The only way to buy a computer, or MP3...or phone... (Apple Retail Store)

Member Name: LastLine

Product:	Apple Retail Store
Date:	04/06/09 (30 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Amazing service, brilliant range, try before you buy.

Disadvantages: None really.

The Apple store is definitely an interesting retail experience, or more accurately an experience as a whole.

The store does do something rather obvious, it sells Apple products - their whole range in fact. If you want an Apple computer, iPod, keyboard/mouse, anything - they'll have it there. What isn't surprising either is that they sell at their own recommended retail price, but what is a little known fact is that the Apple store can do education discounts in store if you can prove that you are a teacher or student of some sort.

The buying process is actually surprisingly non-pushy in my experience, you go in say what you want (ask questions if needed) and get answers, tell them what you want and they'll process it there and then, often without going to the tills, see the staff now use iPhones (or possibly iPod touches, I'm not certain which!) to process it using custom Apps. Occasionally they'll try and sell you a higher model, but if you just say politely that you want what you have decided on you'll get little argument.

They will often try and sell you Applecare, an extended warranty, usually a little over £100, definitely worth a buy in my books - I got it for free by fluke many years ago and it's saved me a fortune in a number of areas, both phone support and replacement parts.

Getting service at a retail store is a pleasure too, visit the website first, book an appointment for up to 2 days in advance and then turn up 10 minutes before to book in and be seen, of course they are occasionally a little late but the appointments are quite generous so this is rarely the case, and the guys tend to know their stuff, and help explain in laymen's terms to you. Repairs tend to take 5 days if parts aren't easily changeable, but if you push a little they can do things in an hour if you can't get back to store. Seriously this is one of the best stores that I've ever been in for service, can't rate them highly enough.

The stores keep all of their stock on display so you can try things out before you buy them which is a really useful way of finding out whether a product is for you or not, whether it be an iPod shuffle or a Mac Pro.

Training can also be received in store, admittedly for smaller things they'll turn around and do it for you there and then, for more advanced projects they'll book you in and charge you, but then, we've got to learn somewhere!

A genuinely amazing retail experience, enough to make the premium you pay for Macs well worth it in my opinion.

Summary: Absoloutely brilliant, genuinely the best way to buy a computer.