I went computer shopping this morning. I'm interested in Apple's iMac G5, so I went over to the Apple Store in the University District to see if anyone there could answer some of my questions. I am not impressed with the Apple Store. In my two visits to the store in less than a week, I have never yet spoken to a single person there. The clerks had plenty of business and were generally busy dealing with customers, but after twenty or thirty minutes of being ignored and just putzing around on my own--not just once, but twice--I decided I was leaving. Maybe they have a call number system or something. Maybe you have to wait in line at the counter with all the people buying things in order to get some help. However you're supposed to get help, I never figured it out. I'm generally an Apple fan, but I'm not a fan of the Apple Store. Upon leaving, I immediately headed to the Office Depot down the block to look at PCs. But I didn't like any of the PCs. I want a Mac, but I also want a store where I can get some service.
Enter the Mac Store, an apparently new establishment between the University District and my house. I noticed it while driving to the Apple Store last weekend. I was going to stop in this morning but didn't want to mess with the extremely limited parking. Post-Office Depot, though, I figured I would just try to make it work to see if I could get an answer for my fairly basic questions.
After about three minutes of looking around on my own, an older man finally came up to me and asked if I had any questions. I asked him about whether or not the Mac OS has a built in firewall for internet browsing. He said, "I'm glad you asked." Taking me over to one of the iMac G5's, he made about three clicks and showed me where to find it. I wanted to make sure I was understanding what I saw and asked, "So it doesn't need any of that extra protection software?" as I pointed to one of their shelves. He smiled widely and shook his head.
He spent ten or twenty minutes answering my questions and showing me different things around the store: Finale 2005, a MIDI to USB adapter, printers. They don't have any financing set up yet but said that should be available from their store in about two weeks. That's ok because I don't really want to buy a machine without all of the money in-hand anyway, and the holiday season with its varied expenses is quickly approaching.
When I do buy a computer, it will probably be an iMac, but it almost certainly won't be at the Apple Store. Parking difficulties aside, the Mac Store is the place to buy Apple in Seattle.
Posted by jonhanneman at November 11, 2004 2:41 PMI think Apple stores must vary widely in staffing. At the Apple store here in Philly, the associates nearly pounce on customers with helpfulness. "Please, please, sir! Give me the chance to make your experience here at the Apple Store an enriching and life changing moment!"
Jason (writing this message on one of three Macs in the apartment...PC's are banished henceforth).
PS: What's with the BUY CHEAP VIAGRA ONLINE messages?
Posted by: Jason at November 11, 2004 4:24 PMYou know me--always out to make a quick buck.
E-mail is not the only place that gets spam. Unfortunately, there's very little I can do about the foulness and foolishness that spammers put here until they've already posted it. Fortunately, I was online this afternoon when some really foul stuff came on and was able to get rid of it before most people would have seen it.
I've contacted my bloghost about the spamming trouble, and he's working on a solution. Until then, I hope everyone realizes that I have little to no immediate control over what other people write in a comment.
Posted by: Jonathan at November 11, 2004 4:45 PM