Apple Store

[spider]

Thanks for the free test platform

I was in the Apple store in Fairview Mall the other day testing a couple of web sites I am working on for compatibility on the MAC platform when I met another guy doing the same thing. We both thank Apple for providing the free test platform accessibility. Don`t really care about the architecture or decor.

 

[confusion]

You must not realize there are sites out there that can perform browser renderings for you. You can also set up Virtual Machines with any configuration you like.

 

[threnody]

Not to mention the fact that you can run Safari on Windows.

 

[spider]

True, but neither of your solutions has an LCBO next door.

 

[syn]

Exactly what Apple Store did you go into. As annoying as salespeople can be, the ones in the Sherway Apple Store left me alone after I said I only needed new earphones and that I didn't need help. At least that was my case.

I wasn't trying to insinuate they wouldn't leave me alone. I fully expect a salesperson to ask me if I need any help when I enter a store.

What I was referring to is the fact that most of them have no idea what they're talking about. When I asked them product questions they give me some pretty poor/generic responses or blank stares.

I'd expect at the very least that salespeople have some knowledge about the product they're selling.

 

[MetroMan]

I find it as corporate as any other store.

I don't find it to be a good shopping experience for the same reason I don't find the Sony Store to be a good shopping experience - they have a lot of sales people (or "Geniuses"), but almost none of them have any idea what they're talking about.

You're not as informed as you think. The Apple Geniuses are the tech people at the Genius bar, not the ones roaming the sales floor. They're trained in depth (some even go to Cupertino, CA to get trained at Apple HQ) and as has been my experience at every Apple store where I've dealt with a Genius, they're very knowledgeable.

As for the other customer service reps walking through the store, they may or may not know how to answer all your questions but if you want to know something very specific or technical, they're usually able to get you somebody who can help.

Every store has staff specially trained in different fields (Photography experts, video guys, music specialists, etc.). There's even a business specialist that can help you with leasing options and setting up your business for Mac's.

If you go to any random dude or girl, you're at most one more step further from finding the right person to get you the right answer.

Expecting every customer service rep to have knowledge of everything you can throw at them isn't realistic. They'll know where to direct you though. Nonetheless, everyone's polite, service oriented and nobody hassles you.

 

[Brian69]

Exactly what Apple Store did you go into. As annoying as salespeople can be, the ones in the Sherway Apple Store left me alone after I said I only needed new earphones and that I didn't need help. At least that was my case.

I had a similar trouble-free visit at Sherway. I've had a love-hate relationship with Apple since the ][e came out but I have to admit they do store layout (and advertising and packaging) very well. You can play with the products and there are enough around so there's no waiting. Too often stores put out one playable copy of something popular and let customers fight for the opportunity to try it out. Apple is no dummy about consumer habits.

 

[syn]

You're not as informed as you think. The Apple Geniuses are the tech people at the Genius bar, not the ones roaming the sales floor. They're trained in depth (some even go to Cupertino, CA to get trained at Apple HQ) and as has been my experience at every Apple store where I've dealt with a Genius, they're very knowledgeable.

As for the other customer service reps walking through the store, they may or may not know how to answer all your questions but if you want to know something very specific or technical, they're usually able to get you somebody who can help.

Every store has staff specially trained in different fields (Photography experts, video guys, music specialists, etc.). There's even a business specialist that can help you with leasing options and setting up your business for Mac's.

If you go to any random dude or girl, you're at most one more step further from finding the right person to get you the right answer.

Expecting every customer service rep to have knowledge of everything you can throw at them isn't realistic. They'll know where to direct you though. Nonetheless, everyone's polite, service oriented and nobody hassles you.

The people they get to help aren't much help either. If you're selling computers, I'd expect at the bare minimum you'd be able to answer basic pricing and component questions. If the "Specialist" couldn't do it and the "Genius" couldn't give me a good answer I'd say that's pretty bad. And I was just asking them about RAM for crying out loud. They're about as bad as the salespeople at the Sony Store.

Thanks for the ad though.

 

[Tza]

I am surprised by a lot of these responses. I am an avid Apple shopper and find the customer service at both the Yorkdale and Sherway stores to be top notch. Always a pleasant experience and the Geniuses know there stuff. I am usually the kind of person who will ask what is on my mind and I always got a direct answer which I liked.

 

[MetroMan]

Tza, the only negative responses are those from a member who just generally hates Apple. When you go into a store with that attitude, you're certainly going to see everything wrong.

Apple Stores have received awards and worldwide critical acclaim for their service, sales format and design.

 

[digi]

^ Fanboy ^

 

[MetroMan]

^What are you 5?^

What's with the name calling?

So what I like Apple? Why does this have to turn into an Apple versus MS debate? This is about the Apple Store coming to Bloor st. and so far most people here seem happy about it.

 

[syn]

Tza, the only negative responses are those from a member who just generally hates Apple. When you go into a store with that attitude, you're certainly going to see everything wrong.

Apple Stores have received awards and worldwide critical acclaim for their service, sales format and design.

Of course. It's my fault the employees couldn't answer some basic RAM questions. How dare I go into the store with the attitude that sales people and "Geniuses" should be able to provide competent answers to basic component & pricing questions?

I should've just accepted whatever they told me, spent whatever they asked, then apologized for wasting their precious time. Anything else means I hate them and have a bad attitude.

 

[jks]

^Dude, calm down, he's just trying to explain that this doesn't happen all the time. Every person I know that went to the Apple Store has had a generally* positive experience. If the geniuses couldn't answer basic questions, that's not normal, and maybe you should complain.
But...how can you possibly know that every single sakesperson is like that. Maybe you just had bad luck, that's all.

*lol price! You gotta pay for quality items.

 

[syn]

^Dude, calm down, he's just trying to explain that this doesn't happen all the time. Every person I know that went to the Apple Store has had a generally* positive experience. If the geniuses couldn't answer basic questions, that's not normal, and maybe you should complain.
But...how can you possibly know that every single sakesperson is like that. Maybe you just had bad luck, that's all.

*lol price! You gotta pay for quality items.

Well no, that's what not he's trying to explain. What he's suggesting is really quite ridiculous when you think about it. No one can ever have any sort of bad experience in an Apple store...but if someone does, it's because of their own bad attitude.

I'm not even saying it was necessarily bad, overall, either. They were friendly and attentive. But if the staff from the store of a computer maker selling computers can't answer a basic question then I can't really consider it great service.

Sure, I may have had some uninformed staff, but I asked the question on two separate occasions and couldn't get a satisfactory answer.

I would also suggest I'm not the only person on the planet who came away from an Apple store less than satisfied.

I'm sure many people are very happy with the Apple Store and that's great. As for me, considering the investment I would've had to have made, I was not impressed.