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Apple Watch launch retail stock to be limited for many models, reservations favored

Screenshot 2015-03-26 09.37.08

If you want to buy the Apple Watch model of your choice at an Apple Store at launch, you should consider pre-ordering online or through an Apple Store reservation, sources have told 9to5Mac. Due in part to the number of different models, Apple Watch inventory at many Apple Stores in the United States will be heavily constrained at launch, with priority given to reservations, meaning that Apple Watch availability for random walk-in purchases on day one will be noticeably tight.

As one source at a flagship Apple Store said, “we’re told to treat launch day as if there will be no walk-in stock.” That doesn’t necessarily mean there will be absolutely zero Apple Watch units to buy at launch if you don’t have a reservation, just that the specific Apple Watch variant a person wants will be far harder to come by at launch than some previous iPhone models.

Of course, inventory will vary depending on the store’s location, including state and country, with China expected to have larger stock allocations. But several sources across the United States are reporting a similar emphasis on the majority of stock being available solely for reservations at launch. Besides the U.S. and China, the Watch will be available in Canada, France, Japan, Germany, and the U.K. at launch.

Apple’s inventory plans could change, of course, if the company can pump out enough Apple Watch units before launch to satisfy all initial demand.

Beginning on April 10th, customers will be able to visit an Apple Retail Store, try-on various Apple Watch collections, and reserve a unit to be purchased and picked up beginning on April 24th. As we first reported, try-on sessions for the Apple Watch Sport and stainless steel Apple Watch will be allocated for 15 minute periods. Try-on appointment booking will begin on April 10th, but appointments are not necessarily required.

Sources now say that Apple Watch Edition appointments could last up to 30 minutes as earlier reported, but one source also said, “it’s not like we’ll kick out the Sport and stainless steel customers if they’re taking too long.” As expected, the 18-karat gold Apple Watch will be limited to Apple’s highest traffic flagship stores.

We earlier reported on a fashion and iPhone upgrade emphasis for these try-on sessions. Customers will be able to also place pre-orders online starting April 10th with home deliveries beginning on launch day, April 24th. Unlike with past iPhone and iPad launches, the Personal Pickup service that allows a person to order a device online and pick up at the store will be unavailable, but this may change in the future as inventory becomes more widely available. 

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Comments

  1. cameroncovington - 9 years ago

    Is it better to pre-order on April 10 and have it shipped to a home address, or is it better to have it shipped for pickup at an Apple Store?

    • xprmntr - 9 years ago

      To your home, just like an iphone, avoid the long lines and chaos

    • Matt Byers - 9 years ago

      unless you enjoy the madness that is an Apple product release I would do the ship to home :-) Sometimes the product release is fun though (4 hours for iphone 6+)

    • cdm283813 - 9 years ago

      Apple: Let’s build up the hype by telling everyone to pre-order due to short supply.

    • Jon Chusid (@chakajon) - 9 years ago

      I had my 6+ shipped to home. UPS didn’t come until after 6:00 p.m. (he said his truck was filled with phones). Friends of mine picked it up in-store and were in and out in 20 mins (in SF).

      The mayhem is kind of fun, especially if you know you’re guaranteed one. I wouldn’t wait if I knew there was a chance there wouldn’t be any in stock.

      • cameroncovington - 9 years ago

        That’s what I’m wondering about. UPS doesn’t get to my house until 2 on a good day. I could be at the Apple Store at 8 and pick it up at 9.

    • bakerde1 - 9 years ago

      Whenever I pre-order, I choose home delivery. It is more convenient than going to an Apple Store. I only go to the store when I want to check something out before I purchase.

  2. Fab1Man (@Fab1Man) - 9 years ago

    “Stock limited for many models” – Heck, we DID *not* see that coming -_-

  3. marikski - 9 years ago

    Also available in Australia at launch. I was going in store on the 10th to order, but may also pre-order online to be safe. Presuming online pre-orders are live online before the stores open.

    • xprmntr - 9 years ago

      I’m thinking it’ll be like iphone pre orders and begin at around midnight on 4.10, with it being nearly impossible to get through until a couple hrs after midnight

      • bakerde1 - 9 years ago

        Since I’m in NYC area that will be 3AM EST. But I stay up late just to be sure I’m among that first group of pre-orders. I don’t want my order delayed in any way. I can’t wait much longer.

  4. Andrew Bloomfield - 9 years ago

    Annoying that China will have more stock than the US if thats true.

  5. Joseph Shtekler - 9 years ago

    I think before I spend $10000 on an Apple watch I better spend it on a new Rolex

    • runnerrunner1 - 9 years ago

      If you buying a 10k aapl watch you prolly already have many other luxury watches. Just adding to the collection.

    • bakerde1 - 9 years ago

      Thinking of buying the Apple Watch Edition. You must be part of the 1% that I’ve heard so much about.

  6. Jon Chusid (@chakajon) - 9 years ago

    Question about pre-ordering. Assuming pre-orders begin at midnight on the 10th, when are we actually charged for the watch? When it ships (or picked up at store)? I’m thinking of ordering two: a sport and steel (with sport band). Then between the 10th – 24th trying both on in-store and canceling one.

    It’s just hard to decide (site unseen) if the steel is worth the extra $200.

    • cameroncovington - 9 years ago

      In my opinion, the steel is very much worth it. I think it looks much better. I want the one with the white sport band.

      • bakerde1 - 9 years ago

        I like the stainless steel midel too but I would opt for a better looking band like the Milanese Loop (very nice) or Classic Buckle (lightest weight). You can then purchase a Sport Band for an additional $50.

      • cameroncovington - 9 years ago

        Are you talking about adding a Milanese loop to a Sport model? If so, so might want to keep in mind that the Milanese and leather bands have stainless steel in them, so they won’t necessarily match the anodized aluminum on the Sport.

    • Carl Morrell - 9 years ago

      Remember that the steel has the sapphire display unlike the sport so personally the steel is worth it.

    • bakerde1 - 9 years ago

      If it is like past pre-orders then you are charged when it ships to your home or the Apple Store if you select that option.

    • Maybe someday the Apple Watch will be worth $1000, but not when gen 1 has been in development for so long that gen 2 is *guaranteed* to have fixes for flaws in gen 1 that could not be foreseen until they’ve made millions of them.Then again, much of the cost for the higher end models (excluding Edition) is the bands themselves, which should be timeless.

  7. rudygray - 9 years ago

    A monkey could have written this one.

  8. I’m going to pre-order and stay out that zoo called “Apple Store.”

  9. bakerde1 - 9 years ago

    I’ve heard this before. This is just Apple ramping up the pre-orders.

  10. Feras Allaou - 9 years ago

    I have a question regarding the sport edition, it says that it will be provided with two bands, are they going to be same color ?

  11. Bernhard Prawer - 9 years ago

    I have a question according the preorder in the Apple Online Store. Is it possible to preorder an Apple Watch, which I would like to have at 10th of April, and send it to my home after paying? I don;t want to go to an Apple Store to reserve it there. I look forward to your answer.

    • guacho8 - 9 years ago

      Not sure I understood your question , but if you order on the 10th ( as soon as preorders hit ) you should have the option to have it deliver to your house or go to the nearest store to pick it up, I’m personally going with home shipping, Apple stores that day will be hell..