WATERFRONT APPLE MAC ISTORE DOES NOT NEED YOUR BUSINESS
I am still a bit shell-shocked after my harrowing visit to the Waterfront this morning. I went to get some passport photographs and decided to pop into the Waterfront iStore shop who (I was under the impression) sell most Apple Mac products. I was looking for an iPod shuffle, as my normal iPod is too big to jog with, as is my iPhone. I just wanted a little one to hold my gym songs – you know, like Rihanna’s “Rehab” and The Pointer Sisters’ “Jump”!
So I cruised in and waited for a few minutes for anyone to notice me. I did two laps of honour, to be honest. there was one other customer in the shop and three members of staff – one of them helping that customer.
It was like something out of the movie Chopper. Those of you who have seen it will remember the scene in the prison when all the people in the cell deny having witnessed Chopper’s recent murder (which happened right next to them). “Well, officer, I missed it all – you see, I was washing my hands in the basin. And Jimmy was watching me wash my hands. And Bruce was watching Jimmy watch me wash my hands” etc etc.
You get the idea.
“Bradley” reluctantly decides to get involved and I explain to him that I need an iPod Shuffle. Cool, he says, as he gets me one from the display cupboard.
We go to the counter. I’m in a bit of a rush as I’m just here to get the iPod – I’m not looking for an experience or anything.
“Have you bought from us before?” he asks.
“I don’t know,” I answer. “Do you take American Express?”
“Yes we do. What is your surname please?”
I give him my surname.
“What is your first name.”
I give him my first name.
“Could I get your home address if that’s ok?” He gave me the option.
“Nah,” I said, “I’d prefer not to” as I looked around to see if the shop doubled up as a pharmacy – who have to by law get your details if you buy certain products.
“Okay,” said Bradley, “Can I have your phone number please.”
“I’d rather not give my phone number, bru. I just want to buy the iPod and move on with my life. Can I do that please?”
“We need your phone number” said Bradley.
“Can you not make the sale without my phone number?” I asked, bemused.
“No, I can’t,” he replied.
“I see. Do they sell these things next door at Incredible Connection?”
“Yes they do,” confirmed Bradley.
“Cool. Goodbye!” as I spun on my heel and went next door to Incredible Connection.
I did not walk fast and he made no attempt to stop me. I swear to God – it was QUITE bizarre.
They had the same unit there at Increidble Connection for EXACTLY the same price. And no-one asked me any questions to beef up any database and ruin my shopping experience. And even if they did, I DOUBT they would have denied me the purchase if I chose not to.
In and out – that is what MOST people want from their shopping experience.
Thank you Incredible Connection.
iStore – FAIL.
I won’t be going back anytime soon.
Have YOU had a drama with the iStore or Core, the company that owns it? Let us know by leaving a comment to this article.
Recent remarks on Twitter include:
iStore V&A is a joke Seth. This one “techie” dropped my iphone 3G trying to fit a iphone NON-3G case to it. (@charlformd)
Apple’s lack of official presence in SA allows the greed and incompetence of Core (iStore) to ruin it’s reputation 4 service (@paul_mark)
they can’t force you to give them your number!!! (@andrewfarr)
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3 Comments
Nethan
28 Oct 2011
Seriously, where to start?! Core Failes miserably!
Alan
08 Nov 2011
They are slow and bad but go to digicape for the REAL experience. They sell me Kingston ram and put no name brand in. When this no name brand burns out my logic board R8000-00 repair and then burns out another before techie can figure out what is wrong. When I call digi cape they replace my ram but say I cannot prove that their ram did the damage it has been working fine since then 6 months. Never mind the 45 minute wait in their service centre. Impossible says their manager I will check the video I have heard nothing since so it must have been 45 minutes.
Marco
14 Jan 2012
I went to the same store, looking to get a MacBook Pro. I made it quite clear that I wanted to get it and was not uncertain about my intentions. This fellow that worked there informed me there are still in stock. I old him that I would like to know how to pay whether I need to make it in cash, an EFT, a thrid part EFT, a cheque etc. – i was told he would call me back with the details and whether they still had in stock. I was not informed of any quote being valid for 7days only or that the prices are subject to change on the whim of Apple Europe. (things which i found out later on speaking with the senior sales manager at the store, and was not informed of these matters previously, as would be required by law to do so.) Further I am a student and so qualified for the student discount provided I had letters of registration for that year as well as the student card etc. I further informed this jolly fellow of the fact that getting registration letters in 2012 would be difficult as I would need the machine before the date of registration the university has set down.
Now the price has increased by R3000.00 as from 2 days ago, and they need a letter of registration for the 2012 year, which is now 1 month before the date of registration actually occurs. The standard response I get is “I’m sorry, but unfortunately there is nothing we can do.”
Gee thank you. Customer lost.
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