4 ms·

Many Apple Stores are too crowded, noisy and smelly for me to feel comfortable. If I go to an Apple Store, for example for a Genius Bar appointment, I usually t

by chmars 14y ago

Many Apple Stores are too crowded, noisy and smelly for me to feel comfortable. If I go to an Apple Store, for example for a Genius Bar appointment, I usually try to go during off-peaks hours, for example in the morning on a weekday. In most locations, Apple's options for improvement are probably limited, most Apple Stores are simply to successful and in spite of noise, smell etc., they are still more appealing than other stores where Apple products are sold.

GabrielF00 14y ago
I feel uncomfortable in the Apple Store because of the crowds and the noise and maybe a bit because of the sterility of the design, however, I feel the same way in most indoor shopping malls. In malls there's an added problem which is that the layout is confusing - there are often a lot of turns and intersections that all look similar. However, I'm not sure how much I can trust my own feelings here as a basis for the quality of a retail experience - lots of people CHOOSE to hang out at the mall. I think I might analogize this to the difference between introverts and extroverts. Extroverts gain energy from social situations while introverts expend energy. I suspect that there are a lot of people who find who find these crowded shopping experiences exhilarating and a lot of people who just find them exhausting.
dobro 14y ago
>Many Apple Stores are too crowded, noisy and smelly for me to feel comfortable. Well, if being the only person in the store is your thing, you can always try the Microsoft stores ;-)
ben1040 14y ago
I use a local authorized Apple repair shop for warranty work rather than use the Genius Bar, if it's at all possible (i.e. if it's for a Mac). I can show up at the shop at 9am with no "appointment" necessary. A friendly receptionist offers me a cup of coffee while they write up the repair ticket, and then I go on my way. I can then come back later and pick up the computer at my leisure. Way easier for me than the mall store, and I support a local business. Good for everyone.
- SyneRyder 14y ago
  I wish all the authorized repair shops were like that - the last time I used one, it took them 2 weeks (literally) to repair my machine. I had a similar repair later when we got our first Apple Store - and Apple fixed it for free and completed the repair within an hour. That one experience sold me on the Apple Store. I'm glad to hear there's still some life in the authorized Apple repair network, though.

by chmars 14y ago

GabrielF00 14y ago

I feel uncomfortable in the Apple Store because of the crowds and the noise and maybe a bit because of the sterility of the design, however, I feel the same way in most indoor shopping malls. In malls there's an added problem which is that the layout is confusing - there are often a lot of turns and intersections that all look similar. However, I'm not sure how much I can trust my own feelings here as a basis for the quality of a retail experience - lots of people CHOOSE to hang out at the mall. I think I might analogize this to the difference between introverts and extroverts. Extroverts gain energy from social situations while introverts expend energy. I suspect that there are a lot of people who find who find these crowded shopping experiences exhilarating and a lot of people who just find them exhausting.

dobro 14y ago

>Many Apple Stores are too crowded, noisy and smelly for me to feel comfortable. Well, if being the only person in the store is your thing, you can always try the Microsoft stores ;-)

ben1040 14y ago

I use a local authorized Apple repair shop for warranty work rather than use the Genius Bar, if it's at all possible (i.e. if it's for a Mac). I can show up at the shop at 9am with no "appointment" necessary. A friendly receptionist offers me a cup of coffee while they write up the repair ticket, and then I go on my way. I can then come back later and pick up the computer at my leisure. Way easier for me than the mall store, and I support a local business. Good for everyone.

SyneRyder 14y ago
I wish all the authorized repair shops were like that - the last time I used one, it took them 2 weeks (literally) to repair my machine. I had a similar repair later when we got our first Apple Store - and Apple fixed it for free and completed the repair within an hour. That one experience sold me on the Apple Store. I'm glad to hear there's still some life in the authorized Apple repair network, though.