Apple Announces 'Shop With a Specialist Over Video' Feature for Buying an iPhone

[CARIB_APPLE]

Is it really that difficult?? One thing I do hate about Apple is all the hoops you have to go through to buy an iPhone in store. They pass you to 3 different people and talk to you like a child about storage, trade in, paying in full, insurance, etc.

 

[Beatrix Kiddo]

It's good to know that it is safe and secure but I prefer shopping in person. Btw, How would I purchase an iPhone if I only want to pay in cash? 🥺

Then it’s not for you.

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

I wonder, do they have any job openings for this?

 

[mac_hack_attack]

So proof that Apple's iPhone lineup is so complicated you need an expert's help to figure out which one to buy.

 

[mac_hack_attack]

I wonder, do they have any job openings for this?

Wrong one-way in the video. Requires real work.

 

[boak]

So proof that Apple's iPhone lineup is so complicated you need an expert's help to figure out which one to buy.

Yup. It used to be just one model with (almost) all the best features and if you want something cheaper, get an older model.

Now, Apple actually has to hold off features to upsell, resulting in competition between latest regular and old pro.

 

[mac_hack_attack]

Yup. It used to be just one model with (almost) all the best features and if you want something cheaper, get an older model.

Now, Apple actually has to hold off features to upsell, resulting in competition between latest regular and old pro.

I was ok with it even being one big and one little as one size does not fit all. But now...

 

[discolite]

Is it really that difficult?? One thing I do hate about Apple is all the hoops you have to go through to buy an iPhone in store. They pass you to 3 different people and talk to you like a child about storage, trade in, paying in full, insurance, etc.

This is so true. I just want buy the phone i already know i want and leave the store, thank you.

 

[dk001]

So the Sales Car-person concept comes to iPhone sales. Virtually.
Reciprocity as the latest Apple sales tactic.
Wonder how much "sales" vs "help". Guess that would depend on definitions.

JMHO YOMV

 

[Octavius8]

Poor employees…
Will the be based in USA or will this job also be outsourced to another country?.
I really need someone to guide in my decision process to NOT “update” my iPhone every year.

 

[Timpetus]

Might be fun to do this over and over asking for a mini-sized iPhone with Pro features... Gotta figure out the best way to make them take a while to discover they can't offer what I want to buy.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Then it’s not for you.

NO you don’t UNDERSTANNNNNNND, Apple makes it so it MUST be for me. If it’s not, then Apple’s lost their way and Timmy must go. /s

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Is it really that difficult?? One thing I do hate about Apple is all the hoops you have to go through to buy an iPhone in store. They pass you to 3 different people and talk to you like a child about storage, trade in, paying in full, insurance, etc.

Wow, glad I don’t have to pay in cash (I can’t imagine anyone with a credit card that doesn’t like going to the stores would still go to the stores). I haven’t bought an iPhone in a store for years, but I can see how some folks might like this kind of thing.

 

[Analog Kid]

As a lay consumer, I read it as a one way video session, and no mention about communicating back.

I'm not sure you're a lay consumer... You came into this with a particularly strong set of assumptions that affect how you interpret what you read:

Tim, are you that desperate for the next quarterly report?

A lay consumer wouldn't know the CEO's first name. Most people can't even name their elected officials. Most people, I suspect, would realize that "shop with" doesn't mean "helplessly watch someone else spend your money".

 

[Analog Kid]

So proof that Apple's iPhone lineup is so complicated you need an expert's help to figure out which one to buy.

Oh, I'd imagine a lot of these sessions start with "I want a way to follow my grandson's facebook. Someone online told me I need at least 32 gigabyes and 1 terrabyte to do that or it will be slow. What's a gigabyte?"

 

[CARIB_APPLE]

Wow, glad I don’t have to pay in cash (I can’t imagine anyone with a credit card that doesn’t like going to the stores would still go to the stores). I haven’t bought an iPhone in a store for years, but I can see how some folks might like this kind of thing.

I don’t pay cash and I don’t know why you would assume that. I don’t live in the US so when I’m there and need to buy a new iPhone or two for work the process is so time consuming. Even to buy accessories it’s like you’re in there way longer than you need to be by the time you find the right person to ring you up. Apple is spending a lot of money renovating their stores so I guess there are a lot of “folks” that still go there. I just wish they could streamline the purchasing process.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I don’t pay cash and I don’t know why you would assume that.

Because, I didn’t think anyone that didn’t like to go to the Apple Store would go if they didn’t have to. The online process is pretty streamlined. If you have a credit card, I’d try using the website or the App Store app to purchase the device. When I’ve done this, I go to the store, they direct me to someone that will get my device and I’m out of the store fairly quickly.

 

[BellSystem]

Oh sweet so I will have to check in with the first person at the virtual lobby door, who will then make me wait in the chat lobby, for the person selling the phone to ask me the same questions I answered 3 times before. Unless the are not simulating the stores exactly?

 

[AndrewR23]

.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

"Yeah so this is the iPhone 11, 12 , 13 and 14. They all the same, there's a yellow one .. "

 

[StellarVixen]

Please do not leave one of those annoying pop-up chat boxes like Verizon and several other companies. Browsing the site for more than a minute does not mean I want to talk.

*mouse cursor goes towards the address bar*

“Before you leave…”

 

[ian87w]

Is it really that difficult?? One thing I do hate about Apple is all the hoops you have to go through to buy an iPhone in store. They pass you to 3 different people and talk to you like a child about storage, trade in, paying in full, insurance, etc.

Tim Apple will use every opportunity to upsell.

 

[svish]

Good to see this. Hopefully it will be made available outside US soon.

 

[TSE]

My 87 year old grandma used this feature last night.

The multi-ethnic, gender non-conforming Apple specialist asked her what she was going to use her iPhone for.

"Facetime with my grandch-", and before she could finish her sentence, the Apple specialist interrupted.

"You need to buy a maxed out iPhone 14 Pro Max. I already added it to your cart with AppleCare+ for ten years. All you have to do is press your finger on your TouchID sensor and it's paid for. Have a great day!"

The Apple Specialist then logged off.



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[DeepIn2U]

One way video session? Huh? So there will be just a pre-recorded video of a person trying to upsell you stuff?

Tim, are you that desperate for the next quarterly report?

I mean I can understand 2-way session, so customers can ask a real person on questions about the product. But one-way?

What's funny is this is needed for an iPhone. The phone that is meant design and up to be THE phone the simplest at doing ANY task.