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Apple launches online Genius Bar Reservation System

updated 02:10 pm EDT, Mon April 5, 2004

Genius Bar Reservations


Apple today launched its offers advance reservations, rapid repair turnarounds, and other "benefits". The new system is touted by Apple to save time: "Every day at every Apple Store, the Genius Bar is open to offer hands-on, real-time solutions to Apple-related technical problems. Walk-in customers will usually experience a wait to speak with a Genius. By using this Genius Bar Reservation System before you go, you can reduce or eliminate this delay."


by MacNN Staff

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  1. SillyMe

    Registered User

    Joined: Feb 2001

    0
    04/05, 02:18pm | report spam | Reply |

    There's still love, but.

    I love Apple, but I still will not be purchasing ProCare. I will miss the rapid turnaround service on repairs, but not so much I will plunk down $100. Had there been a discount for .MAC subscribers, perhaps. But as it is, I am not a fan.

    I still love you though, Apple!

  1. BurningBright

    Junior Member

    Joined: Mar 2004

    0
    04/05, 03:16pm | report spam | Reply |

    I don't know...

    I'm not sure what you mean by rapid turn-around. The standard service still takes 3 days. ProCare merely adds a few features (geared towards one-on-one experiences and discounts). Other than that, all the things the Apple Store did before are still there, such as installation of software, connecting things, transferring files from your pc... For some, ProCare will be a boon. It isn't for me, but if you know you can reserve a certain genius that you know and trust, have worked with in the past, get in on more workshops, and get special discounts (worthwhile if you buy enough, that is enough incentive to buy this in addition to applecare.

  1. porieux

    Baninated

    Joined: Mar 2001

    0
    04/05, 03:52pm | report spam | Reply |

    BUT..!

    April Fools Day jokes are supposed to end after April 1st!

  1. jedi1yoda1

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Dec 2001

    0
    04/05, 05:02pm | report spam | Reply |

    terms

    Not that I was going to ever purchase this, but after reading the terms and conditions of this "service" I'm not even going to recommend it to people who actually might need it.

    The "Unreasonable or excessive use of..." clauses are especially concerning. What is unreasonable? Say for instance, Can I only go to 10 different workshops and then on the 11th they tell me to turn in my card?

    It makes little sense why anyone would need this. If you do, find some kid in your neighborhood to help you, or, just read the instructions and install software yourself.

    Plus, lets say I get a repair under warranty and it's going to be free, but I have to wait 3 days. Unless it was a mission critical machine, I don't think I could justify paying $100 just to get it back in 1 day.

    Just my thoughts, I agree with portieux though: "April Fools Day jokes are supposed to end after April 1st!"

  1. testudo

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2001

    0
    04/05, 05:42pm | report spam | Reply |

    Re: terms



    Plus, lets say I get a repair under warranty and it's going to be free, but I have to wait 3 days. Unless it was a mission critical machine, I don't think I could justify paying $100 just to get it back in 1 day.

    Umm, I think the "pro" part of the ProCare was for people who actually have machines they can't live without for three days. You know, professionals with critical work. That kind of thing. Its not like this is geared to the mom-and-pop iMac owners.

  1. DarkVader

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Sep 2001

    0
    04/05, 07:08pm | report spam | Reply |

    3 days?

    Does it really take an Apple Store 3 days to repair a machine? At the Apple Service Provider I work for, we make every effort to get repairs completed within 24 hours. If we've got the part in stock, we usually have the computer ready the same day.

    And of course we also do on-site service.

  1. jedi1yoda1

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Dec 2001

    0
    04/05, 07:50pm | report spam | Reply |

    Re: terms - testudo

    Why don't you read that sentence again?

    Plus, lets say I get a repair under warranty and it's going to be free, but I have to wait 3 days. Unless it was a mission critical machine, I don't think I could justify paying $100 just to get it back in 1 day.

    Second, I am a pro. I have mission critical machines, I guess that I have enough that I can get by without one for 3 days.

    3rd, I think the "Pro" in "ProCare" is short for Professional, which to me means that Apple will take "Professional Care" of you if you pay them $100 extra. I don't think that a professional from LucasFilms or ILM or even Pixar is going to go to the "workshops" to learn how to be more productive. I think it is geared for the higher than middle income iMac buyer who doesn't want to take the time to transfer files and install software.

    The only good thing I see in this is the "reserving a genius" thing. But it should be a service already offered. I don't go to a car mechanic and drop my car off and wait a week for the engine to be worked on, I make an appointment for my car and take it in.

    DarkVader - I wish you were my local Apple Service Provider, when my G5 needed fixed (new power supply), the Apple Store said that their current repair time was a week and they were the fastest time I was quoted. At the time, i couldn't wait a week, and no, I wouldn't have payed an extra $100 for something that should have worked properly out of the box

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