[jbhaber]

I too visited an Apple store (2 weeks ago) looking for info on a Mac Mini. The first guy they assigned me to was older than the Model T. He was clueless. I actually had to ask him if he could find someone who actually had some knowledge about the Mini. The gal that came out to help me was better, but not great. She only had about 1/2 the answers for me. (The questions were mainly about migrating from Windows.)

[AppleHolic]

I have shopped at the Apple Store, and it was mildly irritating on a couple of occasions, and quite pleasurable on others.
I don't understand why nobody here considers what I consider to be the best option of all, not shopping in an Apple Store at all (at a mall)!
Before you choke, let me explain that I prefer to purchase my Macs and "some" accessories from the online Apple Store (http://store.apple.com/us).
A couple of reasons for this: I can find the item I want quickly and easily, and if it is available, such as on the computers, I can quickly configure the Mac pretty much as I want it, specifying the Screen Size (iMac), Hard Drive size, CPU model, Graphics card, amount of RAM, pre-installed software, and so on.
It's easy to compare models and features available, configure your options, and make the purchase. Plus, shipping is free on orders over $50! Student discounts and financing are also available.
Clearly, the only reason to go to the mall is to "see" and "touch" (and smell?) the goodies, and then purchase what is in stock at the time if you simply must have it immediately. I always research my needs and assess what I must purchase in advance, so the few days waiting for the shipment are inconsequential to me. Plus, I save money on gasoline, driving to the mall that is 20 miles away; avoid the headache of freeway traffic, and the long walks from the parking area to the store itself (and then back to the car with my heavy bag).
I hardly ever shop at brick-and-mortar stores for anything except for groceries and clothes. We have a UPS mailbox account for receipt of expensive items we don't want left on the porch, which is a small price to pay for secure delivery and receipt.
I say, get with it, it's the 21st Century already! Be lazy like me, and let your fingers do the walking, and let USPS, UPS or FedEx do the heavy lifting and delivering!

[dfs]

I agree with some of these observations. Yes, an Apple Store seems more like a hands-on museum than a place of commerce. Yes, you go into at least some of them and you feel like you've stumbled into some kind of Teen Canteen full of teeners wanting a social experience and a chance to grope the goodies, without necessarily having any intention to buy anything. And yes, the typical age and demeanor of the waitstaff does nothing to dispel this impression. Yes, the wait time at the Genius Bar is highly annoying (make a 3 pm. appointment and you're lucky if you get helped by 3:30). And yes, the quality of the advice they hand out is sometimes on the questionable side. It would be nice if Apple had some Adults Only stores where experienced users who have been around the track a few times could be served and helped by similar people.

[GeekGrl]

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Wow, my experience with Apple stores in Arizona and Southern California have been so outstanding I plan to apply to work in one when I retire next year from a major university. I have been to workshops and had genius bar appointments at 4 different stores in Arizona and 3 stores in California. The Victoria Gardens Store in Rancho Cucamonga, yes, is crowded, but the staff gets to me as soon as they can. I also know not to go right before or right after Christmas. Every employee I have come in contact with loves what they do and I've been an Apple user for 21 years (about to upgrade my MacBook Air, on my 4th IPhone).

I was in the same boat as you... and I start work in store tomorrow