Apple Store, terrible experience......Any i-pod connections out there??

a.k.a. Patrick · 09-30-07, 04:30

So my sons 17th birthday has passed, and due to generous relative contributions, (as well as his mothers and mine) he has decided to purchase a new i-view 8 gig i-pod. Suggested retail, $299.00 (I want one for Christmas for any of you recent lottery winners!).
So we went to the local mall today, which hold the areas only Apple Store. I asked an associate if we could purchase.........well, heres a quick transcript:
Me: We would like to purchase a i-touch/view 8 gig i-pod.
Apple: Im sorry, we are all out.
Me: Do you know when you will be getting any additional units?
Apple: No, Im sorry, I dont. They tend to trickle in, in small qtys.
Me: Ok, well, I would like to order one then.
Apple: Oh Im sorry, we dont accept or take orders for the i-touch/view.
Me: You dont accept orders!!?? (Thinking to myself "Im ready to plop down $300.00, and you wont take it?")
Apple: No we dont.
Me: And you have no idea when you will be getting any more units in?
Apple: No I dont, you will have to check back in a couple days for availability.

Moral of the story:
Do not, under any circumstances, conduct your business in this manner........

Comments?
And Im looking for someone who has a source for my son to purchase an i-touch i-Pod!!
Cananyone make any sense of this story? Are they sandbagging units to insure availability over the holiday season?

Joshua312 · 09-30-07, 04:47

This doesn't sound too off base concering "reserving" one when it comes in. As for quanity and when they will be getting more in, it has only been on the retail market for 17 days..The store probably had limited quantities to start with. I would just order from the online store. Try the online store, you will get your order promptly with no worries.

IMO it doesn't sound like a "terrible" experience or bad customer service....By the store didn't yet have the 16gb model I would check back tomorrow because when they probably get the new model maybe they will recieve more 8gb as well

BigAl3 · 09-30-07, 05:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by a.k.a. Patrick

Suggested retail, $299.00 (I want one for Christmas for any of you recent lottery winners!).

patrick, if i hit the lottery you would have a nice new car to play that I-POD in as well!

littlemissGTO · 09-30-07, 05:03

Just bypass the store and buy it online via the Apple website.

BlackElantraGT · 09-30-07, 05:11

Considering their popularity, that doesn't surprise me that you were treated that way. Personally, if I were running a business, if I couldn't take a deposit, I'd get the customer's information and give them a call to let them know when they're in.

But the Apple store has tons of employees (for a small retail space) because they seem to be packed with customers a lot of times, despite nothing ever being a great deal (everything is pretty much full MSRP), so I just don't think they'd be able to handle callbacks for all customers wanting to put a deposit on a popular device.

I haven't kept up with all the latest iPod news, but have you tried looking into Costco, Sam's Club, Best Buy, or Circuit City? I know FOR SURE Sam's Club has the new Nano video (not sure if that's the right name?), but I'm not sure if they have the i-touch iPod. The prices don't change much from places to places for iPods, and it's hard to beat Costco or Sam's club return policy (6 months at Costco).

I'm not a big Apple fan, besides the iPod, but IMO I don't think they're sandbagging units to create demand or be able to meet holiday demand. Their iPods are just REALLY popular and it's the leader in the mp3 marketplace for a reason.

Joshua312 · 09-30-07, 05:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackElantraGT

=But the Apple store has tons of employees (for a small retail space) because they seem to be packed with customers a lot of times, despite nothing ever being a great deal (everything is pretty much full MSRP), so I just don't think they'd be able to handle callbacks for all customers wanting to put a deposit on a popular device.

I'd have to disagree with the "great deal" remark as for students I purchased a laptop about 2 months ago, retail price was going to run me clost to $1,900. After my student rebates and selling the free iPod I recieved with my purchase, I made out with this deal for only $1,450. (Which includes my one year .Mac account)

But I do agree with youtr thoughts on callbacks, everyone would be going in to reserve one and then there would never be any in-stock and it would merely become a "reserve" item.

BlackElantraGT · 09-30-07, 06:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshua312

I'd have to disagree with the "great deal" remark as for students I purchased a laptop about 2 months ago, retail price was going to run me clost to $1,900. After my student rebates and selling the free iPod I recieved with my purchase, I made out with this deal for only $1,450. (Which includes my one year .Mac account)

But I do agree with youtr thoughts on callbacks, everyone would be going in to reserve one and then there would never be any in-stock and it would merely become a "reserve" item.

You're right, I should have mentioned that the Apple store does offer student discounts, but then again the Apple store isn't the only place for that either. Many educational institutions offers discounts (Apple included) at their student stores located on-campus. But for a majority of customers, they'll be paying MSRP. I guess when it comes to computer products I usually prefer shopping online since they can be had much cheaper. I haven't bought much from Best Buy or Circuit City lately for the same reason, so I shouldn't have faulted the Apple store for that. I do like though that you can try out lots of Apple products and peripherals before buying and they have the widest selection of products to pick from if you have any type of Apple product.

tom p. · 09-30-07, 06:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlemissGTO

Just bypass the store and buy it online via the Apple website.

+1.

My daughteer's birthday was last week and we ordered her a the 3rd gen Nano on-line, engraving and all. Within 12 hours of entering the order, I got the shipping detail from FEDX as the package moved from China to HK to Alaska to SF to Joisy to E Boston with delivery to my front door. Total trip was about 5 days and the order was perfect. gift warp and all. Their on-line system was flawless. The new iPod is pretty amazing..it's so small!