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Do you plan on ordering the new Apple Watch Series 7 (2021) this September?


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Yeah I actually called into apple this morning and they confirmed as well that I could swap the band out when I pickup the watch…same as I confirmed last night via a text message convo with apple. I hope they don’t give me a hard time at the store lol
I have returned things at my local Apple store and they were always nice, pleasent and easy to deal with. You shouldnt have any trouble.
 
I have returned things at my local Apple store and they were always nice, pleasent and easy to deal with. You shouldnt have any trouble.
I agree! Some people also ordered 3 - 4 Apple watches hoping it doesn’t get delayed. No way they are keeping 3 AW’s. Apple has one of the best return policy. Nothing to worry about :)
 
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here’s a convo I just had. Make of this what you will. Seems like if your desired band is in stock they can do it for you and no extra charge if the band your swapping to costs the same (which is obvious lol)

but then it’s also up to the individual store if they want to do it. So they have an out I guess.
 

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This seems like the right information (the first comment). You can return the whole thing and reorder/rebuy unless they sent you the wrong thing. IMO the rest is their training and trying to not directly disagree with you but also not give you any assurances that they can do what you’re asking. The “eligibility” is most likely what they already said - an error. If it wasn’t launch day and some other random Tuesday in March maybe they would do it by exception but I think you just got told what you wanted to hear by the agent (by training/design).
 
I found that also. It's a sort of bizarre color choice for that watch, at least to me. The polished SS is lovely, and I guess the band could show off some watch colors/finishes nicely, but together I don't think they flatter each other.
 
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here’s a convo I just had. Make of this what you will. Seems like if your desired band is in stock they can do it for you and no extra charge if the band your swapping to costs the same (which is obvious lol)

but then it’s also up to the individual store if they want to do it. So they have an out I guess.
I literally just did the same thing as you and was told the same. It seems bizarre why they're leaving it up to each store. A brand of Apple's stature should have a uniform policy across the organization.

Also, maybe they should think about managing their product packages and inventory more intelligently if they're having issues using the current methodology while providing a high caliber customer service experience.
 
I literally just did the same thing as you and was told the same. It seems bizarre why they're leaving it up to each store. A brand of Apple's stature should have a uniform policy across the organization.

Also, maybe they should think about managing their product packages and inventory more intelligently if they're having issues using the current methodology while providing a high caliber customer service experience.
Yeah I FINALLY got through to the store.

so here’s their take on this fiasco. They won’t swap the bands. They’ll do a return on the ‘set’ ordered online and then if they have the custom kits in store on Friday they’ll do a sale for two separate skus (the watch and the band as opposed to the one sku for the prepackaged Watch/band combo)

so from their perspective, it can be done assuming they have the custom kits in on Friday. But it’s a return and re-buy that would have to be done.

They really need to start selling the Watch and band separately from the get go.
 
Still no change for me. Sitting on processing and no CC charge. I’m assuming mine is already in the states and will get tracking Wednesday or Thursday.

Officially nervous mine won’t arrive on Friday. Hasn’t been updated to Preparing for shipment. I know apple is usually good to their word like it’s been with every preorder arrival date but the clock is ticking if there is no movement today…. View attachment 1863079
Same here 😔
Still nothing on my UPS My Choice either.
 
This seems like the right information (the first comment). You can return the whole thing and reorder/rebuy unless they sent you the wrong thing. IMO the rest is their training and trying to not directly disagree with you but also not give you any assurances that they can do what you’re asking. The “eligibility” is most likely what they already said - an error. If it wasn’t launch day and some other random Tuesday in March maybe they would do it by exception but I think you just got told what you wanted to hear by the agent (by training/design).
Yep when I called the store I confirmed 100% it’s a return and rebuy. Otherwise they’d have issues with skus. I also didn’t know that many stores will have custom kits on Friday so you can go in and just choose your watch and band combo. Crap I should have just not ordered online and done that from the start lmao
 
View attachment 1863221

here’s a convo I just had. Make of this what you will. Seems like if your desired band is in stock they can do it for you and no extra charge if the band your swapping to costs the same (which is obvious lol)

but then it’s also up to the individual store if they want to do it. So they have an out I guess.
I called my local Apple Store and was told that I cannot swap out the bands.

Sad :(
 
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Yeah I FINALLY got through to the store.

so here’s their take on this fiasco. They won’t swap the bands. They’ll do a return on the ‘set’ ordered online and then if they have the custom kits in store on Friday they’ll do a sale for two separate skus (the watch and the band as opposed to the one sku for the prepackaged Watch/band combo)

so from their perspective, it can be done assuming they have the custom kits in on Friday. But it’s a return and re-buy that would have to be done.

They really need to start selling the Watch and band separately from the get go.
Maybe this inconvenience to the store is why they try to discourage it. I have your conversation and mine screenshotted though and ready to show the manager at the store. It's a "flagship" location, so hopefully they offer good customer service.

Also, maybe it depends on which config you choose. For example, I just made my own style online and set it for Friday morning pickup. You're trying to tell me that someone is assembling this custom in China today, and it's going to be at the Apple store by EOD Thursday (48 hours from now) for my Friday morning pickup? No. They have some watches that are not prepackaged with the bands somewhere in the supply chain. Therefore, I think if you create your own style, perhaps you have more flexibility with exhanging. On the other hand, if you choose a style that's prepackaged from Apple's gallery, perhaps that has less flexibility in being exchanged because it ships that way. This is just a hunch, but would love if someone with more insider knowledge can share their thoughts.
 
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For those who are picking up at the store on Friday, has your order switch from Processing to preparing to ship or shipped? Mine still says processing...
 
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Just got the shipped email as well!

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There used to be a web site that you told it what you wanted and how close and it monitored apple store sites and sent you a text when availability showed up for iPhone. Does that exist anymore and does it work for Watch
They would have more sales if this were available. One might find something ‘close enough’ that would come earlier. But since there’s such demand anyway they can’t be bothered.
 
For those who are picking up at the store on Friday, has your order switch from Processing to preparing to ship or shipped? Mine still says processing...
Mine says processing. There doesn't appear to be a shipping step though for in-store pickup. My guess is that since it's not shipping to you, perhaps shipping happens within the processing step.
 
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I literally just did the same thing as you and was told the same. It seems bizarre why they're leaving it up to each store. A brand of Apple's stature should have a uniform policy across the organization.
from prior expericnce with this, I think this is misinformation. that said, I suppose any given store manager could agree to it.
 
That really sucks. Maybe you can do a return and rebuy of a custom kit like what I was told when I called the Mapleview store.
It just doesn't make any sense otherwise. Not every AW ships with the actual watch and band in a single box. Especially once they are more available after launch, you mean to tell me that Apple stocks every size of every finish of every band prepackaged in a single box a quantity of 5-10 in each store? No way. They wouldn't have any inventory space for this.

Therefore, they should be able to return the combo and then recreate the transaction using a different band. It sounds like something they are trying to discourage, but it shouldn't be impossible.
 
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