How good is Apple repair shop?

[snaky69]

Ive heard bunch of horror stories where people got their computers back even more damaged! How common is that?

Tell me your experience/story! Did they fix it again? Any advice? What LOCATIONS should I avoid? (US)

Nobody signs up on a random website on the internet, finds the correct subforum to post in, post a single thread to say "hey guys, my repair went without a hitch" only to disappear into the sunset. Just like in real life, pats on the back are harder to come by than criticism.

What you see on the internet is a (very) vocal minority. Take everything you read with a grain of salt. I wouldn't worry one bit about sending my computer in for repairs.
[doublepost=1452977406][/doublepost]

This is dell's 1 year limited warranty that's included on the Dell XPS 13

This is optional Dell premium support

On a side note, you do know your computer is capable of taking a screenshot and thus you don't need to whip out your phone to take pictures of your screen?

https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201361

 

[mjs402]

Ive heard bunch of horror stories where people got their computers back even more damaged! How common is that?

Tell me your experience/story! Did they fix it again? Any advice? What LOCATIONS should I avoid? (US)

I'll share my own story on here that occurred last month actually.

I have a 12 inch MacBook that is less than 6 months old to date and I am studying overseas so I don't have access to an Apple Store until I visit home, like during Christmas break. I noticed something moving on the inside of the MacBook (it sounded like a loose battery) when I was moving the Mac to my desk, as well it won't sit flush with any surface that it is placed on, one of the corners is uneven.

I took it to the Apple Store and the Genius agreed that indeed there was something moving on the inside and quoted me a look-at time of 24 hours. This was perfect because my flight was the next few days. 24 hours passed, no phone call. So the next day I go into the store (as their phone lines were not working... Go figure) to see what is going on and they tell me I should not have been quoted 24 hours and they are sorry, and that they'll call me in another 24 hours (total 48 hours). Sure enough, the next day I get a call saying "Your Mac is FIXED, it's ready for you to pick up", HA!

Side note: I live a good 45 minute drive to the nearest Apple Store so here is the 5th time I'm spending 45 minutes to drive to the Apple Store to pick up my FIXED computer. A technician hands it to me, who isn't the same one who opened and "fixed" my computer. I open it up, pick it up and move it slightly - same noise. I get him to move it, he agrees. He said he'll be right back and he is going to ask the other technician who did "fix" it. He comes back out a few minutes later and says "That is the way they are supposed to be and that the issue is with the Force Touchpad actuator". I called ******** and told him let's go and see the display models. We picked up all 3 models on display and NONE of them made that sound, to which he acknowledged and apologized.

He asked if he could take it in for another 48 hours to fix, my flight was leaving the next day so I said no, I will be talking with customer relations. Seriously? I have already spent enough on gas to be driving back and forth for this crap. I get home that evening, talked to customer relations about what was going on and started a case. I then go to move files over from my Time Capsule back onto my MacBook, go to turn the brightness up.. Nothing. Volume.. Nothing. The hell? I did an SMC reset, nada. I even formatted the computer and reinstalled OSX. F1-F12 keys = no longer functioning.

To cut an already long story short, I have been dealing with Apple Customer relations and she has now put it under the serial number of my computer that they are going to replace my MacBook for a new model when I'm back in town in April. But get this, in the notes the technician who "fixed" my computer stated that he found "nothing wrong" and put back together.

So yes, Apple Store in Canada in London Ontario, was a terrible experience.

 

[EssieInc]

I'll share my own story on here that occurred last month actually.

I have a 12 inch MacBook that is less than 6 months old to date and I am studying overseas so I don't have access to an Apple Store until I visit home, like during Christmas break. I noticed something moving on the inside of the MacBook (it sounded like a loose battery) when I was moving the Mac to my desk, as well it won't sit flush with any surface that it is placed on, one of the corners is uneven.

I took it to the Apple Store and the Genius agreed that indeed there was something moving on the inside and quoted me a look-at time of 24 hours. This was perfect because my flight was the next few days. 24 hours passed, no phone call. So the next day I go into the store (as their phone lines were not working... Go figure) to see what is going on and they tell me I should not have been quoted 24 hours and they are sorry, and that they'll call me in another 24 hours (total 48 hours). Sure enough, the next day I get a call saying "Your Mac is FIXED, it's ready for you to pick up", HA!

Side note: I live a good 45 minute drive to the nearest Apple Store so here is the 5th time I'm spending 45 minutes to drive to the Apple Store to pick up my FIXED computer. A technician hands it to me, who isn't the same one who opened and "fixed" my computer. I open it up, pick it up and move it slightly - same noise. I get him to move it, he agrees. He said he'll be right back and he is going to ask the other technician who did "fix" it. He comes back out a few minutes later and says "That is the way they are supposed to be and that the issue is with the Force Touchpad actuator". I called ******** and told him let's go and see the display models. We picked up all 3 models on display and NONE of them made that sound, to which he acknowledged and apologized.

He asked if he could take it in for another 48 hours to fix, my flight was leaving the next day so I said no, I will be talking with customer relations. Seriously? I have already spent enough on gas to be driving back and forth for this crap. I get home that evening, talked to customer relations about what was going on and started a case. I then go to move files over from my Time Capsule back onto my MacBook, go to turn the brightness up.. Nothing. Volume.. Nothing. The hell? I did an SMC reset, nada. I even formatted the computer and reinstalled OSX. F1-F12 keys = no longer functioning.

To cut an already long story short, I have been dealing with Apple Customer relations and she has now put it under the serial number of my computer that they are going to replace my MacBook for a new model when I'm back in town in April. But get this, in the notes the technician who "fixed" my computer stated that he found "nothing wrong" and put back together.

So yes, Apple Store in Canada in London Ontario, was a terrible experience.

Thanks!!! That was a pretty interesting story. Thank god u got a new one.

 

[mjs402]

Thanks!!! That was a pretty interesting story. Thank god u got a new one.

Well I had to push for it if I'm honest. My RETAIL store experience was horrid but my CUSTOMER RELATION over the phone was spectacular. One of the nicest experiences I have had in awhile. There was real genuity behind her voice when she was assisting me.

That isn't to say the entire store experience was bad. Quite the opposite, when my iPhone button was fidgeting a bit too much a month after I bought it, no questions asked - replaced it on the spot and they were very nice about it. Even the technician that came out to talk to me (not the person who "fixed" my MacBook) was very understanding and seemed bothered and understood my frustrations.

Despite that crappy experience with my MacBook at the retail store, I still enjoy Apple because of the experience I received over the phone and the technician who came out to talk to me. THAT is the Apple I love, the Apple that cares... Even though Apple Care doesn't. Haha.

 

[h4lp m3]

Here's the real truth:

1. For most repairs, Apple mails off your device to a service center. While many people can live without an iPad, or MacBook, most people are tethered to their phones. They know this, which is where their real genius shines: IN SELLING DEVICES. Sure, your iPhone is only a year old and is running slow because it needs a $30 battery, but who wants to be phoneless for 5 days? The average customer isn't going to be as savvy to transfer their sim card into an old phone or a Walmart phone and Apple will take this opportunity to sell you an upgrade.


2. Now, out of warranty repairs are expensive but even if you are under warranty, they will give you the runaround. At your appointment, if the genius takes your computer into the back room, he's trying find reasons to charge you money. The only reason they open your device is to check to see if these little paper dots have any moisture. I've also heard of people bringing in their Mac for hard drive replacement, but was told it would cost $800 because they had a hairline crack on the screen. In other words, Apple will sell you repairs that have nothing to do with the functionality of the device. They're not stupid, they know by quoting you astronomical prices, while you're inside the Apple Store surrounded by magical devices, that you're more prone to buy a new one. If a splash of water gets on on your keyboard and a few keys won't type... Apple calls that a "LEVEL III HARDWARE REPAIR" and will want to charge you up to $1,500.


3. As far as quality of the repairs at the service center, they are top notch. So if you're still under Apple's free 1-year warranty and the genius says you're clear from water damage and hairline cracks, they are going to want to refurbish everything so make sure you're data is backed up because they often erase or replace hard drives. The technicians at the service centers are certified experts and the only people who really "mess up" devices are the geniuses at the Apple Store. When the store is slammed and they're in a hurry, they might forget to put all the screws back in or misaligned the screen, or drop your device while it's the back room. I've seen it with my own eyes and I wouldn't trust the geniuses with a mouse.

4. There are affordable Apple specialists out there who have previously worked for Apple and opened their own business. For devices that are over 1-year old, they can be 30-50% cheaper than the Apple Store and you can just walk in when you have a problem. No waiting in lines or mailing things off for weeks. But do your research and stay far away from gas stations and clothing stores that have signs that read "WE FIX IPHONES". Places like In & Out repair and ibreak-uFix are the cheapest because they use the cheapest parts and they ARE NOT GENUINE APPLE CERTIFIED. A place that fixes Android and Samsong isn't going to take pride in the craftsmanship of Apple Products will put generic parts into your device. But if you want to save a whole $10 by getting your screen replaced at a store that buys gold and sells used grillz, don't say I didn't warn you. Don't be cheap, because you'll get what you pay for.