Apple Planning International Expansion of 'Personal Pickup' Service

[MacRumors]

Apple is training retail employees in Australia, France, United Kingdom and other countries for the international launch of Personal Pickup, a service that enables customers to place an order on the Apple Online Store or Apple Store app and pick it up at any Apple Retail Store within an hour, according to sources.

Apple is planning to roll out Personal Pickup internationally as early as November, possibly alongside the launch of the iPad Pro, but could push back the plans until later this year or beyond, according to sources. Apple did not immediately respond when reached for comment.

Personal Pickup, which launched exclusively in the U.S. in 2011, is available for a wide range of products including Macs, iPhones, iPads, Apple TVs and the Apple Watch. Apple notifies customers via email or text message when their order is available for in-store pickup, at which point they can pick it up with a valid photo ID.

The global expansion of Personal Pickup is likely another move orchestrated by Apple retail chief Angela Ahrendts, as she continues to bridge the gap between Apple's online and retail store shopping experiences. Apple has opened over 460 retail stores in 18 countries since May 2001, with nearly 200 located outside the U.S.

Article Link: Apple Planning International Expansion of 'Personal Pickup' Service

 

[McScooby]

About time, always irked me you could never do this in the UK.

 

[Chrjy]

About time, always irked me you could never do this in the UK.

Absolutely, look forward to this coming to the UK...nothing like a bit of convenience shopping, in and out, that's me!

....waiting for the 'wife/girlfriend' puns!

 

[bushido]

friend of mine said it totally sucks cuz u r still left in the same line as people just waiting for whatever.

 

[Benjamin Frost]

Do we get to choose that girl as our personal pickup, I wonder?

 

[SabaGuy]

friend of mine said it totally sucks cuz u r still left in the same line as people just waiting for whatever.

Personal pickups go to the front of the queue.

 

[McScooby]

friend of mine said it totally sucks cuz u r still left in the same line as people just waiting for whatever.

Yeah but you don't have to drive to wherever to collect said mac/iphone if store is nearby, I find it easier getting to shop than depot & although I know currently do a drop to newsagents etc. still a part of me is distrusting not to mention again it's a drive! Plus any issues I'd imagine would be dealt there & then.

 

[Apple Corps]

Personal pickups go to the front of the queue.

No - it is more like you go to the head of the quagmire. Sounds nice in theory, in practice, you get passed off to different staff. Waaaaaaay overrated "service".

 

[SabaGuy]

Personal Pickup is a great service. But if your item is in stock, why should it take 1 hour before it's available for pickup?

 

[RockSpider]

Why would you write a story about this, you can do this with most retailers, am I missing something.

 

[Rogifan]

No - it is more like you go to the head of the quagmire. Sounds nice in theory, in practice, you get passed off to different staff. Waaaaaaay overrated "service".

How so? I've used it twice this year and was in and out of the store in 15 minutes.

 

[PJWilkin]

About time, always irked me you could never do this in the UK.

Yup, I'd rather go to the local store (10 mins away) than wait for the courier as its going to be way quicker

The last few devices Apple's used UK Mail for me, and although they give a time slot (something UPS does not), I'm always on the Mid afternoon delivery slot as their depot is 5 mins away (so is the UPS, DHL and several other delivery companies)

 

[citysnaps]

friend of mine said it totally sucks cuz u r still left in the same line as people just waiting for whatever.

Lines? Huh? I've used Personal Pickup for a bunch of ordered items. Never had a line to wait in. Walk up to an associate, tell him/her that I'm here for a pickup, and am then hooked up with someone who complete's the pickup after showing my id. Super easy.

 

[citysnaps]

Why would you write a story about this, you can do this with most retailers, am I missing something.

According to the above story, it's because Apple is introducing the program to three major countries, Australia, France, and the UK. MR readers in those countries would likely be interested in knowing that.

 

[The Doctor11]

I love in store pickup. I used it just last week for my late 2015 5k iMac. It gives me piece of mind. I feel like its safer on a truck to the Apple Store with many other Apple Store items, than on a UPS truck with anything and then thrown on a delivery truck and dropped at my door.

 

[Woyzeck]

Why is she holding that iPad ?

 

[Braderunner]

Not everyone has a good experience with this service. Took me 30 minutes to get out of the store last Friday when I went to pick up the Apple TV that I ordered online for in-store pickup. I could have just picked one up off the shelf and been out in 2 or 3 minutes, but, I didn't know there would be any left by the time I got there. I was so ticked. I had half a mind to just pick one up, show an employee my order on my phone, and walk out with it.

 

[justperry]

How is this convenient?
Order online, next day it's delivered to your home.
I do understand that in some cases it can be convenient, like, if you are lucky to live nearby to a store, or you pass it on your way back to home.
But, most of us don't live near to an Apple store, there are only 460 of them.

 

[rdlink]

Absolutely, look forward to this coming to the UK...nothing like a bit of convenience shopping, in and out, that's me!

....waiting for the 'wife/girlfriend' puns!

Meh. Often the item I have picked up is something that is available to walk up and pick up from the shelf. So I could have just walked in, scanned it with Easy Pay and walk out. But with personal pickup I usually end getting stuck listening to a store employee awkwardly try to make small talk with me while we wait 5 minutes or more for the item to "come out from the back." Then, once it arrives I have to go through the gyrations of signing their documents, and I often have to recite my email address to them again (and it's a long one) in order to have the receipt mailed to me.

It's fun to go to the Apple store to browse when I'm in the mall, but for big ticket items I'd frankly rather have them shipped, and for small ticket items I prefer Easy Pay.

 

[brucebrendon]

wot you can collect a purchase, from a shop – that really does change everything! genius-bar-none
(and if that system is anything to go by... ):

 

[flarp]

About time, always irked me you could never do this in the UK.

Yeah. This is great. Apple Stores are frequently horrible experiences for people who know exactly what they want and want it quick.

 

[HenryDJP]

friend of mine said it totally sucks cuz u r still left in the same line as people just waiting for whatever.

Your friend told you a complete untruth, because I've purchased a few things not long ago from Apple customer service over the phone and they set me up to pick them up my local Apple retail store which is ALWAYS crazy busy. I walked right in and an employee greats me and I tell them I ordered over the phone to pick up at the store within an hour. They immediately go to the back and get my stuff. I'm outta there in less than 5 minutes.

 

[justperry]

Why is she holding that iPad ?

Why does she wear a t-shirt with an Apple logo on it.

 

[HenryDJP]

Not everyone has a good experience with this service. Took me 30 minutes to get out of the store last Friday when I went to pick up the Apple TV that I ordered online for in-store pickup. I could have just picked one up off the shelf and been out in 2 or 3 minutes, but, I didn't know there would be any left by the time I got there. I was so ticked. I had half a mind to just pick one up, show an employee my order on my phone, and walk out with it.

And you would've been arrested had you gotten caught. Each product has to be checked out since it's part of the inventory.

 

[HenryDJP]

How is this convenient?
Order online, next day it's delivered to your home.
I do understand that in some cases it can be convenient, like, if you are lucky to live nearby to a store, or you pass it on your way back to home.
But, most of us don't live near to an Apple store, there are only 460 of them.

NEXT DAY delivered to your home?? Oh you must be mean to PAY $$$$EXTRA for next day delivery, which definitely costs a lot more. That money could be better spend on apps and movies.