I love the Apple Store

"Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing." (granfury)
11/11/2016 at 22:36 • Filed to: None

The iPad is all paid off, so it’s time for a new phone, and since the monthly cost of the phone and the iPad are nearly identical there is no noticeable effect on the monthly budget. Considering that I’m still using an iPhone 4S, it’s obvious that I don’t upgrade every time a new model comes out regardless of how much I may want to. This time I decided to get something close to top of the line (6S Plus, 128GB, space grey) so that I can still be using it in a number of years like I did with the 4S. I’d go for the 7, but right now the headset jack is a bit of a deal-breaker because of how I use the phone in the car (see my previous posting about how to control your phone via an in-dash switch).

I tried supporting the local AT&T store, but all they had was Rose Gold. Sorry - I may be a modern, open-minded kind of guy, but you’re not going to catch me carrying around a pink phone unless it’s free. They said they were getting more in today and that they’d call me but they never did. I called them and then went to the store when I didn’t get a response. Even if they did have what I wanted there wasn’t a manager on duty that could have put them in inventory, so they wouldn’t have been able to sell it to me for a day or two. Is this any way to run a business?

I tried Target next. Once I got the staffer to stop texting and actually wait on me she checked the inventory. They had a silver one, which I could have lived with, but the activation process was asking for all sorts of PINs and other access related crap that neither myself or the primary account holder know. After 20 minutes and several phone calls (on my part, not theirs) I gave up and walked out empty handed. Rather than finding a solution she let $750 walk right out the front door. Their loss.

I finally went over to the local mall. The AT&T store didn’t have what I wanted (no surprise there), but the Apple Store did. The right size, color and capacity - no compromise necessary. It was an incredibly easy, simple transaction without all of the PIN BS and other roadblocks. I was in, out and done in just a few minutes. Regardless of where I went the price was going to be the same, so I now kick myself for not just going to the mall in the first place. Apple really knows how to make a satisfying sales experience.

I know there are a bunch of great Android phones out there, and I do have experience with both platforms. I use a big-ass late-model LG on a regular basis, as well as some cool Motorola Atrix units, albeit not as phones right now (that’s really a tertiary function on these devices, right?) After years of different smartphones I’ve found that I just have a preference for the iPhone for day-to-day use and don’t really see a compelling reason to make another platform switch.

When the Mazda’s paid off next year I’ll probably replace my primary computer. I’ve almost completely switched to a Dell i5 running Windows 10 for most day-to-day stuff, leaving my trusty ol’ 2009 Mac mini as the secondary. But the Dell is driving me crazy right now with an odd mouse issue. I’ve read plenty online about the issue, something lots of people are having with various versions of Windows, but it seems nobody knows how to fix it. Because of this I’ll probably end up with another Mac mini since my current one really doesn’t give me any problems; it just chugs away in the background, getting things done quietly and efficiently, albeit slowly by comparison to the Dell. The only thing wrong with the current one is just that it’s feeling kind of slow, but given that it’s almost 8 years old that shouldn’t be too much of a surprise. It’ll probably serve as a great media player once a new machine is acquired.

DISCUSSION (8)

pip bip - choose Corrour > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
11/11/2016 at 22:48

when i bought my iPhone SE , i tried buying it at an Apple store.

2 different Apple stores , no stock. went back to one of them for a 2nd go, couldn’t get any service as the store was so busy. i ended up buying it from a department store as a result for about $11 less than if i bought it from Apple.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
11/11/2016 at 23:22

I bought my 7 at an Apple Store. First time buying an iPhone there. Way less BS than dealing with Verizon. I prefer ordering online to all of it, but I was on the fence about the 6S vs. 7 was wanted to play with both of them first. Even though the store was absolutely mobbed I was able to check in at the front and play with the phones until someone came and helped me maybe 10 minutes later. No pressure to upgrade my plan or go all the way to 256 GB or buy some stupid LED illuminated charger and case. Just pick the model, color and storage, type a few things into their fancy iPhone-based terminal, swiped my credit card and 5 minutes later I was out of there with an activated new phone. Last time I bought a phone at a Verizon store it took almost 2 hours even though there were just 2 other customers in there.

Frenchlicker > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
11/11/2016 at 23:35

I can say I would never go to a box store to buy a phone, they don’t care. So that leaves either AT&T or Apple. I have to pass up Apple for two reasons: it’s over an hour away and I am only available to go when they are insanely busy.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Frenchlicker
11/12/2016 at 00:46

I have yet to experience an Apple Store that isn’t insanely busy. I guess I’m quite lucky in that I have two of them in my area, but then again, I do live in a fairly large city (60th biggest [was 58th when I moved here four years ago] in the US - woohoo!)

The really impressive part was how they got a salesman to help me. I checked in with a person at the front of the store and then poked around on a computer, not paying any attention to how long it had been. I didn’t have to stay corralled in a specific area or listen for my name to be called - the guy just walked up, verified that it was me, and took care of everything right there where I was standing - easy as can be.

Rico > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
11/12/2016 at 02:10

Congrats! I love my 6S, damn your 128 GB makes me drool. I have never had a negative experience at the Apple Store the people there are always pleasant and knowledgeable. I went into one today to see the MBP with TouchPad but they didn’t have them yet.

Frenchlicker > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
11/12/2016 at 09:06

I think first thing in the morning they may not be. Also thei customer service is the shit. Even though it’s a relatively small store with a ton of workers you aren’t badgered while playing around.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > pip bip - choose Corrour
11/15/2016 at 17:16

Would you go SE again? I’ve still got a 5S and am thinking about moving on...

pip bip - choose Corrour > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/15/2016 at 18:57

yes. as i don’t like the size of the iPhone 6 & 7, before it came out i was looking at a 5s but thought no , i’ll hold off and i’m glad i did.