Apple stores close for regular customers?

[soccerphysio]

I realized tonight that I needed to pick up an extra set of headphones and a wall charger for my kids iPods, as we are heading out on vacation tomorrow. So I head out to my local Apple store (8:00pm), and am told at the door that the store is closed for any business except the new iPhone! I look inside the store, and notice that there are more employees inside than customers, and the line waiting to get in to purchase the new iPhone only has 10-15 customers.

Is that a global Apple policy, to close up shop for all business except iPhone related purchases on iDay? If so, wouldn't you think there would be a common sense component that says "Hey, we're overstaffed and can accommodate the "crowds," let's let these regular customers spend some of their money in here."

Maybe I just haven't noticed this before!

[JoeT]

Not last year; I went shopping for accessories and was allowed in.

[li2327]

I wonder if theyre doing that at some of the AT&T stores. I had to take my iPhone back todayand get a new one. There was no crowd at all. I asked the sales guy if they sold slot of the new 3gs and he said they sold 7 and they had plenty in stock.

[Luckykelleyk]

I think it depends on the store. Last year I tried to go to the apple store just for a screen protector and they wouldn't let me shop. I had to wait in line because they required that every customer in the store was personally accompanied by a salesperson. I saw people who came to buy computers but walked because they were told the same thing. Seems pretty stupid to me.

[mitchwisemen]

good idea, i'll check it outhttp://www.intocpa.com/flash/34/b/happy.gif