Cannot book appointment at Genius Bar in Regent Street london Apple Store

Question

Level 1

1 points

Cannot book appointment at Genius Bar in Regent Street london Apple Store

In October 2014 my MBP 15 inch 2012 developed a fault with the battery after only 300 cycles. The warning message states - "service battery" and as I use my laptop for business I needed to diagnose and repair the problem as quickly as possible. I tried to book a Genius bar appointment through the website but was told no appointments available. I then called Apple Care and after waiting on hold for 15 minutes was told the same thing. Their advice was to stay awake until 00:01 every night and to try to book at that time! Sadly for me I have a family and work life that precludes staying up until 00:01.

Since then I have been attempting to book an appointment with Apple's Genius bar at the Regent Street or Covent Garden stores on a daily basis! Guess what - no appointments have been available.

I have been a huge Apple fan since 1990 when i bought my first Apple computer. However this lack of attention to its customer's needs and inability to address my simple need has pushed me to end my loyalty to Apple.

Anyone else having same issues and did you find a way to make an appointment?!

Help Please!

Frustrated customer

Posted on Jan 7, 2015 11:57 AM

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Answer 1

ChitlinsCC

Level 7

20,918 points

Jan 7, 2015 12:45 PM in response to Eds16

Tell us HOW you are attempting to make your appointment. Apparently the Apple Authorize method has Quietly Changed. If you will look at this thread the answer to the riddle is there

Re: Where do I make an appointment to Genius bar?

If you are following this path already, they must be VERY busy.

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Answer 2

Eds16 Author

Level 1

1 points

Jan 8, 2015 1:45 AM in response to ChitlinsCC

Many thanks for the reply. I have managed to get to the point where I should be able to book the appointment but the problem is there is never any availability 😟

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Answer 3

ChitlinsCC

Level 7

20,918 points

Jan 8, 2015 5:30 AM in response to Eds16

VERY busy indeed then...

One of my local Apple Stores as an example lists appointments for only 5 days from today. I live in a very large metropolitan area and the store is central to it. There is availability for today starting this "Evening" (the 'Right Arrow' in Green displays only one day, so I won't include an image)

Is this interface what you are presented? And all say "0 available" ?

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Answer 4

Eds16 Author

Level 1

1 points

Jan 8, 2015 6:25 AM in response to ChitlinsCC

Yes - that is correct.

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Answer 5

ChitlinsCC

Level 7

20,918 points

Jan 8, 2015 7:04 AM in response to Eds16

It seems you are on the horns of a dilemma...

Have you called the Store, asked to speak to the manager? Gone to the Store and asked to speak to the manager?

What about Apple Authorized Service Providers nearby? search for them the same way you search for Apple Retail Stores - https://locate.apple.com/

If AppleCare has advised you to stay up late each night and TRY to book an appt., that to me does not sound like, well... sound advice. I am not sure what satisfaction the following may bring, but at least you will have followed the Apple Way(path) [be sure an keep a text file with any 'form text test' you may post in the process(es) ]

Store Feedback | Retail

Store Group - Contact Us - Apple Support ⬅ [since the 'booking process' for a physical appointment is online, this may help]

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EDITs - spelling = add word

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Answer 6

Eds16 Author

Level 1

1 points

Jan 13, 2015 4:41 AM in response to ChitlinsCC

Thanks for all your advice and I will take it up eventually.

In the short term I have decided to source a replacement battery, buy the necessary tools and do the battery install myself. As my laptop is already out of warranty I feel that I have very little to lose and will save myself c. £100 and several days of no laptop. I really did not want to do this (and nor do Apple as they make it very difficult to buy a replacement battery) however their dysfunctional genius bar reservation system has forced my hand. Fingers crossed and I will report back on the success or failure in a few days.

By the way - my laptop is a MBP 15 inch early 2011 unibody (i7 2.2ghz) with a non-replaceable battery. If anyone else has similar problems and wants to do it themselves let me know and I will list the steps taken and tools needed. www.ifixit.com have a great guide and www.everymac.com allows you to verify the exact model of your Apple machine so you can source the correct spare part.

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Answer 7

ChitlinsCC

Level 7

20,918 points

Jan 13, 2015 8:09 AM in response to Eds16

You're welcome. I will refrain from commenting on the obvious regarding the The Genius Bar busy-ness.

Regarding, your DIY project... battery sourcing is a tricky business. Quality Assurance is notoriously lacking. I got an replacement battery for my PB Pismo and it worked great for about three year - then POOF!

A long time user here has this comment:

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Eustace Mendis May 10, 2014 1:42 PM
Re: Where do I buy a replacement battery for a MacBookPro6,2 in response to DorianJ

Try this company:
http://www.ianker.com/about_us.html

(This not an endorsement, only a suggestion.)

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I have found the ifixit site's How-Tos to be accurate and clear (technical writing is an art - AND an oxymoron) when I have worked on my own Macs - for others convenience

- https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+15-Inch+Unibody+Late+2011+Battery+Repla cement/7511

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nous

sommes

charlie hebdo

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Answer 8

nichnick

Level 1

0 points

Jan 18, 2015 2:36 AM in response to Eds16

I have the exact same problem as you, from the battery issues right down to never being able to book an appointment. I gave up going on hold, and trying to book an appointment. I figure because my laptop is a little older now I'm not the valued customer I once was.

Thanks for the tips on where to find a replacement battery, guess I'm going to have to complete the replacement myself just like you!

Thanks for posting!

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