Apple Watch release date update: Leaked training documents reveal smartwatch will be sold only by reservation

(Reuters)

Customers who are interested in the new Apple Watch will need a reservation to buy one, according to leaked Apple training documents.

On March 9, Apple had issues a press release stating that sales of the Apple Watch would begin from April 24 online or via reservation at its stores. From April 10 onwards, the Apple watch will be available for a preview, try-on by appointment and for preorder through the Apple Online Store at Apple's retail stores across the US, UK, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, and Japan.

However, leaked Apple training documents reveal that the company will not be allowing any walk-in purchases for the Apple Watch during the two-week period from April 10-24. Customers who are interested in the Apple watch must make an online "product reservation" to ensure that a specific model is available at a specific retail location. The prospective customers will then be given a "try-on" appointment at one of Apple's retail stores before the order is shipped on April 24.

If a customer is interested in purchasing the watch during one of the hands-on demos, a specially-trained Apple employee will provide assistance in placing an order online or through the Apple Store app, according to the leaked documents. Customers who preorder a watch for pickup on April 24 will also be given an appointment time for collecting the watch.

The watch will be available in three different varieties -- the entry-level Sport version starting at $349, the mid-level Apple Watch from$549 onwards and the luxury Apple Watch Edition starting at $10,000. Customers who are interested in the high-end, 18-karat-gold Apple Watch Edition will receive more time and attention from the salesperson at Apple stores than those seeking other less-pricey models. For instance, the "try-on" appointments at Apple retail stores will last for 15 minutes for customers interested in the less-pricey models, as against 30-60 minutes for the luxury Apple Watch Edition. Moreover, the "try-on" appointments will be limited to trying on a single band and Apple has stated that it "will not size links or swap bands" at its try-on tables around the store.

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