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phathom
phathom 4 months ago
Strange smells at Apple Stores?

I'm my experience for the past year, I've been shopping, or at least, trying to shop at the Apple stores. The one in Woodfield mall used to be my prime choice, but since their remodeling last year, it has a wretched smell. It smells like a bunch of sweaty dudes who never shower. It's like that from opening time, till closing. I've spoke with several store managers, filled out surveys and even emailed support and Steve Jobs on this issue. If you stay in there for more than 5 minutes, you get nauseated. My wife won't even step into the place cause it'll make her puke. It's been so bad I've stopped shopping at Apple stores. Anyone else had this kind of experience?
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15 replies
mrchrisblau
mrchrisblau 4 months ago
Why stop shopping at all Apple stores because of the smell of one?
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crichton007
crichton007 4 months ago
Are you sure you're not mistaken and in a Walmart rather than an Apple store?
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dedhandi
dedhandi 4 months ago
It's the wretched stench of smug, self-satisfaction oozing from the staff which stops me from going in there.
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n8garvie
n8garvie 4 months ago
I think all Apple stores smell like a barn. Reminds me of when I worked retail in university and the smell the packaging would have just when it arrived from some developing nation sweatshop. Just saying.
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jstewsmole
jstewsmole 4 months ago
I agree whith Apple stores smelling...the one in Chicago on the Miracle Mile smells AWFUL...could be all the hippies that work there...
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billrafferty
billrafferty 4 months ago
I've been in the Woodfield, Northbrook Court and Deer Park stores many times and have never noticed a smell, good or bad. Maybe it's my nose.
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Rsc2122
Rsc2122 4 months ago
My wife agrees with this post. The Fresno, Ca store also smells and she usually waits in the mall.
I guess all the heat radiating off the gdgt's and the amount of people make it smell putrid.
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outofocus
outofocus 4 months ago
I haven't personally experienced the smell the original poster mentioned but I find the army of bright t-shirt wearing employees to be a bit creepy so I'm happy I have another option for making purchases.

In general, I find the Apple stores to be overwhelming. Between the lighting, layout and that they often seem to be crowded. Even when there are not a lot of people in there it still tends to feel crowded so I will usually look in as I walk by.

I get the feeling that the stores are intended for people who are not already deeply rooted in technology.
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dave
dave gdgt staff 4 months ago
Hah, I think the insane crowds are the thing I have the biggest problem with. Plus, whenever I do want to go in a legitimately check out a new computer or something, there's always kids ditching school / homework / social lives, so they can play Farmville or some other cheesy Flash based games.

(Maybe *this* is the reason Steve Jobs hates Flash so much?)
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coologuy1957
coologuy1957 4 months ago
sounds like you are allergic to apple people is all...

I always found them overly clean and pleasant...
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brettdunnam
brettdunnam gdgt staff 4 months ago
Surprisingly I know what he is talking about. The last 2 times I was in that store (Woodfield in Illinois, right?) it has smelled really bad. I'm not sure what's up but it's kind of amusing to go in thinking it will be a nice looking (but sterile) environment and then the smell hits you. Woops.
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phathom
phathom 4 months ago
I emailed Steve jobs about this during the week, he ignored me! I guess Apple doesn't care what condition the stores are in, just if they can sell the products. Woodfield mall has the worst smell overall. Even when the store is empty upon opening it reeks. I think next time I will walk in with a bottle of Lysol. I spray it and some kid is allergic, then I get arrested for trying to improve the smell, lol.
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dada44
dada44 4 months ago
I know exactly what you are talking about. This is more apparent in the smaller, less ventilated stores.

If you google "mac smell" and "new mac smell" you will probably come across similar posts.

I believe it's some adhesive they use, because it smells strangely like scotch tape. Perhaps also something to do with the aluminium casing. Either way, you would think apple, with their billions of dollars of reserve money would do something about this...
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phathom
phathom 4 months ago
I went by the apple store today at woodfield mall. It smelled better, not as bad as before. You could hear the air vents on full blast. If they just keep it like that everyday, there won't be any smell.
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Novel
Novel 3 months ago
The Apple store in Tysons Virginia smells really bad. Like a barn. Really gross. The atmosphere is oppressive. The bright lights are too strong. The workers are ok but the "hover" too much.
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