Apple controls retail Store employees
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Originally Posted By: Nick R
I can understand that definitely. the problem is with Best buy, because I work for it, but other than for a paycheck, I don't really have any loyalty to the company itself.
That comment speaks volumes about your understanding of being professional at whatever you do.
I suspect most of the Apple employees are there because they genuinely enjoy what they do.
You're putting in time at Best Buy to earn a meager paycheck, nothing more.
Apple has some professional training for their employees, and the employees are rewarded with a reasonable paycheck for retail work.
The management at Best Buy recognizes that most of their employees are there for the same reason as you, and therefore crack the whip accordingly. In turn, you post about how the happy people at Apple are almost under mind control.
Quote:
Approach customers with a personalized warm welcome.
Probe politely to understand all the customer's needs.
Present a solution for the customer to take home today.
Listen for and resolve any issues or concerns.
End with a fond farewell and an invitation to return.
If Best Buy employees genuinely followed this they'd have a much better reputation than they currently have.
I can understand that definitely. the problem is with Best buy, because I work for it, but other than for a paycheck, I don't really have any loyalty to the company itself.
That comment speaks volumes about your understanding of being professional at whatever you do.
I suspect most of the Apple employees are there because they genuinely enjoy what they do.
You're putting in time at Best Buy to earn a meager paycheck, nothing more.
Apple has some professional training for their employees, and the employees are rewarded with a reasonable paycheck for retail work.
The management at Best Buy recognizes that most of their employees are there for the same reason as you, and therefore crack the whip accordingly. In turn, you post about how the happy people at Apple are almost under mind control.
Quote:
Approach customers with a personalized warm welcome.
Probe politely to understand all the customer's needs.
Present a solution for the customer to take home today.
Listen for and resolve any issues or concerns.
End with a fond farewell and an invitation to return.
If Best Buy employees genuinely followed this they'd have a much better reputation than they currently have.
Best buy sells commodity goods and has to price match the internet while maintaining a B&M presence. They can't be making anything on computers so they hope to rake in enough with service plans, "geek squad" add-ons, cell phone plans, and Monster cables to pay for the mall rent, staff, and shrinkage.
Apple sells a luxury good like designer handbags. You can get the stuff for (slightly) less from amazon... or functionally equivalent other brand stuff for much, much less at WM or BB. The reason to go into the store is to have your ego stroked... just like women are told by makeup associates at Macy's that "it's not too late" if you spend all sorts of $$$ on wrinkle cream.
Apple sells a luxury good like designer handbags. You can get the stuff for (slightly) less from amazon... or functionally equivalent other brand stuff for much, much less at WM or BB. The reason to go into the store is to have your ego stroked... just like women are told by makeup associates at Macy's that "it's not too late" if you spend all sorts of $$$ on wrinkle cream.
Nick , what do you think would happen if the store manager at your Best Buy found out your true opinion about the company and that you blogged it?
Apple is no different than any other company, they have their own way of training and controlling their employees, as do other companies. Sure some do it to a lesser extent, but there are others that are even more stringent.
For example, the Wal-Mart I worked for, when I was going to college, had two snitches working amongst us, that reported daily on our activities and how much work we did. That was on top of video surveillance. We eventually found out who these people were because they were not doing much work and they never seemed to get in trouble.
I did not like it, although I did not worry much anyway as I was never late and did my job, but I never knew what these guys were telling the managers about me. I needed the job and they had really flexible hours, which was a tremendous plus when going to school, so I just endured and made sure I gave them no reason for disciplinary action.
In the end it is up to the employee to decide whether they like the policies of their employer or not. I bet the guy that wrote the article has to put up with a lot of "challenges" from his writing director as well
Apple is no different than any other company, they have their own way of training and controlling their employees, as do other companies. Sure some do it to a lesser extent, but there are others that are even more stringent.
For example, the Wal-Mart I worked for, when I was going to college, had two snitches working amongst us, that reported daily on our activities and how much work we did. That was on top of video surveillance. We eventually found out who these people were because they were not doing much work and they never seemed to get in trouble.
I did not like it, although I did not worry much anyway as I was never late and did my job, but I never knew what these guys were telling the managers about me. I needed the job and they had really flexible hours, which was a tremendous plus when going to school, so I just endured and made sure I gave them no reason for disciplinary action.
In the end it is up to the employee to decide whether they like the policies of their employer or not. I bet the guy that wrote the article has to put up with a lot of "challenges" from his writing director as well
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Originally Posted By: Nick R
I like how they forbid to ever say anything bad about their products. Even I can. I explained the Sandy Bridge problem to people who were hesitant to buy anything intel because of it, in terms they would understand, so they would know that it's fixed now. They also forbid their "Geniuses" to discuss that apple products have malware. Such honesty. I hate apple more and more with every article I see on them.
If you have one product with no counterparts to sell than how could you speak badly about it as a salesperson. Best Buy for example is a different case since there are many products to sell and pro's & cons to each. If you are salesperson and stating all Best Buy's computer products were bad than you don't belong.
No one forces people to work for Apple.
I like how they forbid to ever say anything bad about their products. Even I can. I explained the Sandy Bridge problem to people who were hesitant to buy anything intel because of it, in terms they would understand, so they would know that it's fixed now. They also forbid their "Geniuses" to discuss that apple products have malware. Such honesty. I hate apple more and more with every article I see on them.
If you have one product with no counterparts to sell than how could you speak badly about it as a salesperson. Best Buy for example is a different case since there are many products to sell and pro's & cons to each. If you are salesperson and stating all Best Buy's computer products were bad than you don't belong.
No one forces people to work for Apple.
I can't say I'm surprised nor upset about this. Apple has an image it wants to maintain and it trains its workers to uphold that image.
I used to work in tech support for a software company. Before I was allowed on the phones, I had to shadow an experienced employee to learn the ropes via a headset piggybacked off of his, only his mike worked and mine didn't. When the time came to take calls, I was monitored, first with someone right beside me and later at random. Instead of saying "development doesn't have a friggin' clue at this point," I had to sugarcoat a tough bug by saying "development is aware of the problem and is working on a fix". It comes with the territory.
I used to work in tech support for a software company. Before I was allowed on the phones, I had to shadow an experienced employee to learn the ropes via a headset piggybacked off of his, only his mike worked and mine didn't. When the time came to take calls, I was monitored, first with someone right beside me and later at random. Instead of saying "development doesn't have a friggin' clue at this point," I had to sugarcoat a tough bug by saying "development is aware of the problem and is working on a fix". It comes with the territory.
The problem I see, and it is not so much Apple as it is every other corporation like it, is they are flooded with applicants for their $9/hr or so and probably part-time with no benefits positions. Plus the no advancement opportunities. These companies ask a lot of their employees and give them little. It's all because they are "flooded with applicants". So they can do what ever they want and demand whatever they want of their employees and basically treat them like disposable tools.
Why do you think that is? They make all the products in China, so where else are people going to work? Apple makes billions and charges its customers prices that would pay good wages for the manufacturing and marketing of their products. Except they pay peanuts and pocket the difference. So its customers and most of its employees are getting taken for what they're worth. But that isn't an Apple thing. That is the way business is done nowadays. Any big successful corporation is about controlling and using people to their advantage. I don't buy Apple products and wouldn't work for them.
Why do you think that is? They make all the products in China, so where else are people going to work? Apple makes billions and charges its customers prices that would pay good wages for the manufacturing and marketing of their products. Except they pay peanuts and pocket the difference. So its customers and most of its employees are getting taken for what they're worth. But that isn't an Apple thing. That is the way business is done nowadays. Any big successful corporation is about controlling and using people to their advantage. I don't buy Apple products and wouldn't work for them.
Never been to a Apple store (because they make nothing I'm interested in), but we had a good laugh at their "business plan" a few months ago when a friend went in and bought an Ipad. They wouldn't give him a receipt! Their suggestion when he insisted he wanted a receipt? Go online and print one at home.
Probably just should have bought it online in the first place.
Probably just should have bought it online in the first place.
Don't get me wrong, I'm professional at work, I don't screw around and act like it doesn't matter. I might not like the company I work for for certain reasons, but that doesn't mean I don't do my job to the best of my ability.
What I've said about my opinion of best buy is actually fairly mild compared to what some of the employees-(These are the bad ones, that DON'T act professional) post about it on facebook and other high profile places.
I do hate people that don't do their job properly because they don't like it. Like it or not, it is the job, and you should do it the best you can.
As a sort of example, I don't particularly like toyota/Honda. But if I was offered a job with them, I wouldn't turn it down. I definitely don't plan on working for Best buy forever, and even the managers say
"If any of you are here in 5 years I'm going to kick your butts, because this shouldn't be a career for anyone- believe me I'm 58 years old and been a manager for several different retail companies". This guy is from Brooklyn, full blooded italian and everything.
I treat my customers with respect and help them get what they need.
Also, I'm not asking them to say that they have no fix for a well known problem, but they (Apple as a company) can at least acknowledge the problem, and say that they are working on a fix.
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Originally Posted By: Nick R
I can understand that definitely. the problem is with Best buy, because I work for it, but other than for a paycheck, I don't really have any loyalty to the company itself.
That comment speaks volumes about your understanding of being professional at whatever you do.
I suspect most of the Apple employees are there because they genuinely enjoy what they do.
You're putting in time at Best Buy to earn a meager paycheck, nothing more.
Apple has some professional training for their employees, and the employees are rewarded with a reasonable paycheck for retail work.
The management at Best Buy recognizes that most of their employees are there for the same reason as you, and therefore crack the whip accordingly. In turn, you post about how the happy people at Apple are almost under mind control.
Quote:
Approach customers with a personalized warm welcome.
Probe politely to understand all the customer's needs.
Present a solution for the customer to take home today.
Listen for and resolve any issues or concerns.
End with a fond farewell and an invitation to return.
If Best Buy employees genuinely followed this they'd have a much better reputation than they currently have.
Yes, see we HAVE something like this. I'm fairly sure it would be bad if I posted exactly what it was on here, but it's pretty much the same thing. The better salespeople do follow it, others are the ones that people complain about, and so do we as a matter of fact.
I'm not in the best clear-headed state right now so forgive me if I say something off. I've been working 12-16 hour overnight shifts the past few days out of town on Project team for the bi-annual store resets. I've worked 60 hours in the past few days plus driving time and 400 miles worth of mileage.
What I've said about my opinion of best buy is actually fairly mild compared to what some of the employees-(These are the bad ones, that DON'T act professional) post about it on facebook and other high profile places.
I do hate people that don't do their job properly because they don't like it. Like it or not, it is the job, and you should do it the best you can.
As a sort of example, I don't particularly like toyota/Honda. But if I was offered a job with them, I wouldn't turn it down. I definitely don't plan on working for Best buy forever, and even the managers say
"If any of you are here in 5 years I'm going to kick your butts, because this shouldn't be a career for anyone- believe me I'm 58 years old and been a manager for several different retail companies". This guy is from Brooklyn, full blooded italian and everything.
I treat my customers with respect and help them get what they need.
Also, I'm not asking them to say that they have no fix for a well known problem, but they (Apple as a company) can at least acknowledge the problem, and say that they are working on a fix.
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Originally Posted By: Nick R
I can understand that definitely. the problem is with Best buy, because I work for it, but other than for a paycheck, I don't really have any loyalty to the company itself.
That comment speaks volumes about your understanding of being professional at whatever you do.
I suspect most of the Apple employees are there because they genuinely enjoy what they do.
You're putting in time at Best Buy to earn a meager paycheck, nothing more.
Apple has some professional training for their employees, and the employees are rewarded with a reasonable paycheck for retail work.
The management at Best Buy recognizes that most of their employees are there for the same reason as you, and therefore crack the whip accordingly. In turn, you post about how the happy people at Apple are almost under mind control.
Quote:
Approach customers with a personalized warm welcome.
Probe politely to understand all the customer's needs.
Present a solution for the customer to take home today.
Listen for and resolve any issues or concerns.
End with a fond farewell and an invitation to return.
If Best Buy employees genuinely followed this they'd have a much better reputation than they currently have.
Yes, see we HAVE something like this. I'm fairly sure it would be bad if I posted exactly what it was on here, but it's pretty much the same thing. The better salespeople do follow it, others are the ones that people complain about, and so do we as a matter of fact.
I'm not in the best clear-headed state right now so forgive me if I say something off. I've been working 12-16 hour overnight shifts the past few days out of town on Project team for the bi-annual store resets. I've worked 60 hours in the past few days plus driving time and 400 miles worth of mileage.
"I'm not in the best clear-headed state right now so forgive me if I say something off. I've been working 12-16 hour overnight shifts the past few days out of town on Project team for the bi-annual store resets. I've worked 60 hours in the past few days plus driving time and 400 miles worth of mileage."
I know it's 'just your job', but that's pretty impressive dedication to a job right there!
They reimbursing you for mileage?
I know it's 'just your job', but that's pretty impressive dedication to a job right there!
They reimbursing you for mileage?
Originally Posted By: addyguy
"I'm not in the best clear-headed state right now so forgive me if I say something off. I've been working 12-16 hour overnight shifts the past few days out of town on Project team for the bi-annual store resets. I've worked 60 hours in the past few days plus driving time and 400 miles worth of mileage."
I know it's 'just your job', but that's pretty impressive dedication to a job right there!
They reimbursing you for mileage?
+1
"I'm not in the best clear-headed state right now so forgive me if I say something off. I've been working 12-16 hour overnight shifts the past few days out of town on Project team for the bi-annual store resets. I've worked 60 hours in the past few days plus driving time and 400 miles worth of mileage."
I know it's 'just your job', but that's pretty impressive dedication to a job right there!
They reimbursing you for mileage?
+1
I join some of the others in being impressed with Apple's commitment to employee training. They apparently have high expectations of employee dedication and employees are rewarded for it. It's a fantastic model in my opinion...one to be imitated more often.
To imply that Apple store employees are robots because of the rigorous training they go through is disrespectful. They obviously enjoy what they do and are good enough at it to have made it into retail employment. To be mocked on an online forum for respecting a customer and treating them like human beings is unfortunate.
To imply that Apple store employees are robots because of the rigorous training they go through is disrespectful. They obviously enjoy what they do and are good enough at it to have made it into retail employment. To be mocked on an online forum for respecting a customer and treating them like human beings is unfortunate.
Originally Posted By: daves87rs
Originally Posted By: addyguy
"I'm not in the best clear-headed state right now so forgive me if I say something off. I've been working 12-16 hour overnight shifts the past few days out of town on Project team for the bi-annual store resets. I've worked 60 hours in the past few days plus driving time and 400 miles worth of mileage."
I know it's 'just your job', but that's pretty impressive dedication to a job right there!
They reimbursing you for mileage?
+1
This was optional, I chose to do project team. It pays well, but more hours. I'm not complaining about it, I like what I'm doing right now, but it's exhausting. Sunday-Monday, I was up for 28 hours, of those I worked 25... Lol... It's actually more like 65-70 hours, I've stopped counting. And yeah I get paid $0.51 per mile after the first 30 miles. It's going to be a few good paychecks. It's a grueling schedule though... Go to work at 4-9 in the afternoon, stay till sometime between 9-12 the following morning. Go to hotel, sleep, start all over again lol
It runs this week through 2nd week of July. We go in rearrange the product, put out new product, take down old, new display models, cleans... Etc.
Originally Posted By: addyguy
"I'm not in the best clear-headed state right now so forgive me if I say something off. I've been working 12-16 hour overnight shifts the past few days out of town on Project team for the bi-annual store resets. I've worked 60 hours in the past few days plus driving time and 400 miles worth of mileage."
I know it's 'just your job', but that's pretty impressive dedication to a job right there!
They reimbursing you for mileage?
+1
This was optional, I chose to do project team. It pays well, but more hours. I'm not complaining about it, I like what I'm doing right now, but it's exhausting. Sunday-Monday, I was up for 28 hours, of those I worked 25... Lol... It's actually more like 65-70 hours, I've stopped counting. And yeah I get paid $0.51 per mile after the first 30 miles. It's going to be a few good paychecks. It's a grueling schedule though... Go to work at 4-9 in the afternoon, stay till sometime between 9-12 the following morning. Go to hotel, sleep, start all over again lol
It runs this week through 2nd week of July. We go in rearrange the product, put out new product, take down old, new display models, cleans... Etc.
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Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I join some of the others in being impressed with Apple's commitment to employee training. They apparently have high expectations of employee dedication and employees are rewarded for it. It's a fantastic model in my opinion...one to be imitated more often.
But how are they being rewarded? As low as $9/hr, likely part time and no benefits, can be fired at a drop of a hat, little promotion opportunity. Unless they are gettting something I don't know about, I don't see the reward and it sounds like pretty typical retail compensation suitable for a student. Maybe some people have a different definition of being rewarded
. I wouldn't really consider it a good job or a career. On the other hand retail employers can be demanding so I don't see anything significant here one way or the other.
I join some of the others in being impressed with Apple's commitment to employee training. They apparently have high expectations of employee dedication and employees are rewarded for it. It's a fantastic model in my opinion...one to be imitated more often.
But how are they being rewarded? As low as $9/hr, likely part time and no benefits, can be fired at a drop of a hat, little promotion opportunity. Unless they are gettting something I don't know about, I don't see the reward and it sounds like pretty typical retail compensation suitable for a student. Maybe some people have a different definition of being rewarded
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I join some of the others in being impressed with Apple's commitment to employee training. They apparently have high expectations of employee dedication and employees are rewarded for it. It's a fantastic model in my opinion...one to be imitated more often.
But how are they being rewarded? As low as $9/hr, likely part time and no benefits, can be fired at a drop of a hat, little promotion opportunity. Unless they are gettting something I don't know about, I don't see the reward and it sounds like pretty typical retail compensation suitable for a student. Maybe some people have a different definition of being rewarded
. I wouldn't really consider it a good job or a career. On the other hand retail employers can be demanding so I don't see anything significant here one way or the other.
I think the current wage is $14 / hr. Not a lot but compare to other retail employee it isn't too bad unless you count the union one that has $25 or so / hr, higher than me on my earlier engineering days. But is that fair though?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_technews/2...cure-better-pay
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I join some of the others in being impressed with Apple's commitment to employee training. They apparently have high expectations of employee dedication and employees are rewarded for it. It's a fantastic model in my opinion...one to be imitated more often.
But how are they being rewarded? As low as $9/hr, likely part time and no benefits, can be fired at a drop of a hat, little promotion opportunity. Unless they are gettting something I don't know about, I don't see the reward and it sounds like pretty typical retail compensation suitable for a student. Maybe some people have a different definition of being rewarded
I think the current wage is $14 / hr. Not a lot but compare to other retail employee it isn't too bad unless you count the union one that has $25 or so / hr, higher than me on my earlier engineering days. But is that fair though?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_technews/2...cure-better-pay
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$14/hr for doing that kind of work is ridiculous. $25 is really something else... I guess if want them to wear all those trendy clothes and old-looking glasses while appearing to be believably happy, that's what they have to pay.
I'd think the $14/hr is mostly in high cost areas like San Franciso, New York etc where it would scarcely cover your rent. I would have to see some real evidence that any stores actually pay $25/hr and if that is a maximum rate and not starting, benefits etc. I don't have a problem with someone making $25/hr working in a store per se. It depends on the situation. But hey if anyone thinks working at Apple stores or any other retail is an easy, high paying career, they can throw their application in.
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
I'd think the $14/hr is mostly in high cost areas like San Franciso, New York etc where it would scarcely cover your rent. I would have to see some real evidence that any stores actually pay $25/hr and if that is a maximum rate and not starting, benefits etc. I don't have a problem with someone making $25/hr working in a store per se. It depends on the situation. But hey if anyone thinks working at Apple stores or any other retail is an easy, high paying career, they can throw their application in.
+1
It's not easy, and it's certainly not high paying.
I'd think the $14/hr is mostly in high cost areas like San Franciso, New York etc where it would scarcely cover your rent. I would have to see some real evidence that any stores actually pay $25/hr and if that is a maximum rate and not starting, benefits etc. I don't have a problem with someone making $25/hr working in a store per se. It depends on the situation. But hey if anyone thinks working at Apple stores or any other retail is an easy, high paying career, they can throw their application in.
+1
It's not easy, and it's certainly not high paying.
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Oh, no. I realize that. I worked several years in retail and I'm well aware of the slave labor it can be.
$14/hr in NY or LA is one thing, but here in Houston it's just crazy. $10/hr for a well trained worker (or minimum + commission) would be much more reasonable.
$14/hr in NY or LA is one thing, but here in Houston it's just crazy. $10/hr for a well trained worker (or minimum + commission) would be much more reasonable.
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