Best Buy Apple Care Review
So I dropped my IPhone XS Max and shattered the back glass....phone still worked but developed a really bright white and purple stripe on the main screen. Hey wait...I've got Apple Care. Let me log-in and start the repair / replacement process. Log in to Apple Care and Best Buy Gainesville is listed as the closest authorized Apple Repair agent. Awesome! I dig Best Buy and it's 5 minutes from my house....no trip to Fair Oaks or Reston Town Center to the crowded and always busy Apple stores!
I scheduled an appointment with the Geek Squad for Saturday, May 18, at 1:20 PM. I arrived a few minutes early and checked in with the Geek. I waited patiently as my 1:20 appointment came and went. No worries, this Geek is doing his best with his current client. Still patiently waiting. Finally at 2:05 it's my turn. I am warmly greeted (everyone at the store was friendly) and we began the process of evaluating my phone issue. Here's where the problem starts. Apparently, Apple Care is kind of a new thing for Best Buy, Gainesville. As they evaluated my phone they had to follow a cumbersome process of uploading the data to Apple and wait for an appropriate response. Ok, I understand this process is new for them and there's going to be some glitches along the way. They finally made a determination that my phone had to be replaced under Apple Care. Unfortunately, they didn't have one in stock. Really not a big deal, my phone still works. The Geek wrote a replacement order and promised to be in touch within 48 hours. It's 2:50 PM. Not super excited about how long it took, but in the end I am getting a phone and it's close to home.
48 hours...nothing. 72 hours...crickets chirping. 96 hours....dead silence. So, I take my order and head back to Best Buy. I am somewhat warmly greeted by a Geek who asks if I have an appointment? No, no appointment. Sorry, Sir, we are booked for the entire day. I calmly showed him my order and waited for a response. He hopped on his computer for a few moments and disappeared to the back (to retrieve my new phone, I assume) I had to assume because he spoke no words. When he returned empty handed I was a little concerned. The Geek confusingly stated that no order had been placed and now they may want to repair the phone. As I felt my blood pressure rising I said "no thanks, I'm going to Apple"
I climb in my car and get on my crappy, cracked phone. Log into Apple Care again, anticipating a few days wait to get a Genius Bar appointment. Wow, there's an appointment available in 90 minutes at Fair Lakes Apple. I'm on it.
I arrive at Apple 25 minutes early. They check me in and advise someone will be with me shortly. Genius Bar guy (Brad) greets me and looks at my phone....oooh that's cracked on the back glass. That's a replacement. Punches some buttons on his phone, confirms I have a I-Cloud back-up, and 3 minutes later someone emerges from the back with a new phone. Brad erases my old phone, activates my new one, and has me out the door prior to my appointment start time. Hell yeah!
This review is not to praise Apple, but the show the difference in care I received. I went to Best Buy to save the most valuable thing in my life...time. They did nothing but waste several hours of it. I intend to never go back. read more