| rev:text
| - I'd been on Apple's "priority list" for the iPhone 4 for over a week, and I figured that I would try out this location to see if they had any in stock. I happened to be in the neighborhood, and the Apple store was pretty busy and most likely out of stock, so I went in here to have a look.
What a contrast to the Apple Store. There's no one there to greet you, point you in the right direction, see if you have any questions that can be answered quickly, etc. I saw a guy sitting in the front window playing with his phone, and another person standing behind a desk on the lower level. I wasn't sure, but I had a sneaking suspicion that this person playing with his phone actually worked at the store. I walked to the upper level, and there was one person ahead of me, and he seemed to be getting pretty good service at the desk, so I figured I'd wait for the lone lady behind the desk to be done with him. All the while, another gentleman, who appears to work for this store, walked right by me, went behind the front counter, and disappeared through a door in the back without even an "are you being helped?"
So, I stood and waited between five and ten minutes. Finally, an official-looking man with a name tag asks me if I need help.
Me: "Hi, I was wondering if you had any of the iPhone 4 in stock?"
Him: "Everybody's ordering them." (I don't care for the dismissiveness, and you could've just said, "I'm sorry, we don't have them in now.")
He then proceeded to tell me that they had the iPhone 4 for cheaper than the Apple Store, and that I could order one through him.
*blink*
Huh? I didn't think the AT&T Store could sell that for less than Apple. I asked him to explain. He said, "At the Apple Store, they charge you tax based on the retail price of the phone." (Isn't that what they're supposed to do? In that case, how are you charging sales tax?)
I asked him something to the effect of, "How is that possible?" His response was, "I don't work for them."
*blink*
He then asked me if I wanted to order. I said I'd prefer to wait for the Apple Store. He then said, "So, you're alright with paying more for it?"
*blink*
I walked out.
I don't know if they're on commission, but they shouldn't make it so obvious if they are. And I don't exactly believe that AT&T can sell Apple's product for less than Apple is selling it for - I am reasonably certain there's got to be some kind of resale price maintenance agreement. The bottom line is that I felt like I was being sold to, and the person spoke to me in a condescending manner.
Perhaps I would have had a different experience with a different employee, but judging by some of the other reviews on here, I am not so sure. I think I'll try other AT&T stores in the future, or just go to the Apple Store. Sure, they may charge more (though I doubt it for the iPhone 4) but they've always made me feel comfortable and treated me like a customer rather than a potential sale.
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