really of all the stuff going on in the world, this is stupid. they don't know you so all they see is a blue collar guy writing a check for 8 grand, they would be complete idiots NOT to call it in. even if you where wearing a 3 piece suit they would of called it in. all a check is is a piece of paper with some writing on it until it gets cashed.
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Apple store personal help you based on what you dress?
- Thread starter MacNoobie
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That's just how people are; they generalize based on preconceived schemas of people like you. Just get used to it.
It happens everywhere. If I go in to any store in my weekend jeans and shirt I get average to zero service.
If I am on my way to a big meeting dressed in a grey flannel suit, sales folk trip over themselves to get to me and call me madam and all sorts of stuff.
I can only imagine how good it would be if I were skinny and blonde!
jh
If I am on my way to a big meeting dressed in a grey flannel suit, sales folk trip over themselves to get to me and call me madam and all sorts of stuff.
I can only imagine how good it would be if I were skinny and blonde!
jh
Back to the OP, Again, don't let it bother you (if it does even bother you, personally doesn't bother me unless I'm in a hurry like today) 99.99% of the human race judges people on their appearance. Subconciously people will make an intial judgement by looking at you but what sets people apart is whether or not we act on those initial judgements.
Apple store is no different from BMW/Ferrari (yah you don't wanna know the treatment I got in that store!! ROFLMAO really funny story) or Lowes. Lowes probably gave you instant attention due to (at least from all the stores I've been to personally) the people that work there or stores similar are more outgoing, down home people who don't intially act on those first impressions but would rather figure out if they were right or not.
I went to the Apple store at lunch to buy a macbook and I was mindful of the people inside before I walked in.
There were dressed down (casual) some who looked like they couldn't speak english, and a few in suits, and from I gathered, they all got equal treatment. If anything at least a "May I help you" or "Can I help you find something" type of line.
Chalk your experience up to the people who were working the shift when you showed up. The next shift of people might not be that way, you just happen to get the stuck up snobs at the time of your purchase.
Apple store is no different from BMW/Ferrari (yah you don't wanna know the treatment I got in that store!! ROFLMAO really funny story) or Lowes. Lowes probably gave you instant attention due to (at least from all the stores I've been to personally) the people that work there or stores similar are more outgoing, down home people who don't intially act on those first impressions but would rather figure out if they were right or not.
I went to the Apple store at lunch to buy a macbook and I was mindful of the people inside before I walked in.
There were dressed down (casual) some who looked like they couldn't speak english, and a few in suits, and from I gathered, they all got equal treatment. If anything at least a "May I help you" or "Can I help you find something" type of line.
Chalk your experience up to the people who were working the shift when you showed up. The next shift of people might not be that way, you just happen to get the stuck up snobs at the time of your purchase.
This happens all the time and will continue to happen until the world ends, or commerce ceases to be.
Every time I go jewelry shopping for/with my wife, if I go on a weekend in a t-shirt and blue jeans/shorts, the sales people barely notice me staring at anything. If I go on a weeknight after work (business casual attire) they practically leap over the counter to ask if I need help. I imagine the response varies from store to store but a well dressed person will almost always receive more immediate attention than the casual person. This completely ignores the idea that if you're buying larger items you probably don't want to be hefting them around in formal wear, therefore the more casually dressed people are more likely to purchase TVs, Computers and other items that are not easily shoved into a small bag.
Every time I go jewelry shopping for/with my wife, if I go on a weekend in a t-shirt and blue jeans/shorts, the sales people barely notice me staring at anything. If I go on a weeknight after work (business casual attire) they practically leap over the counter to ask if I need help. I imagine the response varies from store to store but a well dressed person will almost always receive more immediate attention than the casual person. This completely ignores the idea that if you're buying larger items you probably don't want to be hefting them around in formal wear, therefore the more casually dressed people are more likely to purchase TVs, Computers and other items that are not easily shoved into a small bag.
I've been treated both ways at Apple stores. Sometimes I go in and everybody is constantly asking if they can help me, and it gets very old very fast. Other times I go in and get absolutely no help until I go track somebody down. I normally dress the same every day too. I would usually rather be ignored until I need help, unless I am in a hurry, in which case nobody ever seems to be available in any store that I go to (Apple or otherwise).
Whenever I go in, wearing my Steve Jobs paper mask, or with monocle firmly in place, top hat upon my dandy, dapper haircut, twirling my pocket watch, I find the service to be impeccable.
When I combine the two...watch out!
When I combine the two...watch out!
Wait...so you went in to buy a car after doing yard work?? There's a reason no one wanted to help you...
YUP! No retail store with a serious loss prevention department (and you bet your ass apple has a very serious one) would ever let a check go through without calling it into a bank and/or having a manager complete the sale. There's way too much potential for abuse. Especially when you're purchasing a top of the line machine. And a check opens the store up to the possibility of losing money, with the hassle and expense of a bounced check. Frankly, I don't understand why checks even exist anymore; with many retailers and banks able to electronically debit you immediately even with a check, you can't even float it.
To the OP:
It's unfortunate you feel the apple store responded differently to you based on how you were dressed. It's entirely possible they did, at least initially. And it sucks, but they see a lot of consumers in one day and need to decide quickly who to approach first. If you look ready to buy, they're going to respond faster. I also think if you feel like you're dressed down, it might project in your attitude as well. I know I get better service if I come into a store after work and I am wearing a suit, versus wandering in wearing jeans and a t-shirt, but part of that is also my attitude...if I am in jeans and a t I am probably just wandering, and not making eye contact or otherwise projecting a "come help me" air. Just my .02.
I have a general dislike for Apple store reps. My personal preference is to go find the dorkiest-looking guy who probably reads TUAW during a lull... everyone else is conceited and seems pissed off because you're buying the Apple product they can't afford. The worst are the ones that can be overheard giving erroneous advice.
I dunno...
When I bought my car last February I paid with a personal check wearing a hooded sweatshirt, jeans, and a toboggan and they didn't give me any trouble--and the car was $14,000.
I find it quite ironic that a guy working at the GENIUS BAR didn't know how to check someone out
He didn't say he was bothered by it, he shared his experience and opinion about it. Maybe you should get over yourself.
Ugh, that doesn't even make sense.
The OP obviously is taking a shot at the Apple Store employees for judging him and his family, and then goes on to say that they didn't approach him or offer to make the sale because of it. And I'm saying that its all in his head.
He didn't take a shot at anybody. He described what happened to him and his theory behind it.
I think you missed the sarcasm.
And to hold up the line behind them
Yes, exactly. The OP isn't attacking or criticizing anyone. He's simply noting how being dressed "down" got him and his dad less customer service than was deserved.
OP, I'd be interested to see if your little experiment's results. I bet that the employees will give you better service next time around. It's proabably just an assumption that they're making that you won't spend too much money. However, seeing as how they make no money through commission, they should be as happy to help the "I'm just getting a sleeve for my macbook" guy as they would be to help the "I need 20 maxed-out Mac Pros" guy.
If you do notice a change in their behavior, I would write a letter to Apple corporate and tell them about it. Inform Apple that if those salesmen don't get their act together, you'll be sure to tell others how you and your dad were treated.
I agree.
I don't even pay attention. It has to do with the individual employee, how busy the store is, if anyone notices you, etc. There are so many factors involved in whether or not an employee greets you. I'm pretty sure they are not less friendly because your clothes are worn out or whatever. I've seen the shabbiest people drop $2000 cash for an iMac - and I'm sure that the employees have seen this fairly often. I live near Newport Beach where you'll see people in an $5 shirt and $10 pants driving a $500,000 car, haha. Never judge a book by it's cover, right?
If they say hi, how are you, can I help you - that's great but I don't waltz into the store, and go, "HEY NO ONE SAID HI TO ME, I BET IT'S BECAUSE MY SHOES ARE FROM PAYLESS."
You know when apple opened the store on regent street which is the closest store to me i was so happy that finally london would have a nice place to see and watch apple computers, instead of the nasty pc shops that had a tiny old mac corner which was so dusty as they didn't even bother cleaning it once a year with 2nd gen ipods for sale when apple was selling the 5th gen already.
I don't really dress up, don't really have a lot of money for lots of clothes, just a pair of crocs, black trousers and a jumper. I went to return an ipod shuffle to the counter as it was an un used gift and was new in the box never touched and within the sales return policy time (14 days) with matching serial numbers and the original receipt. As soon as the woman saw me with the product and the receipt she turns to the other member of staff and says "another bloody return".
So i walk up and say hi explain i don't want the shuffle as i have one. She gave me a dirty look up and down, and said she needed to check with the manager. So she returns to me issues the refund - throws the card back on the table instead of giving it to my hand. That place is the most unpleasant apple store i have ever seen in my life and a far cry from the Soho store in New York that i admire so much. In fact that store is an utter disgrace to the apple name and whenever i ask to speak to store manager her name is: Natalie Basil - she is never around on the shop floor and never is around when people ask to speak to her.
Finally i have had mixups in the genius bar and been treated badly, they forgot to put back the optical drive in one of my macs and scratched the casing and they refused service on something that was within date. Sorry to vent, but sometimes i think if i was dressed in a suit this wouldn't happen.
I don't really dress up, don't really have a lot of money for lots of clothes, just a pair of crocs, black trousers and a jumper. I went to return an ipod shuffle to the counter as it was an un used gift and was new in the box never touched and within the sales return policy time (14 days) with matching serial numbers and the original receipt. As soon as the woman saw me with the product and the receipt she turns to the other member of staff and says "another bloody return".
So i walk up and say hi explain i don't want the shuffle as i have one. She gave me a dirty look up and down, and said she needed to check with the manager. So she returns to me issues the refund - throws the card back on the table instead of giving it to my hand. That place is the most unpleasant apple store i have ever seen in my life and a far cry from the Soho store in New York that i admire so much. In fact that store is an utter disgrace to the apple name and whenever i ask to speak to store manager her name is: Natalie Basil - she is never around on the shop floor and never is around when people ask to speak to her.
Finally i have had mixups in the genius bar and been treated badly, they forgot to put back the optical drive in one of my macs and scratched the casing and they refused service on something that was within date. Sorry to vent, but sometimes i think if i was dressed in a suit this wouldn't happen.
I've definitely had my share of this, including the guy at Radio Shack who managed to look right over me and serve the person behind me. (And this is not easy to do, considering I am 6'4"). When he did that, I tossed my stuff on the counter (I think it was just a couple of packs of batteries) and stalked out of the store. The frustrating thing is he probably didn't even get the message.
Then there was the time at Home Depot (now there's a store that never has an associate nearby when you need one!) when I went to return a light fixture. I hadn't even opened it, I just didn't need it anymore. Unfortunately I didn't have the receipt, but the signage in the stores clearly state that a receipt is not required if you paid by debit or credit. So I'm processing the return and the clerk notices a crack in the fixture. "I can't take this back", she says, "you cracked it". This was the first I had ever seen the crack and I told her so. She continued to insist that I had opened it and broken it and thus they couldn't take it back. Which is utter crap, because if I had walked in and said "hey, I opened this and it was broken inside, so please take it back" they would have been all apologetic. She had to get a manager involved, and I suspect it was solely on the basis of me not having a receipt.
Then there was the time at Home Depot (now there's a store that never has an associate nearby when you need one!) when I went to return a light fixture. I hadn't even opened it, I just didn't need it anymore. Unfortunately I didn't have the receipt, but the signage in the stores clearly state that a receipt is not required if you paid by debit or credit. So I'm processing the return and the clerk notices a crack in the fixture. "I can't take this back", she says, "you cracked it". This was the first I had ever seen the crack and I told her so. She continued to insist that I had opened it and broken it and thus they couldn't take it back. Which is utter crap, because if I had walked in and said "hey, I opened this and it was broken inside, so please take it back" they would have been all apologetic. She had to get a manager involved, and I suspect it was solely on the basis of me not having a receipt.
went through a similar experience. First mac I purchased, I received great treatment. I was nicely dressed since I just went to the store after work. this last time I went, I wasn't dressed nice at all. Jeans, baseball cap, tshirt...your typical sunday afternoon clothes and received no attention. Looked aroudn for a while, until someone noticed me. Guy seemed surprised that i was ready to pay for my MBP and get out of there.
most of the time, when I go there to look around and I am dressed nice, I get greeted and always asked if they can help me. I don't think this is a coincidence. Anyways after the MBP experience, I did let them know what I thought via the "feedback" email form they sent out.
anyways, i don't think it's their fault. This is just the way they are "trained" Spend time/energy on customers that look they have enough money to buy something.
most of the time, when I go there to look around and I am dressed nice, I get greeted and always asked if they can help me. I don't think this is a coincidence. Anyways after the MBP experience, I did let them know what I thought via the "feedback" email form they sent out.
anyways, i don't think it's their fault. This is just the way they are "trained" Spend time/energy on customers that look they have enough money to buy something.
We're not on commission at Best Buy, and I can tell you from experience that the way that someone dresses means absolutely nothing. Pretty lame.
We don't have an Apple Store in Vancouver, at this point I would love to go to one, even if they ignored me.
Interestingly, at the 3 Apple Reseller Stores we have here, at 2 of them you are pretty much ignored until you walk up to a salesperson, which is ok with me.
What irks me is when certain stores treat everyone like a shoplifter. I went to a computer store in Toronto a few years back carrying my gym bag. At the time, I was Manager of a 70 employee company. The clerk told me to leave my bag at the entrance, which I refused. He said I could not shop there otherwise, so I said, ok, and made my $5000.00 purchase elsewhere.
I then sent a copy of my invoice with a note to the store owner.
Interestingly, at the 3 Apple Reseller Stores we have here, at 2 of them you are pretty much ignored until you walk up to a salesperson, which is ok with me.
What irks me is when certain stores treat everyone like a shoplifter. I went to a computer store in Toronto a few years back carrying my gym bag. At the time, I was Manager of a 70 employee company. The clerk told me to leave my bag at the entrance, which I refused. He said I could not shop there otherwise, so I said, ok, and made my $5000.00 purchase elsewhere.
I then sent a copy of my invoice with a note to the store owner.
appearance is going to be a part of sales no matter what training the customer or the salesman has. Sometimes there simply is no excuse either on the customers side or the salesman side, but it is always going to happen.
if you believe that dress has nothing to do with how you help a customer than you must be blind.
the age of casual
I think that in this day and age a salesperson who judges a potential customer by their dress is doing so at their own risk.
I met this incredibly rich guy at the Monterrey Historic car races, who owns not one but two Formula One Ferrari race cars and was shopping for a third. The entry price is well over a miillion each, plus mind boggling expenses just to transport them and keep them running. That's money.
This guy dresses--and acts--pretty much like a homeless person. Ripped t-shirts, shorts with holes, battered shoes, only minimal attempts at grooming. One day he walked into the Ferrari dealership in Beverly Hills and the new salesperson sees him and was about to call the cops. The general manager almost had a heart attack when he realized how close they came to bouncing one of their best customers.
best
Allen
I think that in this day and age a salesperson who judges a potential customer by their dress is doing so at their own risk.
I met this incredibly rich guy at the Monterrey Historic car races, who owns not one but two Formula One Ferrari race cars and was shopping for a third. The entry price is well over a miillion each, plus mind boggling expenses just to transport them and keep them running. That's money.
This guy dresses--and acts--pretty much like a homeless person. Ripped t-shirts, shorts with holes, battered shoes, only minimal attempts at grooming. One day he walked into the Ferrari dealership in Beverly Hills and the new salesperson sees him and was about to call the cops. The general manager almost had a heart attack when he realized how close they came to bouncing one of their best customers.
best
Allen
Poor service at hardware stores
Home Depot, Lowes, or any other big-box (hardware) store for that matter!
There is an Ace Hardware I like to go to because the service there is excellent. EVERY single time I go into that Ace, someone is there to help me out -- they will bend over backwards to help their customers.
Now take any of the big-box hardware stores...trying to find anyone to help you (if they aren't already busy with another customer) is as much fun as pulling teeth. You better hope you know what you are looking for.
As with my experience with Apple Stores, it has been fine. Somedays it is busy so a store employee might not be as readably available, but I've generally had someone come by and ask if I needed any help.
But then again, I tend to purchase more expensive items on-line to avoid the excess taxes.
Home Depot, Lowes, or any other big-box (hardware) store for that matter!
There is an Ace Hardware I like to go to because the service there is excellent. EVERY single time I go into that Ace, someone is there to help me out -- they will bend over backwards to help their customers.
Now take any of the big-box hardware stores...trying to find anyone to help you (if they aren't already busy with another customer) is as much fun as pulling teeth. You better hope you know what you are looking for.
As with my experience with Apple Stores, it has been fine. Somedays it is busy so a store employee might not be as readably available, but I've generally had someone come by and ask if I needed any help.
But then again, I tend to purchase more expensive items on-line to avoid the excess taxes.