TVgasm Consumer Frustration: The Grove Edition

Miscellaneous TV

By admin | Monday, December 11, 2006 | 3:11 pm | 5 Comments

ipod_12-11

Recently, B-side posted about his frustrations with purchasing a Nintendo Wii and some general DirecTV HD DVR shenanigans. In the meantime, let me move on to something else that is pissing me off. My iPod broke, which is no bid deal. I used it a lot and I said that when it died, I would move up to the iPod Video. Here is the problem. Last night, around 5:30, I decided to go to the gym, but realizing I hadn’t picked up my iPod yet, I wanted to make sure the Apple Store would still be open when I got back because I didn’t want to face a Los Angeles commute with only my car stereo as my companion. Score! The Grove has special Holiday Hours(here is a screenshot just in case Apple decides to fix this). Open until 10PM!? By that time, most of the kids would be gone, as would the people that like to stand around and watch the fountain for hours. This means my retail experience would go from suffocating to only mildly frustrating.

How did things work out? More after the jump.I get to The Grove around 8:30 PM and I was surprised to see that the store was closed. I tapped on the trendy glass door until an annoyed store employee told me they were closed and then left. I tapped on the trendy glass door and told the store employee that the Holiday Hours listed on the website said they would be open until 10PM. This particular store employee, who like most at this Apple Store think they are smarter than you because they were deemed worthy enough to wear their business cards around their necks, asks me incredulously “On Sunday?!?” I say, “On Sunday. You may want to tell your manager.” This little miscommunication is not only annoying but dangerous. I need all my attention focused on avoiding the bad drivers in LA as they talk, text message, or do their makeup while driving, and it’s very hard when you need to change the radio station every five minutes because there is nothing ever on!

Being the consumerist sheep that I am, my anger will only last until I go back there tonight and get that video iPod, but until then, Apple, and the Store Manager at The Grove are assholes, just like the people at DirecTV.

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5 Comments

  1. 1
    Donna Martin Graduates!
    Posted December 11, 2006 at 4:33 pm

    Even though I don’t text while I’m driving (I am not a crackberry wanker) nor do my make up in the rear view mirror (I try to look respectable *before* I leave the house) and only occasionally use my cell (bluetooth headset = both hands on the wheel AND I indicate when turning!!) it’s true, I *also* have to change the radio station frequently, and that can pull my attention away from avoiding lunatics on the road, especially the ones that hit the brakes for no reason other than they’re chatting to their BFF (omg!)

    But eventually I hit ‘CD’ and just drive.

    Those apple staff are the Grove are dickheads. It just goes to show, you can’t always trust the information on The Internets.

    BTW — a friend of mine just got the video ipod for his b’day and I was astonished at how crisp the image is. Even with such a tiny screen, when viewed up close it’s okay to watch. Doubt I’d sit through a whole movie, though…

  2. 2
    Zharak
    Posted December 11, 2006 at 5:09 pm

    I hope you’re getting the 80GB version.

    I got the 30GB as soon as it came out and didn’t want to spend the extra money on the 60 GB version. Didn’t know the 30GB has the weakest batteries.

  3. 3
    trashytvlvr
    Posted December 11, 2006 at 9:07 pm

    ugh. ditto on the weak battery. a few vids, and it’s done for.

  4. 4
    Ms. Tumnus
    Posted December 12, 2006 at 8:12 am

    I have the Creative Zen 30GB and it’s FAB. The battery lasts forever and it’s really easy to use. It’s a bit bigger than the ipod, but it’s also a year-old model. I’m sure the newer ones are smaller.

  5. 5
    tigereye
    Posted December 12, 2006 at 11:34 am

    I have read good things about Creative. Am thinking of getting a Muvo, cause i don’t know that I can afford the Zens. Glad to hear the good reviews keep coming.

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