Apple stores getting close to overload

The trouble with Apple's stores

At least in my experience is that they're so bloody crowded. I wouldn't even bother going into either of Manchester's stores at the weekend or close to the Christmas holidays because I'll have my sense of order buggered.

Not sure I will use an Apple Store again tbh

A few weeks back I was in an Apple store in Minneapolis - could I get served? Nope. After 20 mins or so one the oh so friendly staff came over to me and said some one will be with me in 10 mins, 20 minutes later I walked out having given up.

Whilst I waited I observed that the staff were demoing the kit, talking and being friendly etc etc but that the actual customer turnaround was pretty low. I knew what I wanted as it was a present for my wife, didn't need the sales talk and actually wanted to hand over my card and get an iPad in return.

On my way out of the store I was asked by another Apple crowd control person whether I managed to make the purchase I wanted, when I said no and that service was actually completely rubbish for people who want to make a purchase rather than play around with the goods first - he didn't have a clue what to say.

So I went to Target around 5 minutes away and bought what I wanted from a very helpful member of staff in around 5 minutes.

I like Apple stores, they are shiny and they do show off the kit well, but from my pov they are not actually geared up to taking money off customers and then getting the customer out of the store. The staff may be happy and paid well and good on them, but put in a reasonable number of customers and it all seems to go to pieces.

I seriously dislike Apple, but every time I walk past their stores in Newcastle or Manchester they're both packed.

They're paid that low so they become ripe candidates for recruitment add double agents.

RAMMED

I was in the Apple Store in Liverpool One today to have a repair done and despite booking an appointment, it took them 45 minutes to get to me. Seriously rammed, couldn't move at all for punters standing around.

It is interesting that Apple have adopted the non-commission policy. This policy is used by John Lewis - it is the main reason that so many people find shopping there so pleasant. In most other retailers, there is a hideous push to sell. Yes, Dixons/Currys, I am looking at you.

Talking to sales staff at John Lewis, many of the older ones have moved there from other retailers. Their happiness to have escaped the pressure sales thing is one thing. They also uniformly comment that they sell more, simply because they are free to connect the customer to the things they actually want, rather than the managers-push-of-the-week.

edinburgh the no apple

Odd indeed, considering the next 'civilisation' down south; Geordieland, has two. One in Newcastle and one in the Metrocentre.

Is it Apple thinks the famous thrifty Scots are sensible and won't part with their cash for what they know is overpriced? Or are the Geordies too easy to fleece?

Funny, I would think

That the average revenue per customer was rather more related to the high *price* of Apple products than the high *value*.

wth

take away the spin, and look at the more likely reality

the stores are busy because...the store are also service centers.

it doesn't just work, any goon in it knows this, it will never just work, because - users.

the revenue/staff is simply a nice way to hide the fact.

likely the revenue per staff discounts the service center aspect and so their model looks better.

is seems obvious to point out, but, apple pride themselves on appearance over quality.

i have zero doubt that this attitude extends to their accounting, etc.

The problem is space.

Many Apple stores are now too small. I frequent Brent Cross shopping centre regularly and often pop into the store there. Since Christmas last year the store has generally been jammed solid. The only time there appears to be any space is just after opening time.

It's the same in the Birmingham store and to a slightly lesser degree in Westfield (east & west) and Covent Garden.

As for Regent Street - it's the internet cafe of the world.

Good example

Having briefly worked for a PC retail chain, for once Apple aren't actually being sinister and evil (at least on the face of it). The people there also know their stuff.

At least the Apple stores employees don't pressurise the customer and don't try to upsell to more powerful/expensive computers in order to force the customer over their budget so they have to use HP like I know happens at certain retailers (certainly in my experience, getting people onto HP resulted in extra commission).

Although the staff do appear like they've been brainwashed by some sort of cult. Rather than than the awful types I worked with who would have sold their own grandmother for a few quid extra commission.

Raises at Foxconn ?

Oh, forgot, they're Chinese. Carry on.

Salisbury Store

Is not an apple store its a reseller.

Ignored

> "Apple approach make sure customer is treated in friendly manner"

Not my experience; like some trendy bars, I find I am ignored while everyone else gets served. On more than one occasion I have waited for several minutes hoping to get someone's attention, and then given up and gone home.

Disney need to stop selling cheap garbage at inflated prices

Disney are abusing their brand by sourcing their unimaginative toys from Chinese lowest bidder manufacturers. The resulting subpar toys are then sold at stratospheric prices that people seem to accept because it is "Disney" (well and Mickey Mouse copyright legislation ensuring nobody else can sell a better mouse nearly 83 years on).

I'd venture that if Disney conducted some market research they would find that most customers at their stores do not equate the Disney store with quality. One day that will bite them.

tl;dr Disney needs to improve its subpar merchandise offerings before attempting to improve its delivery.

Artificial Scarcity?

Apple are geniuses at using artificial scarcity as a marketing tool. What better way of hyping a new shiny thing than have idiots queuing up for days to be the first to get it "just in case it runs out". The same is true of the stores, make them look full & make the staff look busy. I seriously doubt that the stores are as busy as they make out.

The other day I had to get quite grumpy in the store when they refused to honour the appointment I had made citing that they were too busy. When I complained to the manager another appointment magically opened up, I was "Very Lucky" according to the staff - my arse, they had contingency appointments that they didn't want to give out so they could look busy.

Really, you shouldn't have to shout at people in a shop to let them have £120 for doing a 2 minute job.

backwards Scots?

Maybe the reason Edinburgh doesn't have an Apple Store is that we as a nation have generally embraced on-line retail more so than other places.

I mean its either blowing a gale, freezing, pelting with rain or snowing so why venture outdoors? The only time we potentially get any sun is July when half the nation is off to Magaluf to get some guaranteed sun.

THOUGH IT STICKS.....

in my throat, they have a product that sells, a decent wage and no hard sell to flog you something you don't need or want or what their bosses are trying to push on to you.

Good on you.