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New 'lounge' concept coming to future Apple Store - Page 2

post #41 of 62
10/8/10 at 4:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by walshbj View Post

The Apple Store here has been conducting sessions with customers in the common area chairs outside their store. Probably to avoid the noise and distraction inside.

Can't believe the other stores haven't complained. It's not much different than the Gap putting a rack of clothes outside their doorway.

Yeah, this store is replacing one of the first Apple Stores built and it's TINY. I agree, I can't believe the Galleria has allowed that to go on as long as it has. You see people on the first floor (the store is on the second) with geniuses giving lessons. It's kind of ridiculous. I heard about this store about 6 months ago (i used to work at this mall) and spoke with the Starbucks staff about how they were being moved to a different location so Apple could have their lounge. They were actually pretty excited about it.
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post #42 of 62
10/8/10 at 4:18pm
Brilliant! On the occasion I've had to go to a Genius appointment...I've always got there early and always been helped on time as scheduled....

I think the added space to sit and catch up on a few emails have a cup of coffee is a great idea!

Best
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post #43 of 62
10/8/10 at 4:28pm
The Aple Store in Yorkdale Mall in Toronto already has something just like described in the article. There used to be another business in front of the store. When they left, Apple bought it up. There's now like a lounge area where Apple's Genuius Bar folk will often take customers there. They have wi-fi setup there etc...
Canadian Mac user.
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Canadian Mac user.
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post #44 of 62
10/8/10 at 4:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by christopher126 View Post

Brilliant! On the occasion I've had to go to a Genius appointment...I've always got there early and always been helped on time as scheduled....

I think the added space to sit and catch up on a few emails have a cup of coffee is a great idea!

Best

For the record, the Starbucks won't actually be in the lounge space...it'll be a few doors down.
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post #45 of 62
10/8/10 at 4:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bugsnw View Post

I live a Ferry ride from Seattle. Because it's a peninsula, the local Costco, Wal-Mart, specialty food stores and restaurants do a fantastic business. You can hardly tell there's a recession out here.

Apple has umpteen stores on the Seattle side... we need a couple out here.

I'm surprised this has been overlooked. Apple, are you listening? Think Kitsap.

I had to look around after I read this to see of you were standing behind me. A store on this side of the ferry would be great. When I went to the AT&T store to see if they had the iphone 4 they offered to order it. Walked around the corner to radio shack ( fat chance I thought) and asked. Salesmans eyebrows raised and he looked at his watch, we're getting two from UPS in about an hour. Glad I was able to score one but an apple store would be nice.
Anyway, howdy neighbor!
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post #46 of 62
10/8/10 at 4:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by donlphi View Post

PERFECT EXAMPLE: I walk into the Apple Store in Bellevue, WA last weekend with my father-in-law. He grabs a 'blue shirt', introduces himself, and explains that he would like a wi-fi only 16GB iPad. He looks at my father and says, "16GG? You mind if I ask you some questions to see if you are choosing the right one?"

To give you some background, my father in-law only leaves the house once in a while. He also has every Apple product known to man, but never uses them past turning it on (ex. iPhone 3Gs & iPhone 4 with no apps and no music or videos syncing). I told this to the sales person and he just started rambling about something absolutely unrelated, like why Apple doesn't sell screen covers (screen film/scratch protection).

Needless to say, by the end of their conversation, he was holding a box with a 64GB iPad 3G/Wifi and another year of MobileMe that he doesn't use. I was pissed.

I liked it better when the sales people didn't take advantage of Apple addicts.

YEAH!? Well, how's this? My niece's MacBook was having display problems. I set up the appointment using the iPhone app, we show up and they have us wait about 15 minutes. The tech, I guy named "Tony", takes a look, says "Alright, I see the problem. Let me draw up the trouble ticket." He does so, takes the computer and says, "We'll call in you 5-7 days. Oh, yes, no charge because you're still under warranty." We leave, go eat dinner at California Pizza Kitchen and she gets a call in 3 days, says her computer's ready. She brought her Time Machine back up drive. They restore it for her and she leaves with a smile. Imagine that. A positive experience!
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post #47 of 62
10/8/10 at 8:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CIM View Post

Nobody goes to Microsoft stores; Im sure its a coincidence.

Yep. That is if it is true at all.

That said, I think the idea of splitting the stores in half makes sense. My local store isn't a Mini but it is rather small and it gets crazy noisy. Plus you have to walk the gauntlet all the way to the back to get to the bar.

Imagine a store split down the middle with like a half way/glass so it feels connected. One side is the show room area and the other is the genius bar, training area. They could perhaps even bring back the whole 'theatre' to a small degree back in the back, even if just using a big tv like they demo the Apple TV in most stores.
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post #48 of 62
10/8/10 at 10:54pm
A great big glass monstrosity where you go to be served by slouching teenagers. In what sense are Apple Stores actually good/a good well done? I love their products but buy them online for the most part. The online store is excellent: clean layout, minimal clicks.
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post #49 of 62
10/9/10 at 5:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wurm5150 View Post

So... I guess Apple copied Microsoft with the lounge thing on their stores..

Yes, but it will be SO worth the wait!

When Apple is done, it will revolutionize the entire lounge industry!
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post #50 of 62
10/9/10 at 5:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by solipsism View Post

I wouldnt be surprised if Apple had this space included without an increase in their lease.

My guess is that in their original lease, they negotiated an option on any/all adjacent space if, as and when it became available. That would be the normal path to increased retail space by a high-credit tenant.

There are other standard clauses that Apple likely had included. Indeed, I'd be surprised if Apple didn't have their own standard lease form that they present to landlords. They are a bigger company than any mall-owner.
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post #51 of 62
10/9/10 at 6:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by roehlstation View Post

I
More annoying is the things I hear customer's complaining to each other about, they whine about paying a lot for a computer that is supposed to be easy to use, but none of them take ANY time to try to learn first, they get pissy with the Mac Genius saying that the computer just doesn't work.

I feel for them. When I first got my iPhone, I expected it all to just work.

Little did I know that the whole system is a house of cards, and if you do anything wrong with any step, you will be sorry.

For example, when I first got the iPhone, it took forever to sync with my old laptop. Sometimes I got sick of waiting, and I'd unplug it, figuring that the Apple integrated software and hardware would remember where I left off, and seamlessly restart the sync later.

Hardy Har Har. If you do anything not contemplated, the entire house of cards falls flat. The entire thing screws up royally if you do that.

So now I know that if I use any Apple software or hardware, I need to carefully read each and every screen, and do everything exactly as prescribed, in the correct order, with no variations whatsoever. Otherwise, it doesn't work and will screw you up until you format the drive and reinstall the OS.

I once tried to save something to a specific new folder. I don't remember which media it was. A photo? Anyways, it took over an hour on the phone with the idiots Geniuses before anybody could figure it out. I was told the WRONG information, read off a comptuer screen over the phone, TWICE before someone transferred me to to "Product Specialist" who still didn't know, and had to put me on hold to figure it out himself.

I feel for those people dealing with the Genii. This shit does NOT just work.
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post #52 of 62
10/9/10 at 6:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by donlphi View Post

I liked it better when the sales people didn't take advantage of Apple addicts.

Think about it this way: That is what allows Steve to bring us all those great new iProducts!
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post #53 of 62
10/9/10 at 6:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Psych_guy View Post

she gets a call in 3 days, says her computer's ready.

Dell warranty service includes sending a technician to your house to fix your computer.

Lots of people live far away from an Apple store, and two trips would be inconvenient, to say the least. And not having access for three days? I don't think that is good service.

Did they at least give her some kind of loaner for the 3 days wait?
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post #54 of 62
10/9/10 at 6:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ascii View Post

A great big glass monstrosity where you go to be served by slouching teenagers. In what sense are Apple Stores actually good/a good well done? I love their products but buy them online for the most part. The online store is excellent: clean layout, minimal clicks.

The stores (or at least, some of the stores which were discussed in the media) do very, very well on a $/sq. ft. basis, which is a major metric for retail.
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post #55 of 62
10/9/10 at 10:56am
I love the Apple Store. In my opinion, the store's biggest challenge is Apple's own success. I can't think of any other store that I make an effort to go to at off-hours because of how busy it is. The Apple Store in downtown Portland's Pioneer Place mall is always mobbed. Despite this, I've always gotten excellent customer service there. I bought my iPhone the day the iPhone 4 went on sale. The entire mall was a zoo. I've never seen anything like it. When I finally got into the store to buy my iPhone, the Apple clerk made me feel like I was the only person there.
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post #56 of 62
10/9/10 at 3:31pm
I'm surprised it took them so long to figure this out. Having a place where people can relax and talk about their iProducts is a no-brainer. I'd also recommend adding a starbucks-type drink/snack area, but that would be bad for the electronics.
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post #57 of 62
10/9/10 at 8:24pm
What's the current state of Barnes & Noble?

If Apple needs bigger storefronts in prime mall locations...
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post #58 of 62
10/9/10 at 9:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by solipsism View Post

I wouldnt be surprised if Apple had this space included without an increase in their lease. After all, they are acting like an anchor store bringing in droves of customers despite their relatively small space usage. And the malls can charge a lot more for stores that want to be placed near the Apple Stores and fastest parking access to the Apple Stores because the off the foot traffic they generate.

PS: Before it gets stated, Im well aware that Apple makes more money per square foot than any other retail store and they can afford the rent with umpteen-kazillion dollars in cash, but that isnt how proper business manage themselves. They get the most they can from a deal and this is how Id be dealing with these leases knowing the leverage Id have.

Jesus, Sol. Assume much? How on Earth do you know what kind of deal Apple got when renting the space? Maybe they DID use the leverage to which you refer. You seem to be assuming that they did not, without any facts whatsoever.
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post #59 of 62
10/9/10 at 9:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tonton View Post

Jesus, Sol. Assume much? How on Earth do you know what kind of deal Apple got when renting the space? Maybe they DID use the leverage to which you refer. You seem to be assuming that they did not, without any facts whatsoever.

Which part of my statement has facts that you dispute? Are you saying I would be surprised or that I could very well be surprised and therefor can’t assume that I wouldn’t be surprised? I think perhaps you are assuming too much about what I thought was a clear statement regarding my opinion of Apple’s status based on my knowledge of business practices and well know facts about Apple’s retail dominance.
Dick Applebaum on whether the iPad is a personal computer: "BTW, I am posting this from my iPad pc while sitting on the throne... personal enough for you?"
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Dick Applebaum on whether the iPad is a personal computer: "BTW, I am posting this from my iPad pc while sitting on the throne... personal enough for you?"
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post #60 of 62
10/9/10 at 10:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by solipsism View Post

Which part of my statement has facts that you dispute? Are you saying I would be surprised or that I could very well be surprised and therefor can’t assume that I wouldn’t be surprised? I think perhaps you are assuming too much about what I thought was a clear statement regarding my opinion of Apple’s status based on my knowledge of business practices and well know facts about Apple’s retail dominance.

OK, sorry, Sol, I misread your statement and soehow missed the "I wouldn't be surprised...".

Mea culpa. Gently removes foot from mouth.
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post #61 of 62
10/10/10 at 9:10pm
It's only a lounge if you can get a cocktail...
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post #62 of 62
10/10/10 at 9:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by roehlstation View Post

I've overheard some of the questions they are fielding, they are simple questions that can be answered using the help menu.

More annoying is the things I hear customer's complaining to each other about, they whine about paying a lot for a computer that is supposed to be easy to use, but none of them take ANY time to try to learn first, they get pissy with the Mac Genius saying that the computer just doesn't work. And usually they don't apologize for being pissy because they couldn't be bothered to make an attempt to learn anything.

Re: Learning... some people just need a different way to learn. Some are not hip to the "help" menu, manuals. Some are. Some do well with video (screencasts, etc). Others need someone to *tell* them, they are auditory/social learners.

About the whiners... they exist in all populations. Apple needs to mollify them if they want to grow their high-margin business, just like every other consumer-oriented retailer that margins above the rest... it's called customer service.
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