Apple Store Worker Says Staff Routinely Get Death Threats From Customers

[Thunderhawks]

It's just human nature to want more. Irrespective of whether they are actually worth it.

It is also human nature not to think ahead. If minimum wages in USA go to $ 15 an hour ALL prices go up proportionally.
That means the people who are in low level jobs will have to pay more at the stores where they shop or fast food places. There will be no significant net gain.

Even the welfare limits will have to be raised and create a new poverty $ level.

The upper crust is never effected by minimum wage increases. They adjust the profit and operating margins accordingly.

And yes, when I go through certain neighborhoods where I live and see the attitude towards working, not even looking for work, I shudder to think that these people deserve at minimum$ 15 an hour.

 

[anomie]

Excellent point - its a horrible buying experience when staff work on commission. PC World/Curry's are like that over here which is why you can't even glance at a product for more than a second without being harassed by sales staff.

Yeah but usually such staff gets paid a better wage.
Only cutting any sales bonuses without raising the wage is not employee friendly.
Apple is greedy and relies a lot on the passion of their staff. Not cool.
[doublepost=1464607050][/doublepost]

It's just human nature to want more. Irrespective of whether they are actually worth it.

Erm..no, it´s not. At least not more money. It gets more and more popular to demand more spare time instead of another rise once people earn a decent ammount which enables them to pay for everything really important to them.
Btw you cannot calculate people´s worth. They are always worth it.

 

[jonnysods]

They internally promote people. My friend's brother worked in Toronto as a regular sales floor guy, showed some hustle and they gave him a promotion to manage a retail store in Nova Scotia.

 

[theanimaster]

I used to be one of those glossy-eyed fools who thought working for Apple would be a dream job. Once I realised that their recruiting process was meant to weed out and dump people with higher aspirations, well -- I decided to stay with my current job where I get better benefits, higher pay and more of a chance to grow and move up with the company.

One of the most famous moments when you know you're not going to make the cut is when they ask you what your expected pay is. When I applied I was just starting with the company I currently work for, and Apple's starting pay was _still_ much lower.

There's a reason Apple relies heavily on China. Yes, it's all about business. Nothing about customers these days (look how ****ty Apple Mail is now -- can't even get filters/rules to work!!)

 

[Glideslope]

This is click bait journalism, Apple is also a supporter of child workforce labour cause materials used in thier devices are sourced from mines that a child was present at....

The idea that Apple staff routinely get death threats is a joke and disgusting journalism , it's by even what this article is about, but hey....it's doing to job and creating debate and page impressions , each one ad revenue...

Welcome to retail. Maybe a journalist can do some actual work and compare the top 5 tech companies and show the pros v cons of each one for retail staff. Problem is that they will all be almost identical at Apple will probably look good, and no debate / story there.

Thank you. The only reality based reply in this tread up to this point. The majority of posts in here are clearly by people who have never run/owned their own business. People that have no CEO, COO, CFO, or HR Administration Experience. Also have never had to answer to Shareholders. It is comprised mostly of the the typical EU Labor Union Mentality, or the US "Feel the Burn" Hipsters who want $15.00 an hour to place plastic tops on soda cups.

If you want $15.00 and hour and up then you need an education in a field that is growing to support higher wages, and will not replace you with automation down the road.

Your dam lucky to get a position in retail that pays $11.70 US an hour. I worked 3 jobs to put myself through Undergraduate, and Graduate School. I also had plenty of debt at the end. However, I worked my ass of to pay down the debt instead of sitting around whining about how tough I have it.

People need to get off their ass and get an education. Or, stay in retail and shut up. It's never going to be different than what you experience today. Be it Apple, Starbucks, The Microsoft Store, or McDonalds. Retail is Retail, is Retail..........

 

[theanimaster]

"Occasional, direct access to Tim Cook"... hmm. I guess that's one for the boys.
[doublepost=1464611319][/doublepost]

There are two faces of Apple. The one that they put out in their marketing and Keynotes, and the other one that customers experience and employees face. Apple need to resolve this otherwise I'll end my loyalty, dump their products and stock. There was life before Apple, and there certainly will be life after Apple. Does Apple want my business or not?

If you're selling your AAPL stock, give me a call

 

[Eraserhead]

It is also human nature not to think ahead. If minimum wages in USA go to $ 15 an hour ALL prices go up proportionally.
That means the people who are in low level jobs will have to pay more at the stores where they shop or fast food places. There will be no significant net gain.

Even the welfare limits will have to be raised and create a new poverty $ level.

The upper crust is never effected by minimum wage increases. They adjust the profit and operating margins accordingly.

And yes, when I go through certain neighborhoods where I live and see the attitude towards working, not even looking for work, I shudder to think that these people deserve at minimum$ 15 an hour.

Source?

 

[samcraig]

This is click bait journalism, Apple is also a supporter of child workforce labour cause materials used in thier devices are sourced from mines that a child was present at....

The idea that Apple staff routinely get death threats is a joke and disgusting journalism , it's by even what this article is about, but hey....it's doing to job and creating debate and page impressions , each one ad revenue...

Welcome to retail. Maybe a journalist can do some actual work and compare the top 5 tech companies and show the pros v cons of each one for retail staff. Problem is that they will all be almost identical at Apple will probably look good, and no debate / story there.

Sorry - but whether or not this is shoddy journalism doesn't mean that Employees of a retail organization don't get death threats. In fact, given the level of entitlement and anger shown on these boards - it wouldn't surprised me in the least.

Also - I think that some people - maybe even you - are still stuck in a world where Apple is the scrappy underdog with unfair treatment in the press. That's a misconception because while you might want a comparison to other retail organizations - there aren't many that are considered to be at the same level as Apple. That's the blessing AND curse of being Apple. And they contribute to their hype machine as much as their customers.

People need to get off their ass and get an education.

I could easily argue that an education doesn't equate to having a better job for many. I know plenty of people who never went to college who own their own business, or have other fantastic jobs. Conversely - I also know plenty of people why several degrees that work low paying jobs and/or are out of work and have been for a long time.

Anecdotal - sure. But just having a "higher" education doesn't guarantee success in life.

 

[Costino1]

Who doesn't get threats in the retail world?

For 5 years before Sears tanked, I ran a store. Boy if I had a $1 for every threat I got, I could retire.

All over piddly stuff too. A customer broke his lawnmower day 1 by running over a tree root and it was my fault and wanted to erode my profits by replacing it.
[doublepost=1464613226][/doublepost]

Thank you. The only reality based reply in this tread up to this point. The majority of posts in here are clearly by people who have never run/owned their own business. People that have no CEO, COO, CFO, or HR Administration Experience. Also have never had to answer to Shareholders. It is comprised mostly of the the typical EU Labor Union Mentality, or the US "Feel the Burn" Hipsters who want $15.00 an hour to place plastic tops on soda cups.

If you want $15.00 and hour and up then you need an education in a field that is growing to support higher wages, and will not replace you with automation down the road.

Your dam lucky to get a position in retail that pays $11.70 US an hour. I worked 3 jobs to put myself through Undergraduate, and Graduate School. I also had plenty of debt at the end. However, I worked my ass of to pay down the debt instead of sitting around whining about how tough I have it.

People need to get off their ass and get an education. Or, stay in retail and shut up. It's never going to be different than what you experience today. Be it Apple, Starbucks, The Microsoft Store, or McDonalds. Retail is Retail, is Retail..........

Smart people on this website, just like you.

Look at Wendy's. 'Ok people want $15 an hr to work here? No prob we'll cut our labor force 40% and install self-service kiosks!' Not that hard to hit a few buttons on a screen that says 'hamburger. no onion. no cheese.'

If you want a job that pays $15 hr+, work for it and improve your worth. People just want a Bernie government cheese handout.

 

[Thunderhawks]

Source?

Logic!

Say McDonalds employs:

10 workers at $ 9 per hour 40 hours a week.= 400 man hours = $ 3,600

10 workers at $ 15 = 400 x $ 15 = $ 6.000

Increased cost to business = $ 2,400 per week!!! $ 124,800 per year.
(BTW: That is only the net $ 9.00, if you add increased workers compensation (based on payroll), FICA, Futa and unemployment contributions (based on payroll limits) the actual labor rate is about $ 16.80 ($ 10.08 at $ 9.00)

That's for NY state, not city.

Where is that extra expense going to go? Certainly not against store profits.

Price increase for food or laying off some employees to balance that and maybe looking what else is possible to save.

 

[Gooberton]

Yes it's legal in the US via an employee stock purchase program. Many companies do this, including Apple.

But you have to hold it for 24 months

 

[dannys1]

Yeah but usually such staff gets paid a better wage.

Incorrect, "suck staff" as you say are usually on minimum wage which is to be made up commission.

Sales commission is not a good thing at all. For staff or shoppers.

 

[Snoopy4]

Disney recently canned their longtime 'cast members' at DisneyWorld and brought in H1B visa folks from India.

So, if you speak 'hindi' you will surely get along well with Mickey, Goofy and the gang. Oh, reportedly before they were 'let go' the former U.S. cast was required to TRAIN the boys from Delhi or not receive their dismissal 'bonus'.

They were actually 250 IT workers, not characters. There is a lawsuit over it.

 

[crsh1976]

Surprise, unqualified retail jobs suck - even in Apple Stores. It's the same everywhere.

It unfortunately doesn't matter whether workers make $9/hr or $15/hr, the general cost of living will go up accordingly and nobody will truly make more at the end of the day until there's true inflation control enforced.

 

[Glideslope]

Sorry - but whether or not this is shoddy journalism doesn't mean that Employees of a retail organization don't get death threats. In fact, given the level of entitlement and anger shown on these boards - it wouldn't surprised me in the least.

Also - I think that some people - maybe even you - are still stuck in a world where Apple is the scrappy underdog with unfair treatment in the press. That's a misconception because while you might want a comparison to other retail organizations - there aren't many that are considered to be at the same level as Apple. That's the blessing AND curse of being Apple. And they contribute to their hype machine as much as their customers.



I could easily argue that an education doesn't equate to having a better job for many. I know plenty of people who never went to college who own their own business, or have other fantastic jobs. Conversely - I also know plenty of people why several degrees that work low paying jobs and/or are out of work and have been for a long time.

Anecdotal - sure. But just having a "higher" education doesn't guarantee success in life.

Because they do no anylisis of the job market. If they choose a career in doomed sector that's their life. Deal with it. If they can't find a job because of their performance or lack of ability to function in a Team Structure, that's their problem. When seeking Higher Ed people need to look 10 years out. Get a BS that allows them to have as many options as possible for their Graduate work.

If people actually put effort into their Undergrad Major they will benefit for their entire working life. If they can't cut it, or choose a disintegrating market then so be it. They choose the bed. Go sleep in it.

Too many freaking people want handouts.

 

[samcraig]

Too many freaking people want handouts.

Your last statement is irrelevant. At no time did I discuss handouts. But if you're referencing pay increases. Those aren't necessarily handouts. These are people working. Not sitting at home expecting to collect a check.

But as a response to what I wrote - that statement has no value. I never suggested anyone should or should not get a handout.

 

[Thunderhawks]

Too many freaking people want handouts.

Amen! too many freaking people!

Plus, we (worldwide) don't seem to get that making more babies who will need jobs later
makes it impossible to have everybody employed. It's a race to the bottom.

When I see parents with 3, 4 or more children I can only shake my head. That's irresponsible
whether you have the money or not.

Unfortunately that baby boom is very prevalent in the lower income classes.

The only people with an (unintentional) plan to take over America are the latinos.
They make child after child and are very family oriented.

Not a conspiracy theory. Just check what is already going on in Miami, Texas, San Diego , LA.

At least these people work and keep looking for work.

 

[niun]

Well. I kinda hope there aren't any Apple retail bods browsing this thread. Going by some of the comments they are the lowest of the low. Sponging moochers with little to no education, no clue about what they do, no hope in life and liars to boot.
That'll put a spring in your step on a Monday morning.

 

[Glideslope]

Your last statement is irrelevant. At no time did I discuss handouts. But if you're referencing pay increases. Those aren't necessarily handouts. These are people working. Not sitting at home expecting to collect a check.

But as a response to what I wrote - that statement has no value. I never suggested anyone should or should not get a handout.

It's ok. I'm done.

 

[morcutt11]

I don't know if it is worth even considering anything in this article as the source can't be validated. The staff at Apple stores seem motivated and knowledgable. Apple depends on that and I find it hard to believe that just happens on its own. It is seems it would have to be a product of quality, value-driven leadership and compensation. I've seen other places that have exceptional customer service and these common principles seem to be present with them - otherwise the staff finds better employment elsewhere.
[doublepost=1464622667][/doublepost]

Micro Center is an excellent store that runs on commission. The staff are actually helpful will even work hard to get you a bunch of coupons and discounts. My Gaming PC build actually came out cheaper than buying online, even WITH tax. Of course, when I walk into a place like Micro Center I almost always know what I want and know whats a good deal or not when it comes to impulse buys.

We have one here in Atlanta (Duluth) and it used to have really knowledgable, motivated staff. Now, however, it seems like the staff is far less knowledgeable and interested. In fact, they often seem to be not happy to be there.

 

[maxsix]

Thank you. The only reality based reply in this tread up to this point. The majority of posts in here are clearly by people who have never run/owned their own business. People that have no CEO, COO, CFO, or HR Administration Experience. Also have never had to answer to Shareholders. It is comprised mostly of the the typical EU Labor Union Mentality, or the US "Feel the Burn" Hipsters who want $15.00 an hour to place plastic tops on soda cups.

If you want $15.00 and hour and up then you need an education in a field that is growing to support higher wages, and will not replace you with automation down the road.

Your dam lucky to get a position in retail that pays $11.70 US an hour. I worked 3 jobs to put myself through Undergraduate, and Graduate School. I also had plenty of debt at the end. However, I worked my ass of to pay down the debt instead of sitting around whining about how tough I have it.

People need to get off their ass and get an education. Or, stay in retail and shut up. It's never going to be different than what you experience today. Be it Apple, Starbucks, The Microsoft Store, or McDonalds. Retail is Retail, is Retail..........

Very well said!

 

[MH01]

Sorry - but whether or not this is shoddy journalism doesn't mean that Employees of a retail organization don't get death threats. In fact, given the level of entitlement and anger shown on these boards - it wouldn't surprised me in the least.

Also - I think that some people - maybe even you - are still stuck in a world where Apple is the scrappy underdog with unfair treatment in the press. That's a misconception because while you might want a comparison to other retail organizations - there aren't many that are considered to be at the same level as Apple. That's the blessing AND curse of being Apple. And they contribute to their hype machine as much as their customers.

Actually, if you read the whole article...and you read the title of this post, it IS shody journalism. It's click bait journalism.

And reading the responses here .....it's working a treat. I really have no view about the way Apple employees are treated, I do though take offence that when you come to MR, you are shown front page story that in the UK Apple employees routinely recieve death threats, what BS....because Apple stores are in non affluent areas in the UK where crime is exceptionally high..... Yes this sensational journalism is BS

 

[samcraig]

Actually, if you read the whole article...and you read the title of this post, it IS shody journalism. It's click bait journalism.

And reading the responses here .....it's working a treat. I really have no view about the way Apple employees are treated, I do though take offence that when you come to MR, you are shown front page story that in the UK Apple employees routinely recieve death threats, what BS....because Apple stores are in non affluent areas in the UK where crime is exceptionally high..... Yes this sensational journalism is BS

Death threats only happen in non affluent neighborhoods? Is that what you're trying to assert?

 

[Tech198]

It's click bait journalism.

That's how a top story always is anywhere. But it does get the attention,

 

[Eraserhead]

Logic!

Science says otherwise - http://www.msnbc.com/martin-bashir/minimum-wage-meta-analysis-evidence-over-the.
[doublepost=1464632259][/doublepost]

Plus, we (worldwide) don't seem to get that making more babies who will need jobs later
makes it impossible to have everybody employed. It's a race to the bottom.

Even Bangladesh has a fertility rate barely above replacement at 2.2 per woman - http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.TFRT.IN.