Apple store policy. Buying a new IPhone

[Superphil]

customer service from android or the phone manufacturer? didnt know android had customer service...

Exactly, you just try and get support for an android phone, I've tried, and failed, Vodafone say its not them, the firm we bought them from (it's a business phone) have had it back twice and failed to get it fixed. The second time they even admitted that they didn't even try to get it sorted as they don't know who will do anything about it (it's HTC) so sent it back, I just have to live with it till the contract is up in December. As for Google Android iteself, there is zero support available, apart from online foums, and they have proved no help either. At least there is an option to get it fixed with Apple, whether it's the OS (does iOS go wrong?) or the hardware.

 

[Superphil]

On the subject of Apple Stores, is it a prerequisite that staff have to have bolts through their faces, ear stretching apparatus, jumbo tattoos and dreadlocked hair?

For such a big corporate identity it seems strange that the shops are staffed by folk who wouldn't look out of place working in death metal clubs and tattoo studios

Probably all in Balcombe at the moment

 

[beorhthelm]

has anyone noticed that so many Apple owners have experience of their great aftersales service? what do you make of that

 

[brightn'ove]

Apple's going pear-shaped. Your friend may well be better off going for an Android phone: better build quality, excellent value and superior customer service.

Excellent value, yes. But better build quality and customer service for android phones? Do me a favour

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

It may be that rather than sell him a new one they are seeking to replace or repair his old one, which would need an appointment.

 

[brightn'ove]

As a side note, when I wanted to set up a contract in the Vodafone shop in Churchill square I had to wait for well over an hour before anybody would even speak to me because they refuse to even acknowledge your existence until they have finished wasting time talking about holidays and stuff with customers who have already paid for their goods. After one of them finally decided to talk to me, he told me that I couldn't set it up at that store anyway, so I'd wasted around an hour and a half standing in a queue for nothing. I'd take being told to make an appointment straight away at the apple store over that experience any day.

 

[brightn'ove]

Also as ANOTHER side note, for those who own iPhones, the headphones are covered by warranty, and the staff do not ask for any proof that they do not work or a playing up. Mine were pretty scratched up and getting a bit ragged and the controller had stopped working, walked in and asked them what I could do and walked out with a new pair of headphones 5 minutes later free of charge.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

On the subject of Apple Stores, is it a prerequisite that staff have to have bolts through their faces, ear stretching apparatus, jumbo tattoos and dreadlocked hair?

For such a big corporate identity it seems strange that the shops are staffed by folk who wouldn't look out of place working in death metal clubs and tattoo studios

They need to top up the trust funds somehow.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Exactly, you just try and get support for an android phone, I've tried, and failed, Vodafone say its not them, the firm we bought them from (it's a business phone) have had it back twice and failed to get it fixed. The second time they even admitted that they didn't even try to get it sorted as they don't know who will do anything about it (it's HTC) so sent it back, I just have to live with it till the contract is up in December. As for Google Android iteself, there is zero support available, apart from online foums, and they have proved no help either. At least there is an option to get it fixed with Apple, whether it's the OS (does iOS go wrong?) or the hardware.

This is a beauty of having the same company make the hardware as the software and is one of the big pluses for Apple products. You dont get any of the Dell blaming Microsoft and Microsoft blaming Dell problems. Apple just replace the product there and then.

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

On the subject of Apple Stores, is it a prerequisite that staff have to have bolts through their faces, ear stretching apparatus, jumbo tattoos and dreadlocked hair?

For such a big corporate identity it seems strange that the shops are staffed by folk who wouldn't look out of place working in death metal clubs and tattoo studios

Is this not just a % of the Brighton demographic, they also have older people working their without the added extras

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

I know you have to make an appointment for service if you are reporting a fault. But buying? I think lines got crossed as they always have sales staff on the shop floor. Maybe there was a wait before he could purchase but I'm 99% certain you don't need an appointment.

Yes agreed. I went into O2 at Churchill Square with a friend who wanted to buy a new phone last year. They were very busy and she had to wait some time before she was seen, but I can't believe that you MUST have an appointment before you can purchase.

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

Yes agreed. I went into O2 at Churchill Square with a friend who wanted to buy a new phone last year. They were very busy and she had to wait some time before she was seen, but I can't believe that you MUST have an appointment before you can purchase.

You only need to book if its an item that has limited stock - they mail you slots to pick it up once its in. As others have said sometimes buying online is quicker when the product is new or limited

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

You only need to book if its an item that has limited stock - they mail you slots to pick it up once its in. As others have said sometimes buying online is quicker when the product is new or limited

I see, didn't realise that. Although being something of a dinosaur l, like many people of a similar age l would suspect, would prefer to purchase in store and have the phone properly explained and set up for me.

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

I see, didn't realise that. Although being something of a dinosaur l, like many people of a similar age l would suspect, would prefer to purchase in store and have the phone properly explained and set up for me.

They happily do that (even over do it) once you get your paws on one

 

[Garage_Doors]

Same here. OP, is there more to your story than you originally told?

No, he walked in with his badly smashed up iphone and asked to purchase a replacement and was told he could not purchase a new one without an appointment.

 

[Driver8]

No, he walked in with his badly smashed up iphone and asked to purchase a replacement and was told he could not purchase a new one without an appointment.

They will do a replacement for a broken phone for a fixed price (£120ish) and swap all your stuff over. It takes about 1/2 hour and you need an appointment with an Apple genius.

 

[Bold Seagull]

No, he walked in with his badly smashed up iphone and asked to purchase a replacement and was told he could not purchase a new one without an appointment.

and there is no possibility the staff got confused that this was actually to deal with his smashed up iPhone as well as sorting out a new phone as a replacement?

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

No, he walked in with his badly smashed up iphone and asked to purchase a replacement and was told he could not purchase a new one without an appointment.

Out of interest, if he simply wanted a brand spanking new phone in addition to his old phone, why was he waving his smashed phone around?

And was your friend wanting his smashed phone fixed, or did he want a brand new and additional phone?

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

No, he walked in with his badly smashed up iphone and asked to purchase a replacement and was told he could not purchase a new one without an appointment.

Okay. You did not mention he was showing them a smashed phone earlier.

 

[Bold Seagull]

It doesn't take an appointment at the genius bar to work out what's happened in this case does it....