Tim Cook's Plan to Sell More iPhones in Apple Stores Could Be Tough Task

[theheadguy]

Because they get spiffs from the other companies?

Maybe Apple should try that with some of their billions?

The current design is a timeless classic based on BRAUN design principles.

The average consumer only cares so much about "timeless classic designs based on BRAUN design principles" when buying an electronic device. You might care a whole lot, but that won't restore the sales numbers.

Plenty of choices for larger, plastic, different shape etc. out there.

You're absolutely right, and people are purchasing based on their freedom of choice. Apple has to figure out what to do about that.

 

[wingzero0135132]

Apple stores are busy?

At least not in Vancouver, Canada. I see more people wearing blue shirt than other in Richmond centre and Oakridge mall..

 

[InfernoShade]

Either way, Tim needs to make the Apple store appeal as a place to buy iPhones, not just service them.

No kidding. So thanks for repeating the obvious. That's the point of this article and I'm sure Tim has already known this and has been thinking about this way before this silly report.

This article is so silly. It speculates Tim would like 50%. Way to make up a number.

 

[monkor]

Turn each Apple Store into a Gladiator arena, choose weapons upon entry.

Only the worthy leave with iPhones.

Most just leave...empty hand-less!

Congestion solved, you're welcome Apple.

 

[appleisking]

Maybe Apple should try that with some of their billions?

Cuz Apple doesn't need to? It's doing just fine in case you haven't noticed.

 

[BSben]

I went in to an Apple store to buy an iPhone (unlocked) without activating service of any sort and it literally took me 45 minutes. First I had to wait for someone to help me, then I had to wait for them to get someone to get the product, then I had to wait to get the product, then when I got the product they had to open it and activate it. They literally could have just handed me a phone and been done with it but yet it was instead the worst experience I have ever had in a store just due to the amount of time it took to do something so simple

First you say there was no activation service included, but later in your text you say it had been activated in the store for you....
Anyway, my experience was very different. Buying an iPhone in an Apple store took about five minutes including paying with gift card and the rest with debit card.

 

[tasset]

Some of you are really unreasonable. Complaining about having to wait for 45 minutes to check out. Heck some complained about waiting for 15 minutes. I feel bad for servers who wait on you guys. Im sorry but you need to learn to be patient. Going to the carriers takes a long time as well. People are there to buy things, not just you. The world does not revolve around you.

This is true, if I would go into the Apple store expecting this given the process requires check-ins with the carrier to upgrade a contract or start a new one. The carriers are the bottleneck pure and simple. If the iPhone were like a cellular iPad with activation of the plan this would not be an issue. But it is, so I unfortunately go the my service provider to upgrade and am left with no choice but to cut Apple out of the process. Because if something goes wrong Apple employees will contact them anyways.

 

[Plutonius]

Have you ever considered why they push them to Android phones? What makes you think the sales rep are obligated to push a stale design? Because it's Apple? Not everyone froths at the mouth over the iPhone like so many people here.

The sales reps have always pushed people away from iPhones.

 

[M-O]

Have you ever considered why they push them to Android phones? What makes you think the sales rep are obligated to push a stale design? Because it's Apple? Not everyone froths at the mouth over the iPhone like so many people here.

not only are they pushed to android, they are pushed to low-end android devices. the carrier pays a lower subsidy on a cheaper phone, while the customer pays the same price for the plan. the customer thinks they are getting a great deal because the Casio Gz'One Commando is only $99 and the Galaxy S4 is $199.

They'd rather sell you a $200 phone for $99 + $99/month 2 year contract than a $700 phone for $199 + $99/month 2 year contract.

 

[GQB]

What I don't get is how anyone who has an Apple store anywhere near would even think of getting one anywhere else.
My bet is that a huge % of people who buy in the telcom outlets don't know about Apple stores, and therein lie the opportunities.

 

[BSben]

Apple stores are busy?

At least not in Vancouver, Canada. I see more people wearing blue shirt than other in Richmond centre and Oakridge mall..

Some countries have been hit harder by the recession, or maybe you have just registered to troll a bit here?

 

[ericfloorex]

I think that one of the main reasons that Apple has seen a drop in sales of iPhone from their stores is because there simply are not enough stores out there. I live in an area of 3 pretty large cities (the population from all three = around 500,000 people not to mention the people who live further away) and the closest Apple store is no less than an hour drive away, however there are at least two Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile stores in each city. As stated in the article Apple only has 250 retail stores where as phone carriers have over 10,000 stores. In my opinion, if Apple wants to fix this problem, the first step they should take is to place more stores everywhere. Then instead of going to your phone provider (to buy an iPhone), who might suggest that you purchase a different phone than an iPhone, people would go the Apple store and buy an iPhone.

 

[wingzero0135132]

Some countries have been hit harder by the recession, or maybe you have just registered to troll a bit here?

Well, maybe we have 5 Apple stores in our metro area. Downtown, Oakridge, Metrotown, Richmond, and Coquitlam.

I am an Apple stock holder and I felt more worry about those stores... Like why can't they just let Bestbuy or Futureshop handle it?

 

[powers74]

I mean I'm gonna have to drive 2hrs to get to the nearest Apple store. But I'm going to get it online anyway. Or used. I don't buy new **** full price. That game's for fools.

 

[Paulsukhu]

The Apple stores don't sell the unlocked "un-subsidized" for several months after the launch of a new model. (at least in the US) That means that the Apple stores only carry the carrier version of the phones for highest sales months of a new model.

Like others said on here, why bother with the hassle of visiting a super crowded Apple store when only carrier specific models are offered. It is also nice to deal directly with a carrier representative if you also want to make changes to your plan...something important for people switching to the iPhone for the first time.

That being said, let's see if the unlocked iPhone 5S is sold from the first day of launch in the US. That could be the difference this year and a product unique to Apple stores...and maybe also T-Mobile stores.

 

[jonAppleSeed]

Some of you are really unreasonable. Complaining about having to wait for 45 minutes to check out. Heck some complained about waiting for 15 minutes. I feel bad for servers who wait on you guys. Im sorry but you need to learn to be patient. Going to the carriers takes a long time as well. People are there to buy things, not just you. The world does not revolve around you.

I walk out of stores if I don't get service in the first 5 minutes.
You might think it's unreasonable, but there are plenty of other stores willing to take my money.

 

[bassfingers]

Have you ever considered why they push them to Android phones? What makes you think the sales rep are obligated to push a stale design? Because it's Apple? Not everyone froths at the mouth over the iPhone like so many people here.

Commission, primarily. Or maybe that urge to be different for the sake of being different. Like that one friend you have that thinks he's really cool for saying that the Dark Night is "just okay". And in my experience, the uninformed buyer who walks out with Android instead of iPhone regrets it.

It's easy to wow with pointless gimmicky features, but most people eventually realize they just want something that works consistently and is compatible with their favorite apps.

 

[robjulo]

Dude, they push them to specific items not based on personal preference. It's all based on money. There are different deals made with manufacturers so they make different amounts of money off the sale. It's not because joe salesman likes something. So don't get all bent out of shape with your "frothing at the mouth".

Cite?

 

[madsci954]

A big factor in that is Apple stores are few and far between. I would personally have to drive an hour to get to one, where as an AT&T store is 5 mins away.

This. For me, the nearest Apple store is over an hour and a half away. Where as there is an AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-mobile store is like 10 minutes away. Heck 3 of them are so close, you could stand at one and easily see the other 2.

I wouldn't go to my Apple Store unless I needed service done. If I want a new iPhone, I would get it through my carrier. Unless I wanted it unlocked, I'd get it though Apple but I would order it online and have it shipped to me.

 

[asimmd]

It's true,if it was as easy to get an Apple store as it is to go to a 3rd party reseller,they may do better.

What's the betting Apple will stop resellers selling Apple stuff in the hope that we would all go to an Apple store,that's not going to happen.

Alan

 

[tbrand7]

I can never find my way to my local apple store. I always get lost. I always end up at Mcdonalds. Damn you Apple Maps!! >:O

 

[appleisking]

I walk out of stores if I don't get service in the first 5 minutes.
You might think it's unreasonable, but there are plenty of other stores willing to take my money.

Really. You can get an iphone in 5 minutes? I'd like to see that.

 

[iapplelove]

I have always bought my iPhones at an Apple store. They let you open the box instead of the carrier stores that rip the box open and power it up before even letting you see it

 

[StuBeck]

Some of you are really unreasonable. Complaining about having to wait for 45 minutes to check out. Heck some complained about waiting for 15 minutes. I feel bad for servers who wait on you guys. Im sorry but you need to learn to be patient. Going to the carriers takes a long time as well. People are there to buy things, not just you. The world does not revolve around you.

When did I talk about buying a phone? I'm talking about the broken Apple store purchasing model. Just like any store, there should be a fast track, i.e. a cash register, for those who know what they want. If it takes me 15 minutes to get through a big line, thats fine! But when I am have to sit around the store waiting for someone to notice me, that is very annoying.

For the record, whenever I go to an ATT store to buy a phone, it takes less a minute to talk to someone.

 

[bassfingers]

I walk out of stores if I don't get service in the first 5 minutes.
You might think it's unreasonable, but there are plenty of other stores willing to take my money.

And you spend 15 minutes getting to the second place with no guarantee of better service— all the while behaving like an entitled tool. What's wrong with just being cool about it?