Apparently, the Regent Street Apple Store is the most profitable store in London per square foot by a huge factor. Using that as an example of the larger flagship stores, I'm not sure what they'd gain by renting out space to others.
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Apple's Ron Johnson on the Retail Store Experience
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Apparently, the Regent Street Apple Store is the most profitable store in London per square foot by a huge factor. Using that as an example of the larger flagship stores, I'm not sure what they'd gain by renting out space to others.
Funny, the way the staff almost outnumber the customers always makes me feel like I'm about to be invited to take a personality test and be audited...
High Pressure Sales Techniques
I find that quote about high pressure sales to be the opposite of how their stores operate. The workers at the Des Moines, IA Apple Store are incredibly high pressure when it comes to pushing stuff like MobileMe and AppleCare along with the sale. I usually buy a new laptop and a couple iDevices a year and they just don't know when to shut up. I'm to the point where I cali n my order ahead so I don't have to listen to their sales pitch for 20 minutes even after I've handed them my Visa. I've also seen customers get scared away when the overly excited salesperson starts gushing about a product and crowd the customer instead of letting them try it out in peace.
I find that quote about high pressure sales to be the opposite of how their stores operate. The workers at the Des Moines, IA Apple Store are incredibly high pressure when it comes to pushing stuff like MobileMe and AppleCare along with the sale. I usually buy a new laptop and a couple iDevices a year and they just don't know when to shut up. I'm to the point where I cali n my order ahead so I don't have to listen to their sales pitch for 20 minutes even after I've handed them my Visa. I've also seen customers get scared away when the overly excited salesperson starts gushing about a product and crowd the customer instead of letting them try it out in peace.
*cough cough* M$ Store. It definitely looked more like the M$ store. Which is much nicer IMO, sadly....
Every time i go to an apple store its full of little kids going around pressing every button they see, and non-english speaking people trying to read the text on the screen. Seriously how could anybody actually learn something about a purchase there? its always a zoo. i liken it to going to an autoshow to try and research what car you want to buy... worthless because of all the kids and morons ruining your time there.
Ahaha yes, it was so damn funny I had to use it, with your permission of course
Of course. I've open sourced it.
Yeah right, really. I buy a 2 thousand dollar computer from an Apple Store and you start shoving Printers, Software and AppleCare warranties in my mouth.
So true. I used to work in retail before becoming a programmer and I found that the best thing I could do was leave the "power user" alone when it came to their purchases. I used to sell mowers and when I knew someone had done their research I just got out of the way and fetched it from the back for them. Someone buying a Mac Pro has no interest in a ****** 40 dollar printer they are probably buying it for a business or specialty application. Apple ought to teach its workers to differentiate the experienced users.
It's refreshing to hear that people have such positive experiences at their local Apple store. I was excited when one opened nearby and I visited it a few times to replace defective parts on my new Mac. Now, you couldn't pay me to step foot into that third ring of satan's domain. Rude, arrogant, and conceited are three words to describe the employees with which I came into contact. I now only telephone Apple for support and/or purchases and they've been exemplary in the services they provide.
Earlier, someone posted about the "zoo" atmosphere at their local Apple store. It's the same here. Do what I did and act like you're talking to someone on your cell phone. Say "hey, I just saw Justin Bieber at the other end of the mall". That should clear some room for you.
Earlier, someone posted about the "zoo" atmosphere at their local Apple store. It's the same here. Do what I did and act like you're talking to someone on your cell phone. Say "hey, I just saw Justin Bieber at the other end of the mall". That should clear some room for you.
bought an iphone4 at the new UWS store in NYC. i was in and out in 15 minutes or so. declined applecare, no pressure
compare to best buy where if you decline the insurance they start trying to scare you how whatever gizmo you're going to buy is suddenly the most failure prone product ever created.
i have to go buy a playstation 3 probably this weekend and since i have a gift card, i'm dreading it
compare to best buy where if you decline the insurance they start trying to scare you how whatever gizmo you're going to buy is suddenly the most failure prone product ever created.
i have to go buy a playstation 3 probably this weekend and since i have a gift card, i'm dreading it
Sales have definitely taken a back seat. It takes 15 minutes to find an employee that can ring up an accessory because all of them are showing stuff to new customers.
Having one employee dedicated to sales and one dedicated line for people buying small accessories like cases or adapters would be nice...
Having one employee dedicated to sales and one dedicated line for people buying small accessories like cases or adapters would be nice...
It is hard to buy something at an Apple Store. I tried to get a case for my iPad, and was immediately greeted by an employee who wanted me to buy the Apple Case, no matter how many times I told them I already had one and was trying to replace it.
Just the atmosphere. It was also very busy (which is good for Apple but bad for customers.)
Oh and would someone tell me what the difference in colors mean of the shirts?
Apple Store Disappointment
I really don't like going into the Apple Store in Durham NC. While they have cleaned up their image somewhat, going into that store even just last year was like going into a rave from the 1990s. Piercings, tattoos, etc. sure the employees wore the right shirt but I, and everyone else I've spoken with who use Apple, have a bit of a problem dropping $1k+ with someone who looks like they could pick up television reception with all the metal in their head.
The Genius group at the back seem a little more mature but they usually tend to stay away from the retail side of the house at this store
I really don't like going into the Apple Store in Durham NC. While they have cleaned up their image somewhat, going into that store even just last year was like going into a rave from the 1990s. Piercings, tattoos, etc. sure the employees wore the right shirt but I, and everyone else I've spoken with who use Apple, have a bit of a problem dropping $1k+ with someone who looks like they could pick up television reception with all the metal in their head.
The Genius group at the back seem a little more mature but they usually tend to stay away from the retail side of the house at this store
So true. When did personal appearance stop mattering in the sales or customer service areas?
I for one can't wait for this ridiculous ink, pierce, burn, stretch and scar trend to end. *crosses fingers*
I agree with this entirely. I always pop into the Apple Store when I'm passing by - gives me some respite while out shopping with the girlfriend. It's so nice to be able to touch the products and browse freely without being hassled. Prior to that, the only opportunity to have a go on a laptop was at a big store like PC World or Currys, where an alarm goes off when you go anywhere near any computer, then someone comes along and tries to hard sell you something you don't want (despite them having a clue about the specs).
I do agree also that it is sometimes more complicated to buy something small, but again, that fits in the with the showroom analogy, rather than as a purely retail experience.
It obviously works. Which is great news for consumers as it means other stores are being designed with this philosophy in mind. The nice shop layouts of even established chains at Westfield London are an example of this. As is the National Geographic store on Regent Street. And any shop that doesn't look like a warehouse (i.e. shelves of stacked crates, etc) is much more pleasant in my book.
I do agree also that it is sometimes more complicated to buy something small, but again, that fits in the with the showroom analogy, rather than as a purely retail experience.
It obviously works. Which is great news for consumers as it means other stores are being designed with this philosophy in mind. The nice shop layouts of even established chains at Westfield London are an example of this. As is the National Geographic store on Regent Street. And any shop that doesn't look like a warehouse (i.e. shelves of stacked crates, etc) is much more pleasant in my book.
To be fair when I bought my macbook pro, mid 2006 or so, the gentleman helping me tried down selling me into a regular macbook. Saying that for my needs I didn't need something as powerful as a MBP. He was probably right, and could tell I came to buy anyways. Needless to say, I still bought the MBP!
I've basically had nothing but good experiences in my local Apple store, even though I basically find the place a little weird and prefer to buy on-line!
When i was considering the 27" iMac, I went to the store with a USB drive containing photos and video files I wanted to try on on the system. I went to an unoccupied 27" model and spent an hour and a half using it! Nobody on staff came up to me, which was fine. I then ordered the BTO i7 model on-line.
Yet when I've needed to buy a little accessory, I walk up to a sales person near the door we walk back to the accessories, I buy, and am out of the store faster than any other place I've ever shopped. The receipt is mailed, which as far as I'm concerned is a time saver.
I've taken the free classes, which I've found to be a mixed bag. Sometimes very educational, other times not, depending on the trainer. And the Genius Bar as worked well although I don't like having to make a reservation.
My wife wanted the One-to-one for her purchase, but she only used it once and found it too cumbersome. OTOH my hair stylist loves one-to-one and is going to buy an iPad in order to get it again (her two years is about up).
When i was considering the 27" iMac, I went to the store with a USB drive containing photos and video files I wanted to try on on the system. I went to an unoccupied 27" model and spent an hour and a half using it! Nobody on staff came up to me, which was fine. I then ordered the BTO i7 model on-line.
Yet when I've needed to buy a little accessory, I walk up to a sales person near the door we walk back to the accessories, I buy, and am out of the store faster than any other place I've ever shopped. The receipt is mailed, which as far as I'm concerned is a time saver.
I've taken the free classes, which I've found to be a mixed bag. Sometimes very educational, other times not, depending on the trainer. And the Genius Bar as worked well although I don't like having to make a reservation.
My wife wanted the One-to-one for her purchase, but she only used it once and found it too cumbersome. OTOH my hair stylist loves one-to-one and is going to buy an iPad in order to get it again (her two years is about up).
All this makes me want to know how Microsoft is doing with their "knock off Apple retail store(s)".
It jut seems pretty quiet on that front. At least they have a lifetime supply of KIN phones to push. And it begs the question, "What does a red shirt over a blue shirt mean in a Microsoft store?
It jut seems pretty quiet on that front. At least they have a lifetime supply of KIN phones to push. And it begs the question, "What does a red shirt over a blue shirt mean in a Microsoft store?
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I went to Apple store in Atlanta, USA one time in 2009. It was terrible!! Store workers are of wearing shorts and 'flip flopps' with ugly toes!! very unprofessionale!! It diffiult to see which ones are store workers and which ones are university student customers! Why they do not wear better cloths like normal stores workers?? Never I go back there again, only www ordering for me. Also I pay with money and store worker has no change and no cash register and must go through a process to give my change!! Very inconvenients bad experience!!
Since 3/4 of the people in the store in this photo appear to be Microsoft employees, I'm guessing...not too well? (Can't embed the image, sorry...)
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/aHAk4N3gkZgycwfulk0ZDA?feat=embedwebsite
I no longer live in the Mission Viejo area, one of those lucky enough to have a Microsoft Store of their very own, but I'd love to see a photo of the Apple Store and the Microsoft store in that mall in a side-by-side comparo on a regular shopping day. Most of the photos I've seen are opening day photos where the store is packed with...Microsoft employees.
Sweaters are restricted to executive-level employees.
anybody who ever watched Star Trek episodes knows what happened to the red shirts
Apple Battery Charger - No Stock!
I visited the Covent Garden store yesterday and tried to purchase one of the new Apple Battery Chargers. I was told they did not stock the item and I could only buy online!
I visited the Covent Garden store yesterday and tried to purchase one of the new Apple Battery Chargers. I was told they did not stock the item and I could only buy online!