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List: Apple Stores with MBA units and/or demo
- Thread starter DVNIEL
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The yelling story:
Called store, we got some in. Went in, "oh we only have demo's." Asked when available for sale, replied "none, don't know when we can sell any." Lurked around awhile and played w. touches. Another employee came up and asked if I needed help, asked if they had any air's? Why of course, I'll go get you one. Mr. No picked up on that and walked back with Mr. Yes and both returned from back. Mr. No then abruptly separated from Mr. Yes. Mr. Yes, "oh, I'm really sorry... I thought we had some but it looks like I was mistaken. Very, Very sorry. Okay, I left. Went to store 'B'
Continued evasiveness at store 'B'. Left store 'B' Called again store 'A' Got an employee obviously who just started shift. Yes, we got 'em. I'm looking at one now. Can you hold it I asked? I don't think so but I'll check w. manager. Yes, we can hold it for 20 minutes for you, ask for xxxx when you get here.
Drove through pretty wicked rush hour traffic to get back to store 'A' within the allotted time. Found employee, he happily went back and returned w. MBA. Walked over to shelves and retrieved a usb superdrive and proceeded up to front to pay. Smarmy punk at front "how did you get this..." "who gave you this?" "we can't sell this - who gave you this?" I was NOT going to nark the guy out. He then proceeded to tell me it was a demo and they absolutely couldn't sell it. I then said, okay - pay for my gas. I certainly wouldn't have risked a ticket and accident had it not been offered over phone. He then kept asking "who gave you this?!" I wouldn't give the guy up - he was nice. The inquisitor was mean. I was standing my ground until I said listen, just sell it to me, I'll slink out and no one will know the difference. The manager finally stepped in & said to sell it. Got my cheapo' plastic bag and ran home before they sent the "boys" to retrieve the goods.
That's the short story with many interactions with LYING apple employees not embellished upon. And the Curb your Enthusiasm test showed they were - as well as some unintentional 'slips.' As far as I'm concerned, I would never ask employees to lie for me the way apple seems to be doing. I would not think well of an employee who would do such a thing. Morals can be bought that cheaply? I own a business and won't tolerate lying and would never ask an employee to do such.
So this is my first post, but the reprehensible attitude of this thread sickens me to the point where I feel I should say a few things.
I know everyone is excited about the MacBook Air. I have called the 3 stores in NC today to check their stock -- I'm as anxious as anyone to get one. But unlike some, I don't feel in any way entitled to belittle people so I can get my precious computer.
A couple of things:
As mind-bending as this might be, Apple would LOVE to sell you a computer. I hate to break it to you, but the idea of this vast conspiracy of having a massive supply in the back and selling only to a "chosen" few is laughable. I worked in a large electronics store, and the first shipment of any item was put aside for demo. No matter how many people wanted it -- customer or employee -- no one could get the products until after we had some on display. So, I dunno, other people could maybe enjoy it instead of a select few.
And as far as the accusations of rude employees -- wow, it sucks being told no. But someone telling you what you don't want to hear is not being rude. However, the customer that comes in accusing the employees of "lying" is not being very nice; that behavior is in no way "herotic" - it's acting like a petulant child.
So before everyone congratulates each other on how rude and petty they were to get their computer, maybe think about the person you pooped all over so you could get your way.
I know everyone is excited about the MacBook Air. I have called the 3 stores in NC today to check their stock -- I'm as anxious as anyone to get one. But unlike some, I don't feel in any way entitled to belittle people so I can get my precious computer.
A couple of things:
As mind-bending as this might be, Apple would LOVE to sell you a computer. I hate to break it to you, but the idea of this vast conspiracy of having a massive supply in the back and selling only to a "chosen" few is laughable. I worked in a large electronics store, and the first shipment of any item was put aside for demo. No matter how many people wanted it -- customer or employee -- no one could get the products until after we had some on display. So, I dunno, other people could maybe enjoy it instead of a select few.
And as far as the accusations of rude employees -- wow, it sucks being told no. But someone telling you what you don't want to hear is not being rude. However, the customer that comes in accusing the employees of "lying" is not being very nice; that behavior is in no way "herotic" - it's acting like a petulant child.
So before everyone congratulates each other on how rude and petty they were to get their computer, maybe think about the person you pooped all over so you could get your way.
Say what you will but you don't get a consistent story from five employees at the same store. What is one supposed to think? I was told flat out none available by three people at one store and walked out with one. That's just the way it is. I still think they are in-stock at some stores but can't be sold until a predetermined time.
Menlo Park Mall, Edison, NJ
This store has both the PATA and SSD versions on demo only. They have no units available yet for sale. The store mgr said that he hopes to get 'em in next week.
My experience with the unit... Pretty cool. Pretty light. Probably not ever for me though...
EVP
This store has both the PATA and SSD versions on demo only. They have no units available yet for sale. The store mgr said that he hopes to get 'em in next week.
My experience with the unit... Pretty cool. Pretty light. Probably not ever for me though...
EVP
I just called Best Buy and asked if they had any MBA's and they girl sounded like she had no idea what I was talking about and went and asked someone else and she told me they weren't even out yet.
____
University store did not have anty
Not shallow when it comes to my Gadget fetish!, ofcourse i tried the OR stores too... N/A for sale either
And I don't really see the benefit of saving tax $, yes, you can save $150+ but you also have to drive 300+ miles and $40 gas another $40 for snacks and shniffs... well, too much driving, liability... not good
I get corporate discount so, that basically pays for tax anyways...
NY people don't sleep I guess~ for awhile LA, CA (LACIENAGA) Goodguy
Store was open 24/7 in beverly hills but they stopped that, and went out of business eventually... guess it wasn't feasible for that area...
but, I guess NY 24/7 stores do very good and they can afford to stay open 24/7... my point is, it's the demographics and what those consumers want...
...if I can only get my hands on a MBA this weekend~ I was seriously gonna hold out for a new MBP revision, but after I tried the new MBA in store! it was game over... it is a solid serious piece!, w/ some flaws but the personal trial I had at the SOUTHCENTER store yesterday dwarf'd all those short comings~
My school has a dozen of the base configs on order and I was told yesterday that they should be in this upcoming week. I am in NC and reserved one through my school on the 18th. I asked if they have shipped and was told "no," but they "were about to," so I took that as prepared for shipment.
$1882 for the base config with 3 year Applcare
It's already been proven that store employees are lying about stock. Some people are walking out with one, some get flat out denied.
hey ahaxton
did you ever got a macbook air from that apple store in the mall?
i havn't been keeping up to date with store availability but i'm guessing
it's still very very rare?
i'm asking casue my dad wants one now and ordering online now is not worth the wait casue i think stores will have them in stock very soon
did you ever got a macbook air from that apple store in the mall?
i havn't been keeping up to date with store availability but i'm guessing
it's still very very rare?
i'm asking casue my dad wants one now and ordering online now is not worth the wait casue i think stores will have them in stock very soon
She called me this morning to say "hey, sorry but we didn't get the model you wanted in, but I will let you know if it comes in later today".
So I am still crossing my fingers.
Went to the Clarendon store today in Virginia.
Had a personal shopping appt with a guy who, it turns out, used to work with one of my employees years ago. And we have other mutual friends, so I'm thinking he *might* have been telling me the truth.
He said other stores must have been selling some of their demo units. He said they hope to have units that they can sell on Tues. Definitely not Monday.
He said he was told that Apple wanted to get the pre-orders shipped first before you could just walk in to a retail store and buy one, which is why the ones that they were sent were clearly meant for display only.
Had a personal shopping appt with a guy who, it turns out, used to work with one of my employees years ago. And we have other mutual friends, so I'm thinking he *might* have been telling me the truth.
He said other stores must have been selling some of their demo units. He said they hope to have units that they can sell on Tues. Definitely not Monday.
He said he was told that Apple wanted to get the pre-orders shipped first before you could just walk in to a retail store and buy one, which is why the ones that they were sent were clearly meant for display only.
Just came from the Apple Store at Westfarms Mall in CT. The folks there told me they had received only one MBA to sell. One! They are at least as frustrated as some of us are. They are getting bombarded with inquiries, and they have no control over the situation. Believe me, if they had a bunch to sell they would love to do just that. They really don't know when they'll get more, how many, configurations, etc. When they do get them they will gladly sell them.
I have been a PC user for years, and have finally decided to switch to Apple. I must say I have never encountered such a marketing strategy as this. It's inspired. Just to think that all of the shortages and confusion have only heightened the interest and enthusiam for getting an Air. Before last week, I was only going to look at and compare it with the other Apple products, but now I'm caught up in the web of excitement, and will gleefully grab up the first one I see for sale.
But back to the subject at hand, the Atlanta stores have some displays, but none for sale (at least that is what I was told). My quest continues.
But back to the subject at hand, the Atlanta stores have some displays, but none for sale (at least that is what I was told). My quest continues.
I have been a PC user for years, and have finally decided to switch to Apple. I must say I have never encountered such a marketing strategy as this. It's inspired. Just to think that all of the shortages and confusion have only heightened the interest and enthusiam for getting an Air. Before last week, I was only going to look at and compare it with the other Apple products, but now I'm caught up in the web of excitement, and will gleefully grab up the first one I see for sale.
But back to the subject at hand, the Atlanta stores have some displays, but none for sale (at least that is what I was told). My quest continues.
I've been in and out of the Atlanta stores, phone, personal shopper appointments. They all have displays now, but they all deny the existence of MBA's in the back that they could sell. Lenox ended up selling a few. I think Atlanta is officially out of any possibly for sale MBA's.
This was posted about 15 hours ago on Google news:
Airports in large cities such as Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanchang and Changsha, which had reopened, were forced into a new round of flight cancellations and delays Saturday as they de-iced planes, state Xinhua news agency said.
I don't see how this could not affect supplies here.
Airports in large cities such as Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanchang and Changsha, which had reopened, were forced into a new round of flight cancellations and delays Saturday as they de-iced planes, state Xinhua news agency said.
I don't see how this could not affect supplies here.
So I too am a victim of the in store game playing now. Last night at 8:30pm I called to ask if they had any mba's, response was 2 - 3 weeks, and i actually called twice yesterday to verify. So today I went to the store, cash in hand thinking id luck out like some of you have and i got a 'were sorry we sold the last few this morning" followed by "the macbook air isnt for everyone sir, you should really look at a macbook pro". At this point after the fiasco of being blatantly lied to - I started to get a little angry and asked them to take a look at my purchase history at the store before telling me they dont have any more. She didnt bother to but, Im not dense, I know what I went there for and im not there to clear inventory of something thats suppose to be revved next week. Why do I have a feeling theyre trying to get rid of whats left of the current pro's? I left with a very bad taste in my mouth - and ive never had a bad experience there.
In the past year Ive purchased a 1.83ghz CD Mac Mini, a Macbook Pro, a 17" Imac, a 20" Imac, a 13.3" Macbook, an Apple TV, an Iphone, and an Ipod Touch 16gb from them. I feel really jaded after this experience and will really think hard before returning to the store. I can handle them being out of stock, what I cant handle is being lied to.
Anyone else have an experience like this? This more or less puts a whole new spin on why they're telling people they dont have them if so.
In the past year Ive purchased a 1.83ghz CD Mac Mini, a Macbook Pro, a 17" Imac, a 20" Imac, a 13.3" Macbook, an Apple TV, an Iphone, and an Ipod Touch 16gb from them. I feel really jaded after this experience and will really think hard before returning to the store. I can handle them being out of stock, what I cant handle is being lied to.
Anyone else have an experience like this? This more or less puts a whole new spin on why they're telling people they dont have them if so.
I think it has way affected shipments here. My theory is this:
Apple took a whole bunch of pre-orders by faithful day of keynote. Those orders were shipped or attempted to and some were delayed this week. They were also mixed with Apple's own retail supply - demo's and for sale units. Some got through, some didn't. Getting to buyers in the states was also hampered by our weather. To Apple's credit I believe they are not releasing any units that may have made it to retail stores until at least the keynote pre-orders are delivered. If my theory bears out, next Tuesday there will be a whole lot of available units at the lucky stores. I think the lucky stores are the ones who have multiple display units out. There will also be an iphone type of inventory tracking on their find a retail store page. The key will be when the on-line store MBA pre-order button goes to 'now shipping.' The people who did get units this week either got demo units or units for sale that were not to be released until first pre-orders delivered. Those units were sold by employees who probably didn't get the word as most were sold yesterday and very few today. My 2¢...
I have been a PC user for years, and have finally decided to switch to Apple. I must say I have never encountered such a marketing strategy as this. It's inspired. Just to think that all of the shortages and confusion have only heightened the interest and enthusiam for getting an Air. Before last week, I was only going to look at and compare it with the other Apple products, but now I'm caught up in the web of excitement, and will gleefully grab up the first one I see for sale.
But back to the subject at hand, the Atlanta stores have some displays, but none for sale (at least that is what I was told). My quest continues.
See WII...
Good luck to you guys in the rest of your searches. Just bought a Black Macbook! I think I will be happier with the purchase. BTW, a different Apple store, but the same jaded employee response, buy it online!
Thanks and now I am off the the Macbook/Macbook Pro threads!
-Andy
Thanks and now I am off the the Macbook/Macbook Pro threads!
-Andy