Weekend in Nerdland

iPhone 3G launch last Friday! I don't need Miss Cleo's crystal ball or even a glance at Google Trends today to know that the iPhone was a top search item Friday. Fanboy mania...lines, download issues, and dominant stories on all the standard issue tech blogs for days.

I don't have an iPhone, and neither does my husband, although I think they are tan-fastic. We are Verizon customers (don't get me started), and we are not ready to change networks. Also, we live in cowville (ie Mid-Market USA), which means that 3G does not apply to us yet. Which also may explain why he has such a hard time recruiting for all those UMTS positions at AT&T and can only find qualified Europeans to work on 3G.

Still, the iPhone craze affected us, as my husband spent the better part of Saturday morning downloading all the new software for his iPod Touch. Upon completing, he literally made me sit down to tour all the new programs (Twitteriffic, yay!), including virtual beer. He was, understandably, highly distracted at dinner that night. There was a new, improved toy at the table!!! Much awesomeness!!!

I avoided the interwebs Sunday but continued to sift through more blog posts Monday, dissecting what Apple did wrong. Why another product launch with the same issues? Will their fan base continue to put up with this clear lack of attention to detail?

J and I are not even the Apple fan base in the truest sense. Yet I spent the better part of a weekend in Nerdland, reading blogs, watching iPhone shows, and of course sitting down to watch "virtual beer." The launch could have gone smoother, but when it comes to total product devotion, I think Apple is on to something. Why else do they call it the Jesus Phone?

Clinique and Macys... UR Doin' It Wrong

At the end of a long day at work last week, I stopped near a mall to pick up some dinner. I had time to kill before it was ready. He needed his facial soap. I bravely told him I would kill two birds with one stone and stop by the Clinque counter on my way to pick up dinner.

I HATE malls. Anyone who knows me knows I am a rabid online shopper, and will purchase things most people buy in stores online. Lipstick, clothes, shoes, perfume? I'll buy it online...anything to avoid mall crowds and the dreaded sales assistant. In my opinion, shopping, particularly for luxury items, should be a pleasant, uplifting experience. Why then is it the business model of most cosmetics counters to make you feel bad about yourself so you purchase more? Unfortunately, this encounter was to be no different.

I approach the counter, swing past the Sales Assistant's saying "No thanks, I don't need help," grab the soap from the open display and head to the counter to pay. Times are tough, and the sales assistants start pushing. I am told if I purchase something else, I will get some free goodies. "Thanks, but, I don't really need anything, else" I asserted.

"Well, have you seen this product?" It removes all blotchiness, redness, acne spots and freckles and would be perfect for you. You just apply under sunscreen and moisturizer," said the sales assistant. "You really need sunscreen." The aforementioned sales assistant has the permanently-surprised expression of the recently Botoxed and is wearing two shades of lipstick, contrasting lip liner, and three shades of eye shadow.

Did the crazy-eye lady just indirectly tell me I have blotchy, red, freakishly pale skin? OK, I do live under florescent lights. But all I wanted to buy was some soap. It's not exactly as though I was having a high self-esteem moment before this happened. However, as I politely said no thank you and left the store with my purchase, I became irritated at the experience, to say the very least.

Clinique (and large retail outlets everywhere) take note: you are doing your customers a disservice by trying to push products in this insulting fashion. Consumers today are more educated, savvy and service-oriented then ever before. Even if it sells one more product that day, I doubt this way of doing business is helping you in the long-run. I do know that should I need a "lightening skin product" in the future, after this experience I won't be purchasing it from Clinique.

Retail outlets- How are you training your sales assistants? Do you try and make every shopping experience a pleasant one for the customer? Product recommendations can be done MUCH more tactfully and less desperately than by insulting the customer. Something along the lines of "Have you heard about our newest product?" might have been a nicer intro.

One thing I do know is this: the next time I pick up my husbands soap, I am going to Nordstrom. Their sales assistants never tell me my skin is bad and always give me free goodies, no matter what. Perhaps the other department stores could learn a thing or two from this business model.