Apple Opens First Canadian Store in Toronto 74
ElectroBot writes "I received a email today with an invitation to the Grand Opening of the first Apple Store in Canada. The Store is opening on May 21st at 9:30am at the Yorkdale Shopping Center in Toronto. There's also a contest for a Digital Lifestyle Collection valued at $2,985. On top of that the first 1,500 people to arrive at the opening will receive a free Apple T-shirt."
Just my kind of luck (Score:1)
Re:Just my kind of luck (Score:2)
I think you meant: "Eh!"
Arg (Score:1)
I really could of used an apple store then!
Re:Arg (Score:4, Funny)
It's like Apple thinks a dollar from a Canadian isn't worth quite as much as a dollar from an American!
Why do they hate Canadians like that?
Re:Arg (Score:2)
I don't - the Sharks [sjsharks.com] are a bit closer to Cupertino than are the Mighty Ducks [mightyducks.com].
Shyeah! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Shyeah! (Score:1)
Seriously, reading that Apple hasn't opened a store in Canada before now almost literally knocked me on my ass. Well, it would have if I wasn't sitting on it already.
I do remember having to go to NY to buy my Mac IIfx, but that was in... 1988? Jeez. Has Apple even offered any explanation why they've been so frigid with the Great White North?
Re:Shyeah! (Score:1)
So we're a bit behind the times in Canada, but not that badly! The first store in Europe was opened in November 2004.
SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Store_(retail)
Re:Shyeah! (Score:1)
I don't think Canada's "behind the times" - I'd always been using a computer for graphics since computing began. Now please pass me that kindling; I have to stoke the generator.
Dude, his source was a wikipedia link (Score:2)
Congratulations Canada (Score:2, Funny)
(whew!)
Re:Congratulations Canada (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Congratulations Canada (Score:1)
Yes, it sucks. There's no such thing as
Free Lunch! No tax! (Score:3, Interesting)
I got a new G5 iMac from Amazon, and saved $166 in sales tax (compared to buying online from Apple directly).
It arrived the next day even though I chose "Super Saver Shipping"!
Re:Free Lunch! No tax! (Score:2)
Re:Free Lunch! No tax! (Score:2)
Re:Free Lunch! No tax! (Score:2)
so, are you saying that the act of "not paying the use tax" triggers a State Income Tax Audit somehow?
How exactly does that happen?
Re:Free Lunch! No tax! (Score:1)
Some states (PA is not one) actually have a formula they advise that you use. If you don't know specifics, take your salary and multiply it by some value, and that's how much people in your income bracket spend on out-of-state purchases. The multiplier itself is a function of your salary, though of course it's a gross ov
Let me be the first to say... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Let me be the first to say... (Score:4, Funny)
More than a store (Score:5, Insightful)
But it does give us an opportunity to discuss Apple's retail stores and how that are more than just "stores". AppleInsider has a nice piece [appleinsider.com] on the Apple retail stores and it gives insight into how Apple is once again following their "Think Different" mantra. (It also tells us how Apple has over 100 retail stores, plans to open 20 more this year and is opening stores at a rate of one every 10 days.)
For instance, Apple stores feature "Genius Bars" that allow anyone to walk up (or make an appointment) and get technical help with their Mac concern. They can even send a computer out for repair on the spot.
Genius Bars don't float your boat (sure, even Best Buy has a computer service window, though "Genius" may be too strong a title for the staff), then try the instore theaters that host free and for-a-fee software demos and tutorials to help users get the most out of appe like iLife, or delve into Pro products. They also host third party software demos.
This really is the first time that someone can go to a store, buy a computer, and then sit down and learn how the heck to use it. HomeDepot has been doing this sort of thing with weekend project classes with good success and it is nice to see the practice making its way to the IT sector where so many people (who don't know what
Re:More than a store (Score:1)
There's an Apple store 15 minutes from my home, but I've put off getting Tiger because I want instant gratification (and the $69 edu discount price!)
Re:More than a store (Score:1)
Re:More than a store (Score:2)
Re:More than a store (Score:3, Insightful)
It's not that Apple Stores are "more than" stores. It's that most computer warehouses are less.
Try this sometime: Walk in to a CompUSA, Best Buy, Fry's, Microcenter, whatever... Ask a question about a relatively new technology to which you already know the answer. Assuming y
Re:More than a store (Score:1)
Re:More than a store (Score:5, Insightful)
I disagree with this statement.
The expectation I have of a store is that I can see the products for sale, touch them, examine them (perhaps I cannot use them such as at a food store, but as the price increases, I can, like at a car dealership). I expect to be able to ask questions about the product itself, "how many 'foo' does this have?" "what does 'bar' mean?" I lastly expect to be able to purchase the item or atleast place an order for one.
Apple takes it way further. The Genius Bar allows me to ask detailed technical questions and even fix my technical solution. The studios allow me to get training on software. This is a way new concept for most stores but it is catching on. A home decore store won't teach you how to decorate your house, but some cooking suply stores have instructional kitchens where you can go and watch chefs cook.
The concept is very appealing because it turns the whole 'sales' aspect of the store into an information station, where I can also buy the products I just learned about.
The whole part about CompUSA sreading miss-information, and the part about the closing italic tag I agree with.
Re:More than a store (Score:1, Interesting)
Re:More than a store (Score:1, Informative)
Re:More than a store (Score:2)
Is it a standalone store (a la Michigan Avenue [inkblotsmag.com], or inside a mall?
Re:More than a store (Score:2)
Re:More than a store (Score:2)
Easy for you to say, yankee.
I, for one, welcome our new Apple store overlords!
Re: My Aweful Apple Store Experience (Score:2)
Apple is also greatly expanding Genius bars in future store [appleinsider.com] to combat this exact problem.
As for Lies and the Lying Liars that Tell Them [amazon.com], I can only say that either (1) you missunderstood, (2) the sales rep was missinformed, or (3) it is par for the course, just like at other PC retailers.
Apple certainly doesn't intend to pissoff customers. It was Apple's displeasure with the way their products were being sold in retail channe
Its about the touchie feelies (Score:5, Insightful)
What good is that? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:What good is that? (Score:2)
You don't have to; most of them are in Florida already.
Re:What good is that? (Score:2)
free human being [apple.com]
In Celebration (Score:3, Funny)
To celebrate the opening of the new Apple store, 10.4.1 will change the first item under the Apple menu to "Aboot This Mac..." when the Canada layout is selected.
Re:Proper Pronunciation (Score:2)
If somebody wants to know what English actually looks like, they'll have to try an English dictionary [oed.com], wherein the word for the round rubber things on automobile wheels is spelled "tyre" rather than "tire" [canadiantire.ca].
But, still, the language you speak up there is closer to English than is the language we speak down here, at least in the way it's spelled^Wspelt....
Re:In Celebration (Score:1)
I know this is meant to be a joke, but there already is a Canadian layout. It is different from the US layout, because it has accent keys and some other nicities. It's called the Canadian Multi-lingual Standard, or CSA (Canadian Standards Association) keyboard. If you want a keyboard that (AFAIK) is just like the US but disp
Re:In Celebration (Score:2)
And it's not new in Tiger; it's in Panther, or, at least, a layout with the Canadian flag and "CSA" below it is.
Re:In Celebration (Score:1)
It's been in every operating system that I've used and allows one to change the keyboard layout, actually. Even Windows 95, DOS, and all the BSDs and Linuxes I've used.
Re:In Celebration (Score:1)
The problem with the CSA layout is that for most of us its wrong. Unless we're in a government office (or Quebec I suppose), then our computers have "normal" U.S. layouts.
I know some people who, rather than seeing a U.S. flag in their menubar, would choose the CSA layout and learn the l
I got the email too! (Score:4, Informative)
-----
Apple Store, Yorkdale
9:30 a.m., Saturday, May 21
See the latest from Apple up close.
Help us celebrate the grand opening of our first Canadian store and be one of the first to check out Mac OS X Tiger. See for yourself how the iPod family and iPod accessories continue to redefine the way you experience music. You can also try the powerful and compact Mac mini--the most affordable Mac ever. And while you're at it, test-drive iLife '05 and iWork '05, software that lets you create and present better than ever. What's more, the first 1,500 people to stop by the grand opening get a fre e Apple T-shirt.
A great place to shop. A great place to learn.
The Apple Store is more than just a great place to shop. It's also a great place to get answers to tough questions. Come in and schedule an appointment with a Genius at our Genius Bar or attend our free classes and workshops. You can also speak with a Business Consultant about our range of service and support options, as well as get details of our Business Day.
Grand Opening Contest.
Come by between May 21 and June 30 and enter to win a Digital Lifestyle Collection valued at $2,985.* The collection includes a 17-inch iMac G5, a Canon digital camera and camcorder, an Epson printer, and an iPod mini.
Join us on May 21. This is one grand opening you won't want to miss.
Re:Not really the first store (Score:1)
Re:Not really the first store (Score:4, Informative)
It's the first of those in Canada. The UK have two now, as does Japan, and the US have over a hundred.
What you mean is an independent reseller.
Re:Not really the first store (Score:1)
Re:Not really the first store (Score:2)
Re:Not really the first store (Score:1)
Re:Not really the first store (Score:1)
I'm batting 0 for 1 with CompUSA on Apple products.
They jacked me on a G4, then it took them an inordinate amount of time (not to mention my barking up a number of trees) to finally get me my refund.
Ever since then, I've been Apple store or nothing. (especially the online store)
software selection? (Score:2)
Re:software selection? (Score:2)
Here in the US is the exact opposite. We have a huge supply of everything US made, especially technology. We are short on just about everything cultural.
Okay, the first "Apple inc." Apple Store (Score:1)
They were definitely "Apple" in the sense that you stepped i
Canadian Commercials (Score:1)
Think different, eh.
Take off, eh? (Score:1)
I'll still buy all of my Mac stuff from http://www.macdoc.com/ [macdoc.com]. He takes trade-ins, has good deals, etc. Apple Store can go and sod off, eh?