MacNN reported from the following source:

http://consumerist.com/362418/hey-apple-women-buy-computers-too

It's in the article. Read carefully.

"I just called the Bellevue store and no one named Bill works there" ... ANYMORE ?

I recently went to an Apple Store with my mother, who is not very tech savvy, and the genius there paid full attention to her. A few months ago I took my wife MacBook shopping, and I don't remember her getting snubbed either. This woman is way to quick to generalize saying things like "if Bill's attitude is typical".

Wow, buddy, are you Bill? Why the immature and sexist comments?

Honestly, there's no excuse for behaviour like this. This happened at a car dealership with a friend of mine and his girlfriend. Even after repeatedly telling the salesman not to talk to him since she was buying the car, he still wouldn't give her the time of day. Of course they walked out.

Apple does owe her an apology, and Bill should be reprimanded. That said, I don't know why this is in the news - I guess because it's about Apple. This happens in retail stores everywhere.

"why would the Genius Bar folks be selling anything to anyone?

They don't do sales_

They are "specialized" tech support_"

This was my initial reaction to the story. This guy Bill couldn't have been a store Genius as they never let those people from behind the counter doing tech support. They aren't sales people. Not that that invalidates the story, but we should at least be clear about who this was.

My personal experience with the floor sales people at the Apple stores has been mixed There are a few who really know their s*** when it comes to Macs, and there are many who know less than your average Mac user.

That said, I've never seen one ignore a customer, but there's a first for everything. It's not typical of the employees though, so i'd wager this was a very isolated incident. She should just file a complaint.

I see people crowd around the Genius bar because they think it is the checkout counter or they cannot get a hold of someone on the floor. Most people are free to demo the Macbook Air(unless there were people hogging it) themselves and judging by her apparent computer knowledge it should have been a no brainer. If I order it online it is because of convenience. If I go to the store it is because I am in the neighborhood and its an impulse purchase. My Mom bought a Macbook Pro and promotional iPod Nano at the Apple Store with no problems.

Must be a really slow news day.

I agree with uberfu - I have had mixed success at a few different Apple stores. In general, I have found the sales staff to be courteous, helpful. However, have experienced mixed results with Apple Geniuses. I have received condescending, patronizing treatment, but also treated with respect due someone who has a fair amount of technical knowledge, regardless of gender.

In one particular store I visit on occasion, the head genius is a female, and the treatment, courtesy and overall atmosphere is quite positive - indicating to some degree one's overall experience will depend partially upon the store's manager.

To scotty321 - sexism can often transpire in subtle ways - unless you're the direct recipient, typically go unobserved or in the context of this thread, its legitimacy be questioned. As a woman scientist with a great deal of computing experience, I can tell you that at least half the time, I am patronized in not only retail technical stores, but unfortunately in the business world as well.

This ladies experience at an Apple store has less to do with Apple (although they have an excellent opportunity to make improvements, separate themselves from the status quo) and more a reflection of systemic prejudices that still exist.

This is the second story I've heard like this. The first one was a from a personal friend. Apple is falling down on its customer relations training. Stories like these propagate--dangerously.

Factorguy said: "...this chick sounds high maintenance."

Chuckled at that comment... I was trying to think of a way to describe the woman, and that nails it pretty good.

Sounds like she has a self-fetish. There's just too much of this "me, me, me" and "he/she offended me" c*** in this world. She, as well as many others, need to get a grip on life and not think the world revolves around them!

A Genius does not sell product at the Apple Store. A Mac specialist does so she's pointing the finger at the wrong person if this story is even true to begin with.

This woman is way to quick to generalize saying things like "if Bill's attitude is typical".

She didn't generalize, she just posited a big "if", which is true. "If the attitude is typical, then..."

be an adult ask; to see a manager, calmly explain your issue with bill and move on with your life.

Yes, she should be more mature, like the people on this forum and called Bill a bunch of names.

why would the Genius Bar folks be selling anything to anyone?

They don't do sales_

It could be simply she thought he was a 'genius', because he was at the bar. Or she's been on-line too much and under the mistaken impression that all mac owners/users are geniuses.

"This ladies experience at an Apple store has less to do with Apple (although they have an excellent opportunity to make improvements, separate themselves from the status quo) and more a reflection of systemic prejudices that still exist." We have just the reverse problem with the Veterans Administration - they won't respond to women very well - they only start working when you get a man involved.

I live in Charlotte, NC and the Apple store here is horrible. Not that I've ever witnessed anyone being decisively rude to a customer, but I haven't found a Genius or anyone else in the store to ever be especially helpful except for running around making a sale with their handheld scanners. It seems most employees are hired for their personality rather than functionality.

Why not buy your MBA online? Granted you might have to wait a few days, but think of that sales tax kept in your pocket.

While I'm not dimissing that she had a bad experience, I can't help but wonder how much she's blowing this out of proporation. After reading the whole letter MacNN linked to (BTW MacNN, fix your link!), I noted odd comments in her story:

- They didn't tell Bill the computer was for her until after he was pitching AppleCare. That's pretty late in the sales process. - It sounds like her husband was doing all the talking: "He asked Bill...", "my husband -- not me -- confirmed..." - It also sounds like she wasn't really making herself part of the conversation: "When I caught up with them...", "I did not wait for him to come back..."

Yes, it sounds like Bill could have done a better job including her in the conversation. But it's also not uncommon for one person to go with another to help them buy a computer. Even when Bill was informed that the computer was for her, it was her husband who said it, not her! Her own letter really makes it sound like she didn't didn't make any effort to include herself in the conversation.

Even in the press, it has become commonplace to refer to all Apple Store employees as geniuses. The nit pickers here obviously know that is not the case, but general public has been lead to believe that anybody wearing an Apple T-shirt in the store is a genius (can't blame them, though, the do sell and use Macs...).

The sales people can be a tad problematic; remember, this is Microsoftland up there (how many Apple people could you possible get...?).

Overall, let's not forget that Apple's store have far better user experience, and consistently. This kind of example is rather rare for Apple, but nobody would bother reporting it for Best Buy or Circuit City - it happens so often it isn't news anymore.

Seems to be between that woman and her husband, not the Apple store person. Boy this woman looks like some serious piece of work.

Why make a big deal of this. It does not jive with any experience I have had at the Apple Stores. Always treated like a customer and helpful. A lot of retailers could learn from Apple.

I'm in sales too, and I always look at a couple to see who is decision maker. There is always one that seems to be the one more clued in or will pulling out the credit card. Sorry lady is there anything new here? Men can communicate better with other men, the same works with women. Next time leave your man at home, by the way why did she feel she needed to bring her man friend along in the first place?

I've shopped this store many times & the service varies like any other retail operation. If this happened like it was stated, the "genius" needs some coaching. I would love to presenting Apple products to the public because I'm a HUGE "believer". I'll bet they have a mystery shopping program in place to help nip these situations in the bud.

If this really happened, why didn't her husband say "it's my wife buying the computer. Talk to her."

Would you like some cheese with your wine?

My wife and I have shopped for various items in the past where she was the purchaser and the salesperson directing his/her attention to me. Without being rude, I merely redirected them to the wife. Was "Bill" a sexist as the article implies - maybe. One thing I'm sure of is "Bill" is not a very effective salesperson. Sorry, make that two things I'm sure of: Anjela is a bit immature. I suspect she has difficulty dealing with many other petty slights.

and how is this news? and yet national news? who gives a c***?

What next? Mac Genius ignores a yorkie asking technical questions about his iPod dog collar accessory.

Of all the Apple stores in the country where such an event is possible, and it just happens to occur at the location closest to Microsoft headquarters???

Yeah, right.

High time for one imho.

Why make a big deal of this. It does not jive with any experience I have had at the Apple Stores. Always treated like a customer and helpful. A lot of retailers could learn from Apple.

And did you enter the store as a woman? With her husband?

Its like criticizing a comment from a black man about being followed by security all through a store by saying "Sure, I'm not black, but I've never felt like the security guys ever singled me out. These guys are just talking smack!"

I just tried to read the article, the site appears to be a ratical feminist front that has the ability to detect testosterone and blocks men as if we didn't even exist.

You don’t have permission to view “hey-apple-women-buy-computers-too”.

I do have a hard time believing this story - as others have pointed out, Geniuses are specialized tech support - not sales. In my not inconsiderable experience with Apple Stores, Geniuses DO NOT work on the sales floor, regardless of the level of customer traffic. Or should I say - they don't wear their Genius badge when they do.

That being said - I totally believe that the complaintant could have been like dirt. I had a recent similar experience. About a month ago, I discovered that my iPod Nano had been stolen from my car when I picked it up from a service appointment. I decided to replace it immediately and went to the local Apple Store. I was "greeted" by an Apple Store employee who mumbled "how are you this evening". I replied - "Not great - my Nano was just stolen." His reply - dead silence. I stood there waiting for a further reply for about 3 minutes, and he finally said - "well, do you want to buy a new one." I said "yes, please - a red one." He then walked towards the back of the store, and in passing said that there is now a pink Nano - do I want that one. I didn't know if I should be offended - I am female, so I automatically want a pink one? But I decided not to be so sensitive - the pink one was just released that week.

Anyway - this punk didn't say anything else to me during the transaction - except "cash or credit?". Didn't ask if I wanted a case, different headphones, protective film, etc. In fact, while my card was processing, he was chatting up the pretty sales girl. The transaction took about ten minutes, total, and at the end I said, in a quiet voice, that this was the worst customer experience I ever had at an Apple Store. The punk (yes - he was a punk) just said is a falsely cheery voice "Goodnight!" I then asked to speak with a manager - and after standing around for ten minutes - I told him what happened. This guy - also quite young (>25, certainly) - couldn't seem to understand why I was upset. He kept asking me what I wanted - well what I wanted was at least an assurance that this would never happen again and maybe an apology. It was like he was expecting me to ask for money back or something.

Anyway - since my receipt was emailed to me (the punk salesperson didn't even ask me if I wanted it emailed or if I wanted a bag for my new iPod), there was a link for a customer survey. I gave Zero ratings across the board, and relayed my tale of horror.

Since I was so flustered during the transaction - I failed to purchase a case for the Nano, and I had to go back to the Apple Store that weekend. This transaction went much better - the salesperson was personable and well trained. In passing I mentioned how much I appreciated her pleasant attitude - since I was rather gunshy after my experience two days earlier. She asked if I'd like to speak with a manager - I said that I had, at the time - and it wasn't particularly satisfying. Turns out that the guy I sp

How is this even a story! c*** like this happens every day in a million stores around the world, and you choose to print this as if it were endemic!

you know, retail is a tough job. I would not take any job that required one to deal with the general public, because for every 10 or 20 decent people there is always one a****** who can really ruin your day.

I am not saying this to suggest that the woman who reported this was in the wrong. I am just saying, it's a very tough job and maybe someone had a bad day and made a mistake. One bad employee, or, one bad choice by an employee, does not mean that everyone who works at the Genius Bar makes it their business to alienate as many customers as possible each day.

Every time I've been to the Genius Bar at my local Apple Store, it's staffed by friendly, smart, knowledgeable people who are VERY patient and never come off as superior or condescending. Regardless of who is at fault, I believe - and I hope - this is simply a one-off incident. I"ve had bad customer service with other companies before, and one incident never led me to believe that the entire company is staffed with jerks and they should die a flaming death in Chapter 7.

Except for Sprint, that is. The entire time I was with Sprint, I could not believe how abysmal their customer service was, time after time after time.

I guess this is the best MacNN can do now that they no longer have Apple Insider to lift all of their stories from...

Wow, what a rant from a pampered retail queen. Did you want the salesperson to hold your hand and have a good cry with you over the stolen ipod? You prefer a hard sell over a laid back approach? I don't like a sales person trying to sell me every accessory in the shop when I make it clear I just want one item. The mention of the pink ipod was silly too, it was a new product that week as you say, your reaction to his suggesting it most likely made him just give you what you want and not go into other options the store has. Remember sales people cannot read minds and not everyone is tuned into your moods or emotions.

...riddance, Anjela!

Bill the Genius ... Bill G. ... holy cow it's Bill Gates! He didn't really leave Microsoft, he's just working undercover for them now. Bellevue, Washington is only a 15-minute drive from Redmond. Bill is going into Apple stores, posing as an employee, and giving bad customer service to keep Apple from eroding Microsoft's market share.

On second thought, maybe Bill wanted to be an Apple employee all along and that's why he left Microsoft. He goes into Apple stores trying to help people but he's such an introverted geek that he can't look a woman in the eye.

I've got the feeling that she probably said something to start the problem, Like sarcastically called him a (with air quotes) "Genius". I wait on people like that all the time, in fact, had one just like that last night. She brought in her system last night because her Wireless wasn't working on her Sony and she said she " just can't deal with it anymore and she wants it back like right now" Made some statement about how she should have bought a Dell and then got upset when we told her it might take 7-10 business days it we have to send it to Sony for a board replacement.

I'm guessing she never NOT got her way in her life.

Well I asked her is she'd like to see the number Dells I was currently repairing. And told her with all honesty that in my experience, I've had far fewer problems with Apple products. And likely for what she was using a computer for a Mac would be perfectly fine.

Well I figured out the problem was with the Norton Internet Security, so we likely won't have to send it out, and then thought...."if you are going to throw a hissy about how LOOOONG your computer might take to get repaired, then it is usually a good idea to remove the folder of naked pictures of yourself on the desktop before bringing it in for service. She's lucky our shop would never think about doing anything with that.

Hey, roehlstation, since your shop won't do anything with those pics, could you pass them on to me. I'll know what to do with them....

So, has anyone checked with the store lately to see if ANYONE named Bill works there? It sounds like he was a door greeter and not a "Genius" as was indicated.

en

When I go to Pottery Barn kids with my wife they always talk to her & not me, guess I should call the local media & have them flamed.

Come on people, you shouldn't be offended that someone categorized you as being a typical female, nothing wrong with fitting norms of your gender & if you don't you shouldn't complain that someone wasn't psychic enough to realize you are really a man inside. Perhaps he should have started out by approaching her with "how may I help you sir?"

I'm so sick of this PC society, it's ok that there are distinct differences between men & women!

By the way, anyone get the opinion of her husband about what went down?

Let's all just have a big Hillary cry for this girl!

My wife is the IT manager of a large company which purchase hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of computers and associated equipment every year. She called on of the companies with which she has done a lot of business, but found that the sales representative who was her usual contact at this company had been replaced by someone new. The new fellow asked to speak to the IT manager. When my wife said that he was speaking to her, he said, "no. I mean the real IT manager." Once again she stated that he was indeed speaking with the real IT manager, but he persisted. Finally she asked to speak this fellow's supervisor and made clear to the supervisor that unless there was a significant attitude change she would take her company's business to another vendor. As you might imagine, the supervisor was profusely apologetic and my wife never again encountered - - at least at this company - - the kind of attitude displayed by the new sales rep.

Unfortunately this attitude towards women remains widespread. The woman who left the store has every right to be angry. Some of the comments here merely confirm the existence of the prejudice in question.

Dashiel's comment is right on the button: (1) She shoulda asked to speak with a manager and calmly explained herself, and , (2) She should move on with her life.