Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple 'iPhone Activation Zones' Rolled Out in Retail Stores

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
69,402
40,445


Last week, we reported that Apple was about to roll out dedicated "iPhone Activation Zones" in its retail stores in order to provide dedicated points of contact for new customers looking to purchase, activate and receive initial set-up assistance with iPhone purchases.

Apple has in fact now reconfigured a number of its stores to set aside these dedicated spaces and has begun mentioning their existence on its iPhone purchasing page.
Reserve an iPhone at your nearest Apple Retail Store. Our knowledgeable Specialists provide expert advice, custom setup, and fast activation at the iPhone Activation Zone.
Click to expand...
Apple has also added mentions of the new areas to a number of stores' pages in the company's retail store listings.

French site TechShower last week posted photos [Google translation] of the iPhone Activation Zone at the San Francisco flagship store, revealing dedicated iMac computers for activation and signage indicating the function of the area.


000636-activation_zone_1.jpeg




000636-activation_zone_2.jpg



ifoAppleStore has also posted a photo showing the new setup, which is reportedly found in most stores offering the service near the right front as customers enter.


001424-activation_zone_3_500.jpg



Article Link: Apple 'iPhone Activation Zones' Rolled Out in Retail Stores
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2009/09/21/apple-iphone-activation-zones-rolled-out-in-retail-stores/
thegoldenmackid said:
Waste of space...
Click to expand...

I see the benefit in having this, however given the limited amount of room that Apple Stores have already (not to mention the crowded spaces), it's going to make it more difficult to keep demonstrating Macs to customers.

iPhone area + AppleTV area + Quick Checkout area = not enough space for Mac sales.
 
Well it was a waste of my time to wait a half hour for help buying an iPhone and then being put on a list and waiting longer for the iPhone specialist to activate me.
 
i saw that at the apple store in Natick, MA last weekend and they already were helping people on that station.
 
Saw it in the NYC store on 5th Ave...

It works really well here, since there is a lot of space, and it doesn't seem to take up any. I think its a good idea, at least in some locations (with more space)...
 
jav6454 said:
Looks nice, I would like to see its implementation in smaller stores.
Click to expand...

i suspect that it will happen in all stores over the next few weeks.

my local store has had this going for at least the last week. and it is actually rather nice. i go in there quite often cause I work in the mall and they don't bug if i pop in for 5 to check my email on my lunch or breaks. i would hear the staff often commenting about how they can't really show someone all the itunes stuff cause their floor models are locked. when I was in a few days ago one of the iphone customers was watching a video that actually showed what it looks like when you plug the phone in, etc

i also noticed a few times that there were black shirt staff members bringing out computers, phones and such from what I assume is the stock room, so there weren't customers just standing there looking bored or getting asked like 20 times if they needed help

it's probably all being done in the hopes they have a busy holiday season but hey if it makes things run smoother it's all good.
 
The local Apple store has had this setup for the last two weeks. It takes a big chunk of space, so I can imagine it being a nightmare when a new iPhone is released.
 
I requested this as well, I asked the guy who set my iPhone 3G up at xmas, why not have a dedicated iPhone area, so people cant see your credit card details on screen wondering round the store, so this is good:D
 
I think a bar would be cooler. But Apple likes to cram a ton of stuff in such small places that that would be really hard in some of the smaller stores.
 
Most (if not all) people who read this blog won't need the iPhone area for what it's primarily meant for. Although it is where you buy the iPhone and where you activate it, it was largely implemented to help people new the the iPhone get to know it and have a clear part of the store where they can get help with it. I think it's a great idea, and at my local store I've seen a lot of people quite happy with it. It's a new little experiment that Apple's trying, and whenever they re-arrange something like this there are some growing pains, but once it finds its place in the store, I can't see how it could possibly be a bad thing. It also teaches people about mobile me and what it does with their phones as far as syncing and things like that. I would imagine MobileMe is a hard thing to sell because it involves so many different things, but having the little graphical presentation they have set up I'm sure helps immensely. I went over and looked at the videos they had on there, and the iTunes syncing video was quite impressive too. Really simple, and certainly didn't teach me anything I didn't know, but to show customers what it will look like when they get it home and plug it in is I'm sure quite helpful. I'll be interested to see where this goes.
 
I saw this at my local Apple Store when I went in two weeks ago.

People are now queuing at the back of the shop for activation rather than at the Genius Bar/point of sale that's in the middle of the store.
 
Agreed, waste of space. Now where's my unlocked, SIM free iPhone? Then the only activation I need is a paper clip.
 
i dont see anything bad with this. I have found myself awkwardly "waiting" in a random area of the store for products to be taken from the back. I guess if i am awkwardly waiting in the designated iphone area, i would feel less awkward? maybe?
 
They really should implement a graphical way to get/organize apps in iTunes as well. I was really thinking/hoping this would be part of iTunes 9, but alas, no.
 
It's a good idea, but not particularly earth-shattering. Only Apple can inspire people to comment on the little area they created in their stores, an area that amounts to little more than a small counter and a placard :).
 
I still say the best activation

was the original iPhone that I activated myself at home through iTunes. It was very simple and very quick, even porting my number from Sprint. I really wish Apple/AT&T hadn't axed this. I can understand it being overwhelming for most people, but peeps that have no problem plugging in their iPhone to their computer and typing in some information should be able to. Wish it was optional.
 
This is a great idea.

From what I understand, staff are being designated to that area to help activate and set up people's phones. They don't only activate the phone, but they also help the person set up their e-mail, Mobile Me (if they buy it), etc.

To me it's a great service compared to most stores that just activate your phone and then throw you out the door.
 
Makes me wonder how many phones are sold in each retail store per day. I have only bought phones during major release events when they have like 30 dedicated employees.

I think they should just go back to home activations. If you can't figure out how to activate it you shouldn't have an iPhone.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back