Filed under: Accessories, iPod Family, Retail, Apple
The Apple Store experience
I drove to Denver yesterday to buy a Fifth Generation iPod at my local Apple Store. Two things struck me about the Apple Store experience.
First, the clerk who rang me up was dumb as a rock. Apple should realize that every sales person is the company's public face. A little training about how to interact with customers (try to act as if you really did take your anti-depressants today, and have some idea what you carry in the store) would go a long way.
Second, the selection of iPod accessories was pretty sparse. For example, there wasn't a single case for the 60GB ipod in stock. I'm looking for a case online now. Any recommendations?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Muzz said 1:04PM on 12-05-2005
I like the ToughSkin by Speck Products quite a bit. Protection and style all in one package.
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KissTheRing said 1:10PM on 12-05-2005
Don't make your iPod ugly and bulky with a skin, just get a nice iPod sock
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Ryan said 1:12PM on 12-05-2005
"Second, the selection of iPod accessories was pretty sparse. For example, there wasn't a single case for the 60GB ipod in stock."
Ever thought that Apple may not have received any from their 3rd party vendors yet? It takes time for companies to make products, ship a demo to a company, and then for them to say "Yes, we'll stock those." and get a delivery.
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Joe said 1:17PM on 12-05-2005
i guess there just aren't as many apple enthusiasts to choose from when hiring in denver. the apple store experience in new york has been pretty stellar. not only does the staff know their stuff, but they're usually pretty good at intuiting how much -you- know, and try to avoid condescending when answering questions. oh, and they also look like they stepped out of an abercrombie catalog.
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Ricky said 1:25PM on 12-05-2005
Dr. B, u've written exactly what i wanna write
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Adam said 1:31PM on 12-05-2005
Having cases in stock is not entirely within Apple's control. Multiple Apple stores in LA say that they're only getting a few models of cases for the 5G iPods as of right now, because only a few manufacturers are shipping them, and that they're in so high demand that they sell out within hours of hitting the sales floor. Short of producing their own cases, Apple doesn't really have much control over either of those things. Based on the stock of Nano cases, tho, as soon as manufacturers start shipping in bulk, it'll be no problem to have your choice of cases at any Apple store.
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Sonburn said 1:32PM on 12-05-2005
#5... It's a blog, lighten up
I have noticed the same thing in regards to 5G cases, or the lack-of. When the Nano came out, there were cases galore ready to go. Not the case for the 5G. ;) I almost feel like the 3rd party vendors were kept out of the loop.
I have typically liked what inCase offers, www.goincase.com, and they finally came out with a case for the 5G which I picked up at my local Apple store. It's a flip style, which I don't like, but figured I would put up with it for now. Well, it sucks. The protective screen over the dial makes the dial utterly non-responsive.
Belkin announced a line of cases, and it took forever for them to trickle out to the retailers or even make it into their site for purchase. They finally came out, I bought one online that day, and got a call from Belkin saying they were sold out and my order was cancelled. The kick-stand style has made it my local Apple retailer, however I am not digging it at all. The flip looks nicer and has a different flip "format" than the inCase version... I am still holding out for it.
Also, check Vaja, they finally released some cases for the 5G and have more color options... however they are more pricey.
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narco said 1:33PM on 12-05-2005
Sometimes I feel the Apple store is like a dance club when I go to it. Loud music, lots of people, etc. I noticed this a lot in the L.A. stores, which is why I go to the (boring) Glendale one all the time.
And Dr. B, if you want news, go to the other Mac websites that just focuses on news. Be reminded that this is a BLOG, and if you've been around for a while, you'll know that they don't always post what people consider news, and that's why people come here.
Fishes,
narco.
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Ben said 1:39PM on 12-05-2005
I liked the look of this one:
http://www.tuaw.com/2005/11/22/belkin-kickstand-case-for-the-ipod-5g/
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Fred said 1:44PM on 12-05-2005
I for one am shocked at this damning indictment of the Apple Stores. Do you mean to tell me that a trendy retail store is staffed with vapid morons? Inconceivable! Just kidding. Seriously, though I'm not suprised.
Also, I use a Toughskin on my 4g iPod, and it's paid for itself twice. It might be bulky, but it's cheaper than a new iPod after a fall.
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Mike said 2:01PM on 12-05-2005
Which Denver store was this, Cherry Creek or Aspen Grove?
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Brian Rose said 2:08PM on 12-05-2005
I agree that Denver's stores (both Cherry Creek and Aspen Grove) have rather terrible service. While I've never had a problem with selection, I was certainly much more impressed by the sales staff at the store in downtown Chicago than either of the Denver locations.
A truly frustrating day was when I went to see the most recent iteration of the iMac. I was in a rush because I had a dinner to go to and simply wanted to play with Front Row. I asked to see the remote and instead received a five minute sales pitch about the wonders of Front Row, despite my stating after every other sentence that I knew what it did and I just wanted to play with it.
The fact that I had to listen to a sales pitch wasn't as bad as the fact that I've heard better pitches while trying to choose a sandwich at the local deli - the clerk barely knew what he was talking about and had no flair for the product. He was pointing the remote with such gusto that Ithought he might accidentally hit one of the small children that were running around.
I don't doubt that the Apple Store trains their employees; I simply don't think you can expect a VW Bug to drive like a BMW.
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Clark said 2:10PM on 12-05-2005
Odd. The sales people at my local Apple Store (Apple SoHo, NYC) are always helpful. Nobody there is dumb as a rock. Maybe it's harder to find good computer help in Denver...
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Billy K said 2:37PM on 12-05-2005
Yeah, the quality of Apple Store employees seems to have slipped. I really expect them to know more about the product than I do, but I guess that's expecting too much. I asked one of their guys a simple question about my 5G, and 20 minutes of pawing at it later, the only thing learned was when I told him where to get a removable shield for the 5G (www.decalgirl.com - I don't recommend them).
I used to really enjoy the Apple Store. I'd fabricate any excuse to stop by. now it's run in, get what i want and get out. Between the awful crowd and ignorant salesfolk, I just don't enjoy my time there any more. I guess this is an unfortunate consequence of Apple's popularity.
As far as a case, I had the same problem. I got my 60GB the day they dropped in Dallas, and there were no cases to be had. I prefer the old style 3G slip-in case, but my 60GB 5G is a hair thinner than my 20GB 3G, so I was afraid it'd fall out.
I ended up with an "incase" slip-in style that looks very preppie. It's fine til something better comes along, but I'm not really enamored of the belt clip. I prefer Apple's sping-loaded clip - fragile as it is (I've busted mine twice getting in the car and epoxied it back together).
http://www.goincase.com/
The site's all flash, so I can't give you a direct link, but just click on "05 Collection" and "Argyle." The "analog' collection is pretty cool too - would've gotten that if it were in stock.
And yeah, the Apple Store seriously lacks in iPod accessories. Especially 5G stuff. I can understand this a month ago, but even today they have basically nothing for my 5G.
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Anonymous said 2:47PM on 12-05-2005
As a formal Apple Store employee, I'll offer my comment.
1. This is the time of year when every store recently finished hiring a large batch of seasonal employees. It varies from store to store, but training provided to seasonal employees is very minimal, they're basically thrown out on the sales floor their first day in "sink or swim" fashion. While most new hires already have a passion for Apple products and quite a bit of knowledge, some don't even know how to work an iPod shuffle. I attribute it to poor management.
2. Most manufacturers are just now beginning to ship their 5G iPod accessories, and some haven't even started. Plus, the stores only cary certain manufacturers, so the available pool of accessories is even smaller. When the stores do actually get some in, it's only a few units, and given the traffic of the stores, they sell out within the day. This is the same story as when every other new iPod was released. 1-2 months before accessories were readily available.
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Brady J. Frey said 2:57PM on 12-05-2005
I am waiting for my Agent18 clear hardcase, I loved the last generation one -- absolute must if you want superior protection, but want to still enjoy the look of your ipod. I should get it soon, it just started shipping.
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JTK said 3:04PM on 12-05-2005
I thought the same thing about the quality of the help the last time I was in an Apple store (Emeryville CA). That hasn't been my experience in the flagship San Francisco store, though. I don't know whether it's more likely that the screening is more careful for the big flagship stores, or whether the quality is going down overall.
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John said 3:19PM on 12-05-2005
I'm with #17, Anonymous - the holiday time is unique. I worked at the Apple Store when they first started opening up back in 2001 - as an "all season" employee. The training provided was exceptional and I have been able to use the customer service skills I learned there to further my career in other directions.
At the same time, the holiday time is exhausting for all retail employees - no matter what store. So maybe give the guy a [albeit small] break. Better yet - email the store (each one has an address) or Apple corporate and leave some constructive criticism.
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Mark said 3:27PM on 12-05-2005
I've always been very impressed with the caliber of Apple Store employees. Maybe it's just something about Colorado ... :)
When I was in the Minneapolis Apple store a couple of weeks ago, they had yet to receive any cases specifically for the 5th-generation iPods. The clerk told me, though, that the Apple-branded case designed for the 20 gig, 4th-generation model would also fit the new 60 gig video pod ... he even went to the back room to get his personal iPod to show me the fit. And it works great!
(This might not hold for other brands of cases, of course, in particular those that provide through-the-case access to the click wheel and/or screen.)
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J.T. Mill said 3:35PM on 12-05-2005
The Tampa store also doesn't have many cases or 5G products either. They're saying that they're having trouble getting the products in and recommend using the sleeve that comes with the iPod until you can order a case online. Honestly though, it looks like the're trying to get rid of their 4G stuff before they stock up too much on the new stuff. I've got to give them credit though, they had the new iTrip with dock connector in stock and their reps basically tackled anyone who looked remotely curious wanting to help. The rep knew enough that he didn't look like a complete fool when my brother started asking specifics like how fast the hard drives were. In the end he actualy talked him down to a lower model too, which he turned out very happy with. Their computers also had good screens and nice mice for being used from 5 to 9 every day.
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