Apple shop -NOT!

Posted by: Willy on 22 November 2005

Just had a go at buying a pink ipod mini armband to go with the ipod Santa is bringing my daughter. Bottom line is that the Apple shop site doesn't work. Kept asking me to enter the card number. Spoke to the help desk. They said I should have created an account before adding item to the basket. (Bad design or what). Then offered to take the order over the phone. Gave them my name so they could call up my account details. Told me I didn't have an account. Told them I must have as I'd just logged in and could see all my details. They suggested I set up one click ordering. Re-entered my card details, screen refreshed repeatedly and threw up an unknown error. They said I could give my details over the phone and create an account. Told them I couldn't be arsed.

Did a google search. Found one at techsoft.co.uk. Ordered. Paid. Confirmed.



Willy.
Posted on: 22 November 2005 by garyi
Cool.
Posted on: 22 November 2005 by Martin Payne
I would guess this may be due to your firewall or browser security settings.

cheers, Martin
Posted on: 22 November 2005 by Willy
quote:
Originally posted by Martin Payne:
I would guess this may be due to your firewall or browser security settings.

cheers, Martin


Never had such problems on the many other sites I've bought off. Also wouldn't explain how I could see my account details and they couldn't.

Willy.
Posted on: 22 November 2005 by Diode100
I don't know what their website is like to use, but their flagship shop in Regent Street is a nightmare, it has to be the worst laid out shopping facility I've ever see. All of the accessories, which is what I'd imagine most people are there for, are located under the display tops on which all the demonstration iPods are set up. What happens, people crowd round playing with the iPods and block all sight of or access to the accessory racks. Should you be able to find what you are looking for you then queue up to pay for it, only to find that this magificentsquare footage of retail space, has four tills, two of which are unmanned.

Someone at Apple UK needs a kick up the a*se, cool looking it may be, ergonomically practical it aint.
Posted on: 22 November 2005 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by Diode100:
Someone at Apple UK needs a kick up the a*se, cool looking it may be, ergonomically practical it aint.


Are you talking about their shop or their computers... Razz
Posted on: 22 November 2005 by Willy
quote:
Originally posted by Steve G:
quote:
Originally posted by Diode100:
Someone at Apple UK needs a kick up the a*se, cool looking it may be, ergonomically practical it aint.


Are you talking about their shop or their computers... Razz


Their website.

Willy.
Posted on: 22 November 2005 by Nime
It is said that a happy customer tells one other person.

While an unhappy customer tells eleven!

Someone just broke the rule and told 8k people just before it went exponential.

And Apple will never know! Big Grin
Posted on: 22 November 2005 by long-time-dead
I would reckon the Regent St. store by the use of English.
Posted on: 22 November 2005 by Nime
quote:
Originally posted by long-time-dead:
I would reckon the Regent St. store by the use of English.


Er.. could you put that in English please? Winker
Posted on: 22 November 2005 by garyi
not been to regents street but the one in SF was amazing, easy to find thing things your want to play with and things you didn't think of.

If the london store is poorly laid out, some english people ignored apple doh!

Having purchased nearly 4ks worth of stuff on the apple store with no issues and using four different cards, I really can;t offer any advice. Perhaps its karma as in the end you saved 2 quid on a four quid sock?
Posted on: 23 November 2005 by Willy
quote:
Originally posted by garyi:
Perhaps its karma as in the end you saved 2 quid on a four quid sock?


Actually cost me 40p more than on the Apple shop. Given that I had little alternative (other than to recite my details, letter by letter, over the phone to some european call centre it was worth the extra.

Incidently I was on the web later sourcing a model kit (Renault FT17 Tank) for my son. After trawling the world wide web I found a site that had one and did on-line sales. Was only after I'd compleed the transaction that I noticed where it was coming from. Larne. About 3 miles as the crow flies from where I live. Small world.

Willy.

Willy.
Posted on: 23 November 2005 by Nime
WE KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE!

Regards
Apple UK
Posted on: 23 November 2005 by Willy
quote:
Originally posted by Nime:
WE KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE!

Regards
Apple UK


Given that they can't manage basic tasks like setting up a functioning ecommerce site could they read a map?

Willy.

Willy.
Posted on: 23 November 2005 by Nime
quote:
Originally posted by Willy:

Given that they can't manage basic tasks like setting up a functioning ecommerce site could they read a map?

Willy.


Apple = earrogance 'R Us?
Posted on: 23 November 2005 by Derek Wright
If there is a real problem with the site then I am sure that the problem would heve ben detected longbefore your transaction failed.

You need to say what browser you are using - type of connection what level of software etc etc
Posted on: 23 November 2005 by Willy
quote:
Originally posted by Derek Wright:
If there is a real problem with the site then I am sure that the problem would heve ben detected longbefore your transaction failed.

You need to say what browser you are using - type of connection what level of software etc etc


Apple helpdesk admitted there was an issue with the site if you add items to your basket before creating an account. Furthermore they insisted I hadn't created an account even though I was logged in and looking at my details.

For the record Opera 8.51,Norton Firewall, BT Router and 2Mb broadband.

Since the Apple debacle I've made 4 on-line purchases without any problems. (Albeit the last two from a corporate LAN).

Willy.

PS Just heard the Tank is in the post. Would probably have been just as easy to throw it.