Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 No Longer Available From U.S. Online Store

Juli Clover, MacRumors:

As promised, Apple today stopped selling the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in its online store in the United States, with the devices pulled from sale just days ahead of when an Apple Watch import ban goes into effect. When attempting to purchase an Apple Watch Series 9 or Apple Watch Ultra 2 to the online store, the devices say “currently unavailable.” Apple has also removed refurbished Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 8 models from its website. [...]

The Apple Watch is still available for purchase from Apple’s retail stores, but Apple will stop store sales after December 24. Sales will be paused only in the United States and only at Apple’s own retail locations. Third-party stores like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy can continue to sell the Apple Watch until supplies run out.

Mark Gurman, at Bloomberg:

After Dec. 25, Apple also won’t be able to exchange a watch purchased before the ban, say for a different color or size, during the typical return period. Retail staff was told a product swap won’t be allowed, but Apple will replace accessories like bands. Watches can still be returned for a refund.

Earlier this week, Apple employees were told they can’t inform customers that the Apple Watch remains on sale at third-party retailers, such as Best Buy and Target, due to the legal order. The watch will likely continue to be available at those retail outlets until the supply already in the US runs out.

Things would have been drastically different for Apple’s holiday sales if this order had gone into effect weeks ago, but still, online orders are now cut off, and post-Christmas exchanges won’t be available, like for giftees who wanted a different color. Not to mention post-Christmas sales to people shopping with cash and gift certificates.

★ Friday, 22 December 2023