UK Apple Shop Forced To Change Its Name

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UK Apple Shop Forced To Change Its Name

Posted by timothy on Saturday February 16, 2013 @10:49AM from the but-but-but-the-semantic-web dept.

tlhIngan writes "The Apple Shop, in Norfolk, UK is a little corner store that sells apple products. Not Apple products, but apple products, in this case, cider. However, it's been forced to change its name to the Norfolk Cider Shop. However, the name change did not come from any lawsuit from Apple (the Cupertino one, that is), nor has there been any evidence that Apple (Cupertino) knew about them. Instead, they're changing their name because their phones have been ringing constantly from people seeking help with their Apple (Cupertino) products. Apple (Cupertino) opened an Apple store in 2009 in the nearby (larger) town of Norwich."

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So by forced, they mean chose by Stewie241 · 2013-02-16 10:53 · Score: 5, Informative

So by forced to change their name, what they really mean is they chose to change their name because people were mistaking them for the Apple Store?
1. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by djl4570 · 2013-02-16 11:09 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Forced by a meatspace DDOS attack on their phone number.
2. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by erpbridge · 2013-02-16 11:29 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Had that been the case, them including the service of consulting, repairing, recommending, or selling Apple (Cupertino) branded products or accessories, that probably would have given Apple (Cupertino) the necessary ammunition to sue them to change their name... even if the apple (fruit) products were the primary function of the store still.
  It sounds like a lose/lose... Either you get the phone ringing, taking up your time and business and pulling you away from your customers walking in the door, to the point you change your name... or you take advantage of the opportunity, and open yourself up to being sued for the name.
3. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by AmiMoJo · 2013-02-16 11:42 · Score: 2
  
  They should have partnered with Samsung/Microsoft and got them to open a shop next door. When all the people looking to buy a new tablet or laptop turn up and realize they are in the wrong place the first thing they see is the handy shop next door selling the very thing they wanted.
  People should know better though. Apple always open "stores" (American), not shops (British).
  
  --
  const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
  SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
4. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by Sulphur · 2013-02-16 12:02 · Score: 1
  
  Sounds to me like a lost business opportunity. If they stumbled upon a significant demand for a service, then should've simply expanded their offerings to include that service. I'm not sure why you would go to the trouble of changing your name to avoid having to deal with people asking to do business with you.
  Their regular customer repellant was not working.
5. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by AK+Marc · 2013-02-16 12:32 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  Except their business wasn't even close to being the same, so they've got no experience to branch out.
  When did that ever stop anyone?
  
  --
  Learn to love Alaska
6. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by matunos · 2013-02-16 12:51 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  I'm guessing they're happy selling cider and don't have any interest or expertise in servicing computers.
7. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by flimflammer · 2013-02-16 13:00 · Score: 2
  
  Forced would work fine in this situation. They felt they had no choice but to change their name in order to avoid the large volume of confused calls.
8. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by davester666 · 2013-02-16 13:10 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  No, then that would become trademark infringement...Apple Inc has a trademark to use Apple in a variety of computer-related fields, while this store is using it legally in an unrelated field. If they were to switch or add computer services to their business, then they would be infringing on Apple Inc's trademark.
  
  --
  Sleep your way to a whiter smile...date a dentist!
9. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by PolygamousRanchKid+ · 2013-02-16 13:18 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Sounds to me like a lost business opportunity.
  Extra strong cider (10% alcohol) might help people who have problems with their Apple products. At least, it will help them forget their problems.
  A round or iCider, anyone . . . ?
  
  --
  Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
10. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by MrEricSir · 2013-02-16 15:18 · Score: 1
  
  Had that been the case, them including the service of consulting, repairing, recommending, or selling Apple (Cupertino) branded products or accessories, that probably would have given Apple (Cupertino) the necessary ammunition to sue them to change their name... even if the apple (fruit) products were the primary function of the store still.
  How about selling "Eye Pad Cider"? That way they could rake in cash from confused customers.
  
  --
  There's no -1 for "I don't get it."
11. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by martin-boundary · 2013-02-16 15:25 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  It sounds like a lose/lose/win... Either you get the phone ringing, taking up your time and business and pulling you away from your customers walking in the door, to the point you change your name... or you take advantage of the opportunity, and open yourself up to being sued for the name.
  
  ...or you set up an automatic answering machine:
  "Welcome to the Apple Shop. We specialize in cider and cider related products.
  If you would like help with your computer, press 1.
  For any other enquiries regarding cider products, press 2.
  ...
  1. "The Apple Shop does not sell computer products. Please wait to be transferred to Apple customer service in Norwich. You will be charged 30p for this transfer."
  2. "Apple Shop. Hello, how may I help hou?"
  There, FTFY.
12. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by Sun · 2013-02-16 15:50 · Score: 2
  
  You are assuming people actually listen to what is being played to them on the recording.
  What will actually happen will be:
  Machine (as heard by caller): Welcome to the Apple Shop. phase out press 1. For any other enqueries...
  User: press 2
  Shachar
13. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by mysidia · 2013-02-16 15:51 · Score: 1
  
  Had that been the case, them including the service of consulting, repairing, recommending, or selling Apple (Cupertino) branded products or accessories, that probably would have given Apple (Cupertino) the necessary ammunition to sue them to change their name
  They didn't need to do that... they just needed to get a call center to screen their calls and funnel any 'business opportunities' to a marketing partner, in exchange for a referral fee.
14. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by Runaway1956 · 2013-02-16 16:47 · Score: 1
  
  Insightful? Not really, guys.
  Had they been inundated with phone calls seeking service in a related field to their own field of expertise, then yeah, I can see attempting to expand into that related field.
  Making cider and related apple products has squat to do with computer support. The store may or may not have had any personnel who were qualified to work in that unrelated field, but they are certainly not set up to work in that field.
  If I ran an auto detail business, and a local aviation mechanic had a similar name to my own business - should I attempt to take some of his business when I get his phone calls? I'll just send the old man who cleans auto engines over to repair the flaps on a Leer Jet? The kid who does such a great job of cleaning inside the door frames can probably take care of the seeming imbalance in the jet turbines. Yeah - that will work!
  
  --
  "Windows is like the faint smell of piss in a subway: it's there, and there's nothing you can do about it." - Charlie Br
15. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by thegarbz · 2013-02-16 16:48 · Score: 1
  
  And since the big problem is the number of callers about Apple computer products it would still achieve it's purpose.
  I find it hard to believe that a cider store would field a large number of calls from its customer base. As soon as someone with a complaint / enquiry about cider ends up at the Apple helpdesk they may call back and learn to listen.
16. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by gmanterry · 2013-02-16 16:48 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Sounds to me like a lost business opportunity. If they stumbled upon a significant demand for a service, then should've simply expanded their offerings to include that service. I'm not sure why you would go to the trouble of changing your name to avoid having to deal with people asking to do business with you.
  I know how annoying this can be. My home phone number was one digit off from a beauty parlor when I lived in a small town. I got several calls every day from people trying to set up appointments. I tried to explain that they had the wrong number but the calls persisted. Finally, in desperation, I just started making appointments. Sometimes a dozen a day. After a couple of months the calls dwindled down to nothing. A guy's gotta do what he has to do.
  
  --
  Since when is "public safety" the root password to the Constitution?
17. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-16 17:57 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  I'm guessing they're happy selling cider and don't have any interest or expertise in servicing computers.
  So what you're saying, is they are exactly like the other Apple stores.
18. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by maxwell+demon · 2013-02-16 18:30 · Score: 1
  
  You can get cider at Apple stores?
  
  --
  The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
19. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by sgunhouse · 2013-02-16 18:50 · Score: 2
  
  Remember the song Jenny (867-5309) from the '80s? At the time, dozens of people were forced to change their phone number ... though at least one business changed their TO 8675309. But then again. they didn't really have anyone named Jenny answering the phones. In fact, their answering machine message started with "Jenny's not here right now ..."
  Or then again there's adaware.com which was an ADA-related programming site, as opposed to the ad-blocking program Ad-Aware (someone forgot to check whether the web address was available). After ADA-ware said who they were, they offered a link to a competing ad blocker - I guess they didn't appreciate the traffic they were getting.
  There is somewhat of a lost opportunity in the fact they were getting all that attention - it's a chance to introduce themselves to new people who might not ever have heard of them. But no, they shouldn't branch out or misrepresent themselves ...
20. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by Mathness · 2013-02-16 21:19 · Score: 1
  
  No matter how big a success the first generation of the iCider is, I am not going to queue for the next gen iCider. :p
  
  --
  Carbon based humanoid in training.
21. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by Elijha · 2013-02-16 21:46 · Score: 1
  
  By lost business opportunity I thought you were going to say set the listed number to a pay-per minute one. Of course for real customers and shop signage /local adverts / business cards show the normal number - but don't have it publicly listed in the phone book.
22. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by hairyfish · 2013-02-16 22:22 · Score: 1
  
  So change your number to a pay per minute number. Anyone that ask about computers simply transfer them another extension which is on indefinite hold at $99/minute.
23. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by nukenerd · 2013-02-16 22:31 · Score: 2
  
  Sounds to me like a lost business opportunity. ...... should've simply expanded their offerings to include that service.
  
  I don't think you know Norfolk. I am suprised they have even got as far as installing land-line phones there, let alone selling Cupurtino products. I think they will stick to selling cider.
24. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by Jaruzel · 2013-02-16 22:51 · Score: 1
  
  Illegal in the UK unfortunately.
  
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  Together, We Can Make Slashdot Better. I Do NOT Mod ACs. - Check Me Out
25. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by hokin · 2013-02-17 00:42 · Score: 1
  
  I don't think you know Norfolk. I am suprised they have even got as far as installing land-line phones there, let alone selling Cupurtino products. I think they will stick to selling cider.
  I don't think you know Norfolk I'm 10 miles from nearest town and I've had 7-8Mbps for the last 5 years
  In addition The Apple Shops logo is suspiciously similar to Cupertino's, seems it was ok to use that but now 4 years after the Norwich Apple Store opened its a hassle?
26. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by drinkypoo · 2013-02-17 01:25 · Score: 1
  
  Forced would work fine in this situation. They felt they had no choice
  No, no it wouldn't. They can have felt forced, but it doesn't mean they were forced.
  
  --
  "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
27. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by drinkypoo · 2013-02-17 01:26 · Score: 1
  
  Finally, in desperation, I just started making appointments. Sometimes a dozen a day. After a couple of months the calls dwindled down to nothing. A guy's gotta do what he has to do.
  It's a good thing the calls for the doctor's office stopped coming in before I read your comment...
  
  --
  "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
28. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by PT_1 · 2013-02-17 01:39 · Score: 1
  
  Replying to undo accidental bad moderation. Sorry, I had meant to click 'informative'.
29. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by Xenx · 2013-02-17 02:09 · Score: 1
  
  So, if someone places a gun to your head and tells you to [whatever] you don't think you've been forced into it? I mean, you still have a choice.
30. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by spike1 · 2013-02-17 04:19 · Score: 1
  
  My number is one digit off a chinese takeaway nearby... Constantly getting "Can I place an order?" calls...
  My usual response is "NO!" hangup.
  Might have to try taking the order when I'm feeling extra petulant... :)
31. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by Deekin_Scalesinger · 2013-02-17 04:59 · Score: 1
  
  Yup, but you need an appointment (don't do a walkin for God's sakes!) and be sure to make a backup of your stomach as they are not responsible for previously undigested substances.
  
  --
  "As the intrepid kobold companion continues his journey, he begins to wonder... if priests raises dead, why anybody die?
32. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by oobayly · 2013-02-17 05:16 · Score: 1
  
  A colleague of mine did the same. He was inundated with calls because a company's (vet I think) flier has the wrong number on it. He even told the company that the number was wrong but they kept sending it out. Would have loved to have been a fly on wall when they had to tell customers that there was no appointment - how not to run a business.
33. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by Xenx · 2013-02-17 08:00 · Score: 1
  
  I think you might be slightly confused as to where the title "douchewaffle" belongs in this situation. Take your pick of any multitude of situation where upon you have to chose between something potentially catastrophic and not nearly as catastrophic. A gun to the head is just an obvious one. So, Fucktard, get your head out of your ass.
34. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-17 08:08 · Score: 1
  
  I went to msexchange.com and they didn't tell me anything about how to get a sex change.
35. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by Meski · 2013-02-17 11:37 · Score: 1
  
  I'd call their, and your, bluff.
36. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by Myopic · 2013-02-17 13:46 · Score: 1
  
  Only if you deny the possibility of being forced to do anything. Name something that counts to you as "being forced" and I bet I can deny it as easily you just did.
37. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by Myopic · 2013-02-17 13:52 · Score: 1
  
  You are right, if you deny the possibility of ever being forced to do anything. Do you deny the entire notion of force?
38. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by Myopic · 2013-02-17 13:53 · Score: 1
  
  No, he illustrated why you said something indefensible.
39. Re:So by forced, they mean chose by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-18 03:38 · Score: 1
  
  Try expertsexchange.com, or penisland.com.
Impressive! by gazbo · 2013-02-16 10:54 · Score: 5, Insightful

I mean I guess the summary could have been written in a more cunty way, but I don't see how. So high fives all round!
1. Re:Impressive! by albacrankie · 2013-02-16 10:59 · Score: 2
  
  Your description beats anything I could have said. Sorry, Slashdot! I'm worried why I even come here any more.
2. Re:Impressive! by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-16 11:09 · Score: 1
  
  Your description beats anything I could have said. Sorry, Slashdot! I'm worried why I even come here any more.
  For comments like the one you just responded to.
  I come here to respond to comments like yours.
  captcha: relayed
3. Re:Impressive! by TitusGroan8856 · 2013-02-16 11:50 · Score: 2, Interesting
  
  you sir, have summed up everything in a very eloquent manner. remember when /. was edited by people with a brain?
4. Re:Impressive! by Ol+Biscuitbarrel · 2013-02-16 12:11 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  The repeated use of "(Cupertino)" was especially vagaffective.
5. Re:Impressive! by UnknowingFool · 2013-02-16 12:43 · Score: 1
  
  Speaking of which, Beaver College changed their name to Arcadia University: *insert witty response here*. And you're welcome.
  
  --
  Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
6. Re:Impressive! by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-16 14:41 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  Speaking of which, Beaver College changed their name to Arcadia University: *insert witty response here*. And you're welcome.
  Not enough balls to keep the original name, then?
7. Re:Impressive! by sa1lnr · 2013-02-16 15:05 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  remember when /. was edited by people with a brain?
  Says a user with a facebook icon. :)
8. Re:Impressive! by niftydude · 2013-02-16 15:24 · Score: 1
  
  I mean I guess the summary could have been written in a more cunty way, but I don't see how. So high fives all round!
  Challenge accepted!
  
  TFS could have made a snide generalization about how dumb typical apple users would have to be to confuse a cider store with a computer store.
  
  Or maybe a bad pun: cider/cyber or apple/app springs to mind...
  
  There is always more cuntiness readily available in the world.
  
  The problem the Norfolk Cider shop will have now is all the people calling them up trying to get pear cider, when they are an apple cider store which no longer has the word apple in their name. Oh the humanity!
  
  --
  You can never know everything, and part of what you do know will always be wrong. Perhaps even the most important part.
9. Re:Impressive! by gmhowell · 2013-02-16 17:54 · Score: 3, Interesting
  
  you sir, have summed up everything in a very eloquent manner. remember when /. was edited by people with a brain?
  Somebody worked on slashdot prior to CmdrTaco?
  
  --
  Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
10. Re:Impressive! by SEE · 2013-02-16 18:34 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  remember when /. was edited by people with a brain?
  Let me guess, you've just temporarily misplaced the password for your three-digit UID?
11. Re:Impressive! by TitusGroan8856 · 2013-02-16 21:13 · Score: 1
  
  nope, I've had various accounts over the years, but due to the franticness of life I no longer recall the passwords nor have access to the email accounts that they're linked to for password resets. I've been a reader since late '98. most comments in the last few years have been AC.
12. Re:Impressive! by Myopic · 2013-02-17 13:54 · Score: 1
  
  No, I don't remember that. I've been reading since 1998. When was this golden age of which you speak? In 1998 we definitely complained about the editors in almost every single story. Back then it was egregious typos as well as style and tone.
13. Re:Impressive! by zieroh · 2013-02-17 19:35 · Score: 1
  
  remember when /. was edited by people with a brain?
  Nope.
  
  --
  People who say "sheeple" have about as much sophistication as an AOL user, and in fact are probably actually AOL users.
This is News by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-16 10:57 · Score: 1

NEWS FOR NERDS!!!111!!1
What's that sound I hear? by Twinbee · 2013-02-16 11:05 · Score: 5, Funny

...Almost like the roar of a thousand pitchforks being summoned out, and then calmly put back. (I admit to being a little annoyed for a second myself).

--
Why OpalCalc is the best Windows calc
these guys are poor businessmen by ozduo · 2013-02-16 11:12 · Score: 1

They should have started selling another brand of phones to all these disgruntled Apple buyers! Ha Ha but which brand?

--
I got to the chocolate box before you, that's why the hard ones have teeth marks.
1. Re:these guys are poor businessmen by itsdapead · 2013-02-16 11:28 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Poor businessmen?
  This move got their little shop a namecheck in the national news in the UK. Ker-ching!
  
  --
  In a survey of 100 programmers, 111111 thought that duck-typing was a good idea.
2. Re:these guys are poor businessmen by narcc · 2013-02-16 16:27 · Score: 2
  
  They're already in the fruit business, and they've got plenty of Apples. How about BlackBerry's on Orange?
  
  --
  Required reading for internet skeptics
3. Re:these guys are poor businessmen by sevenisloud · 2013-02-17 02:15 · Score: 2
  
  It certainly worked on me. I'd never heard of this shop before, despite living a few miles down the coast from it, but now I'm sorely tempted to pay them a visit and get myself some local cider to entertain myself with one evening (and possibly pick up an iPad while I'm there)
You say apple ... by quax · 2013-02-16 11:18 · Score: 1

... and I say Apple ... let's call the whole thing off.
apple is still evil by alen · 2013-02-16 11:19 · Score: 5, Funny

i mean who names a computer company after a fruit, so all the fruit sellers get spammed with calls about computers?
1. Re:apple is still evil by M1FCJ · 2013-02-16 11:26 · Score: 1
  
  A bottle of cider is not one of your daily fives...
2. Re:apple is still evil by Nationless · 2013-02-16 11:30 · Score: 1
  
  I should totally steal their idea and start a tech company in the UK called Orange.
  Oh, wait...
3. Re:apple is still evil by mrbester · 2013-02-16 11:33 · Score: 1
  
  I'm guessing you've never been to cider producing counties. Yeovil by night is... an experience.
  
  --
  "Wait. Something's happening. It's opening up! My God, it's full of apricots!"
4. Re:apple is still evil by vakuona · 2013-02-16 13:23 · Score: 1
  
  No they haven't completely rebranded as EE. EE is a brand of Everything Everywhere, which is a joint venture between T-Mobile and Orange communications. EE is only used for the 4G service at the moment, and Orange and T-Mobile are alive and well for the 3G services.
  It gets very confusing, but basically, the name of the joint venture is EE, and EE operates 3 brands, EE, Orange and T-Mobile.
5. Re:apple is still evil by Quirkz · 2013-02-16 15:16 · Score: 1
  
  Call yourself Lemon. Surely nobody would take poorly to that?
  
  --
  The Quirkz Handbook of Self-Improvement for People Who Are Already Pretty Okay
6. Re:apple is still evil by houghi · 2013-02-16 20:01 · Score: 1
  
  I called them and asked what they could do with my Mcintosh and the Apple store said that they were and unsupported product.
  Strange, because I thought it was great to make cider from.
  
  --
  Don't fight for your country, if your country does not fight for you.
7. Re:apple is still evil by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-16 23:38 · Score: 1
  
  However, although they might operate 3 brands, they do not operate the "3" brand, which is operated by Hutchinson 3G.
8. Re:apple is still evil by LordSnooty · 2013-02-17 01:09 · Score: 1
  
  The Orange brand is gone in the UK. My phone was Orange but now tells me i am on network EE. Most if not all the high st shops havebeen rebranded too.
McDonalds verses McDonalds by Grayhand · 2013-02-16 11:25 · Score: 4, Interesting

It's a very different case since the corporation wasn't the bad guy but it made me think of another case. The corporation McDonalds once sued the head of the McDonald clan for daring to have a restaurant called McDonald's in the UK. He pointed out he had no problem with the corporation using his family's name but found it odd he'd be sued for using his own name especially when he was the head of the clan. This case is sad since neither side was causing a conflict it was the customers that forced the name change.
Apples by jgrahn · 2013-02-16 11:28 · Score: 3

Now that I think of it, apples are vastly more important to me than Apple products. There are the blossoms in spring. The early kinds in August--September: Transparent Blanche, then Gyllenkrok Astrakan, Safstaholm. Later James Grieve, Aroma and many others. In October--November the nameless bitter kind which only grows in my home village and is good for baking in the oven with syrup. And finally, the apples which last into winter: Ingrid Marie, Cox Orange, Gloster.
The many forms and uses of apples is a small miracle. And yes, it's technology of a kind.
1. Re:Apples by Ol+Biscuitbarrel · 2013-02-16 12:23 · Score: 1
  
  You forgot the good ol' Red Delicious. Possibly on purpose? In the US anyway it's the epitome of the "industrial apple." I wouldn't be surprised to find it on sale around the globe.
  I don't recognize any of the varieties on your list but then I'm anything but a epicure. There's no less than 7.5k cultivars of apples so it's not surprising that a list from another country might be full of names that are unfamiliar.
  Funny: To begin researching this I highlighted the word 'Apple' and right-clicked in Chrome; the context menu said "Search Google for Apple". Now why would I want to do that...wait a minute...
2. Re:Apples by vakuona · 2013-02-16 13:24 · Score: 2
  
  And you left out the McIntosh!
3. Re:Apples by LMariachi · 2013-02-16 13:30 · Score: 1
  
  Arkansas Blacks, if you can find them, are a nice substitute for boring ol’ Red Delicious, the beefsteak tomato of apples. They’re a lovely dark color, more interesting flavor than RD, and they last forever hanging around at room temperature without even getting mealy.
4. Re:Apples by ChromeAeonium · 2013-02-16 14:36 · Score: 1
  
  That's an interesting list of apples. The only one of those I've heard of is Cox's Orange Pippin, and I've tried a lot of apples. I'm guessing you are Swedish and those are local varieties? My favorite apples are Snowsweet, Spigold, and Pink Pearl. If you like apples you should definitely seek those varieties out. It is pretty amazing how many different varieties of apples (and other crops for that matter) there are and what you can do with them. Crop cultivation & use is most certainty a technology.
5. Re:Apples by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-16 15:57 · Score: 1
  
  You forgot the good ol' Red Delicious.
  Ah, yes - named in the vein of Military Intelligence and Microsoft Works, the apple that nearly destroyed its industry here in the US. Even people who aren't apple snobs rejected this crapfruit.
  God help any country who imports it, and let us be damned for exporting it - a far worse crime than unilateral invasion, to be sure.
I don't get it by fustakrakich · 2013-02-16 11:29 · Score: 1

Where's the Beatles reference?

--
“He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
"Town of Norwich" by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-16 11:33 · Score: 1

Norwich is actually a city. It's like saying "The town of New York". Norwich-fag here.
1. Re:"Town of Norwich" by Malc · 2013-02-16 21:30 · Score: 1
  
  Ironic considering Americans call everything a city.
2. Re:"Town of Norwich" by stranger_to_himself · 2013-02-16 21:39 · Score: 1
  
  Norwich is actually a city. It's like saying "The town of New York". Norwich-fag here.
  I remember just after I moved to Norwich a bus driver refusing to understand what I meant when I said 'town'. Its a city! And a fine one at that.
3. Re:"Town of Norwich" by TangoCharlie · 2013-02-17 20:54 · Score: 1
  
  Isn't it rather strange that the other town (which is presumably smaller than Norwich) isn't actually mentioned? It just says in Norfolk. Anyone reading this post might assume that Norfolk is a small town, near the (slightly) larger town of Norwich.
  I think Delia Smith might have something to say about this!!
  So, let's get some facts straight: Norfolk is a county. Big place. Famous for it's water-ways which are called "The Norfolk Broads". Norwich is a city. Famous for Coleman's, a brand of sauces (especially mustard), and, of course, the Norwich City Football Club (a soccer team), which just happens to be owed by Delia Smith, a famous TV chef, and next-in-line to the Throne (if all the Royals get nuked). OK, I made that last bit up!
  
  --
  return 0; }
PICK UPS by swillden · 2013-02-16 11:35 · Score: 1

One of my colleagues has a similar story. He used to work for UPS and one day got a call (or someone near him got a call, not sure) from a person complaining about receiving upwards of 30 calls per hour from people asking to have UPS pick up their packages. The problem was that the person's phone number happened to be (local area code)-742-5877 and all of the callers should have been dialing 1-800-742-5877 (1-800 PICK UPS).
The individual wanted UPS to do something to "fix" the problem, something that didn't require him to get a new phone number. Of course, there was nothing that UPS could do to stop the calls, so eventually the guy changed his number. I don't know if UPS then picked up the number, which seems like it would have been a good idea.

--
Note to ACs: I usually delete AC replies without reading them. If you want to talk to me, log in.
1. Re:PICK UPS by PPH · 2013-02-16 12:44 · Score: 1
  
  The individual wanted UPS to do something to "fix" the problem, something that didn't require him to get a new phone number.
  Or he'll sell it to FedEx?
  
  --
  Have gnu, will travel.
2. Re:PICK UPS by DigiShaman · 2013-02-16 13:11 · Score: 1
  
  Question: Does the user of that number actually "own" it? In other words, does one user have the rights to transfer that number to another user, or only forfeit it in exchange from another via phone provider? I'm not sure phone numbers are transferable like domain names are.
  
  --
  Life is not for the lazy.
3. Re:PICK UPS by cffrost · 2013-02-16 13:51 · Score: 1
  
  Question: Does the user of that number actually "own" it? In other words, does one user have the rights to transfer that number to another user, or only forfeit it in exchange from another via phone provider? I'm not sure phone numbers are transferable like domain names are.
  Apparently they can be transferred (sometimes, at least); I could have sworn someone tried to sell 212-867-5309 on eBay but was unable to transfer "ownership." Looking to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/867-5309/Jenny#Popularity_and_litigation for a citation, I saw no reference to 212, but a 201 instance was successfully sold and transferred. My guess is that it probably depends on the carrier and/or local regulations.
  
  --
  Thank you, Edward Snowden.
  
  "Arguments from authority are worthless." —Carl Sagan
4. Re:PICK UPS by Quirkz · 2013-02-16 15:23 · Score: 2
  
  I live in southwestern Colorado and have an internal extension at my company of 5058. Just across the border from us in New Mexico is the 505 area code, and we do some business down there. On average once a day one of my co-workers tries to dial New Mexico without punching 8 to get an outside line, and dials me instead. This is made worse by a phone system that doesn't insert the code if you try to call back the number on caller ID unless you punch some extra buttons.
  
  I say average 1/day, but in reality it's more like once a week some goofball tries and fails five times in a row to dial out, and repeatedly hangs up on me before I can get them to listen long enough to learn how to use the phone. Especially bad are the ones who insist "I got a call from this number" and won't believe me as I try to explain they're stuck inside the company still.
  
  --
  The Quirkz Handbook of Self-Improvement for People Who Are Already Pretty Okay
5. Re:PICK UPS by adolf · 2013-02-16 17:59 · Score: 1
  
  This is made worse by a phone system that doesn't insert the code if you try to call back the number on caller ID unless you punch some extra buttons.
  Ew. What phone system is this? I had this working on our old Altigen system, and I'm sure I could make it work on our "more recent" Comdial (which may or may not be more recent, depending on whether you're counting manufacturing date or initial design date).
  Please let me know so I can avoid it or research it more properly in the future: The callback button (whatever it is called) should always work, no matter how that call arrived (internal, POTS, PRI, h.323, SIP, whatever).
  
  --
  Kid-proof tablet..
6. Re:PICK UPS by drinkypoo · 2013-02-17 01:29 · Score: 1
  
  Out of curiosity, why haven't you just had your internal extension changed? It seems an especially pertinent question given this story.
  
  --
  "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
7. Re:PICK UPS by PPH · 2013-02-17 08:36 · Score: 1
  
  Good question. I effectively 'own' my home phone number. Due to number portability regulations, I can transfer it to any service provider I want. If I find a service provider that allows me to resell that number, who would stop the transaction? If one refuses, I can just switch to the next one.
  Ain't the free market wonderful?
  
  --
  Have gnu, will travel.
8. Re:PICK UPS by Quirkz · 2013-02-17 10:14 · Score: 1
  
  I don't think anything else has much sympathy for me. Also, it's a tech support number and they don't change those lightly, because they've got to retrain all the customers.
  
  --
  The Quirkz Handbook of Self-Improvement for People Who Are Already Pretty Okay
9. Re:PICK UPS by Quirkz · 2013-02-17 10:18 · Score: 1
  
  I think it's Cisco Call Manager. Other than this one thing, I don't have any problems with it. It does redial calls as they're identified by caller ID, couldn't tell you why it doesn't automatically edit the outside calls to include the 8.
  
  --
  The Quirkz Handbook of Self-Improvement for People Who Are Already Pretty Okay
10. Re:PICK UPS by adolf · 2013-02-17 10:23 · Score: 1
  
  I'd bitch at the phone guys, then. They're doing their job poorly.
  It can automatically insert the 8. It can also insert (or not) a 1 for long distance when needed.
  
  --
  Kid-proof tablet..
Hidden Camera Footage by virgnarus · 2013-02-16 11:35 · Score: 1

Footage of one of the incidents has been discovered.
Blackberry is broken by bobinabottle · 2013-02-16 12:05 · Score: 1

Oblig: http://youtu.be/kAG39jKi0lI
Hushed by Metricmouse · 2013-02-16 12:06 · Score: 2

as to the real reasons because of settling out of court? The name, along with selling a product that has round corners when sliced, makes me wonder.
Missed a golden opportunity. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-02-16 12:25 · Score: 5, Funny

How much money could they have made letting some guy from a PC maker come in and be their receptionist? He could listen to their problems, then lead them on a chase through trouble-shooting land, and say at the end, "well, maybe you should have bought a PC, genius!) And hang UP. Then that person, angry at what he BELIEVES is Apple Corp. tech support, and switches to a PC. Apple (of Cupertino) sufffers, eventually failing.
1. Re:Missed a golden opportunity. by Cinder6 · 2013-02-16 13:53 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  I think you might be overestimating the influence of this little fruit shop...
  
  --
  If you can't convince them, convict them.
2. Re:Missed a golden opportunity. by Meski · 2013-02-17 11:36 · Score: 1
  
  Alternatively, you could cold-call people at dinnertime, pretend to be from Microsoft, and tell them there's something wrong with their computer. No-one would *ever* have done that before.
Understandable by Azure+Flash · 2013-02-16 12:26 · Score: 1

Trying to explain to an old lady over the phone how to access a WiFi network is probably a lot harder than growing and caring for hundreds of fruit-bearing trees, harvesting them, processing the fruits, carefully fermenting them following a carefully honed recipe, bottling them and selling them. Heck, with all my experience with computers, even I would rather start an apple cider farm than start taking Apple tech support calls.
1. Re:Understandable by Xenx · 2013-02-17 08:20 · Score: 1
  
  As much as I hate using iDevices personally, I would hands down rather support them over any of the others. Put me in front of just about any device and I can figure it out. Put THEM in front of any other device and try to tell them where to go..... ugh. Having a unified experience helps in those cases.
Tell customers ... by PPH · 2013-02-16 12:41 · Score: 5, Funny

... you'd be more than happy to help them out with their problems if they just bring their apples in.
Just put them in the cider press and Voila! No more problems!

--
Have gnu, will travel.
Re:Why? by c0lo · 2013-02-16 13:08 · Score: 1

Why not use an automated phone system to inform callers that it isn't The Apple Store? Or would it be relatively costly and/or give the impression of an impersonal business?
- Customer: hello, I'd like to order half of dozen bottles of that 4-y old dry cider that you advertise
- (auto response): Sorry sir, we don't sell iPhone X
(later on)
- Shopkeeper: shit, extra expense last month to buy that damn'd auto response system and the sales went down this month. I wonder why?
It really does make good business sense, doesn't it?

--
Questions raise, answers kill. Raise questions to stay alive.
Oo'ar oo'ar ay by Bitsy+Boffin · 2013-02-16 13:14 · Score: 1

I am a cider drinker
I drinks it all of the day
I am a cider drinker
It soothes all me troubles away
Oo'ar oo'ar ay, Oo'ar oo'ar ay

--
NZ Electronics Enthusiasts: Check out my Trade Me Listings
1. Re:Oo'ar oo'ar ay by kelemvor4 · 2013-02-16 13:33 · Score: 1
  
  Related: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zwwqEm5YhQ
Sounds like a missed opportunity by az1324 · 2013-02-16 13:33 · Score: 3, Interesting

TAS: "Hello, The Apple Shop"
Caller: "I'm having trouble with..."
TAS (interrupts): "We have a special offer going on today that I highly recommend. It's our exclusive Cider Club membership which will deliver our latest products to you every month, year-round. And when you come into our shop you will get VIP service at our Juice (slur pronunciation) Bar. This is a limited time offer."
Caller: "Wow that sounds great how much is this Cyber (don't correct them) Club?"
TAS: "It's just £199 for the year, billed on a recurring basis. I can take your credit card information now."
Caller: "Sounds too good to be true! Sign me up!"
1. Re:Sounds like a missed opportunity by Khashishi · 2013-02-18 09:02 · Score: 1
  
  Good idea, but people who have broken products are probably going to be in a bad mood and aren't going to put up with that.
2. Re:Sounds like a missed opportunity by strikethree · 2013-02-19 00:43 · Score: 1
  
  Your idea is funny but it is unethical. Good people do not deceive. They actively try to ensure that the potential customer knows what they are buying.
  
  --
  "Someone needs to talk to the tree of liberty about its ghoulish drinking problem." by ohnocitizen
BS by csumpi · 2013-02-16 14:06 · Score: 1

"people seeking help with their Apple (Cupertino) products"

Apple products just work. That's why they are so expensive.
1. Re:BS by maxwell+demon · 2013-02-16 18:45 · Score: 2
  
  Apple products just work. That's why they are so expensive.
  See, that's the problem with Apple products. While other products work great, Apple products just work. ;-)
  
  --
  The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
But you're dancing around an important issue by 93+Escort+Wagon · 2013-02-16 14:15 · Score: 2

Are all those apples being raised in a walled garden?

--
#DeleteChrome
Waiting to see what happens by DaveAtFraud · 2013-02-16 14:18 · Score: 3, Interesting

The little town of Empire, Colorado (about an hour west of Denver, on U.S. 40 headed toward Winter Park ski area) has an eatery/bar/town offices called "The Hard Rock Cafe". Empire was a hard rock mining town until most precious metal mining operations left the U.S. I'm thinking this place has been called the Hard Rock Cafe since long before the trendy, international chain took up the name. Haven't heard about any legal moves to make them change their name.
Cheers,
Dave

--
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither safety nor liberty.
Ben
Re:Look into a copyright/trademark-free world by chrismcb · 2013-02-16 15:42 · Score: 1

How would a copyright/trademark free world have solved this problem? This wasn't a trademark issue (nor a copyright issue)
Re:Look into a copyright/trademark-free world by gedankenhoren · 2013-02-16 16:31 · Score: 1

This problem was solved without trademarks; that's my point.
Re:Ridiculous by maxwell+demon · 2013-02-16 18:48 · Score: 1

Can you sue a company for having a consumer base with lower-than-average intelligence and disrupting business as an unfair act of subterfuge?
No. Otherwise you could sue half of the TV stations out of existence. :-)

--
The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
"Norfolk, UK" isn't a small village near "Norwich" by fantomas · 2013-02-16 22:02 · Score: 1

The shop was in Wroxham Barns, near the city of Norwich. Both are in the county of Norfolk.
When are we all going SIP by drinkypoo · 2013-02-17 01:32 · Score: 1

POTS is so last millenium. Can we please get with the times? Then people can call sip:apple.com and not be confused with sip:apple.cider.com

--
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
Re:"Norfolk, UK" isn't a small village near "Norwi by sevenisloud · 2013-02-17 02:06 · Score: 1

I was just scanning down the comments to see if someone had pointed this out. Reading the summary you would think Norfolk is a small village. Calling Norwich a town made me wince slightly.
Fruit Company by Gallomimia · 2013-02-17 05:10 · Score: 1

Well Lootennant Dan told me the we got invested in some kind of.... fruit company? And we don't have to worry about money anymore. So.... that's good. Just one less thing to worry about.

--
Sadly, a Libertarian cannot force his views on another, and freedom cannot spread as does the cancer known as religion.
See, dude, I told u the patent system is BROKEN!! by cundare · 2013-02-17 06:20 · Score: 1

No, I don't really believe that. I just wanted to beat all the Slashdot Wile E. Coyote's who were about to post the same comment.
Similar problem, also in the UK by WebManWalking · 2013-02-17 06:58 · Score: 1

Tech blogger, tech conference speaker and JS Bin developer Remy Sharp has a Twitter handle that made lots of people think that he was the band R.E.M. When the band disbanded, he got tons of tweets, so many that it was excruciating wading through them all for tweets that were actually intended for him. But he didn't give up his Twitter handle.

You don't HAVE to capitulate to mass misunderstandings.
That explains it by magpie · 2013-02-17 09:52 · Score: 1

That explains why me and my fellow tramps keep being kicked out of apple stores when we ask them for white lighting or frosty jack.
Re:Geography time by trigpoint · 2013-02-17 12:41 · Score: 1

Norfolk is not a town. Norwich is not "nearby". Norwich is in Norfolk. It indeed, Norfolk's county town.
Norwich is a city.
Re:Ridiculous by zieroh · 2013-02-17 20:02 · Score: 1

Can you sue a company for having a consumer base with lower-than-average intelligence and disrupting business as an unfair act of subterfuge?
Can you sue slashdot for having a user base with lower-than-average intelligence and a propensity to troll every fucking topic with their idiotic anti-Apple vitriol?

--
People who say "sheeple" have about as much sophistication as an AOL user, and in fact are probably actually AOL users.
Install an Interactive Voice Response by Frederico+Camara · 2013-02-18 08:26 · Score: 1

Recording: "Welcome to The Apple Shop.
Please, dial 1 if your call is in any way related to the fruits, apple or cider;
Dial 2 if your call is related to the Apple Computer, Ipad or Iphone device."

2

Recording: "Sorry, you dialed the wrong shop. Long before the computer company opened a shop near Norfolk, UK, we The Apple Store have specialized in offering... (advertise)."