Sure it is. And we also have the right to say it's stupid and not bother with it. I don't buy direct from Apple as their financing sucks. Moves like this make me think I never will.
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Apple Makes Changes to 'One to One' Program
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Sure it is. And we also have the right to say it's stupid and not bother with it. I don't buy direct from Apple as their financing sucks. Moves like this make me think I never will.
I've just gotten fed up with people acting as if they have just been told that they have terminal cancer because Apple decides to discontinue something or because Apple didn't release an update to their liking. That post was so melodramatic, and for what reason?
I'm sorry, I didn't realize that there's a "culture" to buying Apple computers. I didn't realize that walking into a store telling an employee which model you want, and handing them your money was such a huge cultural, and life changing event. It's just buying a computer. It's no different then buying a Sony, HP, or Dell, except for the fact that you have to deal with ungodly annoying idiots (if you purchase the computer from and Apple Store).
And I really don't see how this is going to have a major ripple effect. It's not like every single person purchasing a Mac gets One-One to go with it. And I personally think that the vast majority of those who do buy One-One bought their Mac at an Apple Store. So it's really not going to affect the vast majority of people, IMO.
One-One is a total waste of money, IMO. I made the mistake of getting it with my iMac. I went to one session and blew the rest of them off. The "Genius" or whoever was "helping" me was a complete and total idiot. I knew more about OS X from 12 hours of use then he did. One-One is just another way for Apple to suck more money out of first time purchasers.
So people, please stop having breakdowns over this. It's not like you just lost your firstborn.
Don
It's sort of a fairly large generalization to say One-to-One is a total waste of money for everyone based on just one session with just one trainer, no? Borderline melodramatic?
Some trainers aren't as good as others. Personally, I wouldn't write off the entire training team at that store, much less the entire retail chain, based on just one encounter. But that's just me.
(And FWIW, to address experiences like yours, Apple's started emailing customers after their session to get their feedback. If a store has a consistently sucky trainer, it becomes evident fairly quickly.)
So instead of EXPANDING a business practice (if there aren't enough people working to keep up you ADD more employees!) that seems to be working and increasing jobs and helping both themselves and the economy, they choose to scale back support and thus discourage sales from retailers like Best Buy (and thus overall sales since Apple stores aren't everywhere like Best Buy is; my nearest Apple Store is at least 60 miles away). Good decision Apple!
If your Apple store is at least 60 miles away, then why would one to one even make sense for you? Are you going to drive all that way every week for a lesson? This thread and your comment are full of people complaining about changes to a program that don't even effect them.
Apple may be raking in billions as a company, but retail profits actually declined in the last quarter that led to 1600 jobs being shed. From this CNET article (http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10226486-37.html)
"Apple's second fiscal quarter was a blowout considering the state of the economy, but executives noted that the retail division took a hit during the quarter, with average revenue per store declining to $5.9 million from $7.1 million a year ago."
I'm sure a lot of this is due to the state of the economy and the fact that consumers may be looking harder at 3rd party retailers in order to save those few extra dollars. What Apple is probably trying to do is create value in actually purchasing the computers from their stores. The whole idea of creating one-to-one was most likely to increase foot traffic in their stores, and through that create sales. For 99$ a year, Apple is most likely making very little off of one-to-one. Unfortunately those who buy their computer elsewhere, and then return to the store for services that are meant to benefit store revenue, are not the reason these services were created. When the stores were booming, this was a moot point, but now Apple has to make changes when one of their cash cows starts decreasing profitability. And as great as these programs were for the consumer and the "culture," Apple is not a charity. Add to that the decrease in retail personnel, this actually makes a lot of sense.
I know it sucks when programs are taken away, but there are still plenty of free seminars that can be taken in the theater, as well as genius bar appointments being free. I'm sure a genius would gladly explain to how to transfer stuff to your new computer at home.
"Apple's second fiscal quarter was a blowout considering the state of the economy, but executives noted that the retail division took a hit during the quarter, with average revenue per store declining to $5.9 million from $7.1 million a year ago."
I'm sure a lot of this is due to the state of the economy and the fact that consumers may be looking harder at 3rd party retailers in order to save those few extra dollars. What Apple is probably trying to do is create value in actually purchasing the computers from their stores. The whole idea of creating one-to-one was most likely to increase foot traffic in their stores, and through that create sales. For 99$ a year, Apple is most likely making very little off of one-to-one. Unfortunately those who buy their computer elsewhere, and then return to the store for services that are meant to benefit store revenue, are not the reason these services were created. When the stores were booming, this was a moot point, but now Apple has to make changes when one of their cash cows starts decreasing profitability. And as great as these programs were for the consumer and the "culture," Apple is not a charity. Add to that the decrease in retail personnel, this actually makes a lot of sense.
I know it sucks when programs are taken away, but there are still plenty of free seminars that can be taken in the theater, as well as genius bar appointments being free. I'm sure a genius would gladly explain to how to transfer stuff to your new computer at home.
Perhaps worse than the fanboys are those who think everyone else is. There have been several people in this thread who said that they didn't like what was going on here. A fact you are ignoring with this most recent comment.
All i can say is I am glad i got my membership yesterday !!! ... lol
Talk about timing... I got it at 1:25 yesterday afternoon after a couple of months of trying to decide if i was going to do it or not.
Man am i glad i got it now !
Talk about timing... I got it at 1:25 yesterday afternoon after a couple of months of trying to decide if i was going to do it or not.
Man am i glad i got it now !
If the mom and pop stores want to provide one hour training sessions, once a week, for an entire year, for $99, let them compete. It's a free market. And when has Apple never been sales centric? When has any for-profit company not been sales centric? You're accusing everyone else of fanboy-ism, yet you seem to have this idealized, altruistic version of Apple in your head where their goal is something other than making money. Some might mistake that for fanboy-ish.
A blessing in disguise...
The specialists say that existing One2One customers will get one last year to renew their subscriptions while new subscribers get 2 years. Their goal is to make Mac users self-sufficient and confident, without the dependency of the Apple Store to answer questions. Existing One2One users inherit the group workshops and online training and new One2One users get a welcome seminar after getting their macs back from the data transfer. They say you can also download the online tutorials to an iPod or iPhone for review.
To be honest, I see this as progress. Apple wants to supercharge their personal training so that people can learn whenever, wherever and however they like. However, they don't want people in the program forever and they certainly don't want to be running a school. Most stores do not have the retail space to handle the quantity of customers Apple deals with, much less the students.
For the price, it's still an extreme bargain. $99 for a year of lessons, with group workshops and online training. PLUS, a complete data transfer and installation of ANY software you buy that day (even video games!). To be honest, if you can't figure out the software that comes on a computer within one to two years, either you have a learning disability, you don't care, or the instructors aren't telling you what you need to hear.
Yeah, it sucks for the customers that planned on purchasing their lessons later, but I think that's a gamble Apple is willing to take. I think they know they will make more money from people buying day one (especially if they know they can only get it then), than hoping others return for the service at a later time.
The specialists say that existing One2One customers will get one last year to renew their subscriptions while new subscribers get 2 years. Their goal is to make Mac users self-sufficient and confident, without the dependency of the Apple Store to answer questions. Existing One2One users inherit the group workshops and online training and new One2One users get a welcome seminar after getting their macs back from the data transfer. They say you can also download the online tutorials to an iPod or iPhone for review.
To be honest, I see this as progress. Apple wants to supercharge their personal training so that people can learn whenever, wherever and however they like. However, they don't want people in the program forever and they certainly don't want to be running a school. Most stores do not have the retail space to handle the quantity of customers Apple deals with, much less the students.
For the price, it's still an extreme bargain. $99 for a year of lessons, with group workshops and online training. PLUS, a complete data transfer and installation of ANY software you buy that day (even video games!). To be honest, if you can't figure out the software that comes on a computer within one to two years, either you have a learning disability, you don't care, or the instructors aren't telling you what you need to hear.
Yeah, it sucks for the customers that planned on purchasing their lessons later, but I think that's a gamble Apple is willing to take. I think they know they will make more money from people buying day one (especially if they know they can only get it then), than hoping others return for the service at a later time.
installing new software
putting new software on a mac is (was) very easy as i have done it for years. that is until i was forced to change my .mac account to a mobile me account. i now have to go to the apple store to figure it out. luckily i have a one to one membership (both) that are still in effect.
a one year grandfathering clause (i'm one) will help but maybe a senior citizen extension rate would help even more.
putting new software on a mac is (was) very easy as i have done it for years. that is until i was forced to change my .mac account to a mobile me account. i now have to go to the apple store to figure it out. luckily i have a one to one membership (both) that are still in effect.
a one year grandfathering clause (i'm one) will help but maybe a senior citizen extension rate would help even more.
It's for switchers. My mom got her first mac and I volunteered to transfer her stuff. It took me two hours and downloading a VBA applet of the web (seriously!) to export her Outlook calender and contacts. Of course, it only took about 2 minutes to import them back in on the mac side. Many users have no idea how to get their info OUT of the PC.
I couldent agree more.
It is a great value for the $. Someone who uses it to its full value could never get that kind of help or training anywhere and certainly not one on one.
Offering it forever is just not possible unless they start installing classrooms. I just think that for the time they offered it in the way they did was a real boost to getting people to change without fear. Microsoft sure aint offering any help !
Although I may be slightly more on the positive side of the changes since I just beat the deadline getting it ;-)
Agree with nearly all of your opinion. Bad decision by Apple. Steve must have been on the john when they emailed him this policy for approval, because it stinks.
Of out curiosity, if you were Apple, what would have you done to address the issue?Bad decision by Apple. Steve must have been on the john when they emailed him this policy for approval, because it stinks.
Sorry, I disagree here. I can install programs, run antivirus, keep a computer up-to-date, and install a printer. However, I'm not a computer geek.
I migrated to mac from PC about 1 year ago. I had all my files in PC format, on a Dell laptop. I only read a couple of forum threads, some instruction from Apple help page. In a day I had all my file up and running on my shiny imac. Also installed Parallels, win XP and Excel to run some macros which won't run on Excel for mac.
I can understand that some people will need, eventually, some guidance. But, in general, I don't see the need to have someone setting up your mac.
Is someone going to buy a car and have the seat high and position adjusted? Just read the crap manual, come on!
Agree with nearly all of your opinion. Bad decision by Apple. Steve must have been on the john when they emailed him this policy for approval, because it stinks.
Whether I agree with you or not, LOL, that's pretty clever.
The sense of entitlement on this thread is astounding.
What other computer manufacturers offer any in-person training at all?
All the resellers are offering special incentives to be able to compete. Why shouldn't Apple retail be able to? Just like any other retail incentives, the choice is yours. Go somewhere else and get a cheaper price or go to an Apple store and get the training. Their stores are crazy expensive, and they hire amazing people (they have to be paid better than Best Buy people). That stuff's expensive. They need to keep people buying from their stores to fund those stores. If everyone starts buying from resellers to save a few bucks, the stores go bye-bye. No stores = No in-person tech support and service direct from the manufacturer (again, what other computer manufacturer does that?). If that's what it takes to keep the One to One and Genius Bar in my area, I say GREAT!
A few of the resellers in my area offer training service. What's to stop the rest of them? If Joe's Mac Shack is good enough to buy from, why wouldn't they be good enough to get training from?
As an existing One to One member, I'm stoked about the changes. The idea of coming in for a 3-hour session one day, then coming back for another in the same week has me really excited.
Sure it kinda sucks that I can't buy a membership as a gift anymore (I've done that 3 times), but I certainly don't feel ripped off by any stretched of the imagination. Hell, if anything, I feel like I've been ripping them off by getting all that training for only $99. The service would be a bargain at triple the price. $99 is ridiculously low, imo.
What other computer manufacturers offer any in-person training at all?
All the resellers are offering special incentives to be able to compete. Why shouldn't Apple retail be able to? Just like any other retail incentives, the choice is yours. Go somewhere else and get a cheaper price or go to an Apple store and get the training. Their stores are crazy expensive, and they hire amazing people (they have to be paid better than Best Buy people). That stuff's expensive. They need to keep people buying from their stores to fund those stores. If everyone starts buying from resellers to save a few bucks, the stores go bye-bye. No stores = No in-person tech support and service direct from the manufacturer (again, what other computer manufacturer does that?). If that's what it takes to keep the One to One and Genius Bar in my area, I say GREAT!
A few of the resellers in my area offer training service. What's to stop the rest of them? If Joe's Mac Shack is good enough to buy from, why wouldn't they be good enough to get training from?
As an existing One to One member, I'm stoked about the changes. The idea of coming in for a 3-hour session one day, then coming back for another in the same week has me really excited.
Sure it kinda sucks that I can't buy a membership as a gift anymore (I've done that 3 times), but I certainly don't feel ripped off by any stretched of the imagination. Hell, if anything, I feel like I've been ripping them off by getting all that training for only $99. The service would be a bargain at triple the price. $99 is ridiculously low, imo.
I didn't say after 14 days, I said after a month. Some people need the 1 on 1 and I think it was a great selling point. Not everyone is going to jump right away the day they buy a Mac to take the classes. They might want to see how much they can figure out for themselves and then decide "maybe I do/Do not need the 1 on 1".
I just think they should give the customer a month or so to try things out 1st at least.
I admit it, we're pampered with Macs and OS X, and Apple in general. Living in tech luxury (whether it's just an iPod Touch or a several Macs and devices), will lull anyone into at least *some* small sense of entitlement.
I mean, I can't even conceive of dealing with the likes of Dell or HP, or any of the also-rans. I had to call Microsoft maybe twice in my life to get Windows activated (only for bootcamping for a single game, I swear!
and that was two times too many, believe me! Not very pleasant at all. So we've had it good, and in many ways we still do, especially under current economic circumstances.
I agree. I am not sure why it has been marked as negative.
I see it as doing a job and doing it properly.Are you serious? Out of the 200+ million computer owners in the USA how many do you think read the manuals or have the time/patience/brains to find forums, ask questions, wait for replies, etc? 2000 people maybe?
I have never, EVER, met anyone who needs help setting up a new computer AND WHO ALSO is talented enough to surf forums. They are mutually exclusive.
Yeah, for a few semi-techies like yourself who are willing and savvy enough to figure the stuff out first hand, I agree with your post. I/we are talking about the major major major majority of computer owners who are NOT technical enough to migrate data. Install a printer or other app? Yeah, many people can do that. Migrate data correctly? Very few.
-Eric
This bums me out. I work in a K012 IT department and i have suggested to a few teachers that they buy the One2One in order to learn hands on at the mac store. Now they won't be able to. I understand their point. $99 for 52 hours of training is a stupidly low price, but i won't be able to send my teachers there any longer for indepth professional development.
