[foldr]

> Recently, I wanted to buy a new Phone. […]

I don’t say this to challenge your story, but I found it completely straightforward to buy an iPhone in an Apple Store recently (in London).

[unreal37]

I personally have had the experience of having to talk to two people (with a third person required to fetch the product from the back room) at an Apple store in Toronto. You stand there waiting on the side for 10 minutes while the gopher finishes with a couple of other customers.

[foldr]

Referring to Apple Store employees as 'gophers' seems unnecessarily disparaging. I think I had to wait for a bit too, but I don't buy phones that often, so I didn't think much of it.