Lied to by an Apple Store Employee Stanford Mall

[bunnicula]

I think a lot of people tend to forget that the majority of Apple Store employees are just that: Low wage retail workers. They put a geeky shirt on them and call them fancy names, but they're not much better than what you'll find at the The Gap next door (OK - Maybe one notch above, but that's it...). I doubt many of the employees there are planning to make a career out of checking iPhone stock. They're watching the clock and waiting for their next paycheck just like the rest of us. If you go in expecting that level of service, you won't be disappointed.

There's a dude at one of my local stores that I SWEAR has wretched gas and does NOT mind letting an SBD rip near a crowd of people. He's got some sort of other affliction, so I try to give him a pass on it.

Problem is, I have a sense of smell that rivals that of a bloodhound.

*eek*

 

[playaproved]

Yesterday I called the Apple Store to ask if they had the Magic Trackpad in stock. The girl on the phone says "yes we do" I ask if they have ample stock, "yes sir we have a ton". Drive over to the Apple store... guess what I didn't leave with. That's right a Magic Trackpad. Spoke to multiple employees including the manager. They hadn't received them yet.

 

[jayzoon]

I think a lot of people tend to forget that the majority of Apple Store employees are just that: Low wage retail workers. They put a geeky shirt on them and call them fancy names, but they're not much better than what you'll find at the The Gap next door (OK - Maybe one notch above, but that's it...). I doubt many of the employees there are planning to make a career out of checking iPhone stock. They're watching the clock and waiting for their next paycheck just like the rest of us. If you go in expecting that level of service, you won't be disappointed.

Has anyone thought about the fact that maybe they had gotten a shipment of phones in that not everyone was aware of yet? Apple does get shipments and different times throughout the day and its possible that if you just caught this girl after working with someone else she would not know or she's not assuming but going on the last bit of information she had gotten. Granted she could have checked on the stock but at the same time if the last 87 times she walked in the back to ask they said no, she may have been trying to not waste anyone's time.

 

[big0mar]

Welcome to the world of retail.

 

[Craiger]

I called the Stanford Mall Apple store to check if they have any iPhone 4 32GB available. The guy that answered told me that they had limited stock but if I come to the store tonight I should be able to get one. I rushed to the store and got there 45 mins later. I walked in and the sales lady with glasses and short hair asked me how she can help me. I asked politely if they have 32GB iPhone 4 in stock and she quickly answered no. I told her that I called earlier and they told me they have some in stock and she still said no. By then I was confused and walked out the store. Just to confirm I called the Stanford Mall Apple store and asked if they have 32GB iPhone 4 in stock and the guy on the phone confirmed they do. So I walked back in to the store and approached a male sales person. I asked again if they have 32GB iPhone 4 in stock and he replied yes. So by then I knew the lady lied to me. I was able to buy the phone, but it just upsets me that people would lie like that especially to customers.

My question for everyone how would you handle the situation if you were in my shoes? I was upset at the time, but I didn't want to cause a scene at the store. I obviously wouldn't want anyone else to experience what I just experienced.

This happened to me when I went to get my ipad a week after release. I called the apple store and asked if they had any 16gb. He said yes but wouldn't confirm how many or how long they would last. I made the 45 minute drive and asked a sales person if they had any and he said no. Then I asked when they had them last and he said a couple days ago.

needless to say, I got sort of upset with him and so he said he would go back and check, but was pretty sure they didn't have any. He came back with 2. one for me and one for another guy that he earlier had told they were out.

moral of the story is they need better communication in the stores, or they need to bring the availability tool back.

 

[dsm2gst]

Was it a white lie? Did you specify that you wanted a white iPhone?

Yes I specifically asked for a black 32GB iPhone 4. Her reply was no 32GB just 16GB. I also noticed during the checkout process she kept walking by me, and when the guy went to the back to grab the phone she also went back there. I'm pretty sure she felt guilty getting caught by me.

 

[Schweitzer]

This happened to me when I went to get my ipad a week after release. I called the apple store and asked if they had any 16gb. He said yes but wouldn't confirm how many or how long they would last. I made the 45 minute drive and asked a sales person if they had any and he said no. Then I asked when they had them last and he said a couple days ago.

needless to say, I got sort of upset with him and so he said he would go back and check, but was pretty sure they didn't have any. He came back with 2. one for me and one for another guy that he earlier had told they were out.

moral of the story is they need better communication in the stores, or they need to bring the availability tool back.

Moral of the story is you got your phone cause you talked to male shop assistants.

 

[Silenthillnight]

This happened to me when I went to get my ipad a week after release. I called the apple store and asked if they had any 16gb. He said yes but wouldn't confirm how many or how long they would last. I made the 45 minute drive and asked a sales person if they had any and he said no. Then I asked when they had them last and he said a couple days ago.

needless to say, I got sort of upset with him and so he said he would go back and check, but was pretty sure they didn't have any. He came back with 2. one for me and one for another guy that he earlier had told they were out.

moral of the story is they need better communication in the stores, or they need to bring the availability tool back.

Exactly or maybe they should say "I'm not sure, let me check for you" instead of giving an outright no when they don't really know. When I worked in retail 10 years ago, it was about giving the customer the best service possible. Instead, you go into Best Buy to buy a tv and the guy who should be helping you is trying to dry hump his cute co-worker on the kiosk instead. Or maybe not... I just thought that'd be funny to imagine

 

[rwilliams]

Yes I specifically asked for a black 32GB iPhone 4. Her reply was no 32GB just 16GB. I also noticed during the checkout process she kept walking by me, and when the guy went to the back to grab the phone she also went back there. I'm pretty sure she felt guilty getting caught by me.

Yeah, that must be it. Dude, that girl probably couldn't have given less of a damn about you.

 

[Statusnone88]

Every time I've been in the Apple store I wonder how these girls got their jobs. Most of them know ZERO about the product and can't sell for sh**. Not like I need a lot of selling when it comes to Apple, but Christ... at least PRETEND like you got hired for being a good retail employee.

 

[charliehustle]

As I said: It's a conspiracy!


Look, they don't all know everything that goes on at the store at all times.

I bumped into a friend who works at an Apple Store and asked her if they had any in stock that day, and she said no way. I went to the store later that day, and they had 32 GBs in stock.

When I got my iPad, I went to an Apple Store and asked for a pogo sketch. The first guy told me they don't sell them there, and the second guy told me he'll be right back with one from the back.

They aren't forced to memorize the store's stock-list when they punch in.

Move on, you're over-reacting.

my ex used to work at an apple store and they do inventory when they get a new shipment and they're updated on the computer after each sale. They're not counting grapes in a restaurant, they're iPhones with serial numbers.

She either flat out lied or didn't check the computer and lied that she did.


Go back find her name and complain to her manager!

 

[wwjbd24]

when i was waiting for mine i would call in different voices and even had my friends call in male/female so that i wouldnt be denied or have to make the hour drive for nothing

 

[fsck-y dingo]

As I said: It's a conspiracy!


Look, they don't all know everything that goes on at the store at all times.

I bumped into a friend who works at an Apple Store and asked her if they had any in stock that day, and she said no way. I went to the store later that day, and they had 32 GBs in stock.

When I got my iPad, I went to an Apple Store and asked for a pogo sketch. The first guy told me they don't sell them there, and the second guy told me he'll be right back with one from the back.

They aren't forced to memorize the store's stock-list when they punch in.

Move on, you're over-reacting.

It's amazing that you think there's nothing wrong with the situation. Of course every employee isn't going to know the store's inventory status. That's why if you don't know you ask someone else. Wow, what a concept. Are you saying that if someone walks into a place of business and asks if an item in stock, and you don't know, you'd simply say sorry we're out?

There's a nice person in the back room of the store who happens to know the inventory status. If this person didn't know the answer that's who she should have talked with.

It sounds like she wanted to reserve one for a friend or family member.

What ever the case I'm glad you were able to get your iPhone dsm2gst.

 

[Surely]

my ex used to work at an apple store and they do inventory when they get a new shipment and they're updated on the computer after each sale. They're not counting grapes in a restaurant, they're iPhones with serial numbers.

She either flat out lied or didn't check the computer and lied that she did.


Go back find her name and complain to her manager!

I guess this particular employee didn't have the inventory computer installed in her brain yet, which updates her knowledge of inventory levels in real-time.

I'm not defending her laziness, I'm just saying that they don't know inventory levels off-hand. She absolutely should have checked if she didn't know.

For all we know, when she began her shift, they didn't have any iPhones in stock. Perhaps the iPhones arrived after she started working, and didn't find out about it.

But, she should have checked when asked instead of making an assumption.

It's amazing that you think there's nothing wrong with the situation. Of course every employee isn't going to know the store's inventory status. That's why if you don't know you ask someone else. Wow, what a concept. Are you saying that if someone walks into a place of business and asks if an item in stock, and you don't know, you'd simply say sorry we're out?

There's a nice person in the back room of the store who happens to know the inventory status. If this person didn't know the answer that's who she should have talked with.

It sounds like she wanted to reserve one for a friend or family member.

It's a conspiracy!

Seriously, read my subsequent posts. You'll see that I'm not defending her laziness.

Amazing!

 

[wjlafrance]

Come to think of it, I'd be very, very surprised if they didn't have live inventory on their iPads. I've been there often enough with various issues and for various systems that I know each and every iPad-lugging employee can check someone in for a Genius Bar appointment and that the iPod guys can check you out and print your receipt wirelessly. I'd be surprised if Apple wrote all that point of sale code and forgot to put in an interface with their inventory system.