As a careful, yet curious consumer, and a fervent fan of all Apple products, I often browse their online selection of delicious products. And every now and then, I like to indulge and actually visit the store to get a little touchy feely. However, consistent with the upscale feel, the price tag continues to intimidate my inferior bank account and I always leave a little dejected. But this never deters me from returning to ooh and ahh.
As many Applemaniacs would be accustomed to, entering the under-spaced and over-staffed store leads to an automatic bombardment of offerings to help you find what you need. They have not failed to provide this treatment for me every time. Except on the one occasion where I was there to actually purchase something.
It was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, so I understand the crowd. I walked into the store expecting a Mac Genius to pounce on me, but none approached. I walked deeper into the store, and still nothing. I finally found the product I was looking for and proceeded to look confused. I finally grabbed two products that appear alike hoping someone would come and save me from my perplexity. Frustrated, I came uncomfortably close to one of the Mac Geniuses that was educating/flirting with a couple of elderly women. Rapport-building or not, the conversation between a sales representative and his customers need not exceed the customary three minutes. When he finally turned to bestow upon me his aid, I asked which product I needed for my specific Mac. His genius answer, “I don’t know. Let me ask someone else for you.” I wanted to yank his “Genius” card off his pretentious lanyard!
We finally figured out what I needed and I went to check out. I stood in a line that looked more like a herd at the bar and waited patiently. Moments later, a man carrying a portable check-out device approached me. He offered to check me out, and I ambivalently agreed. I’m used to paying at an actual counter. He scanned the product, asked for my credit card, scanned it, and offered to e-mail me my receipt. I appreciate the efficiency, but wondered cynically if I’d actually receive the receipt. And with my luck, I’d probably need it later. As it turned out, I did not get this e-mail.
Apple Store: I love you in all your splendor, but if you plan on having one store for an entire city, try harder to accommodate all your customers as you promised!
