zone

I worked at Apple retail (before the iPhone) for a bit and saw the crazy number of customers buying products in a packed store all the time. I decided to purchase as much stock as I could while I was there (I did get a discount on shares) and max my 401k.

I was one of the first retail employees (part-time) back then and there were few full-time jobs (maybe just 1 or 2 managers can't remember) but that all changed as the stores expanded quickly and I was promoted to one of the first full-time positions at my store (not a manager). I know we were selling those colorful iMacs that looked like the little TV. Anyway long story short I have never sold and believed in Apple and now have a million plus in stock + my 401k.

I think about all the people I worked with who did not do this (I know some people are not happy with their choice) and who knows what they have but they don't have a million dollars +. Kind of a cool story for a retail person that worked at a mall! Probably doesn't happen all the time but I did have to have the guts to watch Apple get manipulated and blasted and everyone said you should sell (including my financial advisor). I always thought it was worth this and more. IMO Apple will hit 4 trillion soon and the vision will be a great success and venture into other areas we can't even think they will in the next decade or so. Maybe medical, renewable power tech, communications, Transportation/space exploration who knows? Could it go to 6-8 trillion, Maybe?

So the next time you're at an Apple store you might be talking to a millionaire employee. Have a great 4th from a former mall Apple retail employee who wants to thank all my coworkers who worked so hard to make this all happen. So many hard-working wonderful people who don't get much credit but keep this company succeeding. 

Typically complaints from people who have no vision (ha ha get it). Look you haven’t used it yet! Beside Apple doesn’t care that you think it’s to expensive. Enough people will by this and it will only get better with time. There are lots of people who can afford this device. Here the thing just because it might not be for you doesn’t mean it won’t sell. No one says I can’t buy the c8 corvette because I can’t get my family in it. Come on people no product is for everyone. When I first got an Apple Watch no one had one now everyone does. 

Japhey said:

JP234 said:

coolfactor said:

JP234 said:

Insanely great. But what did this cost me, as an Apple shareholder? Betting my dividends would be higher if Apple spent a teeeeeny bit less on these eclectic and expensive stores that are popping up. Apple customers don't need a "floating dome" to shop for Apple goods and services. A mall store is just fine for me.

Comments like this remind me of why our world is so messed up. Humans are selfish, and not out of survival like the rest of nature.

So how is Apple's hard work at padding your pockets bringing value into your life? Do you drive an expensive car or a junker, just to be practical? Do you own a large screen TV or just read a book at night?

It goes both ways. Apple's investment in the "Apple experience" is why sales remain strong.

Actually, my wife and I drive Volvos. A 2013 S60 and a 2022 XC40, both Platinum trim, paid for in cash. Between our Apple, Microsoft, two utility and 5 oil company stocks, the dividends throw off enough cash to buy a new one (about $45-$50K each) every two years. My 2013 has only 28,000 garage kept miles on it, so I'm keeping it, even though I'd like a new one. Maybe if Apple paid me a special dividend or raised the dividend, I'd get a new 2023, even though my '13 is near mint. But I'm a lifelong gearhead, so cars are near the top of my spending priorities.

Our TV is only 43." And I read lots of books, too, mostly from the library. We have no debt; not cars, not mortgage, not credit card.

To put it in terms no millennial will ever understand, but every Boomer will, "You can't spend or borrow your way to prosperity."

To put it in terms that YOU will never understand, every single word of this post is cringe. 

Every
single
one. 

What’s cring is people competing to be more wholly than thou are? Who are any of you to criticize this person for their opinion as he can spend his money on what he wants to spend it on and you have no say. Apple has Millions of shareholders they all have different perspectives, and none of them is more important than the next. He is no more greedy than you are. Stop being so pc and trying to outdo each other with who is more holy. I’m sure you do everything with everyone else in mind every day. Never thinking of yourself. Ridiculous! Also, Apple is not a charity and was created by greedy people. No one is innocent…

mjtomlin said:

zone said:

I find it interesting that people who have never worked for Apple even comment on this? You have no idea what it is or was like and I can tell you from first-hand experience that it has not always been a positive one. Instead of blaming people for wanting a better work environment, why do they want to organize in the first place? Apple can and should be THE best place to work not any other way. Their products are second to none and the workplace for everyone should be the same. It is that simple and in the end, it would benefit them greatly to do so. Blame management, not the workers like they are greedy children who don't have any work ethic or pride in their job. 

That goes both ways. You can't just blame management, because there are in fact entitled children today who have no idea what a work ethic even is. Have you been out in the world? All you need is one extremely lazy and entitled person to stir the pot, especially if they have an infectious (poisonous) personality and bunch of naïve co-workers who "see" greener pastures in what they're being told. 

Also, you don't have to work for a particular company to know that every work experience is different for every single individual. Work ethics vary from person to person. And expectations vary from company to company and even store to store sometimes. The managers of some of these stores might be tyrants and be the driving force of these unionizations. This happens in large corporations all the time when an employee can't relay their grievances to the proper "higher up" or doesn't know how.

Sorry, you don't know what you're talking about? I have first-hand knowledge of this! So many crappy things that retail put up with are unacceptable for a company like this. While there may have been and certainly could be lazy retail people these issues are from the past not now. These issues have been here since day one of retail and since we know now that Ron Jonson filed for bankruptcy he was a crappy boss back in the day. He must still be? How does that happen (I digress)? There are more great retail employees than the bad ones I can assure you of that.

As far as management goes they set the tone and set the pay. It starts with them and ends with them. Apple can and should do better its that simple. They expect it from their products as well as their people. They are so inclusive of people's rights but the biggest right is great pay, not ok pay. You show respect by giving people choices and that's what money does, it give you choices. Not having money forces things upon you that might not be in your best interest. In the end, it's good for everyone. Apple is a great company but they could do so much better on the people side for retail. 

I find it interesting that people who have never worked for Apple even comment on this? You have no idea what it is or was like and I can tell you from first-hand experience that it has not always been a positive one. Instead of blaming people for wanting a better work environment, why do they want to organize in the first place? Apple can and should be THE best place to work not any other way. Their products are second to none and the workplace for everyone should be the same. It is that simple and in the end, it would benefit them greatly to do so. Blame management, not the workers like they are greedy children who don't have any work ethic or pride in their job.