Seems that they're going to have to have some sort of system to verify the purchase... plus you're going to need a fancy Apple bag before you go waltzing off with your stuff... so I'm sure they have it sorted out. Maybe someone at the door to check your receipt or create one, so you can't walk in and out 5 times with the same item? It's just cool you can more or less do it on your own and I love that you can order on-line and then go pick up at the store. I've wanted that for years.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Details on Apple Retail's New In-Store Pick Up and Self Check Out Process
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Seems that they're going to have to have some sort of system to verify the purchase... plus you're going to need a fancy Apple bag before you go waltzing off with your stuff... so I'm sure they have it sorted out. Maybe someone at the door to check your receipt or create one, so you can't walk in and out 5 times with the same item? It's just cool you can more or less do it on your own and I love that you can order on-line and then go pick up at the store. I've wanted that for years.
I don't know why everyone's talking about small-ticket items only Apple stores have a lot of more valuable items on the selves, like 4-500 dollar Time Capsules and other hard drives or the $600.- Apogee Duet too...
They used the tracking data they've collected on me to establish the 12 minute rule. That's exactly how long it takes me to leave home, drive to the mall, park & walk into the Apple Store.
Thanks Apple
Thanks Apple
I don't think this will really increase the amount of shoplifting...when the store is extremely busy (which it almost always is) it would be pretty easy to grab some headphones and walk out.
It might be easier to get away with it now, but I think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
I have had a couple occasions where I walk in the Apple store on the weekend and just want to buy an accessory, but everyone is talking to other customers. Then a "mock line" forms with people trying to buy things before we can catch an employee walking to the back. So I think it will help the Apple store act as a better store, more than just a showroom for the macs which most passersby see it as.
It might be easier to get away with it now, but I think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
I have had a couple occasions where I walk in the Apple store on the weekend and just want to buy an accessory, but everyone is talking to other customers. Then a "mock line" forms with people trying to buy things before we can catch an employee walking to the back. So I think it will help the Apple store act as a better store, more than just a showroom for the macs which most passersby see it as.
Bravo to Apple for not pandering to the lowest level of society. This mirrors their software sales that don't have annoying 'phone home' tactics or complex activation protection. Security measures like these tend to only frustrate and annoy the honest person - as there is always a way around them if you are patient enough.
Can you steal an iPod case? Yes. Can you steal some software off bit torrent? Yes. However, they're not going to design their customer experience around those types of people
Can you steal an iPod case? Yes. Can you steal some software off bit torrent? Yes. However, they're not going to design their customer experience around those types of people
Wow - lasers. That'd be cool. The shark security guys could wear them on their frikkin' heads. Actually I was thinking of an RFID-type solution but am unsure about the range and cost of the chips, but your idea sounds good, too.
I don't think this will lead to a significant increase in shoplifting. There may be an initial surge while those who find it acceptable test the waters, but overall I think they'll be fine. Someone who believes theft is okay will feel that way regardless of checkout policies and Apple stores have cameras, lots of eyes (public/employee) watching and other security measures available to them. A shoplifter's intent is not to get caught.
Most people who've worked retail and seen shoplifters in action know they have a number of tells. In fact, this new policy may actually increase vigilance of employees looking for shoplifters and increase the number deterred or caught. Regardless, shoplifting is already happening and part of business. At least Apple is willing to take the chance to try this and increase their total customer service. If there is a significant bump in product loss, they can always amend the process later.
Most people who've worked retail and seen shoplifters in action know they have a number of tells. In fact, this new policy may actually increase vigilance of employees looking for shoplifters and increase the number deterred or caught. Regardless, shoplifting is already happening and part of business. At least Apple is willing to take the chance to try this and increase their total customer service. If there is a significant bump in product loss, they can always amend the process later.
Think people.
When you scan the item with your iPhone it's also taking your picture for the facial recognition database. Instantly they are following your every move through the store as well as listening to everything you say. The RFID chip that's already embedded in the merchandise is doing it's job.
As you approach the exit to leave they've already verified the purchase, and you leave without being stopped. Believe me it's a great system that will actually REDUCE theft.
This is a terrific system Apple has implemented and will increase their ability to sell more items faster than ever. During the holidays their sales will skyrocket. Just wait & see.
The naysayers are very wrong. Apples got this perfected already.
For those of us who disliked the in-store experience before, this changes it to a pleasant efficient experience. Fast & Fun it's Apple at their finest.
When you scan the item with your iPhone it's also taking your picture for the facial recognition database. Instantly they are following your every move through the store as well as listening to everything you say. The RFID chip that's already embedded in the merchandise is doing it's job.
As you approach the exit to leave they've already verified the purchase, and you leave without being stopped. Believe me it's a great system that will actually REDUCE theft.
This is a terrific system Apple has implemented and will increase their ability to sell more items faster than ever. During the holidays their sales will skyrocket. Just wait & see.
The naysayers are very wrong. Apples got this perfected already.
For those of us who disliked the in-store experience before, this changes it to a pleasant efficient experience. Fast & Fun it's Apple at their finest.
Another great idea
Why have your staff productive hours wasted selling a 19.99 case it makes bottom line sense spending an hour selling a 1800.00 device.
Short term benefits for me will be better customer service, freedom to browse with out sales bothering you, I like the fact thats my high price idevice has ths function.
Long term benefit apple may consider you will buy all accessories with in store app and cut staffing good for bottom line but customer service will suck. But who knows the outcomes of this.
Why have your staff productive hours wasted selling a 19.99 case it makes bottom line sense spending an hour selling a 1800.00 device.
Short term benefits for me will be better customer service, freedom to browse with out sales bothering you, I like the fact thats my high price idevice has ths function.
Long term benefit apple may consider you will buy all accessories with in store app and cut staffing good for bottom line but customer service will suck. But who knows the outcomes of this.
What Apple loses in merchandise to theft is more than made up for by savings in manpower. The staff can spend more time selling expensive product instead of accessories. When I go into my local store, it is often hard to find someone to check out with. I don't own an iphone tho so it won't help me.
Don't be ridiculous
Of course you'll be able to scan with your phone by holding it in any angle. Plus: there are no RFID chips in Apple boxes and no system installed to handle those either.----------
As I said earlier, there are not only $19.99 cases on the shelves, but $600.- items too.
1) And thats the thing, as it reads this system allows for open theft. Just replicate the behavior of the official Store app and you're all set. No one will look at you twice. You're just another customer.
2) Living in barcelona, early 2000, and hanging around with a crowd that made shoplifting into an art, i'd say that more often than not it is rather the staff itself that has the obvious tells. As the "real lifters" go unnoticed, so does their alleged tells :- )
Granted, the solution as such is elegant - much in line with Apples image overall - but couldnt for example an automated vending solution - Applefied - be just as nice? You need to restock regardless, and you could still use the same kind of technique... NFC would make things easier though.
It's About Profit Margins
Clearly Apple sees the opportunity cost to outweigh the cost of potential theft.
It also points out the huge profit margins that Apple and all retailers make on full priced merch.
I recently purchased a perfect iPhone bumper on Amazon for $1.88 including shipping! It arrived directly from China in about 5 days and is IDENTICAL to my worn out Apple branded bumper that I received through their free program but which I believe retails for over $20.00 With profits like that a few percent out the back door 'aint going to hurt them.
Clearly Apple sees the opportunity cost to outweigh the cost of potential theft.
It also points out the huge profit margins that Apple and all retailers make on full priced merch.
I recently purchased a perfect iPhone bumper on Amazon for $1.88 including shipping! It arrived directly from China in about 5 days and is IDENTICAL to my worn out Apple branded bumper that I received through their free program but which I believe retails for over $20.00 With profits like that a few percent out the back door 'aint going to hurt them.
I don't see this lasting very long, at least with customers not having to confirm a purchase with an employee for self-checkout. Seems like a HUGE opportunity for theft to me.
Stolen software via bit torrent is nothing like stealing an ipod case. Downloading intellectual property without paying costs apple the opportunity of selling you that item- no actual loss of inventory. Stealing a tangible item like an ipod case or boxed software from a shelf is actual loss of the cost to make that product. Two different things.
I'm sure the security team will have a screen telling them what items have just been bought using the iPhone App.
That bumper might actually cost 50cents for Apple and they are making a huge profit on things like this indeed, but that doesn't mean profit margins are anything similar on Lacie hard drives or Apogee sound cards, for example. If those get stolen (they are on the shelves too), they immediately cost quite a few hundred dollars for Apple.
Then you should love this one... you use your own phone to self-checkout, so you go as fast as you can figure out how to work it.
I'm guessing larger items will still require employee interaction.
If this works, it will be a major improvement. One issue that I have with the retail stores (and my parents have noticed this, too) is that the associates are so busy with the iOS devices that it can be difficult to just walk in and buy something like an accessory, or conversely to get help with a Mac or a major purchase. The more that they can "offload" simple purchases, the better it works for everyone else.
Like LP does at every retail store in this country, they will profile their customers. If you look like you would steal something, the will ask for your receipt. If you're a mom with 2 small children, they'll let you pass. That's how LP works, unfortunately. I worked for Stop & Shop all through high school/college and the department monitors the entrance door cameras and chooses who to follow throughout their shopping experience. And, I'm nearly positive this technique is in the LP handbook.
Watching everyone is impossible, so they have to watch the people they would consider a theft threat.
If theft really becomes a problem (actual data doesn't reflect their research or projected data), they will either slash the system entirely or install a low cost, individual RFID tag to each self-checkoutable product.
You could also expect prices of self-checkoutable items to rise slightly to compensate for theft. Even by 50 cents. That seems to be a technique that works for companies. They will find out how much to expect to lose and then make cuts elsewhere.
Apple has an idea of what to expect and backup plans for if things turn out worse than expected. Their one of the largest companies in the world, they know what they're doing.
Watching everyone is impossible, so they have to watch the people they would consider a theft threat.
If theft really becomes a problem (actual data doesn't reflect their research or projected data), they will either slash the system entirely or install a low cost, individual RFID tag to each self-checkoutable product.
You could also expect prices of self-checkoutable items to rise slightly to compensate for theft. Even by 50 cents. That seems to be a technique that works for companies. They will find out how much to expect to lose and then make cuts elsewhere.
Apple has an idea of what to expect and backup plans for if things turn out worse than expected. Their one of the largest companies in the world, they know what they're doing.
Some companies get a slight discount on Apple products, how will this affect those types of purchases? I guess you still need to go in person.