Retail Roundup: Apple to Release 'Concierge' iPhone Application? Nashua, NH Store Opening?

[akadmon]

what are you always doing at the apple store.. really, i don't get it.. if you own a mac you may go there if it's broken.. if you don't own a mac, you go there to play with some macs.. you guys make it sound as if you go there several times a week.. but what for ?!

Who said anything about "going there several times a week"? The thing is, anyone who lives within an hour's drive (hey even two is not bad) would be plain crazy not to buy their Macs in Salem (and soon in Nashua).

NH will never agree to give up the business they get from over the border. The communists in mass.gov (who just raised the sales tax from 5 to 6.25% on most goods and from 0 to 6.25% on alcohol) be damned!

 

[TheSpaz]

Just what I need, another Apple store that is exactly the same distance as Salem, NH. (1 Hour Away)

Edit: Take that back. Nashua is 6 minutes closer! WooHoo.

I feel your pain.

There.....I narrowed it down for you!

-Kevin

Thank you, but I actually like the Portland store better than Salem.

No more having to drive (45+min) to Rockingham, that mall is a nightmare.

PLM = 25min...tops

I agree... Rockingham Mall sucks.

 

[rdrr]

<snip> The building itself is not in MA at all, however a good portion of the parking lots are, I think that even a bit of sidewalk may be as well, but not all the way up to the building. </snip>

Actually the JC Penny building during construction was found to be in MA by just a tiny margin, and they had to cut the corner off or the whole store was subject to state tax.

 

[doubleusn]

I feel your pain.



Thank you, but I actually like the Portland store better than Salem.



I agree... Rockingham Mall sucks.

Yeah the mall itself is just a PITA.

The Apple store in a central spot in the mall, but getting to it from outside could have been done better.

I just live closer to the PLM and with another NH store it will taken some heat off the over crowded Salem store and make the ocasional swap-out or genius ride that much easier. (think 1st gen UniBody Macbooks and airport...did a lot of driving that week)

There is a best buy and a MacEdge just up the road (CompUSA is gone) wonder what the Edge will do?

I hate going to Best Buy, and there Mac dept stinks, so no love lost there.

It's always crazy loud, parking there also blows, and the staff is 98% a PITA.

I use to go to Circuit next door just for the lower volume (noise) and price match (TV's etc)

 

[charlituna]

I think the app would benefit those stores where computers are hard to get hold of due to customers hogging them.

More so, this app will go perfectly with the iPod Touch's which retail staff are going to be given soon.

try now. the store at my local mall already has them.

but this app, is for us. not them. making reservations on Safari is a pain on the phone and if your computer is broken then it's nice to another option rather than calling the store, being stuck on hold etc.

and I read somewhere that you can even check yourself in when you are at the store and when it's your turn it will send an alert to your phone so if the store is really loud you won't miss them calling your name

but to keep from having to use employee time to set up appointments, etc- especially during busy months!

well if you've ever tried to flag down an employee during a store's rush hour, you'll love being able to do things yourself.

the editing shop I work for just got new computers and they got all of us those one to ones so we could brush up on our pro apps. there's one store that is a nightmare. everytime I go in and find the orange shirt, he's got like 5 cranky 'my iphone isn't working' folks around him. and if you try to nudge in they look at you like they are going to eat your face off. I just want to sign in for my lesson, geesh. 10 seconds and he's yours again. but not having it. I'd love to be able to check myself in so I hope what I heard is true

They'd be better doing an Apple Store app, that basically reformats the content of the Store website to better fit the iPhone/iPod Touch's screen - like Amazon did.

eventually they might. but this is version 1 so like Apple typically does they will want to get 90% of the kinks out before they add something else

what are you always doing at the apple store.. really, i don't get it.. if you own a mac you may go there if it's broken

well sorry to say but not everyone has the ability to download all knowledge into their brains like you have. some of us have to go for workshops, classes etc.

 

[pwrbkdude]

There is a best buy and a MacEdge just up the road (CompUSA is gone) wonder what the Edge will do?

MacEdge in Nashua closed at the beginning of September.

 

[brian doherty]

Fairly sure NH legislature passed a law making it illegal for companies to share their customers personal information with other states. They did it so Massachusetts couldn't force companies in NH to report Massachusetts residents buying stuff and charging them sales tax. Woot NH!

Also, Mac Edge down the street from the Pheasant Lane Mall closed, I think they only have one store left in Portsmouth.

I walked by the new Apple store location a few days ago, you could see the aluminum store front and glowing apple logo through the cracks in the temporary wall, I was mesmerized.

 

[Stately]

OK, so how's that going to work? Are 50 million people going to launch the app and set up a "fake" appointment with a genius just to see how that app works? I feel bad for the geniuses at the Apple Store for the next few weeks.

Or maybe the app only works on their wif-fi while you're in the store. And if that is the case, what's the point? You're there already.

I doubt very much that the app would only work in the store. If Apple is putting something out and it will benefit them as well, I'm sure it will work just fine and all they have to say is NEXT ! !

 

[Stately]

Now I can make appointments while eating in the restaurant at the mall.

 

[akadmon]

uth.

I walked by the new Apple store location a few days ago, you could see the aluminum store front and glowing apple logo through the cracks in the temporary wall, I was mesmerized.

Is there a sign saying when it will open for business?

 

[MacBoucher]

We need a Portsmouth, NH Apple Store

Excellent

Now I'll be an hour away from THREE Apple Stores now. Grrrrrrr.

Salem: Hour away
Maine: Hour away
Nashua: Hour away

Awesome

An Apple store in Portsmouth, NH would be an amazing draw for this area... Tons of Mac users, Tons of Graphic Art shops, Hi-Tech companies, and 2 major universities nearby. Tax-Free Shopping! Let's do it!

 

[doubleusn]

MacEdge in Nashua closed at the beginning of September.

I knew they moved buildings, and would I try and go there instead of Salem, but they never had that extra something they needed.

Whenever I called them, they always said we can order it, but when you want it, you want it.

Also Apple GiftCards are easier to tell family located around the country.

For the same price (Apple store gives discounts on stuff) and in stock, I would gladly have gone there. Even paid a few extra $$, to not drive, but they never seemed to have stock.

I get they were smaller and inventory costs money, but again without 'something' to offer people, it's hard to justify.

I use to go there vs CompUSA, and BestTry

Hope they do well in their other locations

 

[scottness]

For the Concierge App:

I'd like to see the ability to reserve items and have the store put everything together for you. That way I can show up at the store with my credit card and be outta there in 2 minutes. Kinda like this, but in the iPhone app.

 

[akadmon]

Hope they [MacEdge] do well in their other locations

Apparently they are I called them today to ask about having them install a new (bigger) HD in my daugher's early 2008 MBP (she's at UNH, so it would be quite convenient), and they said the'll have to keep the machine for a week Not happening. I'll try to do this on my own when she's home for Thanksgiving.

 

[flottenheimer]

Does anyone know if the 'Concierge'-app will include a new Apple Store in Copenhagen/Denmark as well?

 

[spillproof]

That already exists, and I use it. An iPhone app should be better suited to the UI limitations of that device than the current web app that is designed for non-mobile browsers.

Er, there is already a web-based system.

I should have said "A made-for-mobile web based system would be easier in my opinion."

Yes, there is already a web-based system but it is a very poor experience with an iPhone, even on Apple's wifi.

I don't know, it may just be me, but I feel that they should also create a site built for mobile browsers. It would be easier, especially for people who don't have iPhones/Touches. Try making an appointment on a Blackberry, it ain't pretty.

Apple thinks that because the iPhone can view "any*" web page that everything, including their own site, will work just like it does on a computer. BS.

 

[OS X Dude]

The communists in mass.gov (who just raised the sales tax from 5 to 6.25% on most goods and from 0 to 6.25% on alcohol) be damned!

Haha, you think you got it bad - our tax in the UK is currently 15% and goes back up to 17.5% on the 1st January!

 

[pwrbkdude]

An Apple store in Portsmouth, NH would be an amazing draw for this area... Tons of Mac users, Tons of Graphic Art shops, Hi-Tech companies, and 2 major universities nearby. Tax-Free Shopping! Let's do it!

MacEdge is down on Lafayette Rd.... not as glitzy as an Apple Store though.

 

[doubleusn]

Apparently they are I called them today to ask about having them install a new (bigger) HD in my daugher's early 2008 MBP (she's at UNH, so it would be quite convenient), and they said the'll have to keep the machine for a week Not happening. I'll try to do this on my own when she's home for Thanksgiving.

This is kinda what I meant... a week is a long time. It should take a day max.

In a commodities based market, service is what defines the value add. Them getting it done faster than you or Apple is all a dealer has for options, or keep moving to areas out of the reach of the stores.

I think a better value add would be a better idea, but they know their shop better than I, but the commodities and better service model has been proven time and time again.

 

[doubleusn]

MacEdge is down on Lafayette Rd.... not as glitzy as an Apple Store though.

Respectfully...it is for now...see Nashua.

 

[akadmon]

This is kinda what I meant... a week is a long time. It should take a day max.

I'd say it should take no more than an hour (I don't need them to transfer data!).

I know I could do this myself, but seeing that HD replacement is a little messy on this MBP, I'd rather have an authorized service shop do it for me, even though it would cost me $90 (that's assuming they let me buy the HD elsewhere). Instead, they want to put the machine out of commission for a week and also overcharge me by $50 on the HD.

With a business model like this, I say good riddance, MacEdge!

 

[pwrbkdude]

I'd say it should take no more than an hour (I don't need them to transfer data!).

I know I could do this myself, but seeing that HD replacement is a little messy on this MBP, I'd rather have an authorized service shop do it for me, even though it would cost me $90 (that's assuming they let me buy the HD elsewhere). Instead, they want to put the machine out of commission for a week and also overcharge me by $50 on the HD.

With a business model like this, I say good riddance, MacEdge!

They were going to charge you more than an hour of service labor?? EEEK. I can understand about the driving being more because anyone can go on NewEgg and buy one at wholesale, so they have to make *some* money on the drive. But yea, they should only charge you for an hour of service for sure.

 

[akadmon]

Haha, you think you got it bad - our tax in the UK is currently 15% and goes back up to 17.5% on the 1st January!

Wow, now THAT'S communism!

With taxes this high, you're better off flying to Boston, renting a car and driving to Salem to get a pair of MBPs for the Missus and yourself. Even if you decide to spend the night in the US (you really don't have to, since the flight schedules are such that you can accomplish everything in one day), you'll probably have enough left over to get seriously drunk with a few of your chums at your favorite pub after you return

 

[OS X Dude]

Wow, now THAT'S communism!

With taxes this high, you're better off flying to Boston, renting a car and driving to Salem to get a pair of MBPs for the Missus and yourself. Even if you decide to spend the night in the US (you really don't have to, since the flight schedules are such that you can accomplish everything in one day), you'll probably have enough left over to get seriously drunk with a few of your chums at your favorite pub after you return

I suppose it's for the NHS though, and other things like that...despite what other people say I like the NHS, worked wonders for my family when we needed it. So I see why they're charging the tax rate at what they are. But things in the US cost 40% less than what they do in the UK!

Besides, that's what holidays to the States and importing is for

PS - "Favorite" has a "u" in it hahahaha!

 

[xDYLANx]

Southern Oregon store please?!?!!?

Every Oregon Apple store is 4 hours away from me. And I don't love it, especially since my town only has 1 Apple reseller, and it sucks.