Hello from Las Vegas

[Kevin]

I have been a member of the forum for a while now, but haven't really been able to post because I have worked at one of the Apple Retail stores in Las Vegas for the last five years. But Sunday was my last day and I'm free, free, free.

I loved the experience at the store and learned a lot. It was a part-time job I took only to indulge my passion for the Mac. I am a sports writer by trade. I am closing in on my one-year anniversary as the boxing and mixed martial arts columnist at Yahoo! Sports (sports.yahoo.com/box or sports.yahoo.com/mma). Before that, I covered boxing and MMA for 17 years at the Las Vegas Review-Journal newspaper.

I bought a MacBook Air on Saturday after debating it greatly. I travel a ton in my job, but I really only use Safari, Word and Yahoo! Messenger when I'm on the road. My MacBook Pro was beginning to feel like it weighed a ton, so I finally took the plunge and got the MBA. It comes tomorrow (or so FedEx says).

Anyway, just wanted to say hi and say I'll be checking in on the forum frequently.

[Yuiichi]

Welcome to the TAB forums, Kevin! Hope you enjoy your stay!

It's funny that you just quit your job at the Apple Store, as I'm actually actively seeking employment at one Kind of my dream job, for the time being (while I'm a student). Did you enjoy working there?

[baseballboy828]

Welcome Kevin! From your description, you seem like the perfect candidate for a MacBook Air, so you should really enjoy it. Give us your opinions of it once it arrives and you have some time to play with it.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Yuiichi

Welcome to the TAB forums, Kevin! Hope you enjoy your stay!

It's funny that you just quit your job at the Apple Store, as I'm actually actively seeking employment at one Kind of my dream job, for the time being (while I'm a student). Did you enjoy working there?

I really enjoyed the time I worked at Apple, Yuiichi. It's a great environment and the people really do want to do right by the customer. Having said that, it's not all learning with and playing with Macs. It's a sales job. I went into it with zero sales experience. I found I liked it, but because I said to myself, hey, I took this job because I love Macs, not to try to sell. So I just tried to let my love of Macs come through when I was talking with customers and not my eagnerness to get a sale.

If you're prepared for that, I think you'll like it, especially if you get into a store with motivated employees.

[SandraV]

The customer really does appreciate the fact that you care about what you sell. You may not have or be interested in the sale but I have bought things I'm interested in because of the sales person if I was still a little straddled on the fence. Also, when you have a passion for something, it's nice for the customers to see. It puts you in the relational place with the customers.

Thanks!

SandraV

[lucamacis]

yeah i completely agree. If you show your enthusiastic about a a product then the customer see's that. I sell camera's as my part time job and instead of showing the most expensive models you show your favourite, the customer really responds to that.

Sometimes i find it helps if you slip in that your not on commission to some customers as sometimes they think their being buttered up for a sale rather than you being truthful. Just the value of my experience anyways.

[philbowell]

I remember when I bought my camera. The sales guy didn't try and shove the most expensive camera at me, but instead showed me a range of cameras that fitted my skill set but also ones that would grow with me. I didn't feel rushed or like he was trying force the cameras.

[notabadname]

Welcome Kevin! And congrats on the MBA. You must be excited.