Why does Apple hire such unprofessional looking employees?

[snberk103]

This thread is nonsense...why would you care how the employees look at a apple store ???

Besides, it's been a great excuse to work in some obscure references to 5 guys who play with electricity ....

 

[smithrh]

I'm evjoying the 5 man electrical band under current.

Sadly enough, I think it's going way over some people's heads....

 

[snberk103]

Sadly enough, I think it's going way over some people's heads....

Yeah, I think there weren't enough signs....

 

[MyDesktopBroke]

I think the point is that they look like normal people. I have two Apple stores near me and the employees are all ages, races, styles, etc.

I think it's to give the feeling that Macs are for any one who wants one.

A bigger problem is when the "Geniuses" act like they actually are, when they have no clue.

One told me I could void my AppleCare because I had several custom icons on my dock (he showed me the iPhone jailbreak policy card). Others generally treat any performance complaint like you're trying to pull of a huge insurance scam and get a free computer. Most of them won't listen to a thing I say, no matter how common sense/basic computer knowledge it is.

 

[Xavier]

I think the thread title should be "Why does Apple hire such idiots?" because almost everytime I am at the Apple store with a problem, they tell me it cannot be fixed. I will go home, do a little research, and end up fixing it myself.

The only good Apple customer service I have had is when I have to mail something in. Like my MBP when its 8600m GT failed. And that was under AppleCare.

 

[gkarris]

I think the thread title should be "Why does Apple hire such idiots?" because almost everytime I am at the Apple store with a problem, they tell me it cannot be fixed. I will go home, do a little research, and end up fixing it myself.

Yes, frustrating for me - I tried to get a job there and I was turned down...

I sent my friends there a couple months ago that I "switched" years ago with a used tower G4 - told them to get the $599 (at the time) Mac Mini.

They go to the store and the "Specialist" tries to sell them the $1,200 iMac instead and that "the Mini is not a real computer and is too weak" (okay, like, they're used to a 450 MHz G4... )

They ended up going to Microcenter and bought an HP ($550) which ended up being $900 after the Anti-Virus/"Windows Optimization" programs and setup fees...

Nice job, Apple Store.... wish Steve Jobs actually knew what was REALLY going on...

 

[Stella]

They ended up going to Microcenter and bought an HP ($550) which ended up being $900 after the Anti-Virus/"Windows Optimization" programs and setup fees...

Sorry, but thats their fault for being suckered in. Anti virus software at most costs not much more than $100 ( thats Norton Anti virus Premium as an example), and less in other cases.

So your friends wasted a boat load of cash on BS; something they quite easily could have done themselves / didn't need.

Conclusion: Fools are easily parted with their money.

""the Mini is not a real computer and is too weak". That all depends on what your friends wanted to do.

For the majority, the Mac Mini is a perfectly usable machine. Your friends should have done their own research.

 

[*LTD*]

Tattoos, long hair, etc. When people walk in to buy a premium product, they expect premium service. I've heard employees walk in saying "another day in paradise" sarcastically. A lot of them just talk to each other instead of helping customers. It just really annoys me because I'm 17, have persuaded friends to buy countless Macs/iPhones, and truly exhibit passion for the product. Meanwhile, these "hipsters" get the job.

The stores are always rammed with customers and are turning record profits, selling premium-priced gear. What's the problem?

Seems the "Apple employee" look/attitude is working.

 

[colourfastt]

The stores are always rammed with customers and are turning record profits, selling premium-priced gear. What's the problem?

Seems the "Apple employee" look/attitude is working.

Interesting, but I disagree. My employees are required to wear "business formal" daily. Males must be clean shaven and hair must be cut short enough that it doesn't touch the collar or fall over the ears. No earrings on males or females. NO piercings or tattoos. For females, hair may not extend below the collar if worn up. Finally, all employees must address each other as Mr. ... and Mrs. ... (Miss) as appropriate.

 

[Disc Golfer]

Interesting, but I disagree. My employees are required to wear "business formal" daily. Males must be clean shaven and hair must be cut short enough that it doesn't touch the collar or fall over the ears. No earrings on males or females. NO piercings or tattoos. For females, hair may not extend below the collar if worn up. Finally, all employees must address each other as Mr. ... and Mrs. ... (Miss) as appropriate.

Sounds like the military.. I hope you pay well.
Thinking about it I would be seriously creeped out if I walked into a retail establishment that was entirely populated by people who look like you describe, unless it's a recruiting office.

 

[Gelfin]

Interesting, but I disagree. My employees are required to wear "business formal" daily. Males must be clean shaven and hair must be cut short enough that it doesn't touch the collar or fall over the ears. No earrings on males or females. NO piercings or tattoos. For females, hair may not extend below the collar if worn up. Finally, all employees must address each other as Mr. ... and Mrs. ... (Miss) as appropriate.

What has this to do with whether Apple's approach is working? The stores are packed and they're making money hand over fist. Do you think they would attract more business and more money by being stiff and formal?

Or do you think, as seems more likely to me, that more of the existing customers would feel uncomfortably out of place in such an atmosphere and stay away than new customers would be lured in having been impressed by the snootiness of the "premium experience?"

There are some places such an atmosphere is appropriate. Banks, high-class restaurants and tailors, and luxury car dealers spring to mind. Also in some cultures it may be more appropriate. Japan, for instance. But generally speaking, what is the justification for this attitude in most Western cultures if it results in less traffic and less money?

 

[*LTD*]

Interesting, but I disagree.

No, you don't . . .

http://theappleblog.com/2009/06/22/apple-retail-store-success-it-aint-rocket-science/

http://www.edibleapple.com/apples-r...n-nyc-earning-35000-per-square-foot-of-space/

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2007/03/19/8402321/index.htm

http://www.appleinsider.com/article...s_achieve_highest_quarterly_revenue_ever.html

. . . unless your windsor-knotted tie is cutting off circulation to your brain.

 

[Stella]

Interesting, but I disagree. My employees are required to wear "business formal" daily. Males must be clean shaven and hair must be cut short enough that it doesn't touch the collar or fall over the ears. No earrings on males or females. NO piercings or tattoos. For females, hair may not extend below the collar if worn up. Finally, all employees must address each other as Mr. ... and Mrs. ... (Miss) as appropriate.

Sounds very draconian.

Which country do you live in?

 

[puffnstuff]

Dear god if you are like this at 17 i'd hate to think what you are like at 60.


Damn whippersnappers with their hipping and hopping . Get off muh lawn and cut your hair ya hippy!

 

[aristobrat]

Look at it this way. Lets say you run a fortune 500 company. Would you want your employies, who are representing YOU to look professional or like a punk?

I think it's pretty obvious what the guy running this Fortune 56 company wants, in regards to his employee dress code.

And the thing is, customers continue to rate his Apple retail stores at the top of the pack when it comes to the whole "overall shopping experience" thing.
http://www.ifoapplestore.com/db/2010/05/11/satisfaction-survey-names-apple-1/

I do agree with you that "employee grouping" can be an issue. The store near me orig. opened with a store manager that was very good about being on the floor, and you rarely saw grouping. A new manager that was never on the floor took over, and employee grouping came back, ... well, at least with some of the younger ones. A new manager runs it now, is back to being on the floor a lot, and you really don't see grouping any more.

 

[Opstech]

so what you are saying is that if a person has long hair or tatoos that they don't rate a job? i have tatoos and I serve in your countries military (Marines to be exact), should I be denied a position in your countries military?

next you will say "why is this black dude working at the apple store"

Semper Fidelis

 

[KameronBriggs]

And the sign said, "Long haired freaky people need not apply."

HAHAHHAHAHA LMFAO

 

[gkarris]

Sorry, but thats their fault for being suckered in. Anti virus software at most costs not much more than $100 ( thats Norton Anti virus Premium as an example), and less in other cases.

It was like $149 for Norton with a 2 year subscription, $99 for Windows Optimization software, $99 setup fee...

""the Mini is not a real computer and is too weak". That all depends on what your friends wanted to do.

Surf the web and e-mail, and make Word docs...

For the majority, the Mac Mini is a perfectly usable machine. Your friends should have done their own research.

I work retail myself - the salesperson should have asked and pointed them to the Mini, not "upsell" to the $1200 iMac, causing them to leave discouraged that a Mac is "too much money" pay $900 (which no matter how you look at it is CHEAPER) for a $550 PC...