In-store pickup option coming to Apple's online store
Customers may soon be able to buy a product from Apple's online store and pick it up in person at one of the company's retail outlets.
The ability is expected to debut soon in a new pilot program being tested by Apple, known internally as "Sherwood." The in-store pickup option will apply to all products available online, including custom Macs, and engraved and gift-wrapped products, according to MacRumors.
Customers will be able to select a store for pick-up, and items will generally be available on the same day, though some items may take time to be delivered. To pick up a purchase in store, customers will be required to show identification, but will also be able to list one additional person who can pick up the item in stores for them.
In addition to in-store pickup, the report said that Apple's stores will also begin accepting returns of online orders. This will allow customers to avoid having to ship an item back to Apple for the return process.
The program is reportedly said to launch at "select retail stores," and will expand to more locations over time.
Apple has dabbled in in-store pick-ups before, starting in 2009 when it began offering holiday buyers the option via its website around Christmastime. The "Reserve and Pick Up" option allowed customers to reserve products online and pick them up in store.
But with that program, products were only available to pick up during a limited window, beginning 10 days before Christmas. And it was limited to specific products: the iPhone, iPod and MacBook lineups, Mac mini, iMac and Mac Pro. Accessories were not included.
The ability is expected to debut soon in a new pilot program being tested by Apple, known internally as "Sherwood." The in-store pickup option will apply to all products available online, including custom Macs, and engraved and gift-wrapped products, according to MacRumors.
Customers will be able to select a store for pick-up, and items will generally be available on the same day, though some items may take time to be delivered. To pick up a purchase in store, customers will be required to show identification, but will also be able to list one additional person who can pick up the item in stores for them.
In addition to in-store pickup, the report said that Apple's stores will also begin accepting returns of online orders. This will allow customers to avoid having to ship an item back to Apple for the return process.
The program is reportedly said to launch at "select retail stores," and will expand to more locations over time.
Apple has dabbled in in-store pick-ups before, starting in 2009 when it began offering holiday buyers the option via its website around Christmastime. The "Reserve and Pick Up" option allowed customers to reserve products online and pick them up in store.
But with that program, products were only available to pick up during a limited window, beginning 10 days before Christmas. And it was limited to specific products: the iPhone, iPod and MacBook lineups, Mac mini, iMac and Mac Pro. Accessories were not included.
Comments
talk about being behind the curve
they are just getting this?
talk about being behind the curve
yeah, 'cause it seems to have hurt sales.
they are just getting this?
talk about being behind the curve
What are you talking about? This will REVOLUTIONIZE THE INDUSTRY!
What are you talking about? This will REVOLUTIONIZE THE INDUSTRY!
Just don't use phrase "site to store" or Walmart will be
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they are just getting this?
talk about being behind the curve
It sounds like it may be more sophisticated than simply picking up items that are already in stock, or having factory items dropped off at the store.
If it's same-day pickup for engraved or built-to-order items then it suggests that these functions are going to be handled in-store, which is pretty cool. There are times when I've ordered online because of one of those two options.
Sounds like this will get rid of the whole "where's my order" anxiety. I can relate more than one horror story and missed holiday gifts having to do with the wonders of "Fed Ex Home Delivery".
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A same day delivery service to locations within a ten mile (or about 9 kilometer) radius of an Apple store would be nice.
I'm not sure that the "same day delivery" service to all of the stores will ever be available ... just due to the popularity of the inventory. Imagine the numbers needed to fill same day service. Tim Cook's expertise, as good as it is, would not be enough to pull this off without hugely expanding costs. Cost/benefit not there, imho.
How much "pampering" do we need anyway?
A same day delivery service to locations within a ten mile (or about 9 kilometer) radius of an Apple store would be nice.
FYI: 10 miles is about 16Km
If it's same-day pickup for engraved or built-to-order items then it suggests that these functions are going to be handled in-store, which is pretty cool.
It's not. Same day would only be the things they normally have in store. Build to order would be several days to deliver
A same day delivery service to locations within a ten mile (or about 9 kilometer) radius of an Apple store would be nice.
For what they would likely have to charge for such a service, you could just hire a courier to go to the store for you.
they are just getting this?
talk about being behind the curve
yeah, 'cause it seems to have hurt sales.
For users, great to get the same in-store help for migrating to a fully custom-configured Mac as for one in regular inventory instead of having to lug it down there as well as back. Slick!
And in perspective sounds pretty sophisticated to me. Basically it combines all of Apple into one distributed sorting space containing all in-store inventory, all BTO's in progress and all general inventory at all phases of production, shipping and storage - into one big virtual factory/inventory warehouse/retail outlet/POS&S. And more new plumbing in the becoming famous Apple ecosystem that no one else in the industry can come close to matching. Super-slick!
And very "Cookian." They may have lost their chief visionary, but this guy is definitely a master at good old (21st century style) blocking and tackling. So until post-Jobs Apple truly proves it does have a strong "road map," i.e., that same laser-like product/vision/integration focus and skill set, and is on it, that's how Cook can be priceless.....
What are you talking about? This will REVOLUTIONIZE THE INDUSTRY!
And it will be Magical!
For what they would likely have to charge for such a service, you could just hire a courier to go to the store for you.
Except that right now they aren't allowing you to pay online and pick up at the store in all stores. That's what this pilot is about.
And you would have to put the machine in the courier's name which you won't know because they aren't likely to just hand your machine over to anyone any more than they do when it is a repair item.
This is likely designed for those that have issues with Fed Ex and don't want the risk of a computer left on the door step or those that want to buy a computer as a gift for someone in another area and let them go and pick it up, possibly dropping off a computer for a data transfer or that whole 'let's open the box together' set up stuff they do for new purchases