A woman in her late 40's placed an order yesterday afternoon for a 14" iBook at an Apple Store with a young employee in his early 20's. Much to her credit, she had done her homework and knew what she wanted. She opted for the 80 GB HD, doubled the RAM to I GB and wanted Applecare. The staffer then began to explain about the various benefits afforded by having a .Mac membership.
She quickly interjected, explaining that she had familiarity with the service but felt strongly most offerings would be underutilized, if used at all. She cited her straightforward needs that centered around customized CD's being burned from iTunes, internet use and corresponding with selected friends around the country.
The employee persisted and went into the whole laundry list of how she could create her own web page, post pictures, use the tutorials and save/access files from any location. She replied: "A personal web page is not important to me, I back-up my songs regularly to CD's, do not make or edit movies, take a few pictures now and then but have no need to share what little I do take."
After his .Mac sales pitch 101, he came out with a remark that made me smile. He said without laughing, "It is not my job to sell you anything you are not interested in. You ask any questions you have, tell me what you want and then your order is placed."
Oh really? Chances are good that if it looks, feels and smells like a pushy sales effort, that is what it is. Notwithstanding some mild frustration as evident by the look on her face, the woman was polite and accomodating.
I was patiently waiting for the most appropos line to be delivered, but sadly it never came: "Please tell me you know what it means when Mommy says no." Hearing that may not have made his day, but it likely would have bumped mine up a notch.
She quickly interjected, explaining that she had familiarity with the service but felt strongly most offerings would be underutilized, if used at all. She cited her straightforward needs that centered around customized CD's being burned from iTunes, internet use and corresponding with selected friends around the country.
The employee persisted and went into the whole laundry list of how she could create her own web page, post pictures, use the tutorials and save/access files from any location. She replied: "A personal web page is not important to me, I back-up my songs regularly to CD's, do not make or edit movies, take a few pictures now and then but have no need to share what little I do take."
After his .Mac sales pitch 101, he came out with a remark that made me smile. He said without laughing, "It is not my job to sell you anything you are not interested in. You ask any questions you have, tell me what you want and then your order is placed."
Oh really? Chances are good that if it looks, feels and smells like a pushy sales effort, that is what it is. Notwithstanding some mild frustration as evident by the look on her face, the woman was polite and accomodating.
I was patiently waiting for the most appropos line to be delivered, but sadly it never came: "Please tell me you know what it means when Mommy says no." Hearing that may not have made his day, but it likely would have bumped mine up a notch.