Apple iQueue...WTF?

[Vipergrün]

Went to the local Apple store to get my wife an iPhone for xmas.

Hi, I want to buy an iPhone for my wife for xmas.

"I'm sorry sir, you cant just buy one, I have to put you into the iQueue."

What do you mean?

"We are busy, I have to make an appointment for you (pulls out iPad)"

But I just want to buy an iPhone for my wife

"I'm sorry sir, we have to put you into the iQueue"

Well, can I just ask a quick question? Can I get the phone activated on xmas day and not right now?

"No, all iPhones have to leave the store activated"

Well, I want her to open the phone xmas day but still use her current phone

"I'm sorry sir, we cannot do that. You can buy a gift card and give that as a gift and the recipient can buy an iPhone, but you have to be in the iQueue to buy one"

WTF!! Are these people serious? I like Apple products, but what a friggen weird experience. Almost like sales robots....all programmed to only do one thing.

Maybe I'll get her an Adroid instead, rather than a cult product.

[stomachmonkey]

Every time I've run into someone in an Apple store that makes you go hmm it turns out that they are new.

When I swapped wife's iPhone for her BB they did activate in store but with the sim that was in it.

When I was ready to give it to the wife I swapped the sims.

Problem is the iPhone 4 uses a micro sim so that option is out.

[anotherblack944]

I just don't get the whole "i" thing?

Ah, yes.. iRobot! You will be assimilated!

[masraum]

Hahahah, that's pretty darn funny. Did he really call it the "iQueue"?? Wow.

Yeah, what service provider. I really love my Android phone, this is my second one. There are lots of really good ones out there.

[jyl]

Must be an iPhone thing. I bought my wife an iPad, store was jammed with people, I was in and out with the purchase in 3 minutes.

[Vipergrün]

Originally Posted by masraum

Hahahah, that's pretty darn funny. Did he really call it the "iQueue"?? Wow.

Yeah, what service provider. I really love my Android phone, this is my second one. There are lots of really good ones out there.

Hahaha, yeah, iQueue. And the dood kept a straight face the whole time. I almost laughed out loud.

Here you go

"Apple's Apple Store iPhone/iPod touch app received a update that allows employees and customers with a way to wirelessly check-in to retail stores. Employees utilize an app called "Concierge" that sends push notification when a customer with a reservation checks-in to Apple Store via their iPhone. In Concierge, employees are able check an iQueue that establishes customers they're waiting on and what times they checked in. A separate app called Scout gives managers ability to establish room by room locations within the store for accurate, close proximity check-ins."

[Rick Lee]

I switched to AT&T last year to get my wife an iPhone for Xmas. I told the order taker that I didn't want to activate it until Xmas Day, so my wife would still be able to use her current phone. They said no prob. and I got the iPhone in early December. They activated it as soon as I ordered it and I got a bill for it. I called to complain and they credited it.

[nostatic]

I've been in and out of the Apple Store in minutes - they generally have plenty of staff (and they are always crowded), and they can take care of stuff quickly. With the phones I think it has to do with them wanting to actually make sure stuff works right and the activation is seamless. They got burned by AT&T's incompetence so they stay hands-on. As for the iQueue name...it's part of their branding. At least you can go to a physical location and talk to a real person if you want. *And*, I've made appointments online for tech service, walked in at the appointed time, was seen immediately, and was quickly out the door.

Not a perfect company (none are), but the customer experience is usually pretty good at their stores, and they almost always take care of their customers.

[asterix031]

Personally I've had great experiences at the Apple store I used to go to before moving... ...and not because of the iCandy that worked there. It was simple, helpful and I would walk out with what I needed (or wanted).

More recently I've gone to "authorised resellers" simply because they were closer, and the experience was a different story. Not as committed and plenty more waiting around.

[WolfeMacleod]

I dunno,.. Apple and IQ just don't seem to go together very often these days.

[island911]

Exactly. IQ? how about iRony?

[mossguy]

Originally Posted by island911

Exactly. IQ? how about iRony?

Good Evening, Island! What took you so long?

Best,
Tom

[island911]

Hey, that's iLand to you.

[mossguy]

Originally Posted by island911

Hey, that's iLand to you.

That's very good!

[porsche4life]

Can we get an official name change!?

[Mr_Wizard]

Order it from AT&T online. You will have to activate it from home via iTunes. Thats what I do with all mine. Problem solved.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by anotherblack944

I just don't get the whole "i" thing?...

In a previous life I was part of a large corporate, high visibility, VOIP (voice over IP) project, and "Iphone" was selected for the project's name (I've even got an Iphone shirt I won't wear ). This predated Apple's iPhone by a few years and was pure coincidence. Apple's "i" was probably selected for the same reason initially (either abbreviating IP or Internet), and is now a powerful marketing tool. I'm a techie, but have no doubt that marketing trumps all for the average consumer.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by island911

Hey, that's iLand to you.

I knew Glen would eventually be assimilated

[azasadny]

I always get the transgendered emo-like alien at the Genius Bar, which is misnamed...

[A930Rocket]

I ordered a new iPhone for our son as a replacement through AT&T on line as mentioned above. Came in a day or so and it's sitting in a box waiting for Christmas day.