Apple Previews New Store With Combined Genius Bar and Pickup Spot

[TMRJIJ]

The process of retrieving an item from an Apple Store can be highly perplexing.

Upon arrival, customers are prompted to check in at the front. Afterward, they are randomly directed to a table. Standing there, feeling uncertain, you are approached by an individual who inquires, “May I assist you? I see you have been standing here for a while.” It is important to note that I was standing there because I had assumed that after the initial check-in and being directed to stand by a table, someone in the back would retrieve my item.

After re-checking in with this individual and further waiting, the item is finally brought out. This entire process can take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes, leaving customers bewildered by the unnecessary complexity.

Picked up a couple of items a couple months ago. Took about 10~ minutes for me (including the time it took to put a screen protector on)

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

The process of retrieving an item from an Apple Store can be highly perplexing.

Upon arrival, customers are prompted to check in at the front. Afterward, they are randomly directed to a table. Standing there, feeling uncertain, you are approached by an individual who inquires, “May I assist you? I see you have been standing here for a while.” It is important to note that I was standing there because I had assumed that after the initial check-in and being directed to stand by a table, someone in the back would retrieve my item.

After re-checking in with this individual and further waiting, the item is finally brought out. This entire process can take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes, leaving customers bewildered by the unnecessary complexity.

Jesus. Sounds terrible. I'd avoid that process, 100%. It's like Jony giving a 30 minute flowery speech on why the new icons which are visually ugly are not when you spend 30 minutes in his brain... but in fact are.

 

[Ifti]

These 'Genius Bars' have no actual 'Geniuses' in them. They are employees with a basic level of tech knowledge - enough to follow through a diagnostics program, perform basic maintenance, and follow a script.

 

[v0lume4]

The reason the stores don't have a normal cash register is because they are not meant to be seen as a store. That was the whole idea of Steve Jobs. According to him the Apple Store as supposed to be a community space where you do your Apple thing. Like demonstatrations, information, etc. the whole idea of having to purchase something was only secondary to him.

And the pickup spots - which are very similar to a cash register - is actually something that has been happening only recently. At least here in the Netherlands.

As I remember it, Apple Stores had Genius Bars up until Steve LEFT, then the focus of the stores changed under Angela Ahrendts. So at least there used to be some sense of where to go, some sense of order. Now there is none.

 

[Apple_Robert]

My new local store (in a mall) looks exactly like the one pictured. I like it.

 

[deckard666]

They must be doing something right as they are the most profitable stores in the US….

 

[ijordano]

Its so funny how this is coming full circle, in 2018 they wanted to get rid of the Genius Bar as a long table and moved pickup elsewhere...now it's slowly coming back