Peter Claver
Posts: 26,657
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I'm curious if there's any other retailer that does this:
The other day I went to the mall to pick up an adapter for my car. I walked into the Apple store (which was slammed full of christmas shoppers), connected to their wifi on my phone, opened the "Apple Store" app, tapped on "Easy Pay", scanned the bar code on the box, entered my Apple ID password... and then put the box in my pocket and walked right back out of the store. I didn't so much as make eye contact with a sales person.
This is a *fantastic* feature for their store if you need to make a quick purchase and it's really busy. No waiting in line, no dealing with sales people.. just grab an item off the shelf, scan it, pay for it and leave.
The only equivalent I can think of is the self checkout lines that many grocery stores (and even Home Depot) have.. but it's not the same. You still have to wait in line and the process is pretty cumbersome.
The only downside of the Easy Pay system that I can see so far is that it only allows you to scan and pay for one item at a time. If you have 3 items you have to scan and then enter your password for each item -- my Apple ID password is 16 characters long so this is a bit of a pain. But for really quick trips it's great and I suspect with enough user feedback they'll allow multiple item checkouts.
From their end.. I wonder what sort of losses/thefts they experience in their retail stores. Nobody looked twice at me as I walked out. I gotta imagine there's lots of room for abuse here.
Anywho.. just curious if anyone has seen this sort of thing at any other retailer.
I have done it twice. It is great but feels odd. NYC, pick product, scan, walk out. Feels vaguely like stealing even though I wasn't. I am not aware of any other retailer that does this but I wish more would.
Peter Claver
Posts: 26,657
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
photoimager wrote: Public transport, some sports grounds.
Credit / debit cards are available which if swiped in close proximity to a sensor will do payments automatically.
I'm surprised the Apple store doesn't have security tags / patches on their merchandise.
I've seen the swipe card things (PayPass I think?) but that's just a replacement for sticking your card in the machine.. you still have to go to the checkout counter and have someone ring things through (at least in the stores I've been to).
As for the security tags.. I agree. I'll have to go look.. but I don't think they have the sensor things at the door to the stores. Certainly I didn't have to deactivate anything before I left.
photoimager wrote: Public transport, some sports grounds.
Credit / debit cards are available which if swiped in close proximity to a sensor will do payments automatically.
I'm surprised the Apple store doesn't have security tags / patches on their merchandise.
I believe that the only things you can buy with this app-based method are "accessories" on the wall.... Not computers, tablets, or phones. For those, a salesman is still required I believe.
Personally, I freaking hate store that stick those effing tags on their stuff. "To attempt to reduce theft we should treat all customers as potential thieves.....". Good plan, really increases customer engagement. And don't even get me started with the "bag checkers by the exit door"..... If a store does this, I shop elsewhere.
I believe that the only things you can buy with this app-based method are "accessories" on the wall.... Not computers, tablets, or phones. For those, a salesman is still required I believe.
Personally, I freaking hate store that stick those effing tags on their stuff. "To attempt to reduce theft we should treat all customers as potential thieves.....". Good plan, really increases customer engagement. And don't even get me started with the "bag checkers by the exit door"..... If a store does this, I shop elsewhere.
ASYLUM - Photo
Posts: 37,824
Washington, District of Columbia, US
I'm actually surprised they do this. Most stores assume people are thieves and give you a full pat down right after you stand in line at a register for 45 minutes, it seems.
I believe that the only things you can buy with this app-based method are "accessories" on the wall.... Not computers, tablets, or phones. For those, a salesman is still required I believe.
Personally, I freaking hate store that stick those effing tags on their stuff. "To attempt to reduce theft we should treat all customers as potential thieves.....". Good plan, really increases customer engagement. And don't even get me started with the "bag checkers by the exit door"..... If a store does this, I shop elsewhere.
Unfortunately we have to deal with thieves in a retail store!
Peter Claver
Posts: 26,657
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
ASYLUM - Photo wrote: I'm actually surprised they do this. Most stores assume people are thieves and give you a full pat down right after you stand in line at a register for 45 minutes, it seems.
I was shocked too. I was fully expecting to have someone stop me and ask to see the receipt (the app displays it and you also get an email). Nada.
Halcyon Arts
Posts: 157
Washington, District of Columbia, US
Costco did some tests of a similar system (they passed out a scanner and one scanned their purchase as it went into the basket) at my store 10 or so years ago. I suspect it won't spread widely as apple has very wide margins relative to most retailers so shrink likely isn't as critical as at other retailers.
GK photo
Posts: 24,881
Laguna Beach, California, US
Peter Claver wrote: This is a *fantastic* feature for their store if you need to make a quick purchase and it's really busy. No waiting in line, no dealing with sales people.. just grab an item off the shelf, scan it, pay for it and leave.
The only equivalent I can think of is the self checkout lines that many grocery stores (and even Home Depot) have.. but it's not the same. You still have to wait in line and the process is pretty cumbersome.
The only downside of the Easy Pay system that I can see so far is that it only allows you to scan and pay for one item at a time. If you have 3 items you have to scan and then enter your password for each item -- my Apple ID password is 16 characters long so this is a bit of a pain. But for really quick trips it's great and I suspect with enough user feedback they'll allow multiple item checkouts.
so the moral of the story is what? buy only one thing? it doesn't sound very intuitive if you have to go through the verification process for every item purchased. i don't think apple would be too happy if every drone shopper was only buying one item at their stores. i personally know they attempt the same amount of up selling that any other retailer does.
Peter Claver
Posts: 26,657
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
-JAY- wrote: This super expensive macbook is mine... i totes did the whole app thingy. I'll just be on my way.
g'day.
hey.. If you want to shoplift that's your right.
Me? I like the convenience of actually paying for something without having to wait in line.
They only offer the service for things that are sitting out in the retail space so iPads and iPhones and macs are not eligible. But cables and cases and hard drives and head phones and keyboards and webcams and speakers are.
GK photo wrote: so the moral of the story is what? buy only one thing? it doesn't sound very intuitive if you have to go through the verification process for every item purchased. i don't think apple would be too happy if every drone shopper was only buying one item at their stores.
They seem to be happy with it since.. you know.. they're the one offering the feature with the limitation of only one item. I would love it if they allowed more.. and they probably will. I suspect they're just sending the feature up the flagpole to see how it works. Most times I head into the store for just one thing (a case, a cable, a keyboard... whatever).. but now and again I want a couple of things. Would be awesome to be able to do that.
i personally know they attempt the same amount of up selling that any other retailer does.
And I personally have never been upsold on anything. I walked in.. ask for what I want.. and walk out with it. I've never been asked if I'd like a cable.. a case.. or even applecare. Never been upsold on a single thing at any of the apple stores I've been in. Maybe you just carry yourself like someone who wants to be upsold?
Besides.. you're missing the point (as usual). So far it seems that *nobody* else offers this sort of retail convenience. Im sure apple will make it even more convenient in the future if it turns out to be popular (no idea why it wouldn't be). Apple is transforming the retail space yet again.
Peter Claver
Posts: 26,657
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Tog wrote: Amazon does this, with the exception of the going to the store part.
Not really.
I can't go to amazon and walk out with a product and start using it immediately. I gotta imagine the best I could hope for is to have it early the next morning.
When they invent instantaneous teleportation then maybe amazon will have such a thing.
Peter Claver
Posts: 26,657
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Sleepy Weasel wrote:
Looks like he was quoting the headline, which I agdee, is not what happened at all.
Quoting the headline is perpetuating the lie. Unless he didn't actually read the article in which case.. well.. I gotta think being a liar would be better than what *that* would make him.
That impresses me, but does not amaze me. What amazes me about apple is how they do not support the third party products they sell. I had a car charger, bought at an apple store, damage my original iPhone. Apple told me the product they sold me caused the damage and it wasn't their problem. I think it's implied that products sold at the apple store can be used as intended without an issue.
ASYLUM - Photo wrote: Most stores assume people are thieves and give you a full pat down right after you stand in line at a register for 45 minutes, it seems.
Peter Claver wrote: I'm curious if there's any other retailer that does this:
The other day I went to the mall to pick up an adapter for my car. I walked into the Apple store (which was slammed full of christmas shoppers), connected to their wifi on my phone, opened the "Apple Store" app, tapped on "Easy Pay", scanned the bar code on the box, entered my Apple ID password... and then put the box in my pocket and walked right back out of the store. I didn't so much as make eye contact with a sales person.
This is a *fantastic* feature for their store if you need to make a quick purchase and it's really busy. No waiting in line, no dealing with sales people.. just grab an item off the shelf, scan it, pay for it and leave.
The only equivalent I can think of is the self checkout lines that many grocery stores (and even Home Depot) have.. but it's not the same. You still have to wait in line and the process is pretty cumbersome.
The only downside of the Easy Pay system that I can see so far is that it only allows you to scan and pay for one item at a time. If you have 3 items you have to scan and then enter your password for each item -- my Apple ID password is 16 characters long so this is a bit of a pain. But for really quick trips it's great and I suspect with enough user feedback they'll allow multiple item checkouts.
From their end.. I wonder what sort of losses/thefts they experience in their retail stores. Nobody looked twice at me as I walked out. I gotta imagine there's lots of room for abuse here.
Anywho.. just curious if anyone has seen this sort of thing at any other retailer.
you have to go to a crowded store?..i buy everything online...it gets delivered to my house...
Peter Claver
Posts: 26,657
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
S W I N S K E Y wrote:
you have to go to a crowded store?..i buy everything online...it gets delivered to my house...
i buy lots of things online. But if I need something right away are you suggesting that I wait until the morning (or even the day after that or maybe after the weekend depending on when I'm ordering)? Or that I should pay for shipping for an item that only costs $15?
Hey. If that works for you then great. But now and again I need to go into a store. And when I do I like it to be as convenient as possible.
Heck. Sometimes I'm nowhere near my house. Are you suggesting that if I am in Los Angeles and its 7pm and I need something for my computer tonight and I'm checking out in the morning anyways that I should just order online and have it delivered to my house like you do?
Peter Claver
Posts: 26,657
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
ArtisticPhotography wrote: Toll roads, bridges and tunnels have been doing it for years. Even some airport parking lots do it. It's called EZ-Pass.
*shakes head*
Wow..
I am well aware that there are many ways of paying instantly. I'm talking about the specific example of a retail *store* allowing you to self pay for an item and walk out of the store without so much as speaking to an employee.
One person above noted that Costco tried it a while ago. I'm wondering if there are any other *stores* that do it -- not websites.. not parking lots.. not baseball diamonds.
I am well aware that there are many ways of paying instantly. I'm talking about the specific example of a retail *store* allowing you to self pay for an item and walk out of the store without so much as speaking to an employee.
One person above noted that Costco tried it a while ago. I'm wondering if there are any other *stores* that do it -- not websites.. not parking lots.. not baseball diamonds.
If you are restricting it to stores, who knows. Yes, Apple stores might be the only place you can go in and by Apple products using and Apple phone and and Apple app. Restricting it that much makes them pretty unique. But the concept isn't anything new.
Sunoco gas stations (or is is Mobil) have a little fob on your keychain. You touch it to a pad and get your gas. No credit card or phone or anything. Just touch your keys to the pad.
Also, hotels (not the kind I stay in, but rather nice ones) let you call down for food and they deliver it without payment. You just tell them what you want and the bring it. That's pretty cool.
Actually, Walmart does it, too. You use your phone or computer to order what you want, pay for it with the credit card info that's already stored there, they ship it to the store and you go in and pick it up. All off of your phone.
My local parts store does a similar thing, too. You call them to see if they have the part and they set it aside for you. You walk in, or send someone for you, and pick up the part and leave. They then bill you at the end of the month. It doesn't even require an app.
Peter Claver
Posts: 26,657
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
ArtisticPhotography wrote:
If you are restricting it to stores, who knows. Yes, Apple stores might be the only place you can go in and by Apple products using and Apple phone and and Apple app. Restricting it that much makes them pretty unique. But the concept isn't anything new.
Sunoco gas stations (or is is Mobil) have a little fob on your keychain. You touch it to a pad and get your gas. No credit card or phone or anything. Just touch your keys to the pad.
Also, hotels (not the kind I stay in, but rather nice ones) let you call down for food and they deliver it without payment. You just tell them what you want and the bring it. That's pretty cool.
Yes.. I wasn't thinking that the concept was new.. just that I'd never seen a store with carryable items doing it before.. it seems counter-intuitive given the reality of shoplifting. The risk of Shop lifting is the thing that makes this unique from pretty much every other example people have given.
You can't use a parking garage without paying for it regardless of how you pay.. they're gonna get you.
Same goes for toll roads. If you don't pay.. you can't get on the road. In the case of an ez-pass I'm sure it's tied to a credit card.
Though now that I say it we do have a toll road here with no booths.. even for cash payers. They photograph your plate and send you a bill in the mail. You *could* decide not to pay it.. but they have legal protection that allows them to disallow renewal of your vehicle registration if you don't pay.. so it's similar in that regard.
Gas stations are different up here. You actually *can* pump gas here without paying first. People can, and do drive off without paying.. but I gather it's a rarity. In most places (including ever place I've ever been to in the USA) you need to pay (or secure payment with a CC swipe or key fob thingy swipe) before the pump will activate. So again.. not really the same thing.
The curiosity comes from the ability to walk into a retail store.. take an item off the shelf, fiddle with your phone and walk out without being questioned. I found that amazing.
Peter Claver
Posts: 26,657
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
ArtisticPhotography wrote: Actually, Walmart does it, too. You use your phone or computer to order what you want, pay for it with the credit card info that's already stored there, they ship it to the store and you go in and pick it up. All off of your phone.
My local parts store does a similar thing, too. You call them to see if they have the part and they set it aside for you. You walk in, or send someone for you, and pick up the part and leave. They then bill you at the end of the month. It doesn't even require an app.
Again.. see my above comments.. not the same thing. Someone is holding the item for you.. you have to plan for this by pre-arranging it (ie you can't just walk in and get what you want).
Again.. see my above comments.. not the same thing. Someone is holding the item for you.. you have to plan for this by pre-arranging it (ie you can't just walk in and get what you want).
I assume that they have some form of security that you are not aware of.
Peter Claver
Posts: 26,657
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Jerry Nemeth wrote:
I assume that they have some form of security that you are not aware of.
That is my assumption too. But that it doesn't affect me in any way is pretty remarkable. Nobody questioning me. No need to rub the box on the little de-magnetizing thingy.. nothing. I *literally* walked straight out of the store.
My local Stop and Shop has scanners you carry with you, and you bag your items as you shop. You just pay when you turn in the scanner, which you can do in the self-checkout aisle.
You might be able to do it with your phone, but I'm not 100% sure.
my local grocery store has an app like that too. i just do the self checkout line. there's never more than a one or two minute wait. my time isn't "that" valuable...yet.
same thing in home depots, etc. more and more stores are getting them, and i'm sure those apps will become more prevalent.
Brian Diaz wrote: My local Stop and Shop has scanners you carry with you, and you bag your items as you shop. You just pay when you turn in the scanner, which you can do in the self-checkout aisle.
You might be able to do it with your phone, but I'm not 100% sure.
This is interesting. I have heard about grocery stores considering this model for a while. Looks like they are now doing it. Seems that even with razor thin margins, they are not worried about theft.
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