Not allowed in the Apple store..

[thejadedmonkey]

Legality should have nothing to do with this; if someone wanted to make a case of it, they could claim that a shopping mall is the new "town square", which gives you the right to assemble. I'm not saying this is right or not, but it's an option...

What's more important is the press. No employee should be like that, to any customer.

 

[brentsg]

My first experience with an apple store was too many people looking, none buying, and the store smells like body odor. Thank god for online shopping.

One of my local stores was like that. It was too small and there would be so many people in there that it smelled like body odor very strongly.

They've replaced the store I think, haven't made it there yet though.

What's more important is the press. No employee should be like that, to any customer.

That's easy to say when you're not in the position of requiring security to fend off teen-age mobs.

 

[Alaerian]

Synchromesh, I don't even have words for how simply apalling you and that statement are. My ignore list just grew by one.

On topic, I dislike the Apple retail stores because of the crowd. Most people aren't there to buy anything - they are there to check Facebook or play with iPods. If I need anything Apple, I venture to an authorized dealer that I've become very acquainted with. I'd recommend authorized dealers to anyone over the retail stores.

 

[Ubuntu]

Synchromesh, I don't even have words for how simply apalling you and that statement are. My ignore list just grew by one.

On topic, I dislike the Apple retail stores because of the crowd. Most people aren't there to buy anything - they are there to check Facebook or play with iPods. If I need anything Apple, I venture to an authorized dealer that I've become very acquainted with. I'd recommend authorized dealers to anyone over the retail stores.

That annoys me a bit, when people just go on facebook etc. But then the apple staff kinda want the customers to use the machine as they would at home - but alot of people abuse this. The last time I went to the apple store I was trying out Aperture and Netbeans (they only had Netbeans installed on this one iMac for some reason) because I'm hoping to buy an iMac soonish. This rather-rude employee reminded me that customers need to use the iMac but he wasn't wanting access to the iMac for a customer or anything, and what really annoyed me at that point was that there was a kid, about 8 or 9, just playing some game on miniclip.com on another iMac nearby - university student looking to buy a mac vs 8/9 year old kid: who is more likely to buy the machine they're testing?

Thankfully another employee came over, saw Netbeans (turns out he uses it too) and we talked about it quite a bit, he was very polite and I ended up telling him about the other specialist being pretty rude, who apparently shares my dislike for people just spending hours in the apple store on facebook/youtube. Oh well.

 

[KnightWRX]

For all we know, the Apple Store employee was very considerate and polite. Before you guys go crucifying the guys who told the OP that loitering wasn't allowed, maybe you should wait to have their version.

Since this isn't going to happen, this is thus simply a one-sided rant. Sorry OP if you feel teenagers are second rate citizens, you'll grow up one day and look down on them too.

 

[rhett7660]

For all we know, the Apple Store employee was very considerate and polite. Before you guys go crucifying the guys who told the OP that loitering wasn't allowed, maybe you should wait to have their version.

Since this isn't going to happen, this is thus simply a one-sided rant. Sorry OP if you feel teenagers are second rate citizens, you'll grow up one day and look down on them too.

This, hell for all we know, since we only know one side of the story, the guy/gal(s) could of said it politely and the OP didn't take to it. Or the OP has been there on several occasions and is known to just hang out..... of course we will never hear that side of the story if it were true.

 

[Merkava_4]

I had the exact opposite happen to me last night. I walked straight through the entrance of the store and headed straight to the back of the store to the Genius bar area where I planted myself against a wall and waited. And waited. And waited. And waited...

Finally, a Genius asked:

"Are you Roger?"

I said, "no sir, I'm Vance."

"Did you have an appointment?"

"Yes sir, at 6:20 PM."

"Oh well, it looks like your appointment has been cancelled, but I'll take you in anyway. Just let us know next time if you're going to be late."

"Late? I got here at 5:50 PM, how could I be late?"

"Did you check in with someone when you arrived?"

"No, was I supposed to check in?"

"Yes, with the Maitre D at the front of the store."

 

[Fabienne]

Since so many parents think the Apple Store is a babysitting service, I'm glad they're cracking down on this. I hate it when I go in there to look at something I'm considering purchasing and kids are on there playing around on the computers.

Alas this happens in just about any suitable store. When I was an artist in a downtown art building, people would bring their children into my studio during open house, and leave them there while they went off and not tell me*. It got so that I would have to run after the parents and remind them that their child was in my studio! Lots of red faces but better that than a missing child.

I think it's hard to run a good Apple Store, you have to balance a nice atmosphere and super helpfulness with maintaining order and not letting people take advantage of you. Not easy.

BTW, my husband was 5 minutes late for his appointment with a genius (he is older than 18) and was told it was canceled. So he raised hell. He got great service. Common sense can be an elusive quality nowadays.

*I used to turn around a find a little kid standing there looking at me. "Mommy is just visiting other studios, she will be back." Wow. These people were perfect strangers to me, too.

 

[Mexbearpig]

The closest apple store near me has a small table with iMacs and chairs for kids so they can play those silly games they sell. So obviously they don't have problems with too many kids. Teens are usually better than them. And after all, who brings their kids to buy a laptop?

 

[arkitect]

"No, was I supposed to check in?"

"Yes, with the Maitre D at the front of the store."

So the Apple stores are now restaurants?
What ever next...

 

[heehee]

Once, I was trying to buy something from the Apple store and this kid behind us was singing and dancing on Photobooth, he told him to quiet down or get out.

I bet blocking Facebook/Myspace would solve a lot of problem.

 

[belvdr]

And after all, who brings their kids to buy a laptop?

I would, for starters. Why wouldn't I?

 

[Mexbearpig]

I would, for starters. Why wouldn't I?

Well If I had to make a decision in the store I wouldn't want to have kids bothering me. But I'm only a teen so I can't speak from experience *shrugs*.

 

[belvdr]

Well If I had to make a decision in the store I wouldn't want to have kids bothering me. But I'm only a teen so I can't speak from experience *shrugs*.

It's part of being a parent, which is something one chooses to be. At this point, I wouldn't hesitate to walk into an Apple store and discuss a purchase with both of my kids with me (3 and 5 years old). It's the way my life functions now.

 

[iPhoneCollector]

I have to say that i enjoy it more to be in an empty storerather than having it full of kids who just wanto look and say "oh my windows vista machine is so much better"

 

[moneyman118]

To the OP....

Call 1 (800) MyApple and complain. It's Apple policy to let anyone in. Even after they are closed they are to not close the doors. if its 10 pm and you come up to the door and want to purchase something they are to let you in. Call and complain till your blue in the face. They might compensate you.

 

[DesignerOnMac]

I guess it is understandable to not have kids just going to the computers to fool around, but It's definitely not the case for me. And I never go to the mall just to "hangout". I am actually rarely there without my parents.

When I worked retail, the computer department at the store I worked in had teenagers and adults coming in during and after the Sunday sale day, hanging out and checking the new hardware. There were times, as a salesman, that it was more than hard to get these 'potential' customers off the computers I was trying to sell. SOmetimes I would ask the 'potential' customer to get off the computer so I could demonstrate it, and they would look at me as if I was asking them for their first born child!

While there might be a teen policy at your mall, I think this person at the Apple Store was more than rude to you, especially since your such a good customer, (he doesn't know this of course).

 

[DesignerOnMac]

So the Apple stores are now restaurants?
What ever next...

I would like an order for fries with my MacBook Pro please! Thanks!

 

[weckart]

I bet blocking Facebook/Myspace would solve a lot of problem.

Which makes me wonder why these aren't blocked. Try froogling for something in an Applestore, for instance.

 

[Mactrillionaire]

I personally think that the Apple retail store experiment has paid off. I remember many years ago before the days of Apple retail stores where you had to journey quite a distance just to be able to buy a Mac or get a Mac serviced. With the Apple retail store being socially deemed "a cool place to hangout" maybe Apple could make a business opportunity out of that status in addition to the products it sells.

 

[184550]

I had the exact opposite happen to me last night. I walked straight through the entrance of the store and headed straight to the back of the store to the Genius bar area where I planted myself against a wall and waited. And waited. And waited. And waited...

Finally, a Genius asked:

"Are you Roger?"

I said, "no sir, I'm Vance."

"Did you have an appointment?"

"Yes sir, at 6:20 PM."

"Oh well, it looks like your appointment has been cancelled, but I'll take you in anyway. Just let us know next time if you're going to be late."

"Late? I got here at 5:50 PM, how could I be late?"

"Did you check in with someone when you arrived?"

"No, was I supposed to check in?"

"Yes, with the Maitre D at the front of the store."

They're pretty straight forward that you have to check in when you arrive.

Every email I've gotten from them about an Genius appointment mentions the fact that you have to check in when you get there.

 

[OllyW]

They're pretty straight forward that you have to check in when you arrive.

Every email I've gotten from them about an Genius appointment mentions the fact that you have to check in when you get there.

Are you sure about that?

The last one I booked didn't mention checking in.

 

[newuser2310]

I avoid the apple stores unless I really need something. For the amount of staff apple employs getting served is often a chore.

Then again it does show how apple the brand is in the forefront of peoples minds. I've never heard of teenagers going into a computer store to play on the latest dell laptop or streak.

 

[rdowns]

When you have a reservation at a restaurant, do you let them knoe you're there or do you just stand around?

The email confirmation tells you to check-in when you arrive.

 

[184550]

Are you sure about that?

The last one I booked didn't mention checking in.

When you have a reservation at a restaurant, do you let them knoe you're there or do you just stand around?

The email confirmation tells you to check-in when you arrive.

This is exactly what the ones I receive say.

FWIW, I go to the Southpark Apple Store.