Apple aims to ease iPhone purchasing at the Apple Store

/at least it isn't like the grocery store or target. dozens of checkouts and only 2 or 3 open. they only open others after there is a long line. cuts down on employees, but as a quick in and out shopper, just pisses me off to have to wait for an extra 10-15 minutes. be the end of the world if they had an empty cash register. when did that trend start anyway, kinda just snuck up on me.

/that said, i see both sides of this. most times i have no problems checking out either at the back by waiting in line or in the store, they usually have one dedicated machine checking out. the in the store checkout is nice for small purchases but with several items can be awkward. i have had a few cases where the store was damn busy but that is life.

...just act like you are going to walk out with said item, you'll get checked out pretty quick.

I recently left one of the Apple stores after about three years. My experience with the EZ Pays was that they used to be okay, but slowed down substantially after the iPhone 3G launch due to the new software. I was able to complete four to five sales at the POS (traditional cash register) in the time that it took to complete a single sale on the EZ Pay. Speed wasn't the only problem; the card readers are plagued with issues and have difficulty reading cards. The on-screen keyboards are small
and employees often make mistakes (especially when entering email or other customer info). The devices also have issues staying connected to the store server, and need a reboot every morning so that there's a better chance that they'll work properly.

Most of all, though, Apple spent years saying that they could "train" their customers that everyone has an EZ Pay. Of course, as the market grows, new people are coming in to the stores all the time, and have no idea how to check out.

Bought my new 3GS a few weeks ago, tried the local O2 store and Carphone Warehouse to no avail. The Apple store was absolutely packed (Snow Leopard release day), they'd been organising the queues by giving people appointments with sales staff.

I arrived at 12:30 and was told to come back at 4:30!!
Luckily the customer currently being attended to (a young teenager) had brought the wong form of ID to buy an iphone so I was able to take his place. Apparently everywhere else in the local area were completely out of iPhones, and they only had a few left at the apple store.

I was out with a new 3GS and snow leopard in 10 minutes, succecss! If I'd had to go back at 4:30 they'd have ran out!

What Apple needs to fix is its unreliable Apple Retail Store iPhone availabilty page. I recently upgraded from the original iPhone to a 3GS, but had to buy it on Apple's online store. Why? Because even though the availability page said my local Apple Store had the 3GS in-stock, and I drove only 10 minutes to buy it, I was told by an employee that "we don't have any...I was just back there" (meaning the stock room).

All you people bitching about the Apple stores. If you dont like it, Nobody is forcing you to buy their, Head on over to a best buy or somewhere, They sell, not all, but Apple computers/products. And for the dumbass who comment about what happened to Buying Apple products and having them shipped to your house? It's called the online store genuis! It's stupid people like you who Keep the apple employees busy and away from the people who DO just wanna come in and Pay and Go.

They already exists in Miami fl got my iPhone today.

What they really need is a PRODUCT purchasing zone in the Apple store. The Apple stores have gotten ridiculous with everyone crowded around the genius bar for every possible task. I know what I want, I don't need any help - let me pay and get the hell out of the store... why is that so difficult!

while this sounds like a convenience it seems like a new part of their never ending "oh you're GOING to use AT&T" ramrod. Now they can't even support an iPhone that is STILL under warranty without an activated AT&T SIM. Think about this scenario. I had AT&T, I had awful service... I canceled... I payed the fee... I got to keep the phone. I use it as an iPod now.... I take it in cause the speakers stopped working. I'm informed that I HAVE to have an activated SIM. I say, is that stated in the warranty? No... it's just the rule now.

While this definitely helps AT&T, I'm not sure it's in the customers best interests... it's just a way to make DARN sure they aren't going to take it and unlock it.

It also appears that 3.1 update is showing the possibility of being "unlock proof".... this must be SO great for Apple! Finally, they manage to get rid of a bunch of iPhone users. /Sarcam /off subject rant

Next thing you know, they'll have a convenience of someone randomly knocking on your door, demanding to see your phone to see if it's been modified.

Was at Century City (Los Angeles) today — Monday — and the staff was already wearing special t-shirts that said "iPhone Activation Zone".

Wondered what that was about. Now I know.

I bought an iPhone few weeks ago and the
sale and activation were really fast and simple.
I walked out the Apple store ready to talk.
Then to a AT$T to keep my old number.