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How the Apple Store Lost Its Luster

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Re: How the Apple Store Lost Its Luster

#101

Post by pwinnski »

burtonator wrote: post #51

One main reason the stores anger me is that they're actively disincentivezed to develop PWAs (progress web apps) or cross-platform technologies. The App Store makes Apple billions. By locking you down they get the ability to get a cut of your app. If you could install a mobile app directly from the web, they're cut out of the loop. They also can't use it as a system of control to block apps they dislike. I agree that…

What does this have to do with the retail stores that are the focus of this article?

Re: How the Apple Store Lost Its Luster

#102

Post by timdorr »

itronitron wrote: post #7
derefr wrote: post #3

I’ve also noticed the “it’s impossible to actually buy anything” problem with Apple Stores, especially in stores that get any appreciable amount of foot traffic. (Where I live there is at least one Apple Store in a mall that hardly anyone visits, and that one is just fine for service.) However—and I’m not saying this as a defense, just as an interesting fact—at one point when I was waiting around trying to get the at…

store pickup is very convenient, although Best Buy and Home Depot have an even better service as you don't have to install an app or use Apple Pay

Actually, the thing that really makes them superior is that they have a dedicated pick-up area in the store. You know exactly where to go and you can get out of there quickly.

With the Apple Store I'm just walking into a big room full of busy people. I have zero idea of who the hell I'm actually supposed to talk to or where to go get the thing I paid for.

Re: How the Apple Store Lost Its Luster

#103

Post by lowlevel »

itronitron wrote: post #7
derefr wrote: post #3

I’ve also noticed the “it’s impossible to actually buy anything” problem with Apple Stores, especially in stores that get any appreciable amount of foot traffic. (Where I live there is at least one Apple Store in a mall that hardly anyone visits, and that one is just fine for service.) However—and I’m not saying this as a defense, just as an interesting fact—at one point when I was waiting around trying to get the at…

store pickup is very convenient, although Best Buy and Home Depot have an even better service as you don't have to install an app or use Apple Pay

Yes. Picking up items at an Apple store still subjects you to mall parking hell, walking through the mall, finding Waldo to fetch your item and paying. I'de say pickup at Bestbuy or Home Depot is infinitely better... pickup desk generally at front of store.. ample parking steps away... in and out.

Re: How the Apple Store Lost Its Luster

#104

Post by pvg »

Swizec wrote: post #62
sombremesa wrote: post #46

I went to buy a brand new laptop at the Apple Store, and despite knowing exactly what I wanted I had to wait for at least 20 minutes - when I walked in, I was told to wait until an associate was free (whereas in most stores I could just grab a product off the shelf and go check out), then I was ping-ponged around at least 2 other people (both of whom I had to wait for - 'just hang around this area and we'll send some…

Where was this? I’ve noticed most apple stores are super friendly and fast all over the world. But their San Francisco flagship store is utter shit. Understaffed, too small, absolutely mobbed by people. And it makes sense, it’s a single store serving a city of 900,000 people with millions driving in every morning for work. They desperately need more locations. The Palo Alto store, for example, is pure delight. I’ve h…

it’s a single store serving a city of 900,000 people

There are three Apple stores in SF proper and a couple just across the bay.

Re: How the Apple Store Lost Its Luster

#105

Post by pwinnski »

maxxxxx wrote: post #27

I think part of it is that Apple doesn’t have many interesting new products. I used it be excited about iPhones or iPads but now they just release variations if the same thing I know already pretty well. Why go to a store? And the wait times for support are way too long.

> Why go to a store? And the wait times for support are way too long.

"Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded."

Re: How the Apple Store Lost Its Luster

#106

Post by [deleted] »

atonse wrote: post #4

My biggest complaint about the Apple Store is the long wait times when your computer breaks. You often have to wait for a few days to even get an appointment. But the award for the most asinine thing about the Apple Store is their insistence on not having a proper area to pay for things. So people just wander around wanting to buy something and not knowing where to pay for it. And they end up wasting a lot more time…

[deleted]

Re: How the Apple Store Lost Its Luster

#107

Post by celticninja »

smnscu wrote: post #92
celticninja wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In the UK, John Lewis, Curry's, PC world. At the least you can ask someone to get one from the stock room for you and you can have it and be on your way within 10 minutes. I bought my last laptop from John Lewis in about 5 mins of entering the store.

This comparison is almost not fair. I've recently moved back to the UK and experienced John Lewis for the first time. Now I almost try to avoid buying from Amazon if I can help it, I can't believe how good the shopping experience is there. Also, they price match most online retailers if I remember/understood correctly which is insane.

Yeah and they do a great extended warranty as standard, the others I mention will increase check out time to hassle you to buy their warranty. John Lewis has it as standard and their returns is very customer focused

Re: How the Apple Store Lost Its Luster

#108

Post by Kpourdeilami »

oldjokes wrote: post #19

I went in a few months to get a hardware thing fixed with an appointment set and nobody helped me. I waited for like 10 minutes past by appointment time and everyone was booked up. I tried pestering people but everyone was helping someone else and asked me to wait for another associate. Eventually I gave up and left the store. I'm sure their analytics never even noticed me, their data says I just never showed up for…

I have also had a bad experience with repairs. Took my laptop in for the first time for keyboard repair, when I got it back they had damaged the screen and some brown hues where randomly popping up on it (its apparently caused by leaving dust inside when assembling the laptop). I took it in the second time and they replaced the screen but didn't tighten the screws inside properly and now my screen wobbles a bit

Re: How the Apple Store Lost Its Luster

#109

Post by simonh »

Lost it's lustre (headline) = So spectacularly successful, they're swamped with customers and can't keep up with the demand (long waits described in text).

Illustrated by a picture of an almost empty Apple store.

Re: How the Apple Store Lost Its Luster

#110

Post by jchw »

I was at the Valley Fair Apple Store in Santa Clara to pick up an order recently. It was very busy; a bit uncomfortably so, but to my surprise I was helped quickly and went in and out.

Afterwards, there was a survey, which is not surprising. Knowing Apple, they probably do pay attention to the survey results. If some Apple Stores are having issues, I’m guessing they should know...

My only real complaint is just how packed they get. I was sure I’d be waiting forever to reach an employee.

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