This is Cult of Mac’s exclusive column written by an actual Apple Store Genius who answers all your questions about working at an Apple Store. Our genius must remain anonymous, but other than “Who are you, anyway?” ask anything you want about what goes on behind that slick store facade.
This week our Genius answers questions on whether Apple gives Specialists commission on sales, as well as a break down on how many employees it takes to effectively run an Apple Store.
Got a question you want the inside scoop on? Send us your questions and the answers will be published first in Cult of Mac’s Magazine on Newsstand. Send your questions to newsATcultofmac.com with “genius” in the subject line.
Q:How does the pay compare to other electronic retailers? Do you guys get any form of commission?
I’ve never worked at Best Buy, Staples or any of the other tech retailers, but from what I’ve heard from co-workers the pay is pretty solid at Apple which is one of the draws, along with corporate culture and getting to work for the most influential tech company in the world.
If you’re just a Specialist working the floor, don’t except to make too much more than average retail at first. There’s no commission of any kind on the sales we make, but Apple keeps track and you’re encouraged to hit certain metrics. After a few months you’ll be eligible to apply for other posts.
Genius Bar positions start out at around $17 per hour, but you can make quite a bit more than that if you work full-time and stick around for a while. I know a few making more than $25 an hour with managers making even more.
Q:How many employees does it take to effectively run an Apple Store?
A lot. Apple places a lot of emphasis on employee-to-customer ratios so that even if the store is jam packed, there will still be a Specialist available to help you.
Of course each store is different but I work at the smallest of five Apple Stores in my metro area and we still have about 40 employees on an average day. If its a launch day that number jumps between 60-90 employees, but at other stores like Fifth Ave. I’ve heard they have more than a hundred staff on-hand for a regular retail day.
Q:What is the worst thing a customer has ever brought in?
Apple is pretty laid back on what they allow you to bring into the store which makes it pretty interesting, sometimes disgusting, to see what people tote in alongside their computers to the Genius Bar.
A lot of people bring in food which is fine, unless it’s some smelly weird stuff. I had one lady bring her cat in with her to her appointment at the Genius Bar. It sat in her purse the entire time we fixed her iPod. Others have brought in dogs.
As far the worst tech that’s been brought in, one customer’s toddler stuffed a CD smothered in peanut butter into a MacBook Pros SuperDrive once. Unfortunately, peanut butter damage isn’t covered under warranty.
