A Tale of Two Chain Stores
Today, I figured I’d had the time to execute on a couple of desired purchases: I needed an iPod Shuffle for workout purposes, and I needed a Flip Ultra camera for video experimentation. (Both are modestly-priced items for their respective gadget categories, and I’m on a budget, so I really had to think about it) From the nearby intersection of Houston and Allen, the closest electronics store I’d trust is Best Buy on Broadway and Houston. So I walked there.
My experience at Best Buy went as follows: I found the Flip Ultra on display. I then looked around for a staff member to help me, since there were none available to simply pick up and purchase at the register. I waited. For 15 minutes. Someone finally told me, “I’ll be with you in a minute”, and then then did help me - they told me the Flip Ultra was sold out. Apparently, the BB on 45th/5th is the only store with it in stock. I was pissed for having to wait so long just to find that out. I then slided over to the section with the music players, saw that again I’d need sales help to even find out if they had what I wanted, and simply walked out of the store.
At the Apple Store Soho, a greeter pretty much did her job perfectly, engaging me with eye contact until my reticence to return the gesture completely dissipated and I answered her with a smile. Now, forget that the store is much brighter and nicer looking, and that the products are RIGHT THERE, and that there was enough sales help around to answer questions immediately and accurately. No, all you need to know is that they figured out within 60 seconds that they had what I wanted (a 2GB shuffle), that I could get the color I wanted (red, for PRODUCT(RED), portions go to charity), and I was already in line for checkout with it. And it was $30 cheaper at the Apple Store than it was at Best Buy.
There’s an obvious Goofus-and-Gallant track to this story, but I’m not going to rub it in. However, I will say that if the Apple Store sold Flip cameras, they’d probably be another $180 richer. (Here’s where someone emails me to tell me that they carry them, and I walked right past one.)