My son Ronan knows his tech and wanted a laptop REALLY badly. He is 10 and has a desktop and an Ubuntu desktop (he set it up) and an old (8 yrs) laptop donated from an uncle on its last legs – this sets the frame I hope for his knowledge base. He listens to CNET podcasts every day and is watching he Google Android phone developments with interest – plus there is his iPhone App idea which I think has potential!
- Ronan saved 900 Euro over the past 12 months from pocket money, birthday gifts spare cash, and the final Christmas day top ups from his loving parents and Aunts, and Uncles.
- He skipped Christmas Day presents for the potential savings to be had at sales. At 10 this was a big deal (FFS at 40 it’s a big deal). We gave him some smaller presents on the day but he was focussed on the sales!!
- St Stephens Day the PC World shops were meant to open at 9 for the sales (per newspaper and web). We were up early. Braved the icy roads but the PC World shop in Mahon was not open till 10AM. Currys next door was open but they did not have the spec he wanted (they had no 1Gb memory cards and he had his heart set on a Toshiba Satellite Pro). Exit Currys.
- We did some other stuff and then went back at 10AM to be first in the door. We were!
- First off the staff (see picture above) couldn’t find the model he wanted. 2 of the staff scurried around looking. We found the one we wanted on display before them. . Eyes glisten (ours not the staff – theirs stopped glistening years ago), Money is burning hole in pocket. BUT – product was NOT reduced in sale (in fairness none of the higher end laptops were) They tried to tell Ronan that there was a reduction but we have been in this store multiple times through November and December so the price was at least 6-8 weeks old (745 Euro). Now Ronan had planned to buy laptop, bag, external HDD (1TB), and a gaming mouse as well so at 745 this was a setback to his planned spend.
- The staff member then informed us that there was only one display model. Glistening faded a bit. We asked if there was discount due to this. He scurried off to find Willie Wonka, came back and told us no it had only been there since Christmas Eve. We consulted and said OK we will take the hit. Can we see the box please?
- Then they couldn’t find the box. Much staff running around looking for the box – cue music from movie.
- I wandered off to the Apple store part of the shop and met someone working there who had a brain and was helpful and professional. While there another of the staff noticed me there and gave me photocopy of a voucher for 10% off Apple products (part of their don’t let customers escape program). Ronan is a fan of Apple so..
- Toshiba box appeared eventually (funny that it had only been on display since Christmas Eve but took over 15 mins to find it) – time had dragged on we were fed up of the lack of flexibility and product knowledge of these people and they tended to surround us each time we had a question.
- Ronan is also an Apple fan so we returned to the Apple guy – great conversation. They spoke about the pros and cons. He spoke with Ronan and treated him like an adult who knew what he was talking about. They spoke about the CPU utilisation pros and cons. PC World staff person loitered in background with Toshiba box. So we had a 10% voucher in hand and we decided on the Macbook which had an 80 Euro reduction and though a bit higher than planned spend he had admired it so made the decision.
- Then another member of staff appeared and said we couldn’t use a photocopy of the voucher. Now I am the most mild mannered person in the world but at this stage we were ready to walk out but for Ronan’s eagerness to buy something. Oompla Loompa music played in background.
- Eventually “the manager” agreed that we could use the voucher. Thanks! In background there was much gathering up of photocopies of the voucher that were everywhere in the bloody shop. Chocolate sales stalled for a few minutes I guess.
- We then went to cash out with the product in hand and at checkout another staff member poked his head in and tried to sell us Apple Care for 250 Euro as we were talking to the original ’staff’ member. Kept hands in pocket and didn’t strangle him.
- Eventually left with desired product and a bad taste in mouth. Music faded in background as we drove off.
Now Ronan is thrilled with his Macbook. But PC World need to learn about customer service. We were continually being tag teamed by additional people handing us vouchers, selling us Apple Care, asking if we would like Anti Virus etc. The staff bar Apple person were all one trick ponies with no real feel for dealing with people.
The Apple Store guy was the only guy with a brain who was a gentlemen and I praise him. All hail.
More importantly they lost a customer in Ronan. Not me I am not a high spender. He will not darken their door again. He asked us to buy him a 3V card with the balance of his money so he can go online.. He had planned to buy the above products in PC World so they lost an additional 150 Euro in purchases. Plus he will be buying tech for the rest of his life and will not go near them again. Bye bye PC world, ignore the Daddies and Mammies fine but it’s the little guys who matter. Plus Ronan has told the above story 10 times to all our relations passing on the bad news.
Here is Ronan in heaven opening the Mac in the back of the car on way
