Apple's $99 'One to One' Tutoring Program May Be Coming to an End

[sosaysdan]

To be 100% honest, this is definitely disappointing news, but before everyone panics, we need to wait and see what Apple has up it's sleeve. I can personally confirm that as a company, most changes on this level come directly from customer feedback. In my time with the company, i've seen them go through great lengths to put customer satisfaction and development first. The One to One program is amazing, and a total blast, however it devotes all of the employees time to extremely personalized training, and it doesn't leave a lot of room for community classes, or free training. This move to envelop the program into training for all, may not be as bad as it sounds. It may end up looking like the genius bar, where people can book 30 minute open training sessions, similar to the technical appointments. Until Apple clarifies exactly what's changing, let's stay positive!

Apple may soon end its $99 "One to One" tutoring program for Mac and iOS users, according to a source that has provided MacRumors with reliable information in the past. Our source says Apple is stopping the program to allow retail employees to focus on hosting a greater number of free workshops, which multiple people are able to attend at once.

One to One is a long-running Apple program that allows customers who purchase a Mac to pay an additional $99 for one year of Mac, iPhone, and iPad instruction from Apple retail employees. One to One sessions include 30 or 60 minute Personal Training sessions, 90-minute Group Training sessions, and 90-minute group-based Open Training sessions.

One to One members can get help with a wide variety of topics, like getting started with an iPhone, iPad, or Mac and using Apple services like iCloud, and iTunes. Training sessions on Apple apps, including Photos, Mail, iMovie, Final Cut Pro, and more, are also included.Apple is planning to fold its One to One service into free open workshops, amid some larger changes being made to Apple's teaching methods. In the near future, workshops will be restructured around themes like "Discover" and "Create," and will be more accessible on Apple's main website.

Apple plans to honor existing One to One memberships until they expire, but will not sell new memberships to the program going forward. Customers who need assistance will still be able to sign up for dozens of free, open workshops.

Article Link: Apple's $99 'One to One' Tutoring Program May Be Coming to an End[/QUOTE]

 

[paross]

I'm going to assume Apple has actual data that no one here does. They wouldn't be ending this program if it was still popular and being used by a lot of people. I doubt Angela comes to work every day wondering how she can screw over consumers and make their experience with Apple miserable.

I'm sure they aren't actively trying to mess over people. However, I also know that as of about a year ago when I quit, my days were booked solid... so at least at our store, it was a program people valued.

The problem was, even with 8 appointments daily, OneToOne was never designed to be profitable. It was designed to build customer loyalty and it was a part of the store culture of "Think Different" in retail.

This is shifting. That's all I meant.

 

[Solomani]

Great program, horrible environment to learn in, at least in the stores here in the phx area.

Yes terrible environment. Hopefully, they redesign the Apple Stores to have a private (sound-proofed) "conference room" in the back area (for customer seminars as well as employee training and inservice). The original designers of the Apple Stores should be ashamed for not figuring that into account.

 

[TechZeke]

Yes terrible environment. Hopefully, they redesign the Apple Stores to have a private (sound-proofed) "conference room" in the back area (for customer seminars as well as employee training and inservice). The original designers of the Apple Stores should be ashamed for not figuring that into account.

I don't know how anyone gets through these training and learning sessions during busy times of the year like the Holidays or after a major product launch. What a cluster.

 

[Rogifan]

I'm sure they aren't actively trying to mess over people. However, I also know that as of about a year ago when I quit, my days were booked solid... so at least at our store, it was a program people valued.

The problem was, even with 8 appointments daily, OneToOne was never designed to be profitable. It was designed to build customer loyalty and it was a part of the store culture of "Think Different" in retail.

This is shifting. That's all I meant.

We don't know what's replacing it at this point. Why are people jump to conclusions that it's going to be bad and is 100% about increasing profits? At the end of the day if the products suck and customer service sucks then fewer people will be buying said products. Apple wants to retain customers, it's in their interest not to make either of those things suck.

 

[ocifersven]

Yes terrible environment. Hopefully, they redesign the Apple Stores to have a private (sound-proofed) "conference room" in the back area (for customer seminars as well as employee training and inservice). The original designers of the Apple Stores should be ashamed for not figuring that into account.

Why should Apple Store Designers be ashamed? The program was $99 for 1-year of unlimited personalized training. You want private, quiet training - go to your local community college. No one is going to build out custom learning environments for cheap or free training to end users who don't know how to push a mouse around. That makes ridiculous and horrible business sense.

I think it's good they're getting rid of the One to One program. Whenever I'd have a question or two about Logic Pro, the times I went into the store to get a possible answer would be met with the Logic person being stuck in what appeared to be a basics session with an elderly woman. At least this is what I've seen from my angle each time. It just seems like an awful waste of talent. And that's not saying that the elderly shouldn't get training at Apple. But if a working pro like me can't get help on my many Apple products, what's the point of having an Apple Store to congregate at? Apple Stores are better than becoming solely senior citizen centers.

 

[SewAndre]

Apple may soon end its $99 "One to One" tutoring program for Mac and iOS users, according to a source that has provided MacRumors with reliable information in the past. Our source says Apple is stopping the program to allow retail employees to focus on hosting a greater number of free workshops, which multiple people are able to attend at once.

One to One is a long-running Apple program that allows customers who purchase a Mac to pay an additional $99 for one year of Mac, iPhone, and iPad instruction from Apple retail employees. One to One sessions include 30 or 60 minute Personal Training sessions, 90-minute Group Training sessions, and 90-minute group-based Open Training sessions.

One to One members can get help with a wide variety of topics, like getting started with an iPhone, iPad, or Mac and using Apple services like iCloud, and iTunes. Training sessions on Apple apps, including Photos, Mail, iMovie, Final Cut Pro, and more, are also included.Apple is planning to fold its One to One service into free open workshops, amid some larger changes being made to Apple's teaching methods. In the near future, workshops will be restructured around themes like "Discover" and "Create," and will be more accessible on Apple's main website.

Apple plans to honor existing One to One memberships until they expire, but will not sell new memberships to the program going forward. Customers who need assistance will still be able to sign up for dozens of free, open workshops.

Article Link: Apple's $99 'One to One' Tutoring Program May Be Coming to an End

One to One is a huge reason I am considering jumping ship from Windows products. I want Tim Cook to know that it would be very important to me.

 

[SewAndre]

One to One is a huge reason I am considering jumping ship from Windows and Android products. I want Tim Cook to know that kind of support is vital to me.

 

[iowashorts]

Sad to see it go, one of the best values in the Apple Store. I worked as a Mac Genius for 6+ years, and Creatives really knew their stuff (many of them have gone on to do really great things after Fruit Co.)

Thank you, Blackstick!

 

[iowashorts]

I see it as a step in the right direction.. I think more and more people know they're way around a mac nowadays Apple has made it increasingly user friendly.. And if all those changes are in favor of free workshops as the article suggests than its good for then this positive for "the switchers"

Hi iFanaddic. With the majority of new users being older people switching from Windows, or older people buying their own personal computers (after leaving theirs at work when they retire or get downsized) for the first time, One to One was the perfect choice for them. If you think about getting a personal training session at least once a week for a year at ANY Apple store that offers One to One, that's $2 a session. When those people would pay anywhere from $50 to $150 for personal tutoring from someone who probably doesn't know as much as the average Creative, that's an AMAZING deal. Now, when you also give them a $100-$200 data transfer from a Windows machine as well as from an older Mac, this is an unheard of deal and convenience for someone who is not a Fanaddic.

If you figure a dedicated person comes once a week, first to learn the system, then to learn the basic apps, then to learn the iWork apps, and then maybe iMovie or even Final Cut, at a lowball rate of $50 an hour, that's (insert math here) $2500.00 if you take two weeks off. Then add onto that the cost of a Windows to Mac data migration (not a trivial thing) at $150, then you're getting about $2600.00 of value for $99. Now, I can see Apple cutting out on that basis, but whoever said that it builds loyalty and new customers is absolutely correct.

If you were in a Creative's shoes, you would see first hand how much One to One is a lifesaver for so many people. The free workshops are fine, but don't deal with an individuals specific issues, learning style, customization, etc.

Most people just do not want to learn from google or youtube. At least in a one to one session, they will teach them how to fish and use those resources to fend for themselves. No son, daughter or friend is going to be as patient or knowledgable as a trained Creative.

"More and More People" may not be who you think they are.

 

[^^BIGMac]

I don't see how the free workshops will benefit anybody trying to get a tip on any sort of advanced features with FCPX, Logic and especially Motion. Without the individual hands on approach those workshops will be fairly useless and frustrating to anybody who has One To One and is looking for Pro training.

On the other hand, I guess Mr. Google is your friend and YouTube too for that matter.

 

[markmctavish]

The program is good for people who really don't get Macs, I guess. Not a big deal to me.

I've seen a few comments suggesting onetoone was just for people 'who don't get Macs' ....couldn't be further from the truth.

The majority of 'creatives' I had the pleasure of working a long side were genuinely talented people with in depth knowledge of pro apps.

£79 for a years tuition on Final Cut with someone who work for channel 4 as an editor? Or the chap from Manchester who mixed one of Rammstiens albums? Our store had someone qualified in Music Technology to Masters level and a more than a couple of fantastic photographers.

We also benefitted from a quiet environment outside of weekends and holidays. Not every store manages that...a victim of their own popularity in some cases.

We of course helped new comers to Macs...from the terrified to the power user needing to get up to speed quickly.

We also gave a lot of older people somewhere to come and socialise. This was perhaps one of the best parts of the program and the most missed. We all had favourites who we loved seeing back week after week.

That all said, plenty of annoying (or plain loopy) members that drove you up the wall and some ****** days where you were training in a sea of iPhone bar appointments.

When I left 2.5 years ago I told my manager that I felt onetoone wasn't sustainable with the footfall the store was getting...and with Ron leaving there wouldn't be anyone to fight its corner.

It never was going to be sustainable...but for a brief time it was brilliant.

Probably the biggest compliment I could pay is that I would, as an ex-trainer, happily pay £79 to have some my old colleuges help me explore Final Cut. Bargain. Just make it early on a weekday morning.

 

[markmctavish]

Don't people know how to figure out devices and computer's? What happened to learning on your own without having your hand held? How are people suppose to learn of their own accord without having to be told what to do?

That's the point...they were trained to help you learn...not to tell/show/demonstrate/do it for you.

Socratic method. Secrets out...