when did Apple stop including a basic rubber watch band with the purchase of a new watch? Everyong I know got one and I see it in the older how-to videos. My Apple salesman was adamant that I wouldn

No bands have ever come for free and they always came with only one band with the exception of the Hermès Watch. You can now choose which band you can get with the Watch and if you select a higher priced band it is still cheaper than buying the Watch with a Sports band and then buying the Stainless Steel band separately.

That is correct, if you purchase it and it comes with the Stainless Steel band it will not come with the Sports band.