SIMON: Malls, Mills & Outlets

App is simple to use plenty of features just wish they had links for some of the places such as the AMC movie theater which is listed on the mall directory but just shows an overview of what it is without giving you the option to plan or make showings and purchase tickets a phone call or message must be left other than that everything else is pretty much great which is why I gave it as many stars as I did 5/5.

Yesterday I was at Desert Hills and needed to relieve myself before hitting the road. Logic would dictate placement of restrooms at the entrance from the parking garage, but this isn’t a logical place, so I struck out there. I looked for way faring signs, but this shopping center doesn’t have them. I walked all the way to the electronic directory, but one side wasn’t working, and the other side was monopolized by senior citizens searching in vain for “that twenty place[?]” Already exasperated by now, I pulled out my phone and launched the Simon app. It kept trying to get me to sign up for something but eventually I was able to find a way to move past those screens and find the map. I typed in “restroom” and the result was, “No Stores, Restaurants Or Amenities Matched Your Search” – so this huge destination outlet center has no restrooms??? Since there are no humans employed to operate an information booth, I gave up and figured I’d use the Caltrans rest stop a few miles away, but luckily an employee (that wasn’t there before) was smoking on a bench when I returned to the garage entrance and he was able to direct me to the unmarked facility. Clearly this app has major flaws and cannot be relied upon.

The app barely loads or works. It takes several minutes to scan for a mall nearby - it should save your favorite or last used and go there first but each time you access it, you have to wait. Then it prompts you to join various clubs - each time. If you try to sign in but you forgot your password, the app hangs and you have to restart it. 20 minutes later I am still trying to get a map of a nearby mall. This app prioritizes advertising to you over the user experience of just wanting to see hours, directories or maps. Is it any wonder that malls that cater to last decade do not care about the online user experience even if that experience is mobile and walking around their stores?