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Rude Apple Store Worker - My first apple store experience

MovieCutter said:
If you really were interested in a product, you would have asked someone for help. Odds are, 15 year old kids aren't buying computers (though some may be), but usually employees leave kids alone unless they are taking up a computer for an extended period of time or being obnoxious. You yourself said you're the most knowledgeable one in the family...you probably know more than the Mac Specialists, why even bother asking them? They are there to help switchers and people who are afraid of technology.
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When I'm in the store with my parents, we usually are offered assistance 3 or 4 times wether we are or are not interested in a computer. What the employees need to understand though, is that while I don't carry the credit card and don't have the power to make the purchase on my own, I'm the one which will have the influence to buy a mac instead of the popular choice in my family, a dell.
 
buffalo said:
When I'm in the store with my parents, we usually are offered assistance 3 or 4 times wether we are or are not interested in a computer. What the employees need to understand though, is that while I don't carry the credit card and don't have the power to make the purchase on my own, I'm the one which will have the influence to buy a mac instead of the popular choice in my family, a dell.
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You need to wear a sign that says "I'm the computer decision maker in my family" and they might notice. But until then, you're age/appearance is still a detriment to your ability to get help from retail employees. Like I said before, an overwhelming majority of kids your age are there to play, not buy, you need to remember that. The only time I ever assisted kids was when they came up to me and said "Excuse me, <<asks question>>". I was actually quite surprised at the outgoingness of many kids, but I had never gone up to someone your age and had them say to me, I'd like to buy a computer...
 
MovieCutter said:
You need to wear a sign that says "I'm the computer decision maker in my family" and they might notice. But until then, you're age/appearance is still a detriment to your ability to get help from retail employees. Like I said before, an overwhelming majority of kids your age are there to play, not buy, you need to remember that. The only time I ever assisted kids was when they came up to me and said "Excuse me, <<asks question>>". I was actually quite surprised at the outgoingness of many kids, but I had never gone up to someone your age and had them say to me, I'd like to buy a computer...
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True, I'll concede to you.
 
Abulia said:
Correction, every customer should get the same level of respect.

How much he purchased from Apple is meaningless within the context of what happened. He, you, or myself -- upon walking into an Apple store -- should be afforded the same level of service and respect.
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Absolutely correct. To be honest, some of the better spending clients/customers we had in Computastore (local independent PC shop that I was floor manager of) dressed to unimpress. :)

I drilled the staff to treat everyone as if their next purchase was a number of PCs, even the guy buying a box of disks, or the family "just browsing"...
 
In my experience, the only time I felt like I was treated rudely was by one of the "Geniuses" at the Apple Store in King of Prussia. I was having problems with my TiBook, and he was fine, then I showed him a dent in the computer, and his attitude immediately changed to almost imply that I wasn't good enough to own a Mac because I accidentally dented it.

Other than that experience, I've been treated very well at the Apple Stores I've been to (Northbrook, IL / Old Orchard, IL). I'm 21 now, and I've never felt like they've held my age against me, or that they've avoided helping me because of it. Last night, my girlfriend and I went to the Northbrook Apple Store, and had great service by two different salespeople. However, I can't say for certain if that was genuine, or just good service because we were buying nearly $4,500 of stuff (two black MacBooks, two AppleCares, two printers, two iPods). They were even able to give us the education discount on everything, even though my girlfriend didn't have a student ID (she's in between undergrad and law school, so doesn't have one right now). My only complaint was that they were pushing .Mac and ProCare a little too hard. Other than that, I had a very good experience.
 
Fortunately for me, I'm 16 but look a few years older. I'm usually mistaken as a senior or graduated from high school. I'm actually going to be a junior next school year.

I've only been to an Apple Store twice (Perimeter and Lenox Square in Atlanta), and both of my experiences have been fine. I never bought anything from them, although my first visit to Lenox Square (I was hardcore PC at the time, but my mom and sis were clothes shopping) lead directly to my purchase of an iPod, which lead directly to my purchase (well, pending purchase) of a MBP.

I just went to Perimeter last weekend and the guy who helped me (think his name was Javier) was very helpful. Unfortunately, at the time I wasn't considering a MBP, so I was only looking at the MBs.
 
then I showed him a dent in the computer, and his attitude immediately changed to almost imply that I wasn't good enough to own a Mac because I accidentally dented it.
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You mean you dented a Mac!?!:eek: Idiot....:D
 
I used to live in Arlington VA and the apple store in Clarendon beats hte living crap out of the Willow Bend store here....

Wilow Bend is ok. I just go in there to look around. Havne't been there in a few months. The people seem nice, but they are always bussy. I found myself laughing at some of the people coming in there with the dumbest questions. I can't immagine dealing with all that for 8 hours. So I have to give the apple sales peopel some respect.

ex question: "My iPod fell in the pool, is there anyway I can exchange it?"

My friend did hte same thing, he dropped his iPod mini in the pool and it still worked after he fished it out. But it's still funny.:D
 
I bought my G5 iMac from the Willow Bend in Plano and my MacBook from the Houston Galleria store, and both times I was helped almost immediately and they were very nice. All the geniuses I've talked to have been very knowledgeable and helpful too.

But, there have been times when it takes them 15 minutes to realize you are in the store.
 
Tampa Sucks

The Tampa Apple Store service is awful. I had a miserable experience attempting to purchase a replacment AC adapter for an iBook G3 so I go to CompUSA or shop online when I need any Apple goodies.
 
I have a question - for those who received bad service, did you complain to the store or someone higher at all?
 
buffalo said:
To start off, I am a 15 year old guy...

Last night I saw An Inconvenient Truth and afterward went to the Apple Store in the mall. It was around 8:50, and there were only a few people in the store, with most of the workers standing around talking to each other. I walk in and first go to the software section and then over to the Macbooks so I can test them out.

Not one person greeted me or came up to see if I had any questions or needed any help. While I didn't have any questions about the MB, I was going to ask one of them about Automator if anyone came up to me. In the past if I'm in there with my parents, several workers will approach us to ask if we had been helped, and last night, there was a worker helping an adult customer.

I find it very annoying and rude that no one cares to help me. Being the most knowledgeable computer person and the mac promoter in the family, I have a strong influence in what we buy. Just because I don't carry the credit card doesn't mean I shouldn't be helped. Not only does this annoy me, but my mom also finds this offensive when I tell her the story, as this is not the first time I have been ignored. She has suggested writing to Apple. Should I write to the store or corprate office, or should I even bother?
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just to be a devil's advocate, the stores usually close at 9:00, and usually by 8:50 the only people in the store are either a.) finishing up a repair at the genius bar or b.) finishing up a purchase at the register. you won't find too many associates at any store that will assume you're willing to have a long conversation with questions about a product starting ten minutes before closing. if you wanted something, go up to the register and ask for it. otherwise, they probably assumed you were just browsing. i doubt your age had anything to do with it.
 
Ezrael said:
just to be a devil's advocate, the stores usually close at 9:00, and usually by 8:50 the only people in the store are either a.) finishing up a repair at the genius bar or b.) finishing up a purchase at the register. you won't find too many associates at any store that will assume you're willing to have a long conversation with questions about a product starting ten minutes before closing. if you wanted something, go up to the register and ask for it. otherwise, they probably assumed you were just browsing. i doubt your age had anything to do with it.
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I just tend to blame by age since the last few times I've been at the store at different times, it seems as though I am ignored, but I can understand how they might not think that a kid comming in 10 minutes before closing is worth anything.
 
buffalo said:
I just tend to blame by age since the last few times I've been at the store at different times, it seems as though I am ignored, but I can understand how they might not think that a kid comming in 10 minutes before closing is worth anything.
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I've sold computers to "kids" coming in 10minutes before closing. Not often. But it happens.
 
Yes, but...

belfast-biker said:
I've sold computers to "kids" coming in 10minutes before closing. Not often. But it happens.
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And I have sold computers to all ages within ten minutes of closing, but the overwhelming majority of people who come in that late have TONS of questions. Now, I know it's my job to help customers, but I think it's rude to stay after closing in a retail environment unless you are purchasing something. I mean, it's late, some of us want to get home so we can rest up for the next day, you know?

I know someone is going to say "well, it's your job to help the customers" and I understand that, but how often do clothing stores nearly usher you to the door when they close?
 
appleretailguy said:
And I have sold computers to all ages within ten minutes of closing, but the overwhelming majority of people who come in that late have TONS of questions. Now, I know it's my job to help customers, but I think it's rude to stay after closing in a retail environment unless you are purchasing something. I mean, it's late, some of us want to get home so we can rest up for the next day, you know?
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I feel there's a middle ground here arg - the 15year old was in at 8:50, but it was probably his lack of years that made him ignored? He clearly didn't look "important" enough... a fatal mistake to make in a sales environment.

Even at that, there was NO reason to not approach him within a reasonable time frame. In fact, BECAUSE it was getting late, they probably should have tried to gauge his intentions asap. You know, by actually TALKING to him? :)

But yes, as an ex-salesperson who's been kept back 30minutes or more by someone too rude to acknowledge we closed a half hour ago and want to get home, I hear you on those inconsiderate punters... :)
 
devilot said:
That just about sums up how I feel about Apple. I have never received great service from the retail Apple stores. :(
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Ditto. I've only been treated decently on one occasion, and they were VERY polite, and so friendly. The fact that I walked in with a $2000 powermac, obviously not working, might have helped - but it's sad that would even matter.

All the other times, it seems more like a high school nursery than store for professionals. Snotty nosed employees being rude, sighing, rolling their eyes at customers, etc.

The last time I was there in the Novi store, every time a black person entered the store, there was one female employee that FREAKED out - you could see the worry in her face - and called mall security. Every. single. time. If there was a black person in the store, 20 seconds later there was a security worker questioning him/her and following them in the store.

At first, I didn't think much of it; thought maybe they had ask this one guy to leave before and didn't want him back. While I was in there, total 1.5 hours, I saw the same thing happen 3 other times, to 3 different individuals.

The bad thing is, apparently alot of the other customers saw this happen more than once too and you could hear them whisper about how long it would take for her to call security this time.

Perhaps there is a back-story I do not know about, but I'd find that more convincing if it only happened once, to one person, or was at least being reported by other not-so-frantic employees. :(
 
Chundles said:
I did, but then all I did there was walk into the one near MIT in Boston and, in my best Steve Irwin, say to the girl at the counter "G'Day! I'd loike to buy Toigah pleahse" I'm not sure if she thought I was serious or not but when she handed the box back to me in that cool draw-string bag I threw in a "Have a go at theese liddle bewdy!" and then did the Harry out of there for I had a bus to catch.
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Did you happen to talk like Chase (House MD)?

Cos that'd be so hilarious :D
 
My apple store in georgia is VERY nice. The employees are very nice to younger people. I am 13 and all the people working there were very Helpful and kind to me. They take me very seriously when i ask them a complicated Computer question. Most of the time in Best buy the wont care about you. But at my Apple store they are wonderful.:) :)
 
I've never been impressed with the level of service at ANY of the Apple stores I've been in to, which are all three in the No. Virginia area. Having worked in retail throughout college and grad school, I have little patience for poor customer service. Strangely enough poor customer service is what is driving me away from Dell and Microsoft, and then I have these types of experiences in our local stores...maybe I'll stick to working with a pad and pencil.
 
If they're serious about customers, I hope someone from Apple is paying attention to threads like this.

If I was in charge, I'd want to know which stores are p1ssing off potential customers, and which ones are doing all they can to win customers and retain then.

Hard to get good feedback like that, as mostly people who get bad service tell 10 of their friends and shop elsewhere, instead of complaining.
 
Man, you should've come back with your defective MBP in your pimpin' suit and school the kid that kept telling you off.
 
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