Having been to nearly every Apple store in the Bay Area, New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Paris, Beijing, and Shanghai, I can quite confidently state that this is the worst Apple Store there is. (The Bay Street store is a close second, though. Why must the two East Bay Apple stores suck?)
After receiving a defective iPad -- its screen was all scratched up -- I set up a Genius Bar appointment at the Berkeley store. Although I arrived on time, I was asked to wait 45 minutes. (I didn't complain.) After a few pointed questions, the "genius" agreed to replace my iPad with a refurbished model. He told me to set it up at home, since he was busy.)
When I got home, I turned on the iPad and noticed that half the screen was significantly dimmer than the other. Somewhat annoyed, I scheduled a second Genius Bar appointment. (This one was at night.) Again, the "genius" replaced my iPad with another refurbished model. This time, I adamantly stated that I wanted to set up the iPad in store to make sure it was working. She said "ok" and simply walked away. A couple of minutes later, I notice a huge speck of dust under the screen. It was right in the middle of the screen. After spending 5 minutes trying to get the attention of the "genius," she finally came. I asked for another replacement. She told me that because the store was closing in an hour, they could no longer do exchanges. I would need to schedule another appointment and come back a THIRD time.
And so I did. The "genius" was young man this time. He inspected the device and told me that they had no replacements. However, they could order for one. Frustrated, I agreed. I asked him if there was anything they could do about my Apple headphones (the generic white ones). Although out of warranty, I had only used them for a couple of days and the volume buttons were not working. He said there was nothing he could do BUT that he could direct me to a website where I could find out when my warranty expired. Then, I would know when I should have exchanged the headphones. (How exactly does this help me?!) (I was able to replace them at the Palo Alto store no questions asked.)
At this point, I asked him if he could leave a note telling store employees to check to see if the ordered iPad worked before calling me to come in the store again. (I explained it was taking me 90 minutes EACH way to get to the store by public transit. I had already spent over 12 hours trying to replace my iPad and would rather not come back for naught.) He straight up said "no," and ACCUSED ME OF LYING about the duration of my commute.
After explaining to him in detail why my commute took 90 minutes (I was living off campus far from the bus station), he told me that although it was "perhaps" true that I had spent considerable time coming in, so had he. He was having to "spend his time" helping me. Flabbergasted, I asked if I could speak to a manager. At the very least, I was hoping that (1) I would receive an apology for having spent so much time and (2) that I would be reassured that I would receive a defect-free product the next time. (One of my friends who had also had problems with his iPad received a free smart cover when he exchanged his iPad. This was at a different store, of course.)
The "genius" left me and approached this young (early to mid-20s) asian male employee. They talked for a few minutes, laughing. Then the young man approached me. (Hmm... I thought I had asked to speak to a store manager?) Claiming he was the manager, the man asked me what my problem was. I told him about my numerous trips, and my fear that were I to come in again, I would receive another defective product. AGAIN, he ACCUSED ME OF LYING about my commute. Then, he told me that I "should be grateful that I had already received THREE FREE iPads." (FREE??? I paid nearly $700 for my iPad!)
I told him that my friend had received a free smart cover. He told me that I must be lying again and that what my friend did was "unethical" and violated store policy. Then, he told me that although it "sucked" that I had to come in three times already, HE had to come in everyday! He canceled the order for the replacement, and told me I should go to another Apple store where they "would give me a free smart cover." (Of course, he was being sarcastic.)
In all my visits to Apple stores (or any other store for that matter), I have NEVER encountered such a rude store "manager." (It's funny how his badge did not say "manager" on it.) I cannot believe that Apple would let such an employee work for it. I am also dumbstruck that Apple doesn't seem to be doing anything about the Fourth Street store, which has ONLY 2.5 STARS on Yelp!
I ended up going to the Bay Street store (another terrible store). After 2 more appointments -- that makes five appointments in all -- I was finally the proud owner of a defect-free iPad! read more