Upon reading the recent reviews, I realized I wasn't the only one with a bad experience.
I was around the area so I stopped by on Friday 10/1 around 4pm to see if I can replace my Apple Watch band.
I was aware that to purchase any electronic device/product, an appointment is required. However, I was hoping just replace my old watch band and be in and out as quick as possible. Luckily, when I arrived, there wasn't a line.
However, team member working at the front was unbelievably rude. I told him that I didn't have an appointment, but I just needed to replace my watch band. Initially he told me no, but when I asked again, he said that they could be found against the walls, which btw is false.
I went towards the accessory section as instructed and wasn't able to find the watch bands. I asked a team member who was not assisting a customer at the moment where I can find them. She dismissively replied "over there". Like I'm supposed to know where it is considering I do not work at Apple.
I wandered a little bit before finding the watch station. As I did not have an appointment, I waited to see if someone would free up. There were many team members who seemed to free (or at least without a customer), but didn't want to beg for service if they didn't want to provide one, so I just waited.
Thankfully, this nice female team member (should've gotten her name) finished with her customer and helped me. She was so nice, sweet, and personable. She helped me choose between two colors and also helped me find the size to the solo loop band I wanted to purchase. She made small talk and really helped me to her best ability and even gave me knowledge about a possible trade in for my old watch. I left so happy and satisfied!!
Unfortunately, the band was too big (not the team member's fault as she went based on apple's guide for sizing). So I returned back to the store hoping to just switch the size. The same team member in the front just ignored me while he went on chit chatting with his coworkers while dismissing any customer who seemed to be in need of help.
I was able to locate the former team member who helped me, but she was going on a meal break so I decided to wait for someone else. Waited about 30 minutes with all these team members just walking back and forth without acknowledging my needs. I guess they require appointment for exchanges as well.
Soon after, a male team member approached me. He acknowledged that I've been waiting for some time (as he had noticed) and came to help me even though Apple Watch was not his department. Also, like the former team member, he made small talk and the experience a very pleasant one. He helped me find the right size, and I am very satisfied with my band.
This long review is to say that the store definitely needs either more employees or better understanding of providing customer service as a whole. Being dismissive towards a potential customer who's not fully aware of the store policies is unacceptable. They should educate their customers if they're not fully aware. I would've given 1 star, but I couldn't get myself to, as the two team members who helped me were only the sweetest and most helpful members that made the two trips in one day worth it. I'm sorry I could not get their names but just want to say that I really did appreciate them so much. read more