I purchased y first iPhone through T-Mobile. That was a huge mistake. Apple makes the device, and…read morehas retail stores to purchase from.
My first Mac was an M2 MacBook Pro 15". I walked in, specced the system, and bought it. The gentleman that was helping me was thrown off, and not the best example of my experience with this by-appointment preferred store. But then, I was a walk-in, and don't really talk to people. He helped, I left with my computer. A few days later, I bought through Apple Store, set an appointment, and bought my Apple Watch 8. I still use it, I'm still happy with it. I'm also still happy with the physical Apple Store. They helped me with the watch, new bands, and integrating all of my devices. When it came down the pipe that Apple would be blocking access to blood oxygen on new devices, I got ash ultra . Again, I love the product. I got it at Best Buy, though. Because they were the only guaranteed O2 functioning watch carrying retailer. 2 years later, the watch called 911 when I was in a serious motorcycle accident. The watch died. The face and crystal shattered. I landed kinda on my watch, kinda on my helmet, mostly on the armor... The O2 ban was in strong effect, which could have been the end for me. With a terminal lung disease, that watch is my "should I put my oxygen on " lifeline. I explained my situation to the person who helped me. They empathized (without apologizing... seriously, if you know someone that's dying, don't apologize unless you are the reason!) She explained the situation to me, I understood: probably no functioning O2, for the foreseeable future. Watch got back early. Their no fix policy on broken watch faces had me a little sad. I charged it on the ride home, put it on, and absently checked my O2. This store, and Apple, went the extra mile to find a visible replacement, a pre ban manufactured ultra 2. My oxygen was at 94.
THAT. The extra for a customer whose life would have been severely affected, and whose lifetime income generation CANNOT exceed 9,000, because of simple known life expectancy. That is the above and beyond that landed 5 solid stars, a lifetime brand loyal customer, and a recommendation from a person who spent 25 years in the infotech, infosec, and cybersecurity sectors.
