Former Glasgow Apple employee Sam Sung set to auction off 'collector's item' ID card for charity

A former Apple specialist named Sam Sung is set to auction off his ID badge for the tech giant’s Glasgow store to raise funds for charity.

Sam, who changed his surname to Struan after leaving the company, worked in the Buchanan Street branch in 2010 before uprooting and moving to Vancouver two years later.

He became a viral hit when a picture of his Canadian name tag seemingly boasting the name of the rival company was circulated online and later sold it off for more than $2,500, donating the proceeds to the Children’s Wish BC & Yukon organisation.

However, he thought his Scottish version had been long lost before a family member at home in the city found it in storage and posted it to his new address.

The card is presented in a frame with his old work uniform. (Image: Sam Struan)

He has since framed the item with his work uniform and plans to donate the proceeds of the current auction to the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre (DEWC).

Sam told STV News: “I didn’t even know the Buchanan Street store ID still existed until recently.

“One of my family members found it and posted it to me and given the unexpected success I had a few years ago, I thought I would try my luck one more time and bring some funds and awareness to another great cause.

“I had it custom-framed alongside an Apple employee t-shirt and my last lanyard which I had kept as a memento.”

He joked: “I’ve also signed the frame just for fun – not because I actually think I’m someone, I promise.”

Sam’s name is an example of an “inaptronym” – the word used for names that are ironic, rather than descriptive.

He joins the likes of former police officer PC Rob Banks and ZZ Top member Frank Beard, the only man in the band without any facial hair.

Sam initially became something of an internet sensation in North America back in 2012 when a customer he helped at the Pacific Centre branch posted a picture of the card on social media.

One intrepid reporter from CNBC was tasked with calling Apple to ask for “Sam Sung”, though employees were unable to treat it as a prank.

Sam insisted he has always seen the funny side of the odd coincidence, but decided to change his name to Sam Struan after moving into recruitment.

He has since built a successful business teaching salary negotiation and employment skills, but admitted he enjoyed his time as part of the Apple specialist staff.

“I had an incredible time working for Apple and would highly recommend it,” he said.

“I hope this card goes to another fellow Apple enthusiast who has the desire to donate to a good cause.”

You can view the auction for the framed card and t-shirt here.