Angela Ahrendts Says Apple Won't Try to Upsell Customers to iPhone X

[x-evil-x]

The pricing/storage is already an upsell by itself.
Last year they offered 128gig phones. All those people the last few years on 128 suddenly gets dropped what can they do? If they use 100gigs of their phone they will more than likely “upsell” to the 256. Because they have to.
It was apples strategy to do this. Sure employees won’t upsell because the way they are made it does it for them...

 

[dumastudetto]

Tim.... is that you?

In all seriousness though, I agree with you.

I only wish I was Tim.

I'm glad we are in agreement.

 

[fairuz]

Why not? Everyone can use an iPhone. That is the point. They are simple to use, while also holding incredibly powerful capabilities.

Discourages youth from spending time outdoors. Maybe you can restrict it enough parental controls to make it basically a dumbphone but with modern features, but I haven't looked at it.

 

[DesterWallaboo]

I've never had an Apple employee try to upsell me on anything. I go in, tell them what I want, and buy it.

 

[citysnaps]

Kind of astonished so many have commented here thinking Apple would try to upsell a phone if it were not in stock. Especially when Apple Store personnel have never engaged in upselling (over even pushing for a sale) to begin with.

Weird what people want to believe.

 

[jordanst]

I thought the most interesting bit from the CNBC video was the comment on the flexibility of the space. Where, when Apple moves forward with new products, the store can change to suit different needs.
The immediate thing that comes to mind is that there is room in this store for a car...

 

[az431]

6 or 7 years old. Really?

Reading conprehension is a lost art.

The article does not state that iPhones are sold to 6 and 7 year olds. It’s an example of one consideration when recommending products.

 

[DesterWallaboo]

Upsell only works when you make more profit off it. Right now the iPhone 8 has higher margins. Plus lets be real, it's hard to upsell that notch as a better experience.

I think it's hilarious that people are fixated on the notch.

 

[Vanilla35]

Not if you design apps to use the notch as a UI element.

I'm notch sure about that.

 

[dumastudetto]

Discourages youth from spending time outdoors. I'd get a phone that can only call and text.

A mobile phone by design encourages you to go outdoors and still enjoy your technology. You are not tied to a desk like I was when I was kid growing up with technology.
[doublepost=1508519737][/doublepost]

I've never had an Apple employee try to upsell me on anything. I go in, tell them what I want, and buy it.

Yep this is the Apple experience. They don't try to shovel warranty options down your throat, or more expensive models, more expensive devices, etc. They don't even hassle you into making a purchase when you are browsing retail stores. They let you browse at your own convenience and only when you seek them out for advice will they offer guidance. This is the way it should be done by everyone.

 

[filmantopia]

I call BS on that. I was picking up my iPhone 8 on launch day (in Toronto, CAN) and when I got to the store they tried to "sell me everything" under the sun. She was trying SO hard to get me to buy other stuff that I told him point blank to F OFF with that upsell crap. Grabbed my iPhone 8 and left.

What other stuff what she trying to sell you on?

 

[adamjackson]

As a former Apple Store employee, this is how things always worked. The idea is to match the customer with the product which is truly right for them.

Was going to say the same. Not really worth its own article. After you politely probe a customer about their needs, you help them purchase what product is best for them. If they don't need an iPhone X and have indicated such in how they use technology and their budget, I'd prefer they get an iPhone 8 w/ AppleCare+ and AirPods and an iPhone X alone.

 

[Eorlas]

Also think it’s not that easy to cell a $1000 cellphone either.

Its not hard when you figure out what the customer wants and needs. They have a range of choices now so the associate can help narrow it down.

"I want the latest and greatest!"

"Awesome. Here's the iPhone X, our new flagship phone. Do you need more or less storage?"

"More."

"Here it is. Cash, credit, or apple pay?"

----

"I want something advanced, but Im budget conscious. I dont want something too basic, though."

"Well we have the iPhone 8, details blah blah. We also have the iPhone X, details blah blah. These are the price differences, which one best suits you?"

"Hmm, I guess the X isnt too much more expensive."

or

"Seems like the 8 is my best solution."

"Great, how will you be paying today?"

---

Its cellphones. This isnt difficult. Sales is about identifying the personal need and matching someone to the best product you have for that need as quickly as possible. Dont overwhelm people with options.

 

[Ries]

Well, to be honest, you either want to store stuff on your phone or you don't. My mother-in-law's 32GB iPhone has served her well for years and my wife's space requirements have plummeted too since she started using Apple Music. 64GB is more than fine for most people these days with all the iCloud stuff. If you actually want to keep stuff on your phone then 128GB is probably not going to be enough anyway.

I'm sure Apple has looked into the storage usage and the capacities purchased and realise this, hence why they just have two sizes now - one for those that don't really store stuff on their phones and one for those that do.

I've enabled optimised photos on my iPhone and have all digital pictures i've ever taken in it. I'm at 67GB right now, i'm not breaking 128GB for another 2-3 years.

 

[ColdShadow]

This is a good thing. I hope they keep the traditional iPhone form factor around for a while, as I don't really have any interest in the iPhone X. OLED screens are way too unnaturally color-saturated and I like my TouchID.

Most likely they will use OLED is all future iPhones.
It’s the superior display technology and a natural move forward.

OLEDs are not necessarily over saturated,the latest ones are perfect and superior to LCDs in every way.

 

[big-ted]

Kind of astonished so many have commented here thinking Apple would try to upsell a phone if it were not in stock. Especially when Apple Store personnel have never engaged in upselling (over even pushing for a sale) to begin with.

Weird what people want to believe.

Your experiences differ from mine, I knew how much storage I wanted for my new phone, assistant was trying to push me higher, stood my ground or I would have walked

 

[Phonephreak]

Said by the person who probably doesn't have a 6 or 7 year old.

I have the feeling he’s the 6-7 year old
[doublepost=1508520621][/doublepost]

really? Apple isn't for elitist? How about those gold watches.. how did that go.. another amazing idea from Angela? Can't she just take her 10M a year and get lost...

If anything, the iphone 8 form factor is 4 years old, which is the worst part about it. Only really low end android phones still retain benzels as bad a iphone 8!!! Not to mention how much siri sucks compared to google now, and that is at every price range !

Is this a sales pitch? COME ON! Do you work for Apple? As much as I love iphones, i'm not blind to their downfalls, and the fact how good android phones have gotten. If you do work for Apple, please try google now, it will give you a good wow And let's talk about those macbooks, macbook pros, mac pro, and dongles!

Dont take him seriously. He is the ultimate Apple fan. They can do nothing wrong.

 

[scottcampbell]

If they're 6 or 7 years old, what do they need?

Steve Jobs action figure?

 

[44267547]

Carriers are the worst for trying to upsell the customer to phones or accessories. I have never had Apple pressure me or try to influence me to purchase a specific phone or accessory. I don't believe that's how this company operates. The consumer chooses to to spend based on what they need, not what they don't need.

 

[scottcampbell]

Here I was, worried my 7 year old girl was going to walk into the Apple Store and get upsold to an expensive iPhone X.
I can rest easy knowing she'll only come home with an iPad.
Phew.

 

[Danoc]

You won't be disappointed whatever iPhone you buy. There is nothing better than iPhone.

Not even sliced bread?

 

[groovyd]

Guessing they sell a ton of phones to the under teen market and wondering why don't they make a phone truly unique and purpose built for kids? Drop proof, smaller screen, more colorful, plastic, bigger buttons?

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

Probably not an iPhone.

Corporate Human Shows Total Understanding of Target Market

 

[wtmk81]

As a former Apple Store employee, this is how things always worked. The idea is to match the customer with the product which is truly right for them.

This makes a lot of sense, as it increases the likelihood of a positive experience and a repeat customer.

 

[ksnell]

And the tongue-in-cheek response: Yeah, you'd need to have them in stock in order to upsell.

"Here, have this photo of an iPhone X to look at while you wait."