Microsoft Attempting to Lure Away Apple Retail Store Staff?

[MH01]

The market has spoken. Actually, the market has already been saturated. The PMP market is now on the downward slide. Apple harvested the crop and now Microsoft is showing up a year later to pick up the scraps.

The point is not whether the Zune HD is a good device for what it is. The point is that what it is is not what people are looking for going forward. It's a product for yesterday's market. Typical Microsoft "Hey, we want some of that!" and then showing up when everyone else is packing up and turning off the lights.

And we can argue about it all day, but ultimately the sales numbers will do the talking. And I can't imagine the Zune HD will sell in numbers worth talking about. Only time will tell.



Ah, the audiophile PMP market. Why, that ought to net Microsoft hundreds of Zune HD sales!

hmmm when you buy a product do you base it on personal needs or what is happening in the market?

Thank god Apple did not throw in the towel back in 1997 when it was insignificant in a saturated PC market. Competition is a great thing, I am really happy that Sony and M$ are pushing Apple, this will only result in better Apple products in the future.

 

[hugodrax]

Wow you got to be kidding. Turning down doubling your salary because of loyalty is foolish.

They would lay your ass off quick if they need to. Anyone turning down a good offer is a fool.

 

[*LTD*]

I am actually hoping for quality products to compete with the ipods so apple can get off their ass and start innovating instead of just preaching about it. Look at the september ipod keynote, damn lame from a hardware point of view, they just pushed the cash cow that is the app store. I am hoping that the Zune HD does well so apple starts bring some real innovation back to ipods instead of capacity bumps.

I can certainly understand your concerns. The September iPod event, while it did bring some new things to the table, was a bit unexciting when it came to the iPods. Part of this is doe to the reality that the iPhone and similar multifinction devices are replacing dedicated devices. And part of it might also be due to Apple resting on its laurels.

The problem with the Zune HD is that it's a single-function device in a dying market. Unless MS does something much more with it, don't expect it to do anything vis-a-vis the iPod Touch. The iPod Touch itself, is slowly receding into the background, unless it can manage to duplicate certain phone functions at much cheaper cost, which I don't see happening.

We'll see the new Nano do quite well, though. It has the form factor on its side.

 

[hugodrax]

I didn't say that Apple's goal wasn't to make money. But what I did say was that the people that work for Apple Retail work there for one of a few reasons:

(1) They are passionate about Apple as a brand, and what it stands for.
(2) They work for Apple just to acquire a paycheck.
(3) A combination of both.

I like to believe that the majority of Apple's employees go for No. (3). It's true that some of the employees there only work at Apple for the paycheck -- those are usually the associates involved when you hear about the rare, bad experiences at the Apple Store. And more than likely, if anyone was to leave Apple for Microsoft, it'd be these people.

But those who are so passionate about Apple, that even their lives are affected to the point that they'd always stand up for it, it's those people that Microsoft wants. And simply put, they won't get them -- because these people care about Apple more so than perhaps anything else.

Everyone has a price. I hear Apple pays pretty poorly. Don't tell me that someone who has bills, family will not take a good offer on the table. IF Microsoft comes and offers a 300% increase in salary with good bonus etc.. I seriously doubt they will turn it down.

Its only a job folks.

 

[Mattie Num Nums]

I think you misunderstood.

Always funny when a Fanboy is proven wrong in one of there points they come up with a lame excuse.

never mind the fact that person after person has pointed out that what Microsoft is doing is a standard practice done by multiple companies including apple.
It is a safe bet when Apple started their stores they stole mangers from other electronic stores. Same as microsoft is doing. People are making a huge deal because Apple stores happen to be one of them.

This is normal just the fanboys and media try to make a big deal out of nothing and refuse to report the truth that it is a standard practice. I mean they know fanboys will rant and rave over it. Easy add sells playing off the stupidity of people out there.

I agree Rodimus. I have no problem proving him wrong. I like Apple, worked their for years they are responsible for helping my career take off however, I am not blind. Apple has changed in the last 3 years since the iPhone came out and its not for the better. Apple is no longer a computer company looking to change computing, and innovate. Apple is a power hungry company that is trying to take over the consumer market. Just like many technical avenues, Apple is thriving on clever marketing and a great fad. I dont believe Apple will be able to hold this up because they have sent a big F you to their loyal base in exchange for their new base.

 

[*LTD*]

I dont believe Apple will be able to hold this up because they have sent a big F you to their loyal base in exchange for their new base.

So when will the numbers show this, so you can actually be right? Because Apple is posting record quarter after record quarter, and not just with iPhones . . . in a recession. And the rest of 2009 looks very bright. You'd better inform Apple's user base (who is reponsible for Apple's numbers) that they're doing something wrong or tell them they're about to be in for a surprise or some such nonsensical thing.

And who exacly is Apple's "loyal base" - and how is that you're more loyal than anyone else, and exactly what percentage of total sales is this "loyal base" responsible for? I've been an Apple enthusiast since 1994. I sure hope I can get an "Apple loyal base" membership card, too!

 

[Target362]

If I worked for Apple and Microsoft offered me a job that paied more, and got better benefits, I'd take Microsoft. (I like both Apple and Microsoft, but even if I only liked apple, my point still stands: If MS offered more, I'd take them.

Remember, while there are people who have a passion of what they do, most rather work at a place that offers better pay, as well as better benefits.

From my 19 years of life so far I had two jobs. first was Mcdonalds, which was a dud. My store's management sucked and they offered their crew no benefits (only management got that)

My second and current one is Target. I'm making $8.75 (as opsoed to under $8.40 of the current Min. Wadge. (I left mcdonalds before min wadge went up to 8.40) an hour PUSHING CARTS. (AKA manual labor) I worked labor day and got time and a half. Been pulling in close to $450 and more every two weeks as opposed to 150-250 when i worked at Mcdonalds. Sure its tiough work, and Frankly i'd rather be working at Costco (whos pay and bennfients tops most other places out there, and this is from a family member whos been working there for over 10 years) but for right now its a job and I' like it. Yes I know I could go to school, get a degree and get a high paying job, but thats something of a personal note. I like Retal and thats where I'm going to stay.

 

[ericinboston]

That's completely different, you're talking about the top of the business where the attention is focused....

Exactly my point...Walter101 throws out these broad generalizations about how the business world works...and I replied with an example of how it DOES NOT work. My reply, accurate in its writing, was to show him how wrong he is by making broad generalizations. I did, however, go back and add "and/or in some situations" to clarify what I meant by "businesses"...I meant "businesses" not only in a company (Apple, Best Buy, whoever) but in a business "model" or "practice" or "methodology".

 

[seven2k7]

Poaching staff is same thing as stealing staff. Apple can have them sign NDAs before they leave as a precaution to protect Apple trade secrets and as a warning to MS.

This move means Microsoft is really desperate.

HAHA..For real? The employee is quitting and leaving they dont have to sign anything. As a former Apple retail employee I would go. Apple retail is all about the customer. Pay is waayyy low. And it is not paradise to work there. They make you believe it is. Look at the turnover rate at the store. Do you see the same staff you did 6 months ago?

 

[Bregalad]

I can't help but think that paying higher salaries while earning lower margins than Apple is a recipe for losing money. Of course Microsoft has gotten very good at losing money in the last decade. Office and professional services are the only parts of the company that actually make significant profit while all the rest are either marginally successful or running in the red.

 

[mdgolom]

Apple can have them sign NDAs before they leave as a precaution to protect QUOTE]

Apple would need them to sign an NDA before they decide to leave. Once they've made th decision to leave, there's no incentive to sign one. I'm not sure you can say "sign this or we're not giving you your last check".

 

[theneweyes]

http://gizmodo.com/5322328/leak-ins...ll+sized-screens-and-the-answers-bar/gallery/

 

[Target362]

Poaching staff is same thing as stealing staff. Apple can have them sign NDAs before they leave as a precaution to protect Apple trade secrets and as a warning to MS.

This move means Microsoft is really desperate.

Not if they quit. Like Seven said, if they quit they are no longer part of the company. People have free will, if an apple employee wants to work at Microsoft they can very well do so. Theres nothing Apple can do about it. This is not Hitler era.

 

[flottenheimer]

Cool.
I'm switching to Windows the day MS opens a store in Denmark. My first question at the WindowsGuruBar will be "How do I run Mac software on my PC?"

 

[Target362]

Apple would need them to sign an NDA before they decide to leave. Once they've made th decision to leave, there's no incentive to sign one. I'm not sure you can say "sign this or we're not giving you your last check".

Not if the employee chooses to leave with out notice. While thats not the best practice, there are people who do such a thing.

Plus, even if they did give notice, they do not have to sign it. Apple can't sue, because theres no law broken (yet) whats apple going to do? Have steve jobs lock the employee up and torture them in to signing it? please

 

[La Porta]

I'm not sure how Apple has said "F you" to any old users. I've been one since I was 5 years old in 1988. I have no complaints, short of the hype of iPods/iPhones over Macs. Eventually, things will balance out.

By the way, I am totally going to have Windows 7 loaded on my MBP, and then waltz in there and demand that they fix something while running Boot Camp. I want to see what happens.

 

[Target362]

Cool.
I'm switching to Windows the day MS opens a store in Denmark. My first question at the WindowsGuruBar will be "How do I run Mac software on my PC?"

I can bet you the microsoft store, unlike the apple store will help people who have a minor issue right away.

My macbook enter key poped off and I went to the apple store for them to fix it and they wanted me to wait 3 hours. I said I'll just go to the Mac Store (a local authorized apple retailer) and the dumb girl said "they might not be authorized, blah blah blah and we aqre the only legal ones to do it.. I told her nope they ARE authorized and even went to a mac and went to the mac stores website to prove it and she got all pissy and stormed off. .

I went to the mac store, they fixed it in like what? 5 seconds? I was out by the time this woman exited starbucks and walk in the mac store (the starbucks is like 12 feet from the mac store) Had lunch at Chipotle Mexican Grail and went on my day

 

[Target362]

By the way, I am totally going to have Windows 7 loaded on my MBP, and then waltz in there and demand that they fix something while running Boot Camp. I want to see what happens.

I have windows 7 RC1 installed on my mac and it runs fine. Better then vista did

 

[bruinsrme]

Cool.
I'm switching to Windows the day MS opens a store in Denmark. My first question at the WindowsGuruBar will be "How do I run Mac software on my PC?"

Well, according to Apple's EULA, running OSX on a non-apple branded computer is illegal.
So I don't get why you would ask that.

 

[aristobrat]

From reading articles on the blogs, Apple Retail employees sign NDAs as part of their orientation, before they actually start "real" work in the store.

Apple would need them to sign an NDA before they decide to leave.

Not if the employee chooses to leave with out notice. While thats not the best practice, there are people who do such a thing.

Plus, even if they did give notice, they do not have to sign it. Apple can't sue, because theres no law broken (yet) whats apple going to do? Have steve jobs lock the employee up and torture them in to signing it? please

 

[La Porta]

I can bet you the microsoft store, unlike the apple store will help people who have a minor issue right away.

My macbook enter key poped off and I went to the apple store for them to fix it and they wanted me to wait 3 hours. I said I'll just go to the Mac Store (a local authorized apple retailer) and the dumb girl said "they might not be authorized, blah blah blah and we aqre the only legal ones to do it.. I told her nope they ARE authorized and even went to a mac and went to the mac stores website to prove it and she got all pissy and stormed off. .

I went to the mac store, they fixed it in like what? 5 seconds? I was out by the time this woman exited starbucks and walk in the mac store (the starbucks is like 12 feet from the mac store) Had lunch at Chipotle Mexican Grail and went on my day

That honestly sounds more like a pissy girl issue than anything else. Those are quite common in most aspects of life, not just Mac repair.

 

[Target362]

Well, according to Apple's EULA, running OSX on a non-apple branded computer is illegal.
So I don't get why you would ask that.

He didnt say OSX now did he. He said mac software. Could be anything. Quicktime, itunes, Saffari, ilife, iwork etc.

or even 3rd party mac software.

FWIW, Apple Retail employees sign NDAs as part of their orientation, before they actually start "real" work in the store.

your source? I believe you are right (makes logic sense) but unless you provide a source, its just talk

 

[Target362]

That honestly sounds more like a pissy girl issue than anything else. Those are quite common in most aspects of life, not just Mac repair.

PMS?

na, this one store seems to have management and team member issues. Some are real great, others just pairaiord. (I know not all apple stores are like that, so before you say that, just know I already know )

 

[aristobrat]

From my 19 years of life so far I had two jobs. first was Mcdonalds, which was a dud. My store's management sucked and they offered their crew no benefits (only management got that)

My second and current one is Target. I'm making $8.75 (as opsoed to under $8.40 of the current Min. Wadge. (I left mcdonalds before min wadge went up to 8.40) an hour PUSHING CARTS. (AKA manual labor) I worked labor day and got time and a half. Been pulling in close to $450 and more every two weeks as opposed to 150-250 when i worked at Mcdonalds.

FWIW, the 35¢/hour extra you make at Target vs McDonald's (had you stayed) would have only increased your paycheck by $28 every two weeks (assuming you worked the same amount of hours at both places).

What sucks about McDonald's is that the vast majority of them are independently franchised, which essentially makes them "small businesses", which seem to be the worst at being able to give decent benefits to the employees.

Huge employers, like Target, Walmart, Starbucks are in an entirely different ballgame.

Glad you've found something that works for you.

 

[aristobrat]

your source? I believe you are right (makes logic sense) but unless you provide a source, its just talk

Like a bunch of folks here, I've worked for Apple Retail. (And McDonald's, both McOpCo and franchised) No Target, although if I need another PT job, they're pretty high on the list.