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Apple Revamping Retail Store Staffing and Checkout Tools

Smith288 said:
I used to make fun of the salepeople who would check me out. I would say "must suck having to use Microsoft's technology to run your commerce when you guys claim their software is inferior..."
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AgingGeek said:
YES, and I point that out to them everytime I go in there. In fact, everytime they had trouble with the device (which seemed a lot), I'd have them flip it over, point to the windowsCE logo, and say "There's the problem!".
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Sense a trend here? Guess what, probably 1 out of every 3 customers makes the same smartass comment. The average Apple Store employee probably hears it 30 times a day, every day. And every time they hear it, they have to put on a silly smile and pretend the idiot who said it is the first person to ever make such a brilliant observation.

Retail would be the perfect job, if it wasn't for the customers. :D
 
jav6454 said:
Will they ditch the Windows mobile POS devices?
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"Apple's switch to the iPod touch as a checkout device will address several issues, not the least of which has been reported frustration on the part of retail store employees over the performance of the current EasyPay devices. The new iPod touch-based systems will reportedly allow for a single pass of the barcode reader to register multiple codes present on many Apple products, speeding the checkout process."
 
The move to an iPod touch based checkout system will be great. Keep it all internal. Apple will fully control the software and the hardware for checkout (except of the scanner attachment, obviously). Also, the Windows CE thing was kind of ironic.

As for the differently colored shirts, how long did Apple use them? Originally, all store employees wore the same colored shirt. Then, at some point, they started color coding shirts to the employee's position. Now, they are going back to how it was originally. How long did they do the color coding...less than a year, right?

I thought the different colors were a cool and novel idea. But I can see how it would confuse consumers...especially people who don't shop in the store regularly. The average person may not know what color means what.

How about this alternative idea: Apple has one color and style of a shirt. But a portion of the shirt is color coded to the specific position. Say, a black shirt but the sleeves or shoulders are red or blue or yellow or gray, etc. according to the person's position in the store. Think DS9/Voyager or even Enterprise era Star Trek. In those Trek eras, the uniforms look predominantly the same....and are easily identifiable as such. However, a small section of coloring on the uniform identifies them as command, science/medical or security. The same type of idea could work for Apple employees. Consumers could easily identify them as an Apple employee (being that they would all wear the same color and style of shirt). But there will be an additional area of color on the shirt that will easily tell them that they are a Genius, Creative, Sales Specialist, etc.
 
I think the way the Apple store in Regent's Street, London is run fine. But that might be different as it's a flagship store :cool:
 
iOrlando said:
cant disagree more.
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well everytime i have gone in there...i usually get harassed by a worker asking what i want to buy or what i want to look at. I think it was pretty easy to see who was working there and who wasnt granted i wasnt looking at their feet, but my biggest disagreement was that cash registers would be so much better than the way it is now. I actually think its one of the more pleasant shopping experiences in a brick and mortar store.
 
This solves what?

OK... so they all wear the same color shirt, even though they do different jobs? Won't this just lead to... "Excuse me, I'm ready to check out. Ok sir, you need that other guy in the [insert shirt color] shirt, over there. Thanks".

And you hope the guy is available when you get there, or you go through the same thing again.

Maybe the people who do check-outs should have a register icon on their shirt, or something graphical??
 
iOrlando said:
well everytime i have gone in there...i usually get harassed by a worker asking what i want to buy or what i want to look at. I think it was pretty easy to see who was working there and who wasnt granted i wasnt looking at their feet, but my biggest disagreement was that cash registers would be so much better than the way it is now. I actually think its one of the more pleasant shopping experiences in a brick and mortar store.
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I agree that it is better, but it's not perfect and this is Steve. Definitely an innovative solution, the largest problem occurs when someone at the register explains to a customer that there is a product that they were looking for and then takes them to it, abandoning the register.
 
Wotan31 said:
They need to fix their stores. Always takes 20 minutes just to check out cause all the workers are busy. It was better when they had dedicated cash registers instead of just people floating around. That is, if you can even figure out who the employees are. Different color shirts, some are wearing shorts and sandals, they look like hipster doofus college kids, not employees on the job. Bravo for changing to a single color shirt, it's long overdue.
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Yep. The two times I've bought a MBP, I have had to go up to either the register or an employee to buy it. If I'm paying 2k for something, it should be simple for me to buy it, I shouldn't be forced to actively do something to get it done.
 
Richard1028 said:
Well duh...

This was the stupidest idea to begin with. What idiot ever came up with this to begin with?



Translation: In an effort to cut back on staff and make more money, Apple will have each employee do more.

Why don't they just come out and say it? :D

You mean you currently can't use cash at an Apple store? :eek:
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You have to go stand in line if your'e buying with cash.
 
Wotan31 said:
They need to fix their stores. Always takes 20 minutes just to check out cause all the workers are busy. It was better when they had dedicated cash registers instead of just people floating around. That is, if you can even figure out who the employees are. Different color shirts, some are wearing shorts and sandals, they look like hipster doofus college kids, not employees on the job. Bravo for changing to a single color shirt, it's long overdue.
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I disagree, the mutli-colored shirts is Apple being Apple

ilfn143 said:
would be cool if they use iphone 3gs camera to scan barcode and checkout.
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Yes, but I'd prefer some other new innovative features instead.
 
GeekLawyer said:
Wow, you're so cool. I bet you really put those hourly employees with no say in the tools of their job in their place. Way to go. :rolleyes:
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I didnt say I was cool. I would make conversation with them and they agreed with my assertion.

Is there anything about my statement that is false? He is a representative of Apple and has to be placed in a hypocritical position made by Apple. I felt more bad for him than anything. Would it had been any different if a Microsoft Store used ipod touches to check people out? Would you not make humorous conversation? Geez, lighten up francis.
 
The color coded shirts are awesome. They should revamp them to make the look more like the uniform on Star Trek: The Next Generation (seasons 3+) and have an Apple shaped pen that acts like the communicator they used. Oh, and the point of sale units need to look like tricorders.
 
The employees should all wear black turtlenecks and jeans, and have their first names changed to Steve.
 
godslabrat said:
Sense a trend here? Guess what, probably 1 out of every 3 customers makes the same smartass comment. The average Apple Store employee probably hears it 30 times a day, every day. And every time they hear it, they have to put on a silly smile and pretend the idiot who said it is the first person to ever make such a brilliant observation.

Retail would be the perfect job, if it wasn't for the customers. :D
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It's an astute observation from the layman. I happen to be plugged in to the scene and know what hardware they use to check people out. Yes, the fellow had issues scanning my card with the thing which made the discussion that much easier to bring up. As far as calling me an idiot? Real brave Keyboard-Cowboy... grow up.
 
Wotan31 said:
They need to fix their stores. Always takes 20 minutes just to check out cause all the workers are busy. It was better when they had dedicated cash registers instead of just people floating around.
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Not even close IMHO. The LACK of registers has sped up my check-out time every time and glad they got rid of them. Cleans the store up and speeds up the process. Glad to see they're dumping the Windows devices and using their own.

More service based operations need to use mobile check out... especially restaurants. Never been too happy with my CC going for a walk out of my sight for several minutes (or more) when paying up after a meal. I'd like to see them be able to check out right at the table.
 
spazzcat said:
You have to go stand in line if your'e buying with cash.
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Actually, I've only been in an Apple store once. :eek: It was so busy and crowded I'm glad I didn't need to buy anything. (I wouldn't have know how anyway since there aren't any checkouts :D).

But I can't believe some of the things they are changing and can only wonder why they were instituted to begin with.
 
Richard1028 said:
Actually, I've only been in an Apple store once. :eek: It was so busy and crowded I'm glad I didn't need to buy anything. (I wouldn't have know how anyway since there aren't any checkouts :D).

But I can't believe some of the things they are changing and can only wonder why they were instituted to begin with.
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I think there is always at lease one check out...you just have to know where it is :D
 
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