Apple Retail Stores

I am a dedicated Mac user.  I've been an Apple customer since about 1980 when I got an Apple II.  But, unlike John Daley, I've never had a good experience in an Apple retail store, especially not at the "Genius Bar."

First off, it should be called the Hairy Social Misfit bar.  I've found long lines, surly staff, bad social skills and general condescension at those help desks in two stores.  The staff there have a bad mix of attributes seemingly drawn from Starbucks employees, Goths, and the high school A/V room, which I assume doesn't exist anymore.

In three stores, including those two, I've found sales staff just slightly smarter than the ones at CompUSA - not hard to be.  In one store, I found incorrect labelling and pricing which, when brought to the manager's attention, elicited "Yeah, you're right, but those are the signs they give us."  Nothing like attention to detail.

Thus, I dislike the stores.  I love the products, but I buy online.  If you don't have a Mac, you should get one.  Just not there.

Comments

[Kevin]

My good frieind is a "genius" and I start employment with Apple next week. I know that there is no place that I have ever been completely satisfied 100% of the time. The higher your expectations, the bigger the possible dissapointment. I have been in sales and customer service for a while and here are a few things to keep in mind. Things change and you don't always know. Communication lapses. People get busy. Everyone has a limit to their knowledge. People get shittty with other people, don't take it personal on either side, who the hell cares. Nobody is perfect, no not even those whom look down on "hairy social misfits". As for the convert to aac issue, Apple Support is on the website and on their toll free number, but you are right that the genius should have known. That doesn't mean every Apple associate is mentally challenged due to your bad experience.

[mario Moorhead II]

what do genii get paid in say NYC soho, cause from what I understand you get paid more if you work in a large city than a smaller surburb or town? I'm asking because I can't find anything on the Apple site that talks about salary. Other than of course "competitive salaries" whatever that means

[Chris Clarke]

As someone who's worked a variety of retail; and customer service jobs, my sympathies normally lie with the service provider in stories like this.

But as someone to whom the original poster has been unfailingly gracious despite serious political differences, I'm inclined to believe him. Even though I'm a hairy social misfit.

(and proud of it!)

[Chris Clarke]

Oh, and even though their employer is officially pure eevul, I've never noticed any particular attitude coming from Starbuck "partners." Or whatever the euphemism is there for "wage slaves." They seem in my experience to be remarkably chipper, eager to be helpful, and happy to be employed.

Maybe it's a West Coast thing: the only non-WC *$ I've been to was in a turnpike plaza outside Toledo.

[carpundit]

I appreciate Chris's comment and am grateful for his support.

By profession and life's experience, I have spend large amounts of time around people from different backgrounds and with different inclinations from my own, be they political, social, sexual, or gustatory. You pick.

I regret that I must stand by everything I've written about the Genius Bars. It's really too bad. I've been a loyal Apple guy most of my life (25/38's of it anyway).

[carpundit]

Oh, by the way, Chris Clarke may be hairy -I've never seen him- but he sure isn't a social misfit. Take a look at his blog for some examples of his writing. No one who communicates like that is misfit.

[Chris Clarke]

Am too! Am too am too am too AM TOO.