A large portion of retailers allow you to order products on their websites and subsequently collect the items at your convenience from your local store. Not only does it often shorten the waiting time from purchase to usage, but you can usually save a few dollars in the process.
Apple operates a little differently. If you wish to purchase a Mac, iPad or iPhone directly from the Cupertino company, there are two ways of doing so. The first is by logging on to Apple.com, initiating your chosen purchase, and playing the waiting game which can often be tantalizing and inconvenient if you work often or cannot be at home to receive at the designated times. Alternatively, you can make the the trip down to your local store bearing the iconic Apple logo and buy the old-fashioned way. If the item isn’t in stock, though, you’ve to suffer the double-whammy of an extended wait allied to a wasted journey.
Not for much longer though, it seems. For the fruit company is currently undergoing a trial scheme known as Ship To Store, which will enable consumers to order products online and later on; collect in-store. The San Francisco Apple Store is the first of hopefully many to test the scheme and analyze its value going forward. Word on the street is that the trial scheme will spread to other parts of the Bay Area within the coming days, gradually spreading throughout the United States over the next few moths.
So those of you residing in and around San Francisco can take advantage of Ship to Store by heading over to this page of Apple’s website. Once there, add a product to your cart and head for the checkout. Before the process is complete, Apple will provide the options of In Stock, and Select a Store In San Francisco. Opting for In Stock will see the item delivered to your door, as usual. However, if you Select a Store In San Francisco, you will be able to collect from Apple’s Flagship San Francisco Store once it has been shipped over.
The scheme seems like a PR win – allowing consumers more options regarding purchase can only but increase customer satisfaction. With the holiday season beckoning, Ship To Store will hopefully help to alleviate the rush.
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