we just wanted to let you know that, well, there are millions of people ordering it and well, we're not sure we can meet that demand on Apr 24. We may have one for you, but probably not, it make take a few more days or a month to fulfill your order...just in case you were thinking of ordering one. Our sincere apologies." -Apple.
Sorry to be so b-tichy but I'm just so tired of this.
Honesty, integrity, sincerity, and kindness are what I expect as a human being, either from the wealthiest (and still, to me, my most favorite) company in the world, or from you. But you only offer me sarcasm, hate, slander, cruelty, and rudeness. Therefore I'll just end this discussion.
That the watch is physically available in store at Maxfield's on Friday to me speaks to an elitist approach that seems concurrent with Angela's oversight. I still say FIRE HER! The complaints about this launch compared to those who favor is is akin to lightning and the lightning bug
Oh come on. All stories that report this say that there will be extremely few units available for walk-in purchase at each of six stores. Not enough to really push back your order, but possibly good enough to generate some lines and hype at different hotspots around the world.
Honesty, integrity, sincerity, and kindness are what I expect as a human being, either from the wealthiest (and still, to me, my most favorite) company in the world, or from you. But you only offer me sarcasm, hate, slander, cruelty, and rudeness. Therefore I'll just end this discussion.
It was actually more in fun than to be mean.
For that I sincerely apologize. But really, not sure what response you expect.
I will ask just one thing and then I'll genuinely listen (and won't respond)...what would make all customers like you, happy?
And if you say that Apple should have waited until everyone could have one before making it available, then expect more sarcasm/rude comments from others.
Honesty, integrity, sincerity, and kindness are what I expect as a human being, either from the wealthiest (and still, to me, my most favorite) company in the world, or from you.
I still don't see how Apple was dishonest, displayed lack of integrity, insincere and unkind to you or anyone else on the Apple Watch "tragedy". It's comments like this (from you) that elicits harsh responses.
Sorry, but it is not "entitlement" to be told one date - very publicly - only to find out while ordering that it isn't just 1 day, but a 14-day range for your order: on March 9 they announced "April 24", but then on April 10 when we early ones pre-ordered, it was "April 24 - May 8". No announcement before this ever mentioned a windowed launch for the first batch. For rounds 2, 3, etc. that would be understandable, but this has never happened for "first batch" iPhones. Why couldn't have they just been straight up with this up front? Or just announced a May date so they'd have more time to stock up on inventory? I'm just saying they could have managed expectations better. That's not an American thing, that's a "be honest with me as a human being" thing.
Stick to the truth, please. Apple NEVER said even a single watch would be DELIVERED on April 24. They said pre-order shipments would BEGIN April 24. Why don't I see you giving Apple credit for having exceeded their promise by now DELIVERING some of the pre-orders by the 24th. And you're being totally disengenuous to suggest that Apple expanding the shipping window to April 24 - May 8th. You seem to have COMPLETELY misinterpreted Apple's communications on the matter. Having earlier said that pre-order shipments would begin on the 24th, that left unanswered when all pre-orders would eventually be delivered. Customers didn't know whether that meant that certain pre-orders might take a week or three months to be fully delivered. All Apple has done is given more detail by indicating a range of dates within which certain pre-orders will be delivered. And you turn their providing more information into a negative, because you have layered your own expectations on top of the information Apple has provided right from the beginning.
And to you I say take your head out of your anatomy and read if you are capable, the overwhelming comments criticizing Angela Ahrendts. It is epic just like your uninformed comment
And to you I say take your head out of your anatomy and read if you are capable, the overwhelming comments criticizing Angela Ahrendts. It is epic just like your uninformed comment
Give specific substantive comments (and their sources) relevant to A. Ahrendts.
Ready, set, go.
I just hear whining: "Angela isn't giving me my watch on Friday!"
Comments
Many can be wrong since Cook said "early" meant Jan-April as you already wrote. Not Apple's fault.
So what? Is there some magical deadline that the excludes the last 2-3 weeks of a month?
I stayed up until 3 am to order the iPhone 4S. Couldn't connect until 7am. It's called demand. how do you know they were given away for free? Plus these are probably the "edition" line so no average user can buy it anyway.
Hey if you accurately predict demand on launch day between 18 different models, why are you posting on Internet forums? You could be COO somewhere.
Did Apple say all apple watches would be delivered by 4/24? I can't find that press release.
Oh and who really cares if celebs get the editions early? No one. Btw, John Hodgman used an iPad, pre-release day, at that year's Oscars.
Nope, these complaints sound like a two year old throwing a tantrum when asked to take a nap.
So yes, I agree with ClemyNX that this launch is pretty bad.
I think we all need to agree that this is new and unchartered territory.
To all of the complainers on this board...stop with the "sense-of-entitlement" philosophy. I understand you (and I) are paying customers, but everyone knew that supply would be limited and demand would be high.
And who cares that Tim Cook announced in Jan that the watch should come in early 2015...WHO ARE YOU to feel any sense of entitlement based on his estimated release date?
This sense-of-entitlement attitude is killing the USA.
Every time I hear about: a parent yelling at a teacher, a soccer mom criticizing the soccer coach, a frivolous lawsuit, demands for more gov't handouts, an asian/black/old/gay/white person placing all the blame of their bad situation on their genetic content, and now...customers who flame about firing a Senior VP and whining about their shipment date for a product that was known to have more demand than supply...I want to punch someone in the head... figuratively of course.
I think we all need to agree that this is new and unchartered territory.
To all of the complainers on this board...stop with the "sense-of-entitlement" philosophy. I understand you (and I) are paying customers, but everyone knew that supply would be limited and demand would be high.
And who cares that Tim Cook announced in Jan that the watch should come in early 2015...WHO ARE YOU to feel any sense of entitlement based on his estimated release date?
This sense-of-entitlement attitude is killing the USA.
Every time I hear about: a parent yelling at a teacher, a soccer mom criticizing the soccer coach, a frivolous lawsuit, demands for more gov't handouts, an asian/black/old/gay/white person placing all the blame of their bad situation on their genetic content, and now...customers who flame about firing a Senior VP and whining about their shipment date for a product that was known to have more demand than supply...I want to punch someone in the head... figuratively of course.
Sorry, but it is not "entitlement" to be told one date - very publicly - only to find out while ordering that it isn't just 1 day, but a 14-day range for your order: on March 9 they announced "April 24", but then on April 10 when we early ones pre-ordered, it was "April 24 - May 8". No announcement before this ever mentioned a windowed launch for the first batch. For rounds 2, 3, etc. that would be understandable, but this has never happened for "first batch" iPhones. Why couldn't have they just been straight up with this up front? Or just announced a May date so they'd have more time to stock up on inventory? I'm just saying they could have managed expectations better. That's not an American thing, that's a "be honest with me as a human being" thing.
Did they say everyone who preordered will get an apple watch on 4/24 or starting on 4/24?
Many can be wrong since Cook said "early" meant Jan-April as you already wrote. Not Apple's fault.
So what? Is there some magical deadline that the excludes the last 2-3 weeks of a month?
I stayed up until 3 am to order the iPhone 4S. Couldn't connect until 7am. It's called demand.
how do you know they were given away for free? Plus these are probably the "edition" line so no average user can buy it anyway.
Hey if you accurately predict demand on launch day between 18 different models, why are you posting on Internet forums? You could be COO somewhere.
Did Apple say all apple watches would be delivered by 4/24? I can't find that press release.
Oh and who really cares if celebs get the editions early? No one. Btw, John Hodgman used an iPad, pre-release day, at that year's Oscars.
You completely missed my point entirely. It wasn't until January that "early" was clarified to include April. That wasn't back in September 2014, that was 4 months later, in January. Then "April 24" was publicly announced at the March event, only to show up in the store as "delivers April 24 - May 8". So for some people who got into the first batch, "early 2015" could well indeed be "mid 2015", going by Apple's calendar.
As to the celeb watches, no one has stated that they paid for theirs, or that it's merely on loan. Hodgman at least did work on behalf of Apple, most of us consider him "part of the Apple family" due to his ad appearances. I don't recall Beyoncé ever doing an Apple ad. And many people do care if celebs are getting ones early. They aren't all editions either, some are getting the mid-tier Apple Watch.
Did they say everyone who preordered will get an apple watch on 4/24 or starting on 4/24?
You're playing word semantics. Tim Cook said on stage on March 9, "The Apple Watch is available on April 24th, and it will be available in many countries throughout the world" (Keynotes podcast of the March Special Event, time index 1:29:44). But everyone familiar with the past history of iPhone launches expected this to mean "delivers on April 24th", not "delivers April 24 - May 8".
Sorry, but it is not "entitlement" to be told one date - very publicly - only to find out while ordering that it isn't just 1 day, but a 14-day range for your order: on March 9 they announced "April 24", but then on April 10 when we early ones pre-ordered, it was "April 24 - May 8". No announcement before this ever mentioned a windowed launch for the first batch. For rounds 2, 3, etc. that would be understandable, but this has never happened for "first batch" iPhones. Why couldn't have they just been straight up with this up front? Or just announced a May date so they'd have more time to stock up on inventory? I'm just saying they could have managed expectations better. That's not an American thing, that's a "be honest with me as a human being" thing.
I see, you're the same type of "human being" who complains when a certain store item is not on the Walmart shelf when in fact you knew there was more demand than stock available? Did it matter that Walmart publicly advertised that item? No.
Did Walmart tell you personally that that item was indeed available and waiting just for you on a shelf marked, "DamonF"?
Did Apple send you or owe you a personal note ensuring your watch would also be waiting for you on the shelf marked, "DamonF"?
I see. Entitlement.
Oh, I see...if Apple instead posted a public ad on their website and emailed you at damonf@iwantmyapplewatch.com warning you:
"Dear DamonF, in case you were thinking of ordering an Apple Watch we just wanted to let you know that, well, there are millions of people ordering it and well, we're not sure we can meet that demand on Apr 24. We may have one for you, but probably not, it make take a few more days or a month to fulfill your order...just in case you were thinking of ordering one. Our sincere apologies." -Apple.
Sorry to be so b-tichy but I'm just so tired of this.
It wasn't until January that "early" was clarified to include April. That wasn't back in September 2014, that was 4 months later, in January. Then "April 24" was publicly announced at the March event, only to show up in the store as "delivers April 24 - May 8".
For the last time...anyone who is upset that the watch is delivering Apr 24- May 8, 2015 just because Apple ANNOUNCED a yet-to-be-manufactured-totally-new-technology back in 2014, has all of life's priorities f'd up.
OMG, it wasn't until January that it was clarified to be April??!!?? /s
...here endeth the thread.
Honesty, integrity, sincerity, and kindness are what I expect as a human being, either from the wealthiest (and still, to me, my most favorite) company in the world, or from you. But you only offer me sarcasm, hate, slander, cruelty, and rudeness. Therefore I'll just end this discussion.
That the watch is physically available in store at Maxfield's on Friday to me speaks to an elitist approach that seems concurrent with Angela's oversight. I still say FIRE HER! The complaints about this launch compared to those who favor is is akin to lightning and the lightning bug
Oh come on. All stories that report this say that there will be extremely few units available for walk-in purchase at each of six stores. Not enough to really push back your order, but possibly good enough to generate some lines and hype at different hotspots around the world.
To Angela, I say, "well done".
To you, I say, "quit your whining".
Honesty, integrity, sincerity, and kindness are what I expect as a human being, either from the wealthiest (and still, to me, my most favorite) company in the world, or from you. But you only offer me sarcasm, hate, slander, cruelty, and rudeness. Therefore I'll just end this discussion.
It was actually more in fun than to be mean.
For that I sincerely apologize. But really, not sure what response you expect.
I will ask just one thing and then I'll genuinely listen (and won't respond)...what would make all customers like you, happy?
And if you say that Apple should have waited until everyone could have one before making it available, then expect more sarcasm/rude comments from others.
Honesty, integrity, sincerity, and kindness are what I expect as a human being, either from the wealthiest (and still, to me, my most favorite) company in the world, or from you.
I still don't see how Apple was dishonest, displayed lack of integrity, insincere and unkind to you or anyone else on the Apple Watch "tragedy". It's comments like this (from you) that elicits harsh responses.
Stick to the truth, please. Apple NEVER said even a single watch would be DELIVERED on April 24. They said pre-order shipments would BEGIN April 24. Why don't I see you giving Apple credit for having exceeded their promise by now DELIVERING some of the pre-orders by the 24th. And you're being totally disengenuous to suggest that Apple expanding the shipping window to April 24 - May 8th. You seem to have COMPLETELY misinterpreted Apple's communications on the matter. Having earlier said that pre-order shipments would begin on the 24th, that left unanswered when all pre-orders would eventually be delivered. Customers didn't know whether that meant that certain pre-orders might take a week or three months to be fully delivered. All Apple has done is given more detail by indicating a range of dates within which certain pre-orders will be delivered. And you turn their providing more information into a negative, because you have layered your own expectations on top of the information Apple has provided right from the beginning.
And to you I say take your head out of your anatomy and read if you are capable, the overwhelming comments criticizing Angela Ahrendts. It is epic just like your uninformed comment
Give specific substantive comments (and their sources) relevant to A. Ahrendts.
Ready, set, go.
I just hear whining: "Angela isn't giving me my watch on Friday!"