Does Apple not want my business?

[Ravenseye]

I own a small business and we need some new computers. I know that I need to get at least a couple of Mac's, and since there is a store near me, we hopped over there after lunch a block away. We go in, and the super hipster sales guy comes over. Afterwards my wife, who works with me, remarked that maybe we're not cool enough to own a Mac, because of his 'style'.

Anyway, he asks if he can help us or answer any questions, and I tell him that I own a small business and I'm interested in what financing options they have for businesses, or particularly for small businesses. He looks at me like I just asked him how many Fron's his Pee-Cot has. I told him that I know that as an invidudual I could buy an iMac and pay like 30-40 bucks a month rather than forking over 1000+ dollars on the spot, and we're looking to just put the computers into the overhead for tax/finance reasons. He tells us to wait while he goes and gets the business sales manager.

Great! He'll be able to answer my questions. We wait 10 minutes, playing with the iMac, but there's only so much you can do with public computer. We played with the photobooth thingy and made some funny pictures while we waited.

The sales guy comes back over and says that the information about business leaseing is on the website, and pulls apple.com up on the iMac. I tell him that I could have read that at home, and I came in to hear more specifics. He looked at me like I just asked him how many Yollucks his Sinstrom uses. He asks me if there's anything else he can help us with...

I'll call Apple directly later on and I'm sure someone will answer my questions, but it was sort of annoying that the store manager didn't at least come out. I mean...I'm not some schmoe looking to buy a single iPod. I'm a business looking to buy multiple computers now, who knows how many later on...They come back with the website...

I know Apple wants my business, but that Apple store was pretty lame.

At least a got a good deli sandwich on the trip.

[izzybeans]

1. i've had similar experiences at apple stores.

then again I've had the same experience at the cell phone islands of malls.

Apple is much easier to deal with directly. I actually decided to buy my ipod boombox directly from bose because of a similar experience I had trying to purchase one at that store.

Pseudo-hipster kids are funny but annoying when you have to get their attention.

[Ravenseye]

6. Yeah, pseudo hipster

He just seemed to have no idea about anything besides the very basics, which is fine I guess, but the manager should have come over.

[izzybeans]

10. I think you should look at them as no different than any other retail salesperson

they've had the sales training on product info. and only the really good ones move beyond that. the ultra mod store design and the bedhead might produce an aura of competence that reallly isn't there. Sometimes it is, but don't expect them to know more than the Verizon guy in the kiosk out front.

[Ravenseye]

12. yeah apparently

I think you're right that the store design lends an aura of competence. It left a bad taste in my mouth though. What manager has an employee come to them mentioning a guy up front asking about business leasing of multiple computers and sends the kid back out with just the website address. Not even a business number to call or anything.

I would think that Apple would do it better than a Verizon kiosk ya know? Doesn't exactly instill a guy with confidence.

[izzybeans]

13. I agree I want my computer people to be a bit more sophisticated.

These types of situation remind of this sketch. You might find it amusing. The relevant part ends about 4 minutes in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gCiY7oEbY4

[PVnRT]

2. Whoa, like, Apples aren't for BUSINESS, man

They're, like, for ART and stuff.

[Ravenseye]

7. What if your business IS art?

there is crossover.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

3. Goes to show you how much corporate business Apple actually gets.

Which is to say, "not all that much."

[Ravenseye]

8. I'm hoping that if I call direct it'll be better

They obviously never do any business sales at the store I went to.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

15. They probably will.

In the store, they probably just train you for the typical day-to-day stuff.

[Auggie]

4. Where was the store?

[Ravenseye]

9. Pittsburgh

[NV Whino]

5. Check out place like MacMall on line

They have lease plans for businesses.

Apple stores suck. They are staffed with cute, hip, beringed and punctured young things who know nothing and don't give a damn about helping you even if they knew.

I've gotten more help from the MacMall staff than I ever have from Apple store people.

[Ravenseye]

11. I will thanks

I don't know why, but I assumed the apple store would be friendly and helpfull. After we left my wife joked that we should have gotten pissed and said "Where's Warren P. Cheswick? I want to speak with him RIGHT NOW!"

(Warren P. Cheswick is the character name of the actor who plays the Mac in the commercials on the defunct show 'Ed')

[hfojvt]

14. IIRC, a sinstrom normally takes 3 Yollucks

except in Europe, where they use 4 for some reason.

[Auggie]

16. Don't let one bad apple spoil the barrel (sorry, couldn't resist)