Apple revamps ProCare, adds One to One
updated 09:35 am EDT, Wed May 2, 2007
New Apple retail services
Apple today updated its retail services, changing its ProCare membership by removing training, but adding a separate One to One training program and new free Personal Shopping service, which offers a dedicated Mac Specialist to "explore and test-drive products to find out which ones are best for you." Apple new $99 per year ProCare service offers the ability to schedule appointments for technical support at the Genius Bar up to 14 days in advance, setup and transfer of old files with every new Mac purchase, a yearly tune-up and keyboard/monitor cleaning, same-day service at the Genius Bar (and QuickDrop repair without any appointment), and backup consultation.
Apple's ProCare, however, no longer offers free training, although the company said users with memberships purchased before May 2, 2007 will be able to enjoy both ProCare and One to One services with their current membership
The new One to One service, also available for $99 per year, offers individual training sessions covering everything from getting started on a Mac, building websites, digital photography basics, podcasting, movie making, Apple TV training, music-making using GarageBand, presentation creation, and more.
Apple's free Personal Shopping allows users to schedule an appointment with a Mac specialist.
"Personal Shopping is a whole new way to shop at the Apple Store. A free service where you and a dedicated Mac Specialist explore and test-drive products to find out which ones are best for you," the company noted on its website. "We know the store can be busy, so when you’re ready to talk, Personal Shopping is a way for us to give you our undivided attention."
double trouble
05/02, 09:53am reply
I wrote about this a few days ago. I think it is unfair that Apple would double their price for the same service. I have heard that it rationalized that it is ok b/c it is still a great service. yes, maybe, but it now costs twice as much.
http://thunkdifferent.com
ThunkDifferent.com
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2007
bait & switch
05/02, 10:44am reply
Apple's iTools turned into .Mac = bait and switch.
iTunes Music Store changed the number of authorization from 7 to 5 = bait and switch.
ProCare's changes in terms = another bait and switch.
What else is new?
Paul Huang
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 1999
Paying for what is free
05/02, 11:42am reply
What is this "personal shopping" feature about? I would pay $99 to have a "mac specialist" help me make a buying decision? I have to pay to have the attention of a sales associate now? I love it, perhaps another feature to add to Pro Care would be "free admission to the Applestore". Everyone else would need to pay $5 to walk in.
Zeeb
Mac Elite
Joined: Feb 2006
Dimwits
05/02, 11:46am reply
Personal shopping is free, you twit. Learn to read.
I also cannot BELIEVE that someone is still bitching about iTools. Get over it.
PJW
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2002
it's just
05/02, 12:04pm reply
it's just ego masturbation material for people who shell out cash to make themselves feel special. like american express platinum card holders, who dish out $500 annually so they can feel waited on "concierge" service instead of just picking up a phone book for a few minutes.
aesculanus
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2006
Bait & switch, huh?
05/02, 12:41pm reply
ITMS changed authorizations from 3 to 5, actually.
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
Apple Inflation
05/03, 09:29am reply
I got the email today: Introducing the new. And the Improved
Where's the improvement?
Our current ProCare memberships does everything that the new "One to One" and the new "ProCare" does for $99 each.
To get the same level of service as now, I would have to pay $198 each, a 100% increase !!!!!
What sane person would buy anything that suddenly is inflated 100%, not to mention that we would have to have TWO cards and TWO membership numbers to keep track of for every person instead of one.
Subsequently, we will not renew our employees memberships. There has been no "improvement". Just cutting a pie in half and selling it to me as it were two.
ronjamin
Baninated
Joined: May 2002
New Pro Care
05/03, 06:12pm reply
Shame on Apple. All the critical comments ahead of mine are accurate: > "bait and switch" > now paying twice as much as one did the day before > paying to shop... now that is nerve, Apple I was about to buy ProCare...not now I am going to suggest to Microsoft that they mimic current Apple TV commercials to show some of Apples shabby treatment of it captive and loyal (and increasingly disgruntled) customers. Apparently Apple no longer cares about its customers, but is totally tuned into the bottom liners. EAM
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999