Apple launches new One to One personal training service

Posted:
in General Discussion edited January 2014
Apple on Tuesday detailed changes to its unparalleled retail-based personal training service designed to help customers get set up, get trained, and get going with new Macs purchased from the company's direct sales channels.



Priced at $99, the new year-long One to One membership is available at the time of purchase to those customers who buy their new Mac in an Apple retail store, from the Apple online store, or through Apple Telesales. Apple says the “time of purchase” may extend from the day of a purchase until the end of its 14-day return period.



Personal Setup



One to One is broken down into four distinct services, the first of which is called Personal Setup, entitling members to the configuration of one new Mac during the duration of their membership. This includes the data transfer of files from an old computer (PC or Mac) to a new Mac, granted the old computer is able to start up properly, has a working Ethernet, USB 2.0, or FireWire port, and runs Windows XP or later or Mac OS X 10.2 or later.



Upon request, Apple retail staffers will install any Apple hardware and software that was purchased in conjunction the Mac. They'll also transfer and integrate email, contacts, calendars, music, photos, bookmarks, and documents from the customer's personal user account, but not the accounts of others that might be stored on the old computer.



Training Options



Once a customer is up and running on their new Mac, they'll be able to pick and choose from three distinct training sessions throughout the course of their membership: Personal Training Sessions, Personal Projects, and One to One Workshops. Customers can participate in these sessions using their new Mac or a Mac in their local Apple retail store if they choose not to bring their own.







Personal Training sessions are individual sessions between the One to One member and an Apple employee, while Personal Projects sessions occur in a group environment, with a trainer available to provide assistance and answer questions as each member works on an individual project. One to One Workshops also occur in a group environment, with each member focused on the same topic, as education or information is provided to the entire group on specific applications or technology.



Scheduling Sessions



Reservations for Personal Training, Personal Projects, and One to One Workshops are subject to availability on a first-come, first-served basis. Members can book their reservations up to 14 days in advance using the Apple Store online Concierge scheduling system.







Apple says that members can choose to book an upcoming reservation for either one Personal Training or one Personal Projects session at a time, but may immediately schedule their next sessions after the completion of the preceding session. In addition, members are allowed one upcoming reservation for One to One Workshops at any given time even if they also have an existing reservation for a Personal Training or Personal Projects session.



Personal Training and Personal Projects sessions cover all of Apple's consumer applications but Personal Training sessions for certain Apple pro applications may also be available in select Apple retail stores.



After purchasing a subscription to One to One, customers can activate their membership through this online form. Apple has also posted a guided video tour of the new program and a list of available sessions that include everything from movie making and website design to iPhone and iPod training.



Renewals



Members who purchased One to One prior to June 2, 2009, under prior One to One terms and conditions, are permitted to renew their One to One membership, one time, within 30 days of expiration of their current membership. New members may renew their One to One membership twice, for a total maximum membership period of three years. Each time a member renews, they'll be entitled to the setup of another new Mac.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 22
    ivladivlad Posts: 742member
    this is awesome!
  • Reply 2 of 22
    slang4artslang4art Posts: 376member
    Anyone care to illuminate how it was previously being handled for me?
  • Reply 3 of 22
    ghostface147ghostface147 Posts: 1,629member
    I guess some of the Apple buyers are too lazy to at least reference the online tutorials that are free. It won't get into the depth of what a personal one to one trainer can do, but at least make the effort to do your own studies.
  • Reply 4 of 22
    koolhaaskoolhaas Posts: 23member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Slang4Art View Post


    Anyone care to illuminate how it was previously being handled for me?



    i was under the impression, that until today anyone with a mac was able to buy 1hr/week/$99 personal tutoring. now it's limited to only apple store/online purchases?....
  • Reply 5 of 22
    dagamer34dagamer34 Posts: 494member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by koolhaas View Post


    i was under the impression, that until today anyone with a mac was able to buy 1hr/week/$99 personal tutoring. now it's limited to only apple store/online purchases?....



    It's limited to people who've bought a new Mac within 14 days. I guess it's success is just too much of a good thing.
  • Reply 6 of 22
    abster2coreabster2core Posts: 2,501member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by ghostface147 View Post


    I guess some of the Apple buyers are too lazy to at least reference the online tutorials that are free. It won't get into the depth of what a personal one to one trainer can do, but at least make the effort to do your own studies.



    I gather that some trolls are too condescending to at least respect the readers that frequent here.



    By the way, it is obvious that many posters here and in the forums don't reference the online tutorials. This also holds true for everybody. That includes all the other computer hardware and software users. Otherwise, much of the what is being said would never be.
  • Reply 7 of 22
    koolhaaskoolhaas Posts: 23member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by dagamer34 View Post


    It's limited to people who've bought a new Mac within 14 days....



    from apple only! which cuts off a lot of good online shopping for newbies...
  • Reply 8 of 22
    charlitunacharlituna Posts: 7,217member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Slang4Art View Post


    Anyone care to illuminate how it was previously being handled for me?





    setup was a simple file transfer from desktop to desktop for PC to mac and an attempted full migration (aka cloning) mac to mac for all buyers. but no moving stuff into appropriate folders, importing things like music to itunes and such. that cost you money.



    also it was only the personal training sessions. which could be hard to schedule cause some stores were swamped with members. one a week, if you were lucky to find a time you could come.



    and the videos on their custom site just started like a month ago.



    plus you could buy the member by itself. so you could go to best buy and get a computer and buy the one to one. now you can't do that. it has to be a purchase through apple (yes they are trying to force folks into their stores, can you blame them)



    Quote:
    Originally Posted by koolhaas View Post


    i was under the impression, that until today anyone with a mac was able to buy 1hr/week/$99 personal tutoring. now it's limited to only apple store/online purchases?....



    that is correct.



    I asked yesterday about what I had read in USA today and the guys at my local store were very candid. they said the point of the program was always to help switchers with the switch etc. and it was never intended to support those working on 7 year old computers with 5 year old programs. this in particular was a problem at their store and they had a ton of complaints because trainers didn't remember how Panther did something, or what the command was in iMovie '06 and so on. and even though they told folks they supported only the current software in the terms, a lot of their folks just didn't listen. plus some of those older computers were slow as heck and you spent half the session waiting for it to finish loading something.



    so by requiring the purchase of a new computer they would know folks had a good system, current software etc. And by requiring it to be bought at Apple they had an easy way to weed down users to stop complaints about not enough sessions and such (another big complaint they got).



    some things not mentioned in this article that I was also told. the setup is on a brand new computer or one that is clean installed during set up. and it comes with an intro session to show folks where their stuff went (not required to attend for those signing up to do pro stuff that know mac but for the pc folks it could be very useful) the night they pick up the machine. you don't have to activate your membership right away. so say like you guy a computer as a gift, the receiver can do it when they get the computer and drop it sealed in the box and the old one off for setup etc. and the computer site mentioned in the article is going to have exclusive videos just for members. more in depth than that findouthow part of apple's site.
  • Reply 9 of 22
    jinjo235jinjo235 Posts: 17member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Slang4Art View Post


    Anyone care to illuminate how it was previously being handled for me?



    Before today, anyone could purchase One-to-One. Also, there were not "Personal Project" and "One-to-One Workshops" included in the purchase of the program.



    One thing that the article DID NOT mention is that the online One-to-One portal now has exclusive Pro Content training. This entails training on programs such as Final Cut Pro, Aperture, Logic and more!!



    Very exiting additions for the same price. If you buy a Mac, there is no better way to take full advantage of everything it has to offer!
  • Reply 10 of 22
    Basically you did not even have to own a Mac to buy One to One training before. I actually know someone that had the service as a precursor to buying a Mac.



    $99/yr for weekly sessions was the best deal anywhere - really Apple has been almost giving away the training, because if you came every week it was like $2/hr. Not anywhere near operating cost.



    The problem became overbooking. Paying customers were not able to book their hour a week, and sometimes their schedules actually made if difficult to book for several weeks at a time since the majority of sessions available were during daytime hours.



    Apple needed to cut down on the demand for sessions. It turned out a bunch of people were benefiting from the program without the assumed benefit to Apple of the in-store sales. These are the logical people to cut out. It is now more incentive to patronize the store.



    Before this you could never make more than one appointment per week. Now you can if there is availability. You can also book a longer class (really helpful for video editing) where you may share a trainer with a couple of other people, but you have 3 hours of access to him or her.



    So far it does not appear as though the online portal has changed much since the changes already made within the last year to the system except there are more options for booking.
  • Reply 11 of 22
    abster2coreabster2core Posts: 2,501member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by koolhaas View Post


    i was under the impression, that until today anyone with a mac was able to buy 1hr/week/$99 personal tutoring. now it's limited to only apple store/online purchases?....



    No. Reread second paragraph.



    Unfortunately, to attempt to continue as they are currently doing, nobody, including Apple could afford it. Consider that the One2One program only recovers a smidgen of what it cost to implement. True, the longterm returns could be enormous, but charging only $2 for an hour's session doesn't come anywhere near to cover the immediate costs.



    It has been mentioned previously that Apple "…should…allow consultants to to get One -to-One certified…Therefore consumers would get the opportunity to have have perhaps in home training via a local consultant if appropriate with a small additional fee." Actually, they can now, but who would do it for the near pittance that Apple charges.



    Anybody that doesn't think that Apple 'invests' or has little concern for its users or is a greedy whoremonger, should rethink their position.
  • Reply 12 of 22
    constable odoconstable odo Posts: 1,041member
    That's some really decent hand-holding for switchers. That should definitely be worth the cost. There are so many older users that would like to make the leap to a Mac and this should really help. Apple customer service is right where it should be. I can't imagine how so many people buying new computers for the first time could be without such a service.



    I guess there are people that are going to be saying that since the Mac is so easy to use, why should anyone need hand-holding. I sincerely hope this program takes off and increases sales. I think it's a far better approach than stores selling an inexpensive computer and then telling the customer bye-bye, you're on your own.
  • Reply 13 of 22
    jaytrjaytr Posts: 7member
    I've been reading about this customer service plan and have been impressed. Most end users will benefit and sign up for this. A small percentage will use the service heavily, while most (like my mother) will use it 3-5 times at the beginning (like the gym). Either way, Apple store employees will be fully utilized (fixed cost). Apple will profit more from this add-on. Subscribers will be attracted to other store products. And passers-by will see a full store, which draws them in--what's all the excitement about (why is the store always full)? Brilliant strategy, Apple!
  • Reply 14 of 22
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by jinjo235 View Post


    Before today, anyone could purchase One-to-One. Also, there were not "Personal Project" and "One-to-One Workshops" included in the purchase of the program.



    One thing that the article DID NOT mention is that the online One-to-One portal now has exclusive Pro Content training. This entails training on programs such as Final Cut Pro, Aperture, Logic and more!!



    Very exiting additions for the same price. If you buy a Mac, there is no better way to take full advantage of everything it has to offer!



    I attended an Aperture training yesterday and it was great. High level, yet very useful. Got the One-on-One membership in January when my wife switched from peecee to MBP. IT WAS THE BEST USE OF $100 I HAVE EVER SPENT!! Seriously, they helped my wife get up to speed and my marriage is going strong and happy!



    Unlike the above comment, there are users who are just users - not techies. I needed to have some patiently explain to her how the OSX system worked and avoid all - that is NOT how it is done in XP garbage.



    Highly recommend the one-on-one for new, switching, and novice users like me. I've been on macs since 1984 yet never got into coding/tweaking/power using.



    Reading the comments here helps me to understand what the heck is going on below the keyboard and I'm grateful.
  • Reply 15 of 22
    This is excellent news for switchers. A very good deal indeed, be it a bit unfair to people who got their Mac only recently.
  • Reply 16 of 22
    a_greera_greer Posts: 4,594member
    do they train or assist with FinalCut Studio and / or Elements?



    I would be willing to pay to have someone hold my hand through the process of learning an NLE interface and how it ties in with stuff like Motion and DVDSP,



    I kinda feel handcuffed in imovie, but FCP is intimidating for a video post production noob
  • Reply 17 of 22
    wilcowilco Posts: 985member


    Fixed that for you.
  • Reply 18 of 22
    a_greera_greer Posts: 4,594member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by jinjo235 View Post


    Before today, anyone could purchase One-to-One. Also, there were not "Personal Project" and "One-to-One Workshops" included in the purchase of the program.



    One thing that the article DID NOT mention is that the online One-to-One portal now has exclusive Pro Content training. This entails training on programs such as Final Cut Pro, Aperture, Logic and more!!



    Very exiting additions for the same price. If you buy a Mac, there is no better way to take full advantage of everything it has to offer!



    You answered my question before I answered it, Thanks!
  • Reply 19 of 22
    ynah000ynah000 Posts: 3member
    Yah. That's correct!



    me too... I hope this program takes off and increases sales. I think it's a far better approach than stores selling an inexpensive computer. good idea!
  • Reply 20 of 22
    hiimamachiimamac Posts: 584member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by koolhaas View Post


    from apple only! which cuts off a lot of good online shopping for newbies...



    Dislike bursting anyones bubble but I think means is staff cuts. One t one trainers get about $17 an hour. Mac specialists, about $11.20. This is Apples way of cutting back without appearing so. Further, the one to one training used to be pro workshops, now it's a bunch of booklets that came out a year ago that's all iLife. As I stated before hardly any trainers know Pro Apps and now it seems Apple is not making enough to sustain iLife trainers at almost double the specialists rate.



    I find it odd that Apple would announce this as there isn't anything new they are announcing.



    It's cutbacks. It's always been 14 days after purchase. Metrics, as in Apple care. Have some friends at Apple and was told they frown upon not selling mateics and if you don't, you can never move up should you decide to make Apple a career.



    Also don't tell me it's a retail thing. Apple used to do commission plus paid very well. This has all changed for worse, for the workers and again, most trainers are just specialists with a higher pay grade. They just shaved off quite a but if money for those hardly making it anyway. Fingers crossed, prayers said for better days people.



    Still great computers though. Feel bad fir some that may be getting laid off.

    Everyone also knows that the staff is mostly 85%+ part time right? I knew a lot if people that wanted full-time but they make more having high turnaround, no benefits, parttime wages



    PS. I want to also add this. I am a nice guy and come across mean spirited some times. I am trying to change this. I have made good money and bad money but have lost a lot. So much so that our story was recently submitted fir a reality show in a major network and they might use my wife and I. I promise, so much bad has happened yet we give and give and have given the shirts off my back to homeless. The anger comes from being the good guy and never seeking to get ahead so am changing my attitude. On day I will share. It might surprise some if you but I really do enjoy our little rants we have here. It's a nice escape.



    Peace all. Godspeed.
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