“As the Apple Watch launch approaches, details have been leaking out about how Apple will be handling sales of their new device,” Arnold Kim reports for MacRumors. “According to leaked Apple documentation, the company will not be selling the Apple Watch to walk-in customers at launch.”
“According to training documents that MacRumors has received, Apple is not allowing any walk-in retail purchases for the Apple Watch at launch,” Kim reports. “Instead customers must make an online ‘Product Reservation’ to hold a specific Apple Watch model at a retail store.”
Kim reports, “Apple expects to eventually allow walk-in purchases, but not until the initial wave of demand has passed.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Good. This will go a long way to eliminating the awful scalping problem most recently experienced at Apple Retail Stores at the launch of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus last September.
Related articles:
Why you didn’t get your iPhone on launch day despite getting in line at 4am: iPhone credit-mule fraud – December 23, 2014
Chinese scalpers and publicity seekers replace Apple fans in iPhone 6 queues – September 20, 2014
Cupertino, we have a problem: iPhone 6 lines and the Chinese mafia – September 20, 2014
Apple controls Chinese scalpers with lottery; online iPhone 4S sales resume – February 3, 2012
Apple combats Hong Kong scalpers with new iPhone reservations lottery system – January 30, 2012
Apple suspends iPhone 4S sales in mainland China retail stores – January 13, 2012
Beijing’s iPhone 4S turmoil a lesson to Apple, say analysts – January 13, 2012
Beijing Apple Store pelted with eggs after iPhone 4S sales canceled due to scalper fights – January 12, 2012
Huge throng of red cap scalpers crushes Shanghai Apple Store for iPhone 4S launch (with photo) – January 12, 2012
Hong Kong scalpers buy up iPhone 4S and resell them for big profit outside Apple Store (with video) – November 12, 2011
Police, scalpers, and customers clash in iPhone 4S queues at Hong Kong Apple Store – November 10, 2011
iPad 2, white iPhone 4 sparks scuffle outside Beijing Apple Store – May 9, 2011
Apple takes steps to curb rampant iPhone 4 scalping in China – October 11, 2010
Apple shuts flagship Beijing store as scalpers sap store’s iPhone 4 supply – September 30, 2010
Apple should let the scalpers in 3 days early and triple the price to them. Wow! what profits they will make. That will also drive the stock price down.
Haha. Expect massive mobs anyways. And there will still be a line for reservations. Why bother? Just order the damn thing online and have it shipped.
Can scalpers pay a lot of people to make reservations and then “auction” those times off?? The person would probably have to go into the store with the scalper client, since the reservation would be associated with a particular name.
Please understand that I am not advocating or condoning such an action. I am just anticipating a way in which greedy people might try to bypass the intent of Apple’s reservation approach.
Exactly.
Scalpers paid to have people sit in line for the iPhone 6.
So…. Same deal, just a different way to do it.
Scalpers won’t be effected, the average consumer is.
Hope it’s only temporary..
Online someone may want one color/combo but once they SEE it and try it on they may decide another color.
Also someone may intend to buy a $400 sport.. And then on impulse buy a higher price model.
Which brings up impulse purchases as well..
An attempt to stop scalpers, but it effects the consumer instead.
Scalpers will be scalpers, this won’t stop them.
You can probably make a reservation to return/exchange an Apple Watch or band that was ordered online.
That’s my point, extra steps and hassle. Scalpers won’t be effected.
People can still reserve a try on time in Apple stores before they order online. But I imagine that back orders will begin during April 10 – ie not delivered April 24 if you don’t order in the first few hours of April 10. 💥😱👀😜
I believe the 42mm Space Gray WATCH SPORT is likely to be the most popular model. It has the look of many Casio watches that have been worn by millions for many years. 😎
The Watch goes on sale in China the same day as the USA so hopefully that will slow scalpers.
Nice pr show as well 😉
Here we go again. My problem is I would like one in every flavor including the Special Edition model. I can just see what’s going to happen down here in the gilded ghetto store. Absolute chaos. Whether you reserve an appointment or buy online this will most likely be as big as the release of the iPhone. Scalpers beware: I’m not for sale unless you include the Special Edition model for myself 🙂
I’ve already instructed my chauffeur to make his reservation to purchase my Watch Edition. Last year it wasted too much of his precious time waiting in line all night and much of the day to acquire my iPhone 6+, time he could have spent sleeping and then polishing the Bentley. Thank you, Apple, for helping me make better and more efficient use of my servants.