# Are all Apple stores a mob scene? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 22, 2011, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-apple-stores-a-mob-scene/589977 "2011-07-22T13:34:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-apple-stores-a-mob-scene/589977/21 "2011-07-22T15:45:22Z")
Wasn’t yesterday the first day that the new Lion OS was available? So perhaps that was why the store was especially busy? ---
**Author:** ![tumbleddown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tumbleddown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tumbleddown)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-apple-stores-a-mob-scene/589977/22 "2011-07-22T15:58:07Z")
You’ve hit right at the introduction of new product, updated models of the Macbook Air and Mac Mini were just rolled out. As a general rule, you should never visit an Apple Store in the week of new product intro unless you need a genius bar appointment for crucial technical support. Wait a week and try again and it will still likely be quite lively, but not a total cluster. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-apple-stores-a-mob-scene/589977/23 "2011-07-22T16:32:12Z")
> [@tumbleddown](#): > > You’ve hit right at the introduction of new product, updated models of the Macbook Air and Mac Mini were just rolled out. As a general rule, you should never visit an Apple Store in the week of new product intro unless you need a genius bar appointment for crucial technical support. > > Wait a week and try again and it will still likely be quite lively, but not a total cluster. That’ll teach me not to stay in touch with the tech world. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-apple-stores-a-mob-scene/589977/24 "2011-07-22T16:44:56Z")
I’ve been to some that were madhouse busy and others that weren’t. Generally the more suburban they are the better off you’ll be. The one near my uncle’s home in the Wellington mall in Palm Beach is never too crowded. I don’t think there were any youngsters pawing at things; when we were there it was mostly the 50+ crowd getting their first or second Mac (just as he was). ETA: I’ve been at 4 locations in two states and you’ve always needed a genius bar appt 24 hours in advance unless it’s 1st thing in the morning. Always. ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-apple-stores-a-mob-scene/589977/25 "2011-07-22T18:02:11Z")
I’ve been to the one on 5th Ave in NYC a couple times. On Saturdays. Both times were very crowded. Lots of tourists. However, it was easy to access demos to play around with (they had like a dozen of everything), it was easy enough to find a salesman, and when it came time to buy my macbook pro, the salesman did it remotely so I didn’t have to stand in line. The one time I did have to stand in line it went pretty quickly. Pretty good experience overall. If you’re curious about iPads just go up to the iPad display, start playing with one and have your leisurely chat with the sickly-smiling salesperson who will certainly be by shortly. It’s pretty easy to tune out the madness once you’re in and messing around with stuff. FWIW I got a wifi only iPad for my wife, who is not very computer savvy, and she’s crazy about it. Since it can connect with our cable service it’s like having another TV in the apartment (among other things) that she or the girls can take anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-apple-stores-a-mob-scene/589977/26 "2011-07-22T19:02:31Z")
They’re like the new Starbucks. The new hip and trendy place to hang out. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-apple-stores-a-mob-scene/589977/27 "2011-07-22T19:55:55Z")
[QUOTE=Anaamika] What does this mean? [/QUOTE] It’s a rugby term, but in this context, it means “chaotic mob” ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-apple-stores-a-mob-scene/589977/28 "2011-07-22T20:07:13Z")
By the way, I moseyed by one this afternoon, and it seemed pretty dang busy. One guy talking outside on his cell phone said he thought it was “packed”. ---
**Author:** ![kushiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kushiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kushiel)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-apple-stores-a-mob-scene/589977/29 "2011-07-22T20:21:58Z")
> [@Agent\_Foxtrot](#): > > Apple bases their entire business model on their products being fun to look at and handle. Yes, all Apple stores are pretty much a mob scene. I’d wager, however, that the majority of paying customers generally went into the store already knowing they were going to buy. Yeah, I finally had a chance to go to an Apple store and had to see what the fuss was about. It was just people standing around playing with the gadgets. I already have an iPhone and access to an iPad, so I just shrugged and left. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-apple-stores-a-mob-scene/589977/30 "2011-07-22T21:18:18Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Actually, I think there is an Apple-shirted employee in my local Best Buy store. I don’t know if that’s an actual Apple employee, but I suspect that he or she is reasonably familiar with Apple hardware. They are. I have a friend who works for Apple in a Best Buy location. ---
**Author:** ![goldmund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a4c791/32.png) [@goldmund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/goldmund)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-apple-stores-a-mob-scene/589977/31 "2011-07-22T21:25:02Z")
As a poster above said, OS X Lion just came out. It’s only available via download, though. Apple invited anyone who doesn’t have a fast connection, has a bandwidth cap, etc, to come into the stores and download the new OS via their wireless network. So that probably has a lot to do with it. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2011, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-apple-stores-a-mob-scene/589977/32 "2011-07-23T01:22:28Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > The problem with Best Buy is finding anybody that actually knows anything. Try your local Fred Meyer’s - mine has iPad, Xoom and Galaxy tabs to try out. Wouldn’t be surprised if they pick up the HP tablet as well (they used to sell the HP iPods). Even if the clerks know nothing, you can probably try out each one long enough to get an idea of each. Then go to the web and research them more. ---
**Author:** ![Cheez\_Whia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@Cheez\_Whia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheez_Whia)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2011, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-apple-stores-a-mob-scene/589977/33 "2011-07-23T01:36:11Z")
I just got back home from Salt Lake City, about a 5 hour drive from where I live (Hubby sees doctors there 3-4 times a year). We went to the Apple Store there yesterday, and it was busier than we had seen it previously. We did not have any problem getting to any displays to play with the devices, and we were approached several times by employees asking if they could be of assistance. It’s been pretty busy anytime we’ve gone. We bought iPads there last fall, but most of the time, we buy direct from Apple online. I didn’t think I would use an iPad much, but I was wrong. Get one; you’ll like it! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2011, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-apple-stores-a-mob-scene/589977/34 "2011-07-23T13:29:32Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > Try your local Fred Meyer’s - mine has iPad, Xoom and Galaxy tabs to try out. Wouldn’t be surprised if they pick up the HP tablet as well (they used to sell the HP iPods). > > Even if the clerks know nothing, you can probably try out each one long enough to get an idea of each. Then go to the web and research them more. I’ve been in the Freddy’s electronics section three times now, standing and staring at the iPads and looking around like I needed help. They were supremely disinterested in making a sale, it seems. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2011, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-apple-stores-a-mob-scene/589977/35 "2011-07-23T14:13:30Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I’ve been in the Freddy’s electronics section three times now, standing and staring at the iPads and looking around like I needed help. They were supremely disinterested in making a sale, it seems. Yep, sounds right. My point was that you can directly compare several tablets there. They guys at my store were hot on the Xoom because it supports Flash and they had to be able to play Farmville - so their advice was already skewed a bit from my needs (not a Farmville fan). ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2011, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-apple-stores-a-mob-scene/589977/36 "2011-07-23T14:25:33Z")
Personally I’d go back to the Apple store itself in a week or so, on a weekday at an offpeak time, like 10am or 2pm, avoiding the lunch rush and the evening rush. You could also show up an hour before the store closes. If you have a location that isn’t inconvenient that is more suburban, try there first. Likely the cause of the crowds are both the Lion update and new hardware. One means crowds, two probably means near disaster. Also - if there is engraving on the iPad and you don’t plan to sell it, don’t buy it in the store, buy online. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2011, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-apple-stores-a-mob-scene/589977/37 "2011-07-23T14:34:50Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > But they have some really neat gimmicks! I just bought a new iPod. So, you go over to the display, and right there is a little display computer. You click “need assistance”. It says you are X number in line. The numbers count down, and when they are done, an associate magically appears next to you. He helps you with what he needs. He fetches your item, and then he takes your credit card right there! You don’t even need to go up to the counter to pay. I liked it, and I am not even that fond of Apple. Interesting; that’s exactly what I _don’t_ like about the Apple Store. They don’t wear uniforms or even just Apple t-shirts or anything so there’s no telling who works there and who doesn’t. I walked into an Apple Store, went straight to what I came in for (it was a Snow Leopard upgrade disk), then had to stand around for 5 minutes like an asshole looking for someone to check me out because there isn’t any dedicated space for doing that. I walked up to at least 3 random people in the store only to discover that they didn’t work there. They looked at me like I was nuts. I feel like they overthought the whole thing; I know they want to be different, but there’s nothing wrong with having a simple checkout counter. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2011, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-apple-stores-a-mob-scene/589977/38 "2011-07-23T15:10:41Z")
Wow, **DCnDC** , if what you described was anything like my experience, I’d hate Apple too. I would honestly complain about it; I’ve never seen or heard what you’ve described. That sucks! I’ve been to 4 stores in PA and Florida and they 1) all wore brightly colored noticeable Apple T-shirts. 2) I was always was approached by someone within 30 seconds of entering the store, usually within 5 seconds. 3) I was re-approached if I told them I was just browsing about 10 minutes later, which is just perfect and 4) they email you the receipt after every purchase, you so have a “forever” copy. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2011, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-apple-stores-a-mob-scene/589977/39 "2011-07-23T16:43:58Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > Yep, sounds right. My point was that you can directly compare several tablets there. > > They guys at my store were hot on the Xoom because it supports Flash and they had to be able to play Farmville - so their advice was already skewed a bit from my needs (not a Farmville fan). Yeah, but I need to actually have someone give me the sales pitch and demonstrate it. Me poking at random icons isn’t going to tell me anything. ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2011, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-apple-stores-a-mob-scene/589977/40 "2011-07-23T17:46:06Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > From what I’m reading, the Samsung Galaxy is serious competition for the iPad, without all the proprietary stuff to deal with. Not even close: > **[The iPad’s Dominance of the Tablet Market](https://daringfireball.net/2011/07/ipad_dominance)** > > So it looks like Apple has sold, to customers, over 21 times more iPads than all Honeycomb Android tablets combined. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-apple-stores-a-mob-scene/589977.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-apple-stores-a-mob-scene/589977.md?page=3)