The Apple Store is an AWFUL place to shop.

[comedine]

To date, I've bought all of my Apple products online, but with the new MBPs I wanted to go and have a look and a play before I committed. And I was shocked at the Apple Store in Kingston-Upon-Thames.

They had just one 15" MBP in stock and some kid was using the shop like an internet cafe and was browsing Facebook. I asked him if he could do it on another computer and he refused. So I waited.

After a few minutes an assistant came up to me and spoke to me. I told him I was waiting to see the MBP but some kid was using it to look at Facebook. The chap said "Oh, ok" and wandered off!!

I also couldn't help notice that there were several people looking very confused - there seemed to be no 'system' to getting to see staff. And the counter was just a mass of people - no queue at all.

So I went to John Lewis, had a good play and bought it there.

 

[LERsince1991]

I guess you got a bad store

I agree it could be more organised but I think because they don't have visible tills (handheld and print from under the desks) it makes customers think less about the money side of things.

Here the employees get to me soon and have a memory so they know who to serve next Also have like 50 macs on display

 

[MacDawg]

My Apple Store is my favorite place to go

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[thegoldenmackid]

On this side of the pond, most Apple stores are usually pretty quick to kick kids (like me) off Facebook (if only I used that thing regularly) or Photo Booth if they believe that someone is actually interested in purchasing the computer. All Apple stores that I have been in definitely have a system, but sometimes the store is über-crowded.

 

[Kebabselector]

So I went to John Lewis, had a good play and bought it there.

And got the 2 year warranty as well!

I agree with you about the Apple retail stores, I know how they operate so it's not a surprise. However if my Mom or Dad visited one (not they ever would) they'd probably just be in a daze.

 

[shollingsw3]

My Apple Store is my favorite place to go

Woof, Woof - Dawg

PeachMac?

It really depends on the Apple Store you go to, I guess. For example, the Mall of Georgia Apple Store and the Lenox Mall Apple Store are always like that and it is hard to get an employee's attention. However, the Perimeter Mall Apple Store is always nearly empty and the employees are just waiting around for people to come in.

 

[JoeG4]

This is why I prefer shopping at Frys. Well, most of the time anyway can't say I'd buy Macs there.

 

[thegoldenmackid]

This is why I prefer shopping at Frys. Well, most of the time anyway can't say I'd buy Macs there.

YOU SAID THE F-WORD.

No matter how low Fry's prices are, their customer service department puts anything to shame. I never spent less then two hours there and never had anything but an awful experience. Numerous lies and run-around - I'll pay 10% more just to know that Assistant Manager Paul Lorenz isn't getting my money. It's fairly sad that one would know their name...

 

[MorphingDragon]

That experience sounds like Magnum Mac in New Zealand owned by Renaissance. The people there dont even know how to use the bloody things or how much they cost. I wish they would burn in hell as they're the reason why we cant get a real Apple store here.!!!

 

[liptonlover]

I really feel sorry for everyone with bad Apple store experiences. There are a few Apple stores nearby that I have visited multiple times, and every time was very enjoyable. I love going to Apple stores just for the atmosphere. The employees are always walking around looking for people who need help, and there's at least 5 of every product on display. It's kinda ironic... the Apple store is the easiest one to go in and out of with what you need in hand... and the only one where you don't WANT to leave so quickly.

 

[Unprocessed1]

YOU SAID THE F-WORD.

No matter how low Fry's prices are, their customer service department puts anything to shame.

Haha, wrong use of words.

The fry's in my mall closed down for good. The employees there were unprofessional and idiotic.

 

[thegoldenmackid]

Haha, wrong use of words.

The fry's in my mall closed down for good. The employees there were unprofessional and idiotic.

Yes...I'm not functioning on much sleep, but:
1. I still won't go to Fry's
2. I'm still more competent then their employees

 

[NC MacGuy]

I go to my local Apple stores to buy or bitch. I do give the machines a bit more than average scrutiny and will pull up various Apple critical sites and leave them with all kinds of system preferences changed.

The concierge/personal shopping guy whoevers like me since the only time I interface with them is to whip out the plastic.

The geni-asses hate me.

My feelings are mutual for each.

 

[three]

Yakima doesn't have a official Apple store but we have an Apple retailer store. The name of the store is Efcom. I personally don't like shopping there not because of the waiting issue it's just because the staff have bad attitudes towards anyone and everyone. I am never shopping there again.

 

[godslabrat]

I'm on the fence about the Apple Store (Quail Springs Mall, OKC). It's always packed with customers unless I go at some oddball hour on a Tuesday, but I don't see that as a fault of the store, per se. I've been helped by 5 or 6 people over the past few months, and I've had a few know-nothings in that group. I don't care about them, though, because I keep going back for the other employees who offer OUTSTANDING help!!!

Yes, when I feel I've been taken care of well, I grab that person's card and keep it on file, then make a point to go back and see them. THEY make the trip worthwhile. I also have to commend Apple for the atmosphere they set in the store-- I've never felt pressured on any purchase, be it the computer itself or an accessory or extended warranty. They ask what I want, I tell them, everybody leaves happy.

 

[InvalidUserID]

I miss the 24-hour store in NYC. I used to hop on the train to hang out in the back offices (friend was a manager) or just browse during off-hours.

My now nearest Apple Store is Palo Alto which is really laid back and has lots of models for people to play with. MUCH BETTER than the one at Stanford Mall (only 5 minutes away or so) which is super small and seems to always be packed with cougars who don't know a mouse from a mini.

 

[iBookG4user]

YOU SAID THE F-WORD.

No matter how low Fry's prices are, their customer service department puts anything to shame. I never spent less then two hours there and never had anything but an awful experience. Numerous lies and run-around - I'll pay 10% more just to know that Assistant Manager Paul Lorenz isn't getting my money. It's fairly sad that one would know their name...

Really? I've had nothing but positive experiences at Fry's. Even when I'm returning something they are professional and they rarely if ever give me any trouble about it. I've even taken products back to them without a receipt and they gave me the full store credit for the product and it was opened as well. I guess it really does depend on which store you go to, I've had similar positive experiences with both of the Fry's stores near me.

 

[Andrew Henry]

Sorry that you've had a bad experience, at my closest store (Tukwila Mall, WA) I've been there twice, once when both of my iPhones needed to be replaced, and a second time when my 1G iPhone had a run in with Coor's Light, well anyhow the first time the warranty on one of my phones had expired 2 days earlier, but yet they still replaced it at no charge, and the second time I went there I was greeted at the door by a cute girl, and she pretty much stuck by my side throughout the entire time I was in the store, talking about the new computers and such. Both times were very enjoyable experiences!

-Andrew

 

[arkitect]

To date, I've bought all of my Apple products online, but with the new MBPs I wanted to go and have a look and a play before I committed. And I was shocked at the Apple Store in Kingston-Upon-Thames.

Ah, Bentall's… never a pleasure going there.

The Apple store there really is not up to scratch. As you say, over crowded and no system in place.
Most of the teens within a couple miles' radius seem to use it as some kind of internet café — minus the coffee, thank god.

 

[210]

I have found the staff at Apple Stores pretty useless as well. My friends just ask me all the questions and use the Apple Store to play around of the computers, etc.

 

[liptonlover]

I know I already posted saying how awesome mine is, but just yesterday I had to go in and replace my Touch because of various problems. It had an outdent near the volume controls, I couldn't open the music app, and one point it did a hard restart on its own over and over again, and the headphone jack was only getting sound to one earphone (tested on multiple earphones). So we made an appointment with a genius. We got there a little late so we had to wait for them to finish up with another customer who didn't make an appointment, and while we waited a regular employee asked us what the problem was. He looked it over, talked a TON in a slightly condescending (though accidental) way, but told us forget about the other problems just go up and say the headphone jack is broken. That's what we did. They tested it with their own earphones, saw that it was broken, took a few seconds to put something on the computer, and grabbed a replacement for me. I signed the receipt and was done. It was beautiful how easy it was.
Nate

 

[Cabbit]

Looks like the bridge of the Enterprise

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

Apple store Orland square has bad apples working their.

 

[thegoldenmackid]

Really? I've had nothing but positive experiences at Fry's. Even when I'm returning something they are professional and they rarely if ever give me any trouble about it. I've even taken products back to them without a receipt and they gave me the full store credit for the product and it was opened as well. I guess it really does depend on which store you go to, I've had similar positive experiences with both of the Fry's stores near me.

There was only one smiling face at the service desk, it was me smiling at the not smiling faces. I had no problems until I had to deal with their warranty and stuff. They do some unethical things. For example, the give new computers out as "loaners" and then try to sell them back as "floor models" problems arise though because the computers get registered multiple times from multiple different people and Apple does not like that so much.

 

[Hrududu]

I don't particularly like Apple stores either. Too noisy, too crowded and it always seems like the employees are constantly watching over your shoulder. Most of the kids in there don't really seem to know much anyhow. Our local reseller is called Haddock Computer, and its not big but I love it. Most of the people there have been at the store for at LEAST 8 years and know their stuff. The repair guy is also very smart and they'll actually give you the time of day with older hardware.