658 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

Absolutely. Apple Stores also stock a wider array of products. For example, I couldn’t buy my new iphone with storage above 64gb because Best Buy doesn’t stock them. They also only had two colours to choose from.

[Brantastic]

I just think Mayfair missed a huge opportunity to bring in something interesting. It's unfortunate that they couldn't get Apple or Amazon, but perhaps that's for reasons out of their control. They could have at least reached out to local brands to bring in retail that deviates from the typical mall fare (ex. Uptown brought in Rogers Chocolates, Flavour, Discovery Coffee, etc.). What about this current selection of stores helps define Mayfair as an interesting destination and differentiate it from Hillside, The Bay Centre, Woodgrove, etc.? Sportchek is already in basically every mall ever. It's already at three other malls in the region.

On the bright side, at least the Douglas Street facade will be more attractive than the former parking lot, making for a nicer drive/bike ride as I head downtown or to Uptown Centre to go shopping!

[Cassidy]

But really, at the end of the day ... one has to wonder whether the multi-million redevelopment of Mayfair is really worth the time and effort (and money) if they re-open with a bunch of shops that were already in town anyway ... and bring absolutely nothing new to the table that is retailing in Victoria?

[m3m]

I suspect Apple Canada knows just a bit more about geography than your post implies.

 

Nobody from Victoria is going to spend $200.00+ to make a trip over to Vancouver to purchase an Apple product ... and Apple Canada would understand that fact with crystal clarity.

 

 

Because at an Apple Store they'll repair or replace a lot of stuff for free, no questions asked, if you are nice. That makes for loyal customers.

 

Lots of people take the trip over to go to the apple store. I've done it myself a number of times.  

 

The local retailers can't compete.  Especially for computers.  Want anything more than the standard base model configuration?  Good luck finding it at best buy. 

Have an issue that you need fixed? Bring it to restart only to be told after 2 days they have to send it to apple anyway. 

 

I had a problem with my laptop charger fraying.  Walk into the apple store, within 2 minutes I got a free one, no questions asked.  

Same thing with my earbuds.  cable fraying.  got new ones within two minutes. No questions asked.  

[Nparker]

... one has to wonder whether the multi-million redevelopment of Mayfair is really worth the time and effort...

Especially if the remodel doesn't do anything to update the 45-year-old+ exterior of the HUDSON'S BAY store. I swear you can still see where the Woodward's signage was attached.

[Cassidy]

Yeah, I (along with thousands of others) have also made a $250.00 trip over to Vancouver to buy $100.00 worth or Ikea stuff as well ... but that's not what I'm talking about.

 

General Apple product shoppers ARE NOT going to spend two or three hundred dollars to go to Vancouver in order to purchase a pair of wireless Apple earbuds or to get their charger fixed .... THAT'S the point.

 

Local retailers are irrelevant in terms of "base models" ... because you can order anything you want from apple.ca, and get it delivered within a few days.

This is about SHOPPING for Apple products IN Victoria, AT an Apple Store, in order to receive Apple Corp levels of service rather than to receive Best Buy levels of service.

[thundergun]

Sounds like you guys might need to start an Apple fan-boys thread 

 

Can't you just order your products off the internet from Apple's site anyhow?

[Mike K.]

They’re irrelevant? I bought $3k worth of Apple gadgets last weekend at Best Buy. All of my computer purchases over the last year were items available at a Best Buy Apple counter. I don’t care to wait four or five days to receive stuff I can buy and use immediately, and when it’s for business time matters. I also like the ability to deal with customer service in person if something goes sideways rather than have to leave my device for two or three days at Re-Start before I even know how they’ll fix it and how long it’ll take. Even something as simple as a smartphone battery replacement requires at LEAST a one day turn-around. That’s unacceptable.

If an Apple Store were located here I’d do all of my shopping there, period.

[Nparker]

...If an Apple Store were located here I’d do all of my shopping there.

As long as they sell "iFood" (™) you should be OK.

[Mike K.]

Sounds like you guys might need to start an Apple fan-boys thread

Can't you just order your products off the internet from Apple's site anyhow?

You can, but there’s something to be said for in-person customer service if something goes sideways or you decide you want another product. I ordered off Apple’s site once and the phone arrived with a glitch. I had to re-order another phone and send back the first. It was a waste of time and a hassle, but alas we don’t have a choice in Victoria if we want a specification of a device that Best Buy doesn’t carry.

[qv]

Apple stores aren't just about image. They also have among the highest revenue/sqft of any retail store in the world. They are huge profit centres for Apple, and there is no doubt that factors into how they choose where to put them.

As well, Apple as a company is incredibly conscious of their corporate image.
An Apple Store is the epitome of that image ... which is why Apple builds these stores all over the world.

An Apple Store does a far better job of presenting Apple products (and some third party items) than Best Buy, or any private retailer could ever do.

And as Rob pointed out above ... you've not experienced true Apple customer service until you experience it as offered by a company owned Apple Store ... there's simply nothing like it anywhere in the private marketing of Apple products.

[LJ]

 

 

And as Rob pointed out above ... you've not experienced true Apple customer service until you experience it as offered by a company owned Apple Store ... there's simply nothing like it anywhere in the private marketing of Apple products.

I have experienced Apple customer service when we had to get a screen replaced. You can call in and get an appointment in three or four days, maybe, or you can take your chances and get to the store before opening time and be 15th in line. When you finally get to talk to someone they take your phone and disappear into some back room hell and make you wait and wait and wait. You can ask the guy you talked to out front about your phone but he doesn't know anything. Not exactly what I would call world class.

[AllseeingEye]

I told you guys earlier in this thread the "new" Mayfair needs just one thing above all to draw in a whole other demographic that is both numerous all over Greater Victoria (and for that matter the entire island), and spends bucket loads of cash......Bass Pro!    

[Mike K.]

Bass Pro is only 60km away!

[AllseeingEye]

Bass Pro is only 60km away!

Include a facetious emoji on VV will ya.... . That said as much a fishing fanatic as I may be I am not going to jump on a ferry every time I need gear, lol.

 

My more serious point however is as long as malls, Mayfair especially, continue to cater to mostly female shoppers with overwhelmingly "fashion"-oriented fare, they are missing out on that half of the population - males - who don't give a rat's patoot about a sale at "Below the Belt"....

[pennymurphy2000]

Would love to see a Lego store and a Disney store, and bring back build a bear. 

[jonny]

I hope the new Mayfair Sport Chek has a better golf section than the Sport Chek above Homesense.

[sdwright.vic]

Sport Check above Homesense?

[jonny]

The one at Cloverdale. Home Outfitters? One of those stores I avoid!

[sdwright.vic]

Ah... yes!
Sorry forgot about that one because its closed now. Always forgot about it when it was open as well.