Support NeoGAF

[Dreams-Visions]

I would have had to be there to see it happen to really offer an opinion.

It could be that he was getting really good customer service when several Apple Store personnel assembled to "help" him as he paid and walked out the door.

I'd consider that odd, but maybe it was a slow time of day that he showed up.

Or it could be that it got weird and snowballed based on strange looks which lead to him questioning why they thought he was going to steal something.

Or maybe they did profile him.


Hard to say, really. Too many unknowns. Sounds like based on the video he's very experienced in going to Apple Stores and buying things from Apple...so it's fair to say he should know if he's receiving treatment that--based on his many past experiences--he found to be clearly *unusual behavior* on the part of Apple Store team members, maybe we should stop assuming he's an idiot and ask Apple Store team members more questions.

If this had been his first time or one of his first times in an Apple Store, I'd feel different. But it sounds like he's an Apple Store regular...so perhaps he deserves the benefit of the doubt. People get profiled in 2010, whether people like talking about it or not.

 

[CrazedArabMan]

I made a really shitty joke about it that fell dead, so apparently we're alone.

Nope, it was the first thing that came to my mind also.

 

[game-boi]

If that's exactly how the conversation played out, she wasn't pissed because she didn't get to do her sales script. She was pissed because you interrupted her, ordered her about and acted like some fucking autistic douche.

I promise you this is what happened.

I used to work in a retail position similar to these guys/gals and had many douches that thought they knew everything, barked their orders, didn't want to listen, then come back to the store 30 minutes later bitching about how they REALLY needed something else.

Well maybe if you let me explain to you what you're getting or asked you about your specific needs you wouldn't need to come back? I mean, how often do most people buy expensive pieces of electronics like a smart phone or a high end computer? Everyday, right? It's not like I/Apple store employees sold/sells them for a living and can actually help people out, that would be crazy!

If you really have a problem with someone trying to help you order online like others suggested or get over your own bullshit and make everyone's lives a little bit nicer.

 

[Alucrid]

I promise you this is what happened.

I used to work in a retail position similar to these guys/gals and had many douches that thought they knew everything, barked their orders, didn't want to listen, then come back to the store 30 minutes later bitching about how they REALLY needed something else.

Well maybe if you let me explain to you what you're getting or asked you about your specific needs you wouldn't need to come back? I mean, how often do most people buy expensive pieces of electronics like a smart phone or a high end computer? Everyday, right? It's not like I/Apple store employees sold/sells them for a living and can actually help people out, that would be crazy!

If you really have a problem with someone trying to help you order online like others suggested or get over your own bullshit and make everyone's lives a little bit nicer.

The thing is, I'm not one of those people. I do my research thoroughly. If I'm getting the basic 15" Macbook Pro, I know that I don't need a case cover, I don't want applecare, I'm not interested in purchasing $100 software I can get for free from my school, I don't want headphones, I don't want to look at anything else and I don't want to look at other models. I know what I want, know that's what I need, know that I probably won't be coming back here any time soon unless the product fucks up. As such you don't have to explain to me what RAM is or why a faster CPU is better or why dedicated memory can help the computers performance. Also, I sometimes doubt that the sales person always knows more than I do because they work there. I've gone to gamestops, best buys, apple stores, etc. where employees blatantly say wrong things because they don't know or don't care.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

sounds like the scenario:

"I used to work at an apple store and this was something we'd do often, and no it wasn't a racist thing. Any time someone would come in asking for a specific machine and claimed they were in a hurry we were told to speak to a manager. We would then try to slow the customer down and get an idea of what they wanted. (People coming in for 2 macbook airs were huge red-flags, for example).

We would almost always push their credit cards for call verification, and on almost every occasion where I was the one dealing with this, as soon as I went to pick up the phone to call MasterCard or Visa, the person would take the card back, say they would be right back and leave. They never came back.

He was an innocent person, when there are many that are not.

There's a lot of credit card theft and fraud attempts that happen at apple retail stores. You'd see it all the time."

and

"I used to work in an Apple store too, and I agree with everything you said. We would always try to slow people down who came in wanting one (or two) of the more expensive computers to try to feel out whether they were trying to commit some kind of fraud. I don't know why they would need anyone to guard the door, though, as you would hold on to the computer until the transaction went through. I've never heard of this "forerunner" or "floor runner" stuff.

I only worked in the store for 6 months, but the amount of fraud I saw attempted was shocking."

my only thing is, I think the policy forces employees to kinda...profile customers. in other words, it makes them feel like they need to gauge a purchaser's intentions and conclude if some deception may be going on.

I can imagine he might have been profiled a bit. Probably didn't expect him to know *exactly* what he wanted and to want to get in and out. hence the startled looks he describes. I wouldn't be at all surprised if she looked at her co-worker with "that look" that was to say, "hey...we need to double-check this guy..." and the purchaser picked up on the weirdness.

 

[fudgey_lumpkins]

A similar event happened to me about two years ago. I had decided to by a Macbook Pro on a sunday a day when the bus to the Apple store only ran once per hour. I needed to ride the bus to the last stop to get to the store and only had about 10 minutes to return to the bus or else be stuck outside for an hour. It takes about 3 minutes to get to the store from the bus stop so that meant I only had 4 minutes to get the computer and leave. So naturally when I got to the store I was antsy because I just wanted to get the computer and get the fuck out. So when I get in inside, I walk right up to the register and request the computer. I specifically said "Can I get a 15 inch 2.4 Macbook Pro Matte?" and he looked at me funny and then went and got it. Once he went to go get it, some employees decided to "hang out" around the register and the door. It bothered me but I was just trying to get back to the bus.

 

[Freshmaker]

Either way, shopping at an Apple Store is a big time pain in the ass. I hate dealing with those neck-badge fuckers in their orange shirts. Everything has to be "yo bro, let me help you out! I'm your geek-friend Apple buddy! Just like the dude in the commercial!" Fuck off.

It is kinda funny at times though. I went in to one to kill time one day.
"What brings you to the Apple Store?"
"Nothing."
"Oh..." The clerk just walked off.

game-boi:

For every customer that tricks themselves into thinking they need something when they really need something else, you also get clerks that think you need things that you don't. (Which is why the sales pitch isn't always appreciated.)

My sister's old lap top died, so she went to Best Buy. (She plays no games, and was really only looking for something to run a word processor on.) She chose a cheap Gateway that was on clearance and the clerk kept complaining that she wouldn't be able to play games on it.

 

[eznark]

If that's exactly how the conversation played out, she wasn't pissed because she didn't get to do her sales script. She was pissed because you interrupted her, ordered her about and acted like some fucking autistic douche.

It's not how the conversation went, but it was two years ago and I didn't transcribe it at the time.

I had to interrupt her numerous times and explain that I already had the 1st gen phone twice before she finally relented with the spiel.

I just wanted a phone, not a sermon from the Gospel of Jobs.

Well maybe if you let me explain to you what you're getting or asked you about your specific needs you wouldn't need to come back?

I've never been to an Apple store since (well, not true, I went last December when my iphone suddenly died...I suppose that was my fault too?) My specific needs were clear and easily met, they did not involve 30 minute long explanations of a product I already own.

 

[Alucrid]

It is kinda funny at times though. I went in to one to kill time one day.
"What brings you to the Apple Store?"
"Nothing."
"Oh..." The clerk just walked off.

I'll use that line next time. That or, "I'm looking for a PC."

 

[teruterubozu]

I'll use that line next time. That or, "I'm looking for a PC."

You say that and you'll get the Sermon on the Mount about why the Mac is better.

 

[game-boi]

The thing is, I'm not one of those people. I do my research thoroughly.

For every one of you, there are 50 people that think they did their research but didn't. In a perfect world, sales people could read your mind and not hound out unless you had a a real question, but until they have that ability you can't be upset with people trying to help, making sure you're finding what your looking for, and generally just trying to make it through their day. Try to put yourself in their shoes.

I fully understand that everyone doesn't need help in a store, but it's no reason to rudely interrupt people, act as if you know everything with some sort of attitude, call over a manager because sales people are "harassing" you, shout at people, or throw things are people (all of the previously mentioned happened at the store I worked at).

Freshmaker: If it matters that much to her, next time I suggest your sister should find a store that doesn't give commissions to employees like Best Buy does/did. I believe that Apple stores don't offer that but I could be totally wrong about that. It really depends on what matters to the customer and what type of shopping "experience" (gah, I hate that word) they're seeking out. Believe it or not, a lot of people like that type of involvement, though I wouldn't expect any of those people to be on this board.

 

[sruckus]

And don't give the "no money" excuse people. Best Buy and Apple will just start a long speech about their credit cards

 

[Freshmaker]

Freshmaker: If it matters that much to her, next time I suggest your sister should find a store that doesn't give commissions to employees like Best Buy does/did. I believe that Apple stores don't offer that but I could be totally wrong about that. It really depends on what matters to the customer and what type of shopping "experience" (gah, I hate that word) they're seeking out. Believe it or not, a lot of people like that type of involvement, though I wouldn't expect any of those people to be on this board.

Best Buy's on commission? Wow. If so just... Wow. I couldn't even get helped the last three times I was in their computer department. Hell, I had to tackle a clerk just to get my PSP.

 

[Liu Kang Baking A Pie]

Best Buy does not work on commission.

On grammar: "just wow" doesn't make sense when you follow it with more thoughts on the subject. "Just" implies that's all you have to say about it.

 

[Evlar]

I never get bothered at Best Buy beyond the occasional "Are you looking for something?" Hadn't occurred to me to knock over any magazine racks in response to the staff being friendly.

 

[lunarworks]

It is kinda funny at times though. I went in to one to kill time one day.
"What brings you to the Apple Store?"
"Nothing."
"Oh..." The clerk just walked off.

Apple actually encourages people to loiter (to a certain degree.) You can try out the machine better if you don't feel like you're being rushed out the door.

 

[Freshmaker]

Best Buy does not work on commission.

On grammar: "just wow" doesn't make sense when you follow it with more thoughts on the subject. "Just" implies that's all you have to say about it.

Wow.. Just... wow. :lol

 

[krypt0nian]

Damn the line to be a douche to retail folks in this thread is a long one.

Stay the fuck out of stores, you anti-social fucks.

 

[yankeeforever2]

Best Buy's on commission? Wow. If so just... Wow. I couldn't even get helped the last three times I was in their computer department. Hell, I had to tackle a clerk just to get my PSP.

I'm pretty sure the mangers get bonuses based on sales numbers for the quarters, so the mangers really push all that staff to do that crap. Really most stores work like that but for different things (like bonuses for being less hours given, total store sales, low fraud and theft, low spoilage/salvage)

 

[ChubbyHuggs]

This just reminds me of Militant Black Guy.

That was awesome.

 

[eznark]

Damn the line to be a douche to retail folks in this thread is a long one.

Stay the fuck out of stores, you anti-social fucks.

:lol

If you don't think that line forms both ways you've never worked retail/service.

 

[Enosh]

They opened an Apple store in my town and its called Stormfront ... no joke. I burst into laughter when I saw it and my friends were confused.. ironic seeing as the store is entirely white.

http://www.stormfront.co.uk/romford.htm

:lol

talk about unfortunate implications

 

[Liu Kang Baking A Pie]

:lol

If you don't think that line forms both ways you've never worked retail/service.

We know that.

GAF typically only discusses this stuff when the people involved are being weird customers, though.

 

[Salazar]

I remember when staff (burly guys who worked in the bakery or out back) were summoned to the supermarket floor because a known thief had come into the store. They actually tailed him all the way around the aisles, and eventually the guy lost it and screamed at the checkout girl "I wasn't even going to fucken' steal anything !"

Amusing times.


:lol The Gizmodo comments.

that sucks... to be honest I'm glad I'm not a large black man...

 

[thetrin]

Either way, shopping at an Apple Store is a big time pain in the ass. I hate dealing with those neck-badge fuckers in their orange shirts. Everything has to be "yo bro, let me help you out! I'm your geek-friend Apple buddy! Just like the dude in the commercial!" Fuck off.

yeah, I know. Fuck nice people, and fuck people doing their job.

 

[teruterubozu]

yeah, I know. Fuck nice people, and fuck people doing their job.

I'm glad you agree, brotha.

 

[travisbickle]

I watched the video. I've had a black dude come up to me in a store and accuse me of being racist because I was clearing out the aisle he was browsing on (I was working at Virgin, clearing the aisle to put in sale stock, he thought I was removing stock to stop him from stealing it). It was probably the most uncomfortable situation I have ever been in, and I'm sure the guy he asked "do you think I'm going to steal something" felt as uncomfortable as I felt.

For me that ruins the guys case, and turns it into the "Militant Black Guy" from the TV show.

 

[shuri]

I hate people who think they are really amazing and special and decide to be total cocks to people working at retail. I just dont understand why people think it's ok to shit on them because some new tech toy is not available right now because it was sold out.

 

[thetrin]

If only every retail worker was a boorish moron who faced the corner and ignored your existence. Life would be so much easier.

 

[teruterubozu]

If only every retail worker was a boorish moron who faced the corner and ignored your existence. Life would be so much easier.

Wouldn't it though?

 

[Agent Icebeezy]

Is that like McDowell's but for black folks laptops?

The king, lol.

 

[yankeeforever2]

If only every retail worker was a boorish moron who faced the corner and ignored your existence. Life would be so much easier.

If only every customer can read damn signs and stop acting like fucking pricks, life would be much easier.

 

[GDJustin]

Why would you assume he's new to an Apple store? Because he's black?

:lol :lol :lol

Well played, dude.

The only thing worse that racism is minorities that are so keyed up to the possibility of racism that they see it where it doesn't actually exist.

 

[Vyer]

Once, long ago, I worked retail in a music/book/video store called Hastings.

It was the holidays, and we had one employee who was very anti religion/Christmas and thought it was the worst time of year. He would sing Christmas songs in a sarcastic way, mocking the holiday. His singing was hilarious.

So one day we are in the video section and a friend and I get him to start singing a Christmas song. We are laughing about it when suddenly we hear a lot of screaming and cussing and yelling.

We see this large woman in a wildly colored moomoo with big, badly dyed hair that was this horrible white/blond color and all sorts of big loud jewelry and shit hanging off her come barreling through the store, cussing like mad. She goes out the front door, screaming her head off.

My friends and I walk up to the front, wondering WTF was going on, only to run into the manager, who was coming back wondering the exact same thing.

What do you mean, I asked.

That woman was all pissed off and yelling at me, he says, saying that some of my employees were back here making fun of her and calling her Frosty the Snowman.

 

[LCfiner]

:lol :lol :lol

Well played, dude.

The only thing worse that racism is minorities that are so keyed up to the possibility of racism that they see it where it doesn't actually exist.

I'm not convinced that's actually worse than racism. :lol

 

[jim-jam bongs]

Informed consumers who hate being hassled by sales staff buy things on the internet. If I must to go to a store to buy something it goes like this:

Sales: Hey how are you? Can I help you with anything?
Me: Nah, thanks mate. I know what I'm after.
Sales: No worries. Well, grab me if you need any help.

And hey; every now and then I actually want some help too. Fancy that. Either way, what is there to be gained by belittling retail sales staff? Moreover, what is there to be gained by stirring up conflict with random people at all?

On topic: that does sound a bit odd to me. I'm not sure if I'd side with OhDoctah or Apple without some better evidence; if someone produces a memo from Apple HQ that says "send security to harass black men who wish to buy our products" then that would be a different story.

 

[thetrin]

If only every customer can read damn signs and stop acting like fucking pricks, life would be much easier.

HAhaha, I completely agree. I was being sarcastic.

 

[CrankyJay]

its much worse than that. The stupid "genius bar" doesnt actually "open" until like 11 am or 12pm, of which you can only make an appointment over the internet, you cannot call in and ask for an appointment, nor can you walk in and make an appointment.

So you walk 5 feet to the iPhone or Mac counter, go on the Internet, and schedule yourself an appointment.

 

[Hawkian]

Nope, it was the first thing that came to my mind also.

Mine too.

 

[Raydeen]

They opened an Apple store in my town and its called Stormfront ... no joke. I burst into laughter when I saw it and my friends were confused.. ironic seeing as the store is entirely white.

http://www.stormfront.co.uk/romford.htm

Dear lord...and in Romford of all places. :lol

Can't imagine they sell much though, given all the Essex girls can't buy Pink Iphones.

 

[giga]

They opened an Apple store in my town and its called Stormfront ... no joke. I burst into laughter when I saw it and my friends were confused.. ironic seeing as the store is entirely white.

http://www.stormfront.co.uk/romford.htm

Reseller.

 

[2 Minutes Turkish]

I'm probably just a mouth breathing dipshit about this one, but I can't watch the vid at work.

What happened exactly?

 

[JDSN]

Damn the line to be a douche to retail folks in this thread is a long one.

Stay the fuck out of stores, you anti-social fucks.

Seriously, someone show cross-reference some of the posts here with the ones on the happy loner thread, I bet results will not be surprising.

 

[WickedAngel]

Damn the line to be a douche to retail folks in this thread is a long one.

Stay the fuck out of stores, you anti-social fucks.

How is explaining your position to mobile PR messages equatable to being a "douche"? These people frequently lie and use aggressive conversation to play on peoples' fears and manipulate them into buying something that they don't need or want. Being assertive is the only way to get them to stop.

I remember when my girlfriend and I went to purchase a TV that was discounted and that we had heavily researched. I walked away for a few minutes and they had already came close to talking her into buying a $90 HDMI cable and a fucking $300 warranty. They are scum.

 

[mrklaw]

If that's exactly how the conversation played out, she wasn't pissed because she didn't get to do her sales script. She was pissed because you interrupted her, ordered her about and acted like some fucking autistic douche.

except stuff like that is scripted and trained so you can't interrupt politely. Just like telesales. They must teach some special circular breathing routine so they don't have to pause for breath. maybe they hire ex-bagpipe players?

 

[industrian]

I've been in an Apple store once. All the dudes there were sarcastic pricks. I really want to buy a MacBook Pro but I'm scared I'll turn into one of them.

They opened an Apple store in my town and its called Stormfront ... no joke. I burst into laughter when I saw it and my friends were confused.. ironic seeing as the store is entirely white.

http://www.stormfront.co.uk/romford.htm

That's why you always Google the name you want for your business to check if it's taken.

 

[eznark]

except stuff like that is scripted and trained so you can't interrupt politely. Just like telesales. They must teach some special circular breathing routine so they don't have to pause for breath. maybe they hire ex-bagpipe players?

Apple store employee White Knights rival female gamer white knights apparently.

 

[painey]

Dear lord...and in Romford of all places. :lol

Can't imagine they sell much though, given all the Essex girls can't buy Pink Iphones.

Every time i've walked past on a week day the place is deserted and theres a security guard looking bored out of his mind :lol

 

[Tobor]

I'd just like to chip in and say OhDocta is a real douche. He's been a guest on Leo Laporte's shows lately, and he genuinely sucks.

 

[demon]

holy neckbeard, batman