A few weeks ago, I dropped my iPhone and cracked the screen (see accompanying picture of my poor iPhone).
I don’t use a smartphone case (I know, I know), but I also haven’t dropped my phone in 8 years. So I was bummed.
Oh well – time to visit the Apple Store! I found out that they’ll replace your broken iPhone screen (for $109+tax). That was cheaper than other smartphone-fix-it places in town, so I decided to go for it (after pieces of screen started flaking off in my pocket).
Here’s what happened during my trip to the Apple Store.
First, finding information on Apple’s website about the repair process was really easy to do. At Apple’s website, you simply click Support, then iPhone, then Repair. Then choose the huge button that says “Screen Damage” (guess I’m not the only one who drops their phone).
I love what this page says: “Accidents happen. Sometimes a screen can get cracked or shattered. We’re here to help.”
After that, I was able to choose Make an Appointment. The only bad thing about that is that there are no Apple Stores in Topeka, KS. So I drove about an hour to the Kansas City area, and visited the Leawood, KS store.
Interrupting my own story for a sec. So far, my “visit” has been online, and it has been excellent. No clicking around, no confused hunting for stuff. Nothing worded weird or lingo-y. Everything made sense, and I was quickly able to follow the trail to my “destination” – the “Make an Appointment” page.
And they reassured me about dropping my phone by saying “accidents happen – we’re here to help.”
OK – back to the story. The in-store experience was just as good.
When I was about 5 feet from the store entrance, I received a notification (see the image) welcoming me to the store, reminding me about my Genius Bar reservation, and telling me what to do next (check in).
Remember my articles awhile back about iBeacon technology? Apple Stores use it, so I was able to see it in action.
On the other side of the door was an Apple Store employee, ready to greet me and help me figure out what to do next (i.e., check in). Once checked in, I browsed around the store for awhile – and then another Apple Store employee was able to find me (via my iPhone – iBeacons in use again).
She walked me through the process, took my phone – and told me it would be a 2 hour wait (it was a really busy Saturday at the Apple Store!). So I goofed off at a nearby Guitar Center for awhile (and played a sweet bass guitar), then went back to the Apple Store.
My phone was ready, so yet another Apple Store employee brought my iPhone out to me, made sure it worked fine, and then helped me pay, right where I was. I didn’t have to go stand in a line.
My iPhone is back to normal. Yay!
Here’s what I noticed. At the Apple Store, the experience was built around me:
- I received a reminder about my appointment right at the door.
- I was greeted by a friendly Apple Store employee.
- Apple Store staff were easy to find, because they all wore matching blue shirts.
- I could browse around the store until they were ready, and then they found me.
- When it was time to pay, I paid right where I was. I didn’t have to stand in a line or go up to a check out counter.
- The website provided a similar experience – it was designed to move me to the information I needed, when I needed it.
- And of course, they did pretty much everything using an iPad. Without an attached keyboard.
I think libraries should be more like this! Think through my story, and compare it to your library:
- Are your customers greeted at the door?
- Are your staff easy to find, or do they blend in?
- Do staff approach customers, or do customers have to approach staff and a desk to get help?
- When ready to check out, can customers do it anywhere, or do they have to stand in a line or approach a desk?
- How about your website? Is it designed to move customers to the right place at the right time, with the best information? Or is it more of a jumbled mess of information and services?
No, I’m not necessarily suggesting that libraries buy matching shirts for everyone. But I DO think we can learn a thing or two from the Apple Store. And I think we can make our in-library and on-the-website experiences better than they are now.
Cheryl Becker says
There are no Apple Stores in Topeka?! 🙂
But I agree, greet them at the door, have your staff be recognizable, approach them to offer help, etc.
bibliotecaria says
Umm, I’m going to have to take a somewhat opposite viewpoint here, because I think you are comparing apples to oranges. The thought of being greeted at the door of the library annoys me. The thought of being tracked through the library via location technology is a little scary and invasive of my privacy. I don’t even really like them in a consumer store, though I do see their utility. Your description of your experience actually made me feel slightly creeped out. I do, however, acknowledge that you were not focusing on those parts of the experience for libraries.
The points with which I do agree is that it would be good to have library staff be recognizable, welcoming, and not necessarily behind a desk. Speaking as a library user, however, not just as a librarian, but I don’t really want library staff to approach me and offer to help. (I feel similarly in retail stores. Give me time to figure out if I need help before approaching me. Approaching me immediately just annoys me.) But the context is so completely different that I don’t really think it is achievable in a similar manner or using those tools.
davidleeking says
Thanks for the comment. Opposite viewpoints are great!
alfalah_i says
good post
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