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Does anyone else HATE the Apple Retail Stores?

T

Trogloxene

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 17, 2007
139
0
I hate my local Apple Retail Store! :mad:

I've spent around $10,000 in the store since it opened. The other day I bought a game that I thought was a new version of game I already had as it had different packaging then the one I own. I took it home and installed it and realized I already owned that game - it was same thing. So I tried to take back the game and the Apple store refused to refund my money. I asked for the store manager and explained my situation and he informed me that he would not take it back. He told me that software could not be returned to the distributors. I was so mad, I just left the game and bag on the store counter and walked out.

Now I've been in the computer business for some 20+ years and I know exactly how the distribution systems work. I've been a buyer at a large computer retailer, and a software developer selling through large distributors. I know that stores can return software, I see it happen all the time. As a software developer I totally understand the problem with people buying software, pirating it, and then returning it. But in certain cases you have to take care of the customer and not just blindly follow some rule from the corporate ivory tower. This store just didn't want to deal with me. They just really don't care about the customer.

So I will never buy a thing at an Apple Store again. I will buy my Apple stuff online, or at the local compeditor.

-T
 
Unless there is a problem with the software itself it's common that you won't be allowed to return it...
 
Trogloxene said:
I asked for the store manager and explained my situation and he informed me that he would not take it back. He told me that software could not be returned to the distributors. I was so mad, I just left the game and bag on the store counter and walked out.
Click to expand...
And it's like that at every other store when it comes to software...
 
It's as Eidorian said...that's a standard policy to assure that you haven't just installed the software and are taking back the disk.

If the future, instead of boycotting the Apple Store, how about being a little more educated as a consumer. Examine packaging to make sure it contains a version different than the one you have (if not at the store, at least do so had home before opening the packaging).
 
Trogloxene said:
I hate my local Apple Retail Store! :mad:

I've spent around $10,000 in the store since it opened. The other day I bought a game that I thought was a new version of game I already had as it had different packaging then the one I own. I took it home and installed it and realized I already owned that game - it was same thing. So I tried to take back the game and the Apple store refused to refund my money. I asked for the store manager and explained my situation and he informed me that he would not take it back. He told me that software could not be returned to the distributors. I was so mad, I just left the game and bag on the store counter and walked out.

Now I've been in the computer business for some 20+ years and I know exactly how the distribution systems work. I've been a buyer at a large computer retailer, and a software developer selling through large distributors. I know that stores can return software, I see it happen all the time. As a software developer I totally understand the problem with people buying software, pirating it, and then returning it. But in certain cases you have to take care of the customer and not just blindly follow some rule from the corporate ivory tower. This store just didn't want to deal with me. They just really don't care about the customer.

So I will never buy a thing at an Apple Store again. I will buy my Apple stuff online, or at the local compeditor.

-T
Click to expand...


Name one store that takes back open software and gives refunds for them even if they aren't defective.
 
Sutekidane said:
Name one store that takes back open software and gives refunds for them even if they aren't defective.
Click to expand...

Mr Happy's Magical Software Store! :)

@ OP: Seriously though, you really should keep track of that stuff. The best you can do right now is sell it on Amazon, or eBay, and hope to make some of your money back. You've learned a lesson here.
 
I once witnessed a similar situation in an apple reseller when Warcraft III came out, there were two or three different packaging designs. One woman was buying the game for her son and asked the sales guy if the game needed all three( 2? ) boxes. The guy told her yes. SO if she had bought all of them and opened them she would not be able to return them even though it is not her fault.

In another case I was buying a game which I was not sure if it was the expansion pack only or full game and expansion pack - both the sales guy and me were looking all over the box to see. In the end he got pissed off and opened it to figure it out - turned out it was the full game+exp. I bought the opened package happy to have figured it out before leaving the store.

To the OP you made a mistake, not their fault.
 
I can see the OP's point. Although they clearly state no refunds on software. The OP is obviously a good customer, spending 10k plus in the store. Why not just return it or give him a complimentary gift card in good faith. It is not as if he does this all the time or was returning FCP or something.

I would have given him a gift card and explain that this is a one time courtesy for being a valued customer, etc...

Maybe I am a softie though...:p
 
Just be thankful you've got one. I have to hurl my unfounded abuse at homeless people and the blind because we don't have any Apple Stores in Australia.
 
I have only been in one store. So, I can only speak from that perspective. It is great! It is like the Macy's in New York, at Christmas time, in the toy section, and full of kids! I have never seen a disappointed person, except for some kid who hoped for the 80GB iPod, but only got the 30.

Actually, I have to come to this website to learn about issues with Apple. I know some must be legitimate, although I have miraculously escaped them myself. I must be a statistical marvel.
 
Trogloxene said:
I hate my local Apple Retail Store! :mad:

I've spent around $10,000 in the store since it opened.
Click to expand...

Cry me a fracking river. I've spent $30,000 at mine and I don't expect any special treatment. Customers like you annoy the hell out of me..."I've spent X amount of dollars here and I deserve special treatment." You're no more important than the next guy...sorry buddy.
 
Sorry, but not accepting returns on opened software is standard operating procedure across the entire retail industry. As an informed customer, it's up to you to know what you're buying and what the return policy is. Accept responsibility for your actions, sell your duplicative software on eBay or Craigslist, learn the lesson and move on.
 
MovieCutter said:
Cry me a fracking river. I've spent $30,000 at mine and I don't expect any special treatment. Customers like you annoy the hell out of me..."I've spent X amount of dollars here and I deserve special treatment." You're no more important than the next guy...sorry buddy.
Click to expand...

LOL this did sort of strike me as the standard, "I've been a big executive at very important companies" nonsense that seems to accompany every complaint about customer service. If you're so powerful, call people above the store manager's head and get your refund. Get them fired if you want. Otherwise, keep it real and just say you bought a game and are upset that you cannot return it. Please.
 
i've spent $30,001.00 so i am the most qualified person to reply so far.

you should have returned it as a defective product. that way you would have gotten a brand new box (preferably sealed) and been able to return it to another merchant as a duplicate gift OR just regift it to a friend or family member.

retailers won't take back software opened but they will exchange for identical product if original was "defective"
 
gaelan said:
i've spent $30,001.00 so i am the most qualified person to reply so far.
Click to expand...

My wife's sister's husband (ok my brother-in-law, but it's more fun that way) has spent roughly $105,000 for the machines he uses from Apple (excluding his home purchases). Using the relation divisor for that level of relationship (2.5) means that I am qualified $42,000. Add in my $3,000, and I am qualified at $45,000 - the most qualified.:D

Anyway, the only way that you can return the software is going to be if you refuse to accept the terms of use (unless they are posted on the exterior of the packaging - in which case you are out of luck). Even then you may only be able to return to the mfr.

Oh, as for special treatment, he has gotten more stuff free than I have bought as a result of Apple's mistakes. I don't think they'd even let him return open software...
 
gaelan said:
i've spent $30,001.00 so i am the most qualified person to reply so far.
Click to expand...

1) No one cares
2) It doesn't
3) Someone could do more research then you, spend more time in the store, etc, and come to the realiztion that they don't need to spend 5K on a Mac, because the 1k Mac is good enough.
 
i dont blame you for hating apple. if they did that to me, i would be livid! nowadays, all the good franchise electronic stores have a money back guarantee policy. why doesnt apple do the same?

most retail stores have figured out by offering money-back guarantees, they actually earn more money than lose because people buy things with the option of returning, but seldom do. plus, it's an added benefit in perceived confidence in the product. i think apple should step up their game and compete with the best stores.
 
TequilaBoobs said:
i dont blame you for hating apple. if they did that to me, i would be livid! nowadays, all the good franchise electronic stores have a money back guarantee policy. why doesnt apple do the same?

most retail stores have figured out by offering money-back guarantees, they actually earn more money than lose because people buy things with the option of returning, but seldom do. plus, it's an added benefit in perceived confidence in the product. i think apple should step up their game and compete with the best stores.
Click to expand...

A lot of stores have a money back guarantee policy on everything except software, DVDs and CDs. People would be returning DVDs because the movie sucked, or copying CDs and returning the original. No stores, not even Wal-Mart (who takes back damn near ANYTHING) will give a refund on software and such. They'll only exchange it if it's defective, and even then, most places will open the new package up before giving it to you so you don't have a new copy you can take to another store to pull the same crap with.
 
yg17 said:
A lot of stores have a money back guarantee policy on everything except software, DVDs and CDs. People would be returning DVDs because the movie sucked, or copying CDs and returning the original. No stores, not even Wal-Mart (who takes back damn near ANYTHING) will give a refund on software and such. They'll only exchange it if it's defective, and even then, most places will open the new package up before giving it to you so you don't have a new copy you can take to another store to pull the same crap with.
Click to expand...

thanks, i didnt know that.
 
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