How Apple will charge a premium for the Space Black Stainless Steel Watch

[rossy100]

I suspect in reality this will operate as follows....

When ordering online, there will be a choice of watch and and then strap separately - just like you do now when selecting an iPad and then the colour/size (so similar user experience).

In store however, there will be various 'pre-configured' options just like with MacBooks in store. If there isn't the combination you want available then only option will be to purchase a different combo with an additional strap.

 

[technosix]

Apple knows how to price their products, no feedback needed, they ignore it anyway.

 

[Rogifan]

You may be right.

However, I think we can all understand that.

A lower spec Intel CPU or a Lower Spec Memory module costs a hell of a lot more than a cheap bit of rubber.

Likewise, the "Luxury Strap" you select will fit later watches, and something you may wish to keep so you can use the same strap on a later watch.

No one wants to keep the CPU or RAM when they sell their Mac.

My stance is this:

I would like the rubber strap to be included in the price, and even if you buy an additional luxury strap, you still get the rubber one.
For a fall back strap, or for something you can put on the watch when time comes to sell it.

That's what I'd like, and anyone here with half a brain, as customers should like that too.

Knowing Apple, I suspect this won't happen, and when you select your nice strap you will lose the rubber one.

Of course we are only guessing, and going round in circles.
We shall just have to see what Apple decides on the day

What's stopping you or anyone else from buying a sport band at the time of purchase along with what ever other band you wanted? If a customer is willing to pay for multiple bands Apple certainly is going to take their money? I'm a little confused as to why you think you're losing anything. Buy as many straps as you want.

And I've been thinking more about my earlier opinion that including a sport band in every box would stint sales of the higher end bands. I actually think most people that buy a SS or Edition watch will want a nicer band so what's the point of the watch coming with a default sport band when most people would be buying something else anyway? It's not like headphones where probably a majority of iPhone buyers use the headphones that come in the box. I think Apple designed the sport band for a specific reason, not to be a default band that comes in every box.

 

[Piggie]

What's stopping you or anyone else from buying a sport band at the time of purchase along with what ever other band you wanted? If a customer is willing to pay for multiple bands Apple certainly is going to take their money? I'm a little confused as to why you think you're losing anything. Buy as many straps as you want.

And I've been thinking more about my earlier opinion that including a sport band in every box would stint sales of the higher end bands. I actually think most people that buy a SS or Edition watch will want a nicer band so what's the point of the watch coming with a default sport band when most people would be buying something else anyway? It's not like headphones where probably a majority of iPhone buyers use the headphones that come in the box. I think Apple designed the sport band for a specific reason, not to be a default band that comes in every box.

Nothing of course is stopping you or anyone from buying 1 or 20 bands.

I'm simply saying it would be nice for all the customers if you got the rubber strap, in with the basic price, and the other strap you chose would be IN ADDITION to and not INSTEAD OF the rubber strap.

I know you are desperate to give Apple more money, but perhaps not everyone is so keep and may like having the basic strap also.

Again, knowing Apple's greed, I don't expect they will do this, but it would be nice.

Unless of course, as you seem to be, so desperate to give Apple your money you would be upset if you found this was the case.

 

[Piggie]

Ideally I would indeed like to own two bands, and I would like one of them to be the sport band. However, I want a green (or maybe blue) one. I suspect if they handle it the way you state, that my choices will be limited to black or white.

.

Naturally of course, it would be nice is you could select the colour.

Just wishful thinking, as I suspect, as I have said, in reality when you select a luxury strap, that will be the only one you get.

Or course the Worst Case Scenario that may happen is that Apple has already decided what few straps go with each type of watch, and you have to have an expensive strap you don't really like.

I don't honestly think they'd do this.

Buy hey, as I've said before, we're just going to have to wait and see

 

[Rogifan]

Nothing of course is stopping you or anyone from buying 1 or 20 bands.

I'm simply saying it would be nice for all the customers if you got the rubber strap, in with the basic price, and the other strap you chose would be IN ADDITION to and not INSTEAD OF the rubber strap.

I know you are desperate to give Apple more money, but perhaps not everyone is so keep and may like having the basic strap also.

Again, knowing Apple's greed, I don't expect they will do this, but it would be nice.

Unless of course, as you seem to be, so desperate to give Apple your money you would be upset if you found this was the case.

Someone else compared this to when you buy a Mac. For example the 13" rMPB comes with 8GB RAM standard. For $200 more you can upgrade to 16GB. If you do that though you're not getting 24GB RAM you're getting 16GB. So if the cheapest/base watch comes with a sport band and you choose to "upgrade" to a more expensive band why would you expect Apple to give you the sport band as well? They're not going to be giving the band away for free so in essence you'd be paying for the sport band whether you wanted it or not. All I'm saying is if someone wants a sport band in addition to whatever other band they choose nothing is stopping them from buying one. I'm sure Apple will gladly take your money. But they're not going to give you a band for free.

 

[Night Spring]

They're not going to be giving the band away for free so in essence you'd be paying for the sport band whether you wanted it or not. All I'm saying is if someone wants a sport band in addition to whatever other band they choose nothing is stopping them from buying one. I'm sure Apple will gladly take your money. But they're not going to give you a band for free.

As I've said previously, either in this or another thread, Apple gives you earphones for free when you buy an iPhone or iPod, so why shouldn't they do the same with a sports band?

You think that the sport band is more analogous to the RAM, but RAM costs a few hundred dollars, and I'm thinking the sports band would retail for under $50.

 

[Piggie]

Someone else compared this to when you buy a Mac. For example the 13" rMPB comes with 8GB RAM standard. For $200 more you can upgrade to 16GB. If you do that though you're not getting 24GB RAM you're getting 16GB. So if the cheapest/base watch comes with a sport band and you choose to "upgrade" to a more expensive band why would you expect Apple to give you the sport band as well? They're not going to be giving the band away for free so in essence you'd be paying for the sport band whether you wanted it or not. All I'm saying is if someone wants a sport band in addition to whatever other band they choose nothing is stopping them from buying one. I'm sure Apple will gladly take your money. But they're not going to give you a band for free.

Oh, I do get your point when it comes to expensive computer hardware.
No one would ever expect just costly things to be add-ons.

I was simply wondering as this is:
"New Apple"
"New Wearable Fashion Apple"
"New Upgradable each year hardware Apple"

So some are thinking.

Throwing in a $5 (cost to them)band if you buy a VASTLY more expensive optional one, would not kill them to do so.

 

[Rogifan]

As I've said previously, either in this or another thread, Apple gives you earphones for free when you buy an iPhone or iPod, so why shouldn't they do the same with a sports band?

You think that the sport band is more analogous to the RAM, but RAM costs a few hundred dollars, and I'm thinking the sports band would retail for under $50.

I don't think Apple designed the sport band to be a band that comes in the box. I don't compare it to headphones because I doubt most people are out there buying better headphones. They use what comes in the box. So if Apple threw nothing in the box they'd really look like cheapskates. But as I said earlier I've done a 180 and I do think people buying a SS or Edition watch are more likely to choose one of the more expensive bands. So it's not necessary to give you a default band. But maybe I'm wrong and you'll pay for the sport band whether you want it or not. Because no way will Apple be giving them away for free.

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Oh, I do get your point when it comes to expensive computer hardware.
No one would ever expect just costly things to be add-ons.

I was simply wondering as this is:
"New Apple"
"New Wearable Fashion Apple"
"New Upgradable each year hardware Apple"

So some are thinking.

Throwing in a $5 (cost to them)band if you buy a VASTLY more expensive optional one, would not kill them to do so.

This is Apple we're talking about. The company that still ships 8 and 16 GB devices. That still charges $100 to increase iOS device storage. And we're supposed to believe they're going to give you a watch band for free? Doubtful. If the sport band comes with every watch you'll be paying for it.

Where did you get the $5 from?

 

[Night Spring]

But maybe I'm wrong and you'll pay for the sport band whether you want it or not. Because no way will Apple be giving them away for free.

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If the sport band comes with every watch you'll be paying for it.

Ok, so it doesn't come for free -- everybody is forced to pay for one whether they want it or not, because it comes in the box.

You do realize we are now arguing semantics, right?

 

[Rogifan]

Ok, so it doesn't come for free -- everybody is forced to pay for one whether they want it or not, because it comes in the box.

You do realize we are now arguing semantics, right?

No because I still don't think think it's going to happen. And who knows what Apple will do with headphones in the future now that the own Beats. Maybe in the future when you order an iPhone you'll be offered a choice of headphones - the standard Apple EarPods or upgrade to a pair of Beats. If they did something like that and someone upgraded to Beats I doubt they'd throw EarPods in the box too.

 

[Night Spring]

No because I still don't think think it's going to happen. And who knows what Apple will do with headphones in the future now that the own Beats. Maybe in the future when you order an iPhone you'll be offered a choice of headphones - the standard Apple EarPods or upgrade to a pair of Beats. If they did something like that and someone upgraded to Beats I doubt they'd throw EarPods in the box too.

If they did that, they'd double the number of SKUs -- they'd need one set of boxes with EarPods, and another set of boxes with Beats headset.

And then what happens if they miss their guess on how many people want the Beats and how many wants EarPods? They could have a big shortage of one type while the other type sit unsold in warehouses.

No, you offer a choice of adding the Beats headphones as an accessory while buying the iPhone, but you still throw the EarPods in the box.

 

[UltimateSyn]

"Diamond-like Carbon"
Yikes
Sounds expensive
And beautiful

 

[Switchback666]

Even the ipod shuffle comes with headphones, why people think the watch will be sold with just the case and charger? What happens when all the bands are out of stock? Lol of course the dam watch will come with a "basic" rubber band

 

[Rogifan]

If they did that, they'd double the number of SKUs -- they'd need one set of boxes with EarPods, and another set of boxes with Beats headset.

And then what happens if they miss their guess on how many people want the Beats and how many wants EarPods? They could have a big shortage of one type while the other type sit unsold in warehouses.

No, you offer a choice of adding the Beats headphones as an accessory while buying the iPhone, but you still throw the EarPods in the box.

I doubt they'll ever do that. I was just using it as an example. What will probably happen is most Apple stores will have a lot more of Watches with sport band in stock than the other models. So if you go to a store and want a watch right away you'll probably end up with one with a sport band. The thing I'm curious about is all these luxury fashion hires. Just last week 9to5Mac reported that Apple hired another one, from Burberry. I doubt these hires are needed to sell Watches with sport bands in stores like Best Buy.

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Even the ipod shuffle comes with headphones, why people think the watch will be sold with just the case and charger? What happens when all the bands are out of stock? Lol of course the dam watch will come with a "basic" rubber band

And the rubber bands will never be out of stock? Of course you won't be able to buy a watch without a band.

 

[Switchback666]

I doubt they'll ever do that. I was just using it as an example. What will probably happen is most Apple stores will have a lot more of Watches with sport band in stock than the other models. So if you go to a store and want a watch right away you'll probably end up with one with a sport band. The thing I'm curious about is all these luxury fashion hires. Just last week 9to5Mac reported that Apple hired another one, from Burberry. I doubt these hires are needed to sell Watches with sport bands in stores like Best Buy.

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And the rubber bands will never be out of stock? Of course you won't be able to buy a watch without a band.

I don't know if they will be out of stock on the first weeks, but you can bet that watch will come with band included

 

[Rogifan]

I don't know if they will be out of stock on the first weeks, but you can bet that watch will come with band included

Obviously. They're not going to sell watches with out bands. But you'll be picking the watch and band you want.

 

[Night Spring]

Obviously. They're not going to sell watches with out bands. But you'll be picking the watch and band you want.

So how do you envision the packaging? Watch in one box and band in another?

 

[Rogifan]

So how do you envision the packaging? Watch in one box and band in another?

Well how would it work if the watch came with a band and you also purchased another band? Watch in one box and second band in another? I have no idea how Apple is going to do any of this. Lots of new territory here. But I suspend all these luxury fashion executives were hired to figure all this out.

 

[BillabongJoe]

I think its pretty clear from the website that they have chosen how the bands and watches are going to be matched up. There is no reason why they would have chosen to show just those models otherwise.

So I'm 90% sure that you will only be able to buy those combinations listed in stores.

However it may be different online, I wouldn't be surprised if apple allowed you to pick a choose online, kinda like they do with mac specs.

 

[TheralSadurns]

I think its pretty clear from the website that they have chosen how the bands and watches are going to be matched up. There is no reason why they would have chosen to show just those models otherwise.

So I'm 90% sure that you will only be able to buy those combinations listed in stores.

However it may be different online, I wouldn't be surprised if apple allowed you to pick a choose online, kinda like they do with mac specs.

Exactly.
The Apple Watch Gallery depicts the SKUs that will be available. No more no less. Is it a big number of SKUs?! Yes. But that is how it is. It is obvious and no wishful thinking will change that.

That the Watch always ships with a rubber strap and otherwise is BTO is complete nonsense.

 

[Night Spring]

Exactly.
The Apple Watch Gallery depicts the SKUs that will be available. No more no less.

What concerns me about this theory is that the dark grey stainless steel watch only appears in the gallery with a dark steel link band. So if that is the only way we can buy a dark grey steel watch, then what if I don't want the link band? That is a rather expensive band to have sitting unused in my drawer.

 

[OllyW]

What concerns me about this theory is that the dark grey stainless steel watch only appears in the gallery with a dark steel link band. So if that is the only way we can buy a dark grey steel watch, then what if I don't want the link band? That is a rather expensive band to have sitting unused in my drawer.

Which brings up back to the first post.

 

[TheralSadurns]

What concerns me about this theory is that the dark grey stainless steel watch only appears in the gallery with a dark steel link band. So if that is the only way we can buy a dark grey steel watch, then what if I don't want the link band? That is a rather expensive band to have sitting unused in my drawer.

This may be unfortunate. But this is how it will be. I'm sorry.

 

[UltimateSyn]

What concerns me about this theory is that the dark grey stainless steel watch only appears in the gallery with a dark steel link band. So if that is the only way we can buy a dark grey steel watch, then what if I don't want the link band? That is a rather expensive band to have sitting unused in my drawer.

Well that's kind of the whole point, from a marketing / sales perspective. A lot of people are going to think that the Space Black Stainless Steel model looks the nicest, and will want to purchase it, and will have to deal with the fact that it only comes with what will (most likely) be the most expensive band Apple sells.