Apple Retail Stores to Gain Dedicated iPhone Activation Areas and Staff?

[MacRumors]

MacRumors has heard from multiple sources that Apple is planning to enhance the in-store iPhone purchasing and activation process at its retail stores. The changes, due to be rolled out as soon as tomorrow, will involve layout changes to current stores to create "iPhone Activation Zones" where customers can pick up and activate iPhones after having gone through the pre-authorization process online.

The activation zones will reportedly be staffed by a new category of retail store employee called "iPhone Experts", who will be denoted by unique name badges and t-shirts. With the move, Apple is clearly looking to streamline the iPhone purchasing experience for customers and provide a dedicated iPhone point of contact within the crowded retail store setting, particularly for new customers whose first experience with Apple products may be the iPhone.

Article Link: Apple Retail Stores to Gain Dedicated iPhone Activation Areas and Staff?

 

[thegoldenmackid]

Seems a little late?

 

[Beric]

And so of course, they'll be AT&T areas likewise.

Boy is Apple tied to AT&T.

 

[intrepid00]

How about they fix the problem of you standing around 20 minutes waiting for one thier monkies to register your purchase when they feel the need that they all need to give one person attention.

Except for the secuirty guard that lurks around in plain cloths but still has the dumb ear piece like he is SS.

 

[ob81]

Kind of late, but better than never. The big rush is over. As always, they know something we don't know though.....

 

[Corrosive vinyl]

that sounds cool since it will break up the genius line so the mac customers won't have to wait as long (in theory). We shall see what happens.

 

[MaaseyRacer]

Good. I purchased my new iPhone the other day replacing my first gen iPhone. What an over the top process compared to the first iPhone activation. First only two Apple Store employees could sell me an iPhone. Of course they were both busy with old people who has use questions. I just wanted to buy the phone. I waited for 35 minutes just to get to the front of the line and then spent another 15 mins activating the phone in store. When I bought the phone on opening day 2 years ago, it was so much easier.
Hopefully this new setup will allow for the people to buy the phone with way less hassle.

 

[intrepid00]

Kind of late, but better than never. The big rush is over. As always, they know something we don't know though.....

They are proably just getting ready for next summer. 3gs just wasn't worth the update but I bet the next will. Espically with mass of 3g users ready to get full upgrade price.

 

[firman]

This is True

I was in the Cherry Hill, NJ store today. I saw apple employees wearing the new t-shirts. No sign of the "area" yet though.

 

[ltldrummerboy]

I can't believe people actually go to a store to buy a phone anymore. I find it so much easier to order it online and activate it myself.

 

[alm99]

Prepping for other iPhone carriers in 2010 in the Apple store?

 

[Doctor Q]

Why are they called iPhone Experts instead of iPhone Geniuses? What's better - an expert or a genius?

 

[Eidorian]

They still sell computers, right?

 

[flounder021]

Prepping for other iPhone carriers in 2010 in the Apple store?

I bet they are going to announce a new contract with AT&T and with it a new iPhone..

 

[philamac]

Apple store at stoneridge mall is remodeling right now, maybe this is why?

 

[TheBritishBloke]

Sounds like a waste of money IMO

 

[MikhailT]

Why are they called iPhone Experts instead of iPhone Geniuses? What's better - an expert or a genius?

Experts are more specific then a genius, if you are looking for somebody is skilled and a genius at one specific product, that's an expert. If you are looking for a person that's just generally smart in everything, you are looking for a genius.

Since those guys are all about iPhone, they are called iPhone Experts. Genius is for everything else.

That's my opinion on why they did this.

 

[BornAgainMac]

They need a "Question Bar" at the Apple store. If you know what you want, you should be able to buy it without having to wait for someone in front of you with lots of questions.

 

[KarlasKreations]

That is really good with the exception that unless you have AT&T service, it doesn't matter.

I would love to have an iPhone but won't change services to get it. Isn't it time to let other cell phone carriers carry the iPhone?

 

[MacDaddy901]

Seems like a good idea to me. When I went to go get my iPhone about a month ago there were three people in the store getting iPhones too. We were checking out in front of iMac's and had to move because people wanted to see them. Then after we moved in front of the MacBooks we got in people's way again. So having a dedicated "zone" to activate them just makes sense.

 

[alm99]

That is really good with the exception that unless you have AT&T service, it doesn't matter.

I would love to have an iPhone but won't change services to get it. Isn't it time to let other cell phone carriers carry the iPhone?

My thoughts exactly as to why they would setup this service up to begin with...why launch it now 2 years late? New carriers come 2010? The influx from all those who want an iPhone, but don't want AT&T.

 

[fixmymac]

that sounds cool since it will break up the genius line so the mac customers won't have to wait as long (in theory). We shall see what happens.

You have struck the nail on the head!

This is little to do with 'activation areas' or improving new Apple customer experiences. This is almost entirely dedicated to iPhone problem solving.

Insider friend of mine told me that this was going to happen quite a while back. On the one hand, it is good that they are dedicating staff to this. However, should one product really generate so much demand for expert help?

 

[drumpat01]

However, should one product really generate so much demand for expert help?

Trust me, yes there is a need for this. So many people come into the store and take up valuable time from computer buyers when all they have is random AT&T questions or iPhone problems. This way Apple can set apart staff to just deal with those people. The concierge can immediately send them right over to the corner instead of wasting another specialists time and effort.

 

[Colrath]

I bought my iPhone from an "expert" a couple months ago. Her only job wad selling and activating phones, never delt with the genius bar. She had her own color shirt, different from floor associates, floor manager and the geniuses. Was a quick process, only waited 5 min while I picked out my new case and car charger.

Didn't needed a dedicated table or anything, I just activated at an available MBP. (although there was like only two computers available out of like 6 tables). Very busy day, but still got out faster than when I bought my first cell phone from Alltell 3 1/2 years ago.

 

[BLOND37]

couple weeks ago i spent 2 hours on the phone with apple care- the level 2 a so called prod specialist ultimately said i needed a new phone - shrug ok fine.. BUT i still had to go to a genius at the store and have them look at it.. i could NOT just walk into a store, and get a new phone (i'm assuming the store couldnt pull up service notes that apple care makes).. again no prob BUT it was a sat night and the SOONEST genius bar appt was sunday morning...

i'm supposed to go 12+ hours on a sat night sans a phone.. i went down to the store talked to a manager and poof 10 mins later walked out with a new phone.