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[goodcow]

No, I don't want to work at the Apple Store, I'm just curious what makes them "Geniuses."

 

[Doth Togo]

Elitist wannabes that sell crappy products.

Maddox said it best.

iPodder: A pompous ass who thinks he's eclectic. Wake up asshole: you're not living in an iPod commercial. You can't dance. Everything you listen to sucks. Get a job.

iPod: This is one of those inventions that makes people say: "why didn't I think of that?" On news shows anyway. One of the anchors on FOX News said "now the music industry is waiting for someone to come along and invent the next iPod." Wow, if only I had thought of the bright idea of putting an mp3 player on a portable hard drive. Damn that's brilliant. I had that idea years ago. I also have another idea: a car that can fly. I will sue anyone who makes it.

 

[FortNinety]

Being condesending, have little or no real knowledge of how Mac work works, smiling a lot and saying that Apple is not responsible for blah, blah, blah... seriously, every Apple Genius I've encountered has been a total idiot.

 

[ToxicAdam]

That's the quandry. Every Apple user I have ever met thinks he is a genius already.

 

[SteveMeister]

wow, 3 responses, 2 trolls. quick work, folks! :lol

 

[tetsuoxb]

i think an amazon prime membership is required.

 

[FreakyFink]

Officially...

Mac Genius
The Ultimate Mac Technician

Do you love repairing Macs and enjoy interacting with other Mac users? Does the thought of working for Apple make you tingle more than those three seconds right after a sneeze? Do you have technical support experience coupled with retail sales or customer service experience and can’t imagine a more rewarding place to utilize those skills than an Apple Store? If so, you might have what it takes to become an Apple Mac Genius.

You have lost endless hours of sleep troubleshooting a clients’ or neighbor’s machine. You, and millions of other Mac experts around the world, know that when a computer is done right it can be much more than a beige box made for the left side of the brain. You know and love the ease of use along with the power and elegance of the Mac.

As an Apple Mac Genius, you'll have the opportunity to share your wealth of knowledge on the latest Mac OS and products with millions of eager customers. Whether someone is a new user, a lifelong Mac enthusiast, or a PC switcher, you'll be the person to nurse his or her sick Mac back to health.

Some stores have technicians who sit in a back room and just see machines that are broken. Our Mac Genius is out on the floor helping customers fix their own machines and answering their toughest questions. An Apple Mac Genius is the cream of the crop. Are you one of them?

Key Features:

* Seek challenge and enjoy finding answers
* Could write an encyclopedia of Mac Products.
* Have mastered the latest Mac OS and keep up with cutting edge technology, while knowing what is in the pipeline.
* Provide complete and appropriate solutions for every customer by utilizing retail sales and customer service skills.
* Can identify tactfully the difference between a misguided user and an unhealthy Macintosh.
* Have a high level of attention to detail and are a perfectionist.
* Translate "techno-speak" into laymen's terms. Have the ability to teach and demonstrate to all levels of experience.
* Are eager to discuss tips and tricks and why Macs rule.
* Love interacting with people as much as Macs.
* Be a good listener and an excellent communicator.
* Bring your area of expertise to add value to our diverse team.
* Would rather be in the front row of a MacWorld keynote speech than have free cable TV for a year.

Job Description:

* Run Apple’s service business by providing unparalleled customer service while solving and diagnosing Apple customer issues.
* Provide complete and appropriate solutions for every customer, explain and sell the benefits of .mac and Applecare.
* Complete bench repairs in a thorough and timely fashion.
* Keep workbench area and Genius Bar meticulously clean and organized.
* Reach out to the small business community by networking with clients.
* Demonstrate responsibility and take good care of Apple's assets.
* Comply with all company policies and procedures faithfully. Follow Apple’s steps of service with every customer.
* Execute transactions through customer tracking database.
* Communicate positively with store team members, customers, channel partners, and headquarters. Remember, you represent the Apple brand.
* Have the ability to be on your feet up to 8 hours a day.
* Maintain a fit and healthy Mac mind and oh yeah, have fun. After all, this is Apple.

Successful candidates have bench and/or technical support experience, are using the latest Mac OS, and have worked in a retail or customer service environment.

 

[goodcow]

Officially...

Thank you. Finally a real fucking response.

 

[xsarien]

Being condesending, have little or no real knowledge of how Mac work works, smiling a lot and saying that Apple is not responsible for blah, blah, blah... seriously, every Apple Genius I've encountered has been a total idiot.

Meh. My iPod was cracked open, and the Genius behind the bar had it fixed in about a minute. I have no beef with them.

 

[Lil' Dice]

Being in an Apple store reminds me of a live version of GA, a lot of eletist, sanctimonious assholes :lol

 

[number386]

Being condesending, have little or no real knowledge of how Mac work works, smiling a lot and saying that Apple is not responsible for blah, blah, blah... seriously, every Apple Genius I've encountered has been a total idiot.

I concur, some of them are jerks when you ask a question they act like they are doing you a huge favor, also extends to the apple store sales associates.

 

[Phoenix]

I concur, some of them are jerks when you ask a question they act like they are doing you a huge favor, also extends to the apple store sales associates.

Kinda reminds me of CompUSA, Best Buy, Circuit City, and Microcenter. Maybe the problem isn't with Apple stores - its with the job?

 

[number386]

Kinda reminds me of CompUSA, Best Buy, Circuit City, and Microcenter. Maybe the problem isn't with Apple stores - its with the job?

I been to compUSA, Circuit city, and Best buy and it's not as bad as the apple store. That said I know Fortninety, lives in NYC, and we likely go to the same apple store in soho = similar experiences. I also went to the roosevelt field mall store a while back. I think it has to do with the type of people who apply and are hired at the apple store soho in particular, like wanna be filmmakers, actors, and musicians some of which have snooty attitudes.

 

[fart]

it's mostly a look, as far as i can tell. i don't know if it's ironing or a cruel joke to call anyone you're hiring for retail a genius.

 

[Nerevar]

Kinda reminds me of CompUSA, Best Buy, Circuit City, and Microcenter. Maybe the problem isn't with Apple stores - its with the job?

in all fairness, those other big box stores don't have the audacity to call their technical support people "geniuses".

 

[xsarien]

in all fairness, those other big box stores don't have the audacity to call their technical support people "geniuses".

Best Buy=Geek Squad
Circuit City=IQ Crew

 

[Nerevar]

Best Buy=Geek Squad
Circuit City=IQ Crew

uhh, that's a hell of a far cry from "geniuses"

 

[xsarien]

uhh, that's a hell of a far cry from "geniuses"

The implication is the same. CC wouldn't be emphasizing "IQ", for example, if they thought the staff was dumb.

 

[achilles]

I been to compUSA, Circuit city, and Best buy and it's not as bad as the apple store. That said I know Fortninety, lives in NYC, and we likely go to the same apple store in soho = similar experiences. I also went to the roosevelt field mall store a while back. I think it has to do with the type of people who apply and are hired at the apple store soho in particular, like wanna be filmmakers, actors, and musicians some of which have snooty attitudes.

Guess it depends on location... I've never seen the Geniuses over at the West Nyack store be condescending or acting all superior. They're very down to earth over there.

 

[Phoenix]

The implication is the same. CC wouldn't be emphasizing "IQ", for example, if they thought the staff was dumb.

Yeah, I'm just waiting for Microcenter to brand their folks: Computards :lol

 

[FortNinety]

Kinda reminds me of CompUSA, Best Buy, Circuit City, and Microcenter. Maybe the problem isn't with Apple stores - its with the job?

No, Apple Store employees are extra smug.

Once I brought in my system for them to take a look at... not that I have entitlement issues, but when I lug a 60 pound computer across the city via a cab and wait in line for close to an hour, I expect a little more than such jerk-off who's pissed off cuz he doesn't know what the problem is and unintelligent enough to even recognize one... I've been using Macs for 10+ years and I could probably fix the problem myself, but since I have an eMac which has sealed enclosure I can't open it myself. But what adds insult to injury is that I paid my extra $200 for AppleCare and the guy still didn't give a shit. Oh, the best part? As I was leaving, I figured I'd ask some questions, to better prepare me when I looked for real help elsewhere. I said "one last question" and then thought of another one, but the asshole cut me off and said "that was your last question!" with a stupid sheepish grin. Its a figure of speech asshole.

Meh. My iPod was cracked open, and the Genius behind the bar had it fixed in about a minute. I have no beef with them.

Then you're lucky that you weren't there the night my buddy had to wait in line for almost two hours, when all of a sudden Courtney Love fucking shows up and she promptly gets to cut in line, PLUS Apple then sent everyone else home since it was close to closing time! By far the worst case of customer service I have ever heard of from any retail establishment.

 

[xsarien]

Then you're lucky that you weren't there the night my buddy had to wait in line for almost two hours, when all of a sudden Courtney Love fucking shows up and she promptly gets to cut in line, PLUS Apple then sent everyone else home since it was close to closing time! By far the worst case of customer service I have ever heard of from any retail establishment.

You can make an appointment online, even without an Applecare package. That's what I did. (And for the record, I would've promptly told that talentless hack where she could stick her iBook, loud enough for the entire store to hear. That's bullshit.)

 

[fugimax]

The Apple Store employees at my local store (Pittsburgh) are nothing but nice. On top of that, the guys at the genius bar are extremely knowledgable and are willing to "talk tech" with you. I've had some issues with my Powerbook and I went in telling him what I had tried, etc and helped him troubleshoot some. Not only did he believe me (and not insist on running every test I had already done), but he had my problem fixed in a matter of minutes.

Maybe I'm just lucky.

And to those bitching about lines:
Make a reservation online.

 

[Koopa]

Well that is fine and dandy, except when your computer isnt working, it becomes rather difficult to make the appointment online. I digress.

 

[goodcow]

I been to compUSA, Circuit city, and Best buy and it's not as bad as the apple store. That said I know Fortninety, lives in NYC, and we likely go to the same apple store in soho = similar experiences. I also went to the roosevelt field mall store a while back. I think it has to do with the type of people who apply and are hired at the apple store soho in particular, like wanna be filmmakers, actors, and musicians some of which have snooty attitudes.

I have to agree, the Apple SoHo people are rather arrogant and elitest.

That place is always packed too...

Edit: The people on the floor are generally nice, it's the Geniuses I meant to say that just give off that "I'm better than you" vibe.

 

[Gantz]

I been to compUSA, Circuit city, and Best buy and it's not as bad as the apple store. That said I know Fortninety, lives in NYC, and we likely go to the same apple store in soho = similar experiences. I also went to the roosevelt field mall store a while back. I think it has to do with the type of people who apply and are hired at the apple store soho in particular, like wanna be filmmakers, actors, and musicians some of which have snooty attitudes.

There's also Tekserve on 23rd which is somewhat better..

 

[Mejilan]

I had a slew of problems with my first and third iPods, and those fucking tools behind that bar were never of any use.

That could have been a NY thing, however, and perhaps is not exclusive to Apple's "Geniuses".

Yeah, SoHo store for me too.

 

[FortNinety]

There's also Tekserve on 23rd which is somewhat better..

Dear God, not at all. They have built a very strong reputation of exaggerating the facts or completely making up shit in order to trump up repair costa and to rip folks off. Even if someone has AppleCare and therefore won't pay for any repairs, they'll still install new shit cuz they can make good money ordering hard drives and such, and then simply recirculate the original, supposedly faulty, hard drive and basically reap extra hardware to use and have at their discretion, or so I have been told.

And I know of 11 people, no lie, that have had their Mac come out worst due to their monkeying, many of whom I've had to fix personally. And one of these people was a cashier who had her system upgraded by supposedly the best tech at the place.

I may have mentioned this before but I guess I'm still a tad bit bitter that I wasn't hired when they had a tech position opening cuz, get this, I wasn't Willamsburg hip enough.

I been to compUSA, Circuit city, and Best buy and it's not as bad as the apple store. That said I know Fortninety, lives in NYC, and we likely go to the same apple store in soho = similar experiences. I also went to the roosevelt field mall store a while back. I think it has to do with the type of people who apply and are hired at the apple store soho in particular, like wanna be filmmakers, actors, and musicians some of which have snooty attitudes.

Well that does play a big role. As Meiilan also said, NY in general has some of shittiest sales people you'll ever find (hence why when I was one I did so well I suppose, cuz people were shocked by the simple fact that I didn't act have a "I don't give a fuck" attitude or bold-faced lie in people's faces and that I simply cared what the customer had to say). But the Apple store, and Tekserve as well, thrives on stuck up artisans who act like spoiled children and either don't notice or like shitty service. If their shit stays or ends up fucked up, its no big deal for them, they can just get another Mac or iPod. Meanwhile the rest of us working class slobs who paid to the teeth to get a modest Mac have to deal with the ramifications.