Q: Apple has discontinued the one to one program. I need this program and cannot renew. Are they offering an alternative?

The one time I scheduled an appointment, I had my dad carry my machine to the store, as I had had recent knee surgery. I was told that they had no record of my appointment, the "genius" had no other appointments in my place, was "technically" available, and couldn't, wouldn't, help me. For this I paid 2x as much as i would have than if I had bought a PC. Naples, FL store. F#@$ me, is the message I got.

This is in response to Apple's official Recommended Response from lindafromalliance.

As the paid employee/instructor, no one cares how you "feel" about having successfully trained your student in what you were paid to teach them. Ity is not always about you. When you are being paid to teach someone else, it is NEVER about you. Ever.

Sorry, it was ChitlinsCC who gave the weak-*** response to the bait-and-switch tactics Apple used, and it was ChitlinsCC who belittled all the students who wanted to learn. Saying that you all would try to make us ""feel"" like we have been taught is insulting, belittling and rude in the extreme. That you thought you receive any sympathy at having felt like you were wasting you time by having taught your students successfully in a one-on-one environment is supremely egotistical in the extreme. It is not about you, ***, it is about the people who have humbly come to you for PAID and PROMISED instruction.

skarJones wrote:

 

Sorry, it was ChitlinsCC who gave the weak-*** response to the bait-and-switch tactics Apple used, and it was ChitlinsCC who belittled all the students who wanted to learn. Saying that you all would try to make us ""feel"" like we have been taught is insulting, belittling and rude in the extreme. That you thought you receive any sympathy at having felt like you were wasting you time by having taught your students successfully in a one-on-one environment is supremely egotistical in the extreme. It is not about you, ***, it is about the people who have humbly come to you for PAID and PROMISED instruction.

You seem to be under the mistaken impression that the people posting here are Apple employees. This is a user-to-user technical support forum. Everyone here is just like you, a user. No one here promised you anything. I also think it unlikely that you've given anyone who posts here any money, though I can't say for certain.

Apple is not reading here. If you want them to know how you feel, use the feedback page:

http://www.apple.com/feedback

Wow, those were interesting..........

ChrisJ4203 wrote:

 

Wow, those were interesting..........

You used a nicer word than I was thinking.

Just to be clear to you, as everyone else here knows, we are not Apple employees, we are users like yourself.

... so I decline to dignify your comment to me with further response.

I am so disappointed to hear that one to one is discontinued. It has helped me immensely. i disagree that having the client do the work is a waste of time - at least not for the client. That is exactly how you learn by doing it yourself. I volunteer at our local library helping people with their tech devices and that's how I teach. Showing only does absolutely no good.  I also often recommend Apple products to the clients I help, even though they're more expensive, because of Apple's excellent support. Well no more. Have you ever tried to get help through apple support? A simple question can take literally hours getting through on the phone. And have you ever tried to explain what your problem is without being in the same room for support to actually see what you're talking about? Finally, I paid or a year's support about 6 months ago. Will I get a refund? well, I guess I'm going to have to call Apple. There goes at least an hour out of my day.

j9spt wrote:

 

. And have you ever tried to explain what your problem is without being in the same room for support to actually see what you're talking about?

No, but I've spent 13 yearssuccessfuly helping people I'm not in the same room with, many of whom use another language than English as their first language.

This forum is an amazing resource for all of those simple questions and most of the more complicated ones.

Meg. I'm sure you have been very helpful with some and your help is very much appreciated. But I still believe a one to one is best. Apple just switched from iphoto to photo. I was hoping for a good short lesson and to get some of my related questions answered. The time it would take me to look up everything or call or type out a question will take much more time than if I had just had a one to one hour. While I was there I was hoping to also get some questions answered. I keep a list. So, let me then ask you, a couple of the other questions and see how this works. My laptop is no longer reading all my calendar updates from my iPad and iPhone. The laptop is also no longer showing my messages either. I've checked and have iCloud turned on all my devices. Can you help?

j9spt wrote:

 

So, let me then ask you, a couple of the other questions and see how this works. My laptop is no longer reading all my calendar updates from my iPad and iPhone. The laptop is also no longer showing my messages either. I've checked and have iCloud turned on all my devices. Can you help?

You should post your questions in the appropriate forum with a properly descriptive subject line. That will help them get the most attention from the people who frequent those forums and know the most. It will also keep this thread on topic. I personally don't have much information on that particular subject as I stopped using the calendar app on my MBA years ago and really only use iCloud to back up files. I would start double checking that you are using the same Apple ID on all the devices and that you've chose the calendar as one of the options to sync on all of the devices.

Best of luck.

I'll bet you can get your Photos issues cleared up with the workshop

---- ^^ click/tap to enlarge^^

I'll also bet that you could get your punch list of issues addressed while you are there - AppleStore Folk are vigorously trained to keep you happy (so you will come back and buy more stuff! - just like every other business!)

Thanks for info. I would love to take one of these classes, but I live over 1 1/2 hrs away. When I could do one to one I scheduled it when I had to be in or near Spokane. I or my family have 3 apts about 1/2 hr away from there this week on 3 different days, but there are only 2 class offered all week and none of them are on the days we are there. 2 classes a week certainly doesn't seem like it's being beefed up and It's just not worth it to drive that far for one errand. As to my other problems, I was going to make a Genius Bar apt, of which I probably could have arranged when I'm in the area next week, but decided to call apple support because I was frustrated. After being on hold for 45 min I worked with a technician for 1 1/2 hrs. He was very helpful, but had he been in the same room with me I'm sure it would have been much, much quicker. Next time I'll try to fix my issues at a Genius Bar apt. If I can time it with my trips near Spokane.  Thanks for taking the time to respond. I just miss the convenience of the one to ones.

I see.

At bottom, Apple likely discontinued the 1-1 after evaluating their "return on investment" value - they are, after all, beholden to their shareholders first and foremost.

I think the Apple Genius strategy will *send Apple the message*, especially if you tell the Genus "I normally would have asked my 1-1 coach" - it may have been their unheralded strategy all along!

Apple Consultants Network

Provided there is one nearby > https://consultants.apple.com/us/

Thanks. There is a consultant about 1 hour from me and I go there much more often. I emailed them and I'll wait to see what they charge and how available training is. Training is definitely an issue for people who live aways from big cities where Apple stores are available. I actually volunteer at our local library and help people on a 1 to 1 basis become familiar with their tech devices (Apple and other). A large % of who I help are older and they want technology, but are afraid of it and become frustrated very easily. The library's program is a much needed and well used free service for our community since most people, like me, do not travel all that often to Spokane which has the closest Apple Store. Plus the people I help simply can't call the help line. They don't know enough to have a clue what to do when talking on the phone, nor the patience to wait on hold. I have even helped people call because it's just too frustrating for them. They really need 1 to 1, hands on. I'm a retired librarian and believe strongly in ensuring everyone has information access. It's a basic human right. Well I'll get off my soap box. I'll let you know if I hear from the consultant and how it turns out. Thanks again for your help.