Pay Per Visit Apple Genius Bar. Is This NEW?

eatwell365 on 11/01/2015 - 07:56
Last edited 11/01/2015 - 08:09

Last time to book a service appointment in an Apple Store was few months ago.
It was quite straightforward to make an appointment with the genius bar online before just to put in AppleID and time.

Now it asks a lot of questions, then enter serial number, then ask to pay $39.XX per visit/call.

Personally do not endorse Big Brother corporate attitude and will always vote with the wallet. This reminds me of the Windows. Does Samsung charge per customer service call after 12 months?

Among 3 people, we share 3 iphones and 4 ipads, plus Surface (through ozbargain) and other smart phones.
One of the main reasons is that Apple used to provide support for peace of mind.

Have Andriods but have not seriously looked into using Google apps because I was happy with Apple.
It was lacking of apps on Android but heard it's no longer the case. is this true?
Thinking of giving Samsung or other companies a go when time is up for new tablets or phones.
Your experience or thought. Thanks.

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Comments

  • sickllama on 11/01/2015 - 09:02
    +7

    Yeah apps are no longer an issue. My understanding is that no other manufacturer has anything similar to the genius bar. That's why you pay $1200 for a computer that other companies sell for $600. Its built into the price.

      • jzdhgkd on 11/01/2015 - 21:31
        +9

        Right. Because macs are the only computers made of metal.

        • jzdhgkd on 11/01/2015 - 22:22
          +9

          @thorton82: plenty are on the same level.

          lenovo's top end, Samsung series 9, asus zenbook. Even the dell xps is apparently pretty decent. Also if youre into absolute build quality there's a very good reason why contractors and law enforcement use Panasonic toughbooks

        • iridiumstem on 11/01/2015 - 23:00
          +9

          @thorton82: I think the better statement would be, if you can look over company brands. I think Apple Macbooks are very well built for their price but to say that they are unparalleled is an overstatement.

          Usually business line laptops are better in build quality. There were IBM ThinkPads, Sony VAIO, HP business lines are not that bad either. I am using Surface Pro 1 right now and I think it feels really solid, so did my old HP laptop (My dad bought me a business laptop which was weird, but nonetheless sturdy), and the Series 9 laptop from Samsung was decent in terms of its build quality as well. This being said, when someone asks me for an option for laptop, I always recommend them Macbook Air.

          Yes, I do agree with you on how well Macbooks are built. But you should probably try to look over the brands as well if you are going to claim those statements. Or at least look at other options without prejudice, as even though I think Macbooks were fairly unique in using metal few years back then, it isn't as unique as it used to be.

        • triviums on 12/01/2015 - 00:27
          +5

          @thorton82:
          Build quality can be easily matched, after all apple does not manufacture any parts, they just design it. Companies such as Samsung manufacture it. What is unparallel is the "apple experience" it's the reason why when the gold iPhone 5 came out it sold out almost immediately. Apple is all about the experience. Many popular apple innovations existed well before apple created them… All apple did was provide an experience that consumers liked.

        • mrmarkau67 on 12/01/2015 - 09:52
          +3

          @jzdhgkd:

          Yeah, you can get a really nice Panasonic Toughbook for $600. Or was it $3500? I get so mixed up.

        • Hazardousking on 12/01/2015 - 14:24

          [deleted]

        • jzdhgkd on 12/01/2015 - 16:03
          +2

          @mrmarkau67:

          $3500 would probably only get you a basic model. We're talking military and law-enforcement standards here not some fanboyish devotion to "milled aluminium".

          Thornton's comment was about "unparalleled" "build quality" and my example was only given to prove him wrong rather than offer a value-for-money alternative to the macbook.

        • mrmarkau67 on 12/01/2015 - 23:57

          @jzdhgkd:

          Did you know milled aluminium isn't just a marketing term? There is no need for quotes because macbook airs are actually made from aluminium and the process used to make them is called milling. It's different to moulding or laminating etc.

          Build quality is not the same as adherence to milspec. I have evaluated toughbooks professionally and the build quality is ok. But they weigh a lot too.

          You don't say a tank has a better build quality than a fighter jet because it will take more punishment. It just has thicker armour.

          I love my dell precision laptop, it does feel very solid. But the design and build of the case doesn't compare to a macbook.

        • iridiumstem on 13/01/2015 - 02:42

          @mrmarkau67: I actually liked what they did with Macbooks. Using CNC routers to that degree is very unique in a way. Though it's not a massive new technology, CNC routers have been around for a long time, it's just that the extent that Apple is using it is fairly massive in numbers and that's what it makes it unique.

        • Tal_Shiar on 13/01/2015 - 04:11
          -3

          @jzdhgkd:

          lenovo's top end…

          Yeah that is why IBM changed their name….

          Don't even start me on Dell…

        • zeomega on 13/01/2015 - 10:16
          +1

          @Tal_Shiar:

          They sold off their notebook and desktop range. Not changed their name.

        • iridiumstem on 13/01/2015 - 10:59

          @Tal_Shiar: You mean HAL? (Move the letters up by one, i.e. I->H, B->A, M->L)

          Also, yes, IBM sold their notebook and desktop sector completely ages ago. Since then ThinkPad line have become "worse" according to fans of ThinkPads, because of quality control and changes in target audiences in some sense. That being said, they took the R&D center and everything.

        • Tal_Shiar on 13/01/2015 - 13:19

          @zeomega: didn't know they sold it off, thanks for the update

        • Charity on 13/01/2015 - 19:58

          @mrmarkau67:

          LOL Did you seriously just explain milling = milspec ? what a joke.

          I can see how you tripped up on similar looking words. lol

        • iridiumstem on 13/01/2015 - 21:53

          @Son ofa Zombie: Looking at the laptops he was referring to I think he was listing laptops that are known to be well built. Since rugged laptops are sturdy, passing the US military standard, milspec, that is why he brought it up?

        • [Deactivated] on 14/01/2015 - 20:34

          @thorton82: How is that worth negative votes? It is simply stating facts.

        • mrmarkau67 on 15/01/2015 - 13:12
          +1

          @thorton82:

          Very weird. I guess it was too factual to argue with so they just negged it.

  • Nutrino on 11/01/2015 - 10:03
    +1

    Are you forced to use the genious bar?. Ive got plenty of apple products and never use the bar.

  • Islund on 11/01/2015 - 11:28

    If you buy a new car the warranty covers servicing for a certain period after which servicing costs are your responsibility. If you do. If you do not want to pay the servicing costs beyond the warranty period you take out an extended warranty as I understand it.

    Why then should it be any different with an idevice?

    The servicing within the first 90 days on an idevice is way ahead of anything the pretenders offer - within the 1st 60 days you opt for Apple care which also covers for lost idevices as I recall.

    • Daabido on 11/01/2015 - 12:19
      +1

      Apple Care does not cover lost devices.

      • Islund on 11/01/2015 - 14:13

        Thanks for educating me - was a bit sceptical when the guy at the Apple store told me it did. Put it down to his understanding of English

    • J5 on 11/01/2015 - 21:07
      +2

      except there is a thing called australian consumer law that a product must be fit for purpose for a realistic amount of time in conjuction of the price paid

      since youa re paying a high premium for an apple product its reasonable to expect a level of service

      either way its a sensible approach for a company to provide a high level of service to ensure repeat business , which was how the apple stores were run but it is looking that the accountants have got involved now

      • smalltime0 on 13/01/2015 - 04:17

        Yeah people need to pay attention to consumer law more.
        I believe the phrase is 'merchantable quality" which boils down to that a device/product/service/whatever should last as long as a reasonable person would expect it to.

  • adamren on 11/01/2015 - 11:44

    More free apps in Play than Apple.

    Do a Google Play search of the apps you like on Apple.

  • nikey2k27 on 11/01/2015 - 11:48
    +1

    I personal pop in store and ask why? i own 5 apple product only been once to the bar. I personal feel should be made in to the price. i have mate only own 1 imac has been like 60 time to the bar total love apple is looking at own more apple products.

  • pennae on 11/01/2015 - 12:12

    Yes, many manufacturers do charge for service calls outside of the warranty period. Even coffee machines ($80 recently, ouch!)

  • ilikeradiohead on 11/01/2015 - 14:42
    +3

    Last time I went was about a year ago. Just booked a time online, didn't put in any serial numbers or anything. I was going to go somewhere closer to my house (ie not an apple store) and they were going to charge me $100 to look at it. If they've started charging for the Genius Bar I'm going to be very disappointed.

  • tonyjzx on 11/01/2015 - 16:11
    +1

    if its outside of warranty i think its fine

    otherwise people treat it as a free service and waste it

  • Nutrino on 11/01/2015 - 18:57

    What do u use a genious bar for?. Warranty diagnostic purpose?, or just general training?.

  • [Deactivated] on 11/01/2015 - 18:59
    +1

    why can noone in this thread spell genius, it written clearly in the OP title in case you were unsure.

    • Nutrino on 11/01/2015 - 19:03
      +6

      Your england better then mine :)

    • [Deactivated] on 11/01/2015 - 19:10
      +17

      Noone?

        • [Deactivated] on 11/01/2015 - 21:20
          +21

          Wow. Oh the ironing.

        • ozhunter on 11/01/2015 - 21:20

          Lol

        • [Deactivated] on 11/01/2015 - 22:17
          -6

          @thorton82: i was referring to Mr Noone.

  • pinchies on 11/01/2015 - 21:42

    Perhaps have a look the next time you go to the store, and see if the big brother corporate attitude has taken over yet… I'm pretty sure I didn't see people paying to book appointments the last time I was there.

    Phone support options seem to be described here:
    https://www.apple.com/au/support/products/
    https://www.apple.com/au/support/products/pay-per-incident.h…

  • Hoju on 12/01/2015 - 07:58
    +2

    i was there 24 December and it was free, my iPhone was out of warranty.
    They've changed the online booking process so that it seems to funnel you towards a paid service but I managed to find a way of booking a regular Genius Bar appointment.

    Could be that it has changed again, though going from $0 to $40 in one jump seems a bit odd

  • SAM JIM on 12/01/2015 - 09:17
    +2

    I have been to genius bar few times and have an appointment for my old out-of-warranty iPad today. I have never been asked to pay to visit them.

    • eatwell365 on 16/01/2015 - 18:19

      which link do you use for free appointment?

      • SAM JIM on 19/01/2015 - 08:54

        Called the customer care and complained about iPad not charging. So they asked me to go to the Genius bar and booked an appointment for me.

  • Lockieasy on 13/01/2015 - 01:28

    I went to the Genius bar in December after the battery in my out of warranty 2011 Macbook Pro died. They ran a full diagnostic and I didn't get charged a cent. Booked online.

  • arameda on 13/01/2015 - 02:09

    I just tried online and there was no fee?

  • [Deactivated] on 13/01/2015 - 07:10

    I have always found the 'Genius' bar to always be less than 'Genius' anyway, but it is disappointing for some if this is now the case.

    • Charity on 13/01/2015 - 22:02
      +1

      Most folks that buy Apple need help opening the box.

      Apple is just monetizing their intelligence. Probably still too cheap.

  • msmhw on 13/01/2015 - 08:44
    +1

    Try their app, you should be able to make the appointment without any fees. I think they are trying to charge you because you don't have AppleCare and the support calls not included in the normal warranty. Or you can do what I always do. You should be able to see an option about make it an exception because you just bought software or something like that and it will work without any problem.

  • lplau on 13/01/2015 - 14:08

    Oh noes…. Apple is charging for a service now!!!!

  • llllllllllllll on 13/01/2015 - 16:44

    Just tried, not getting charged.

  • [Deactivated] on 13/01/2015 - 16:50

    Can't you just turn up at their store and act dumb?

    • Charity on 13/01/2015 - 22:03
      +2

      if you are at the Apple store, no acting is required.

      • mrmarkau67 on 15/01/2015 - 13:16
        +1

        Have you ever been to an apple store? Apart from when there is a new iPhone, it is packed with good looking well dressed people.

        • RI4V4N on 16/01/2015 - 23:50
          +1

          Who dont know anything about computers except that they want the one that is pretty and shiny on the outside where they can show off the brand to friends. It's not surprising apple bought beats.

  • dazweeja on 13/01/2015 - 17:21

    Just a little on Android phones, I think the competitors have caught up with Samsung now. If you like big phones, the Samsung Note 4 is a winner but in the normal phone range, I thought the LG G3 was slightly better than the Samsung S5 this time around, mainly a better camera, better materials and Samsung really tries to stuff as many gimmicks into their OS as possible which in the end is detrimental to the experience. Sony also makes good phones with great cameras (Z3) but they're just a bit behind. Motorola has caught up too and HTC phones are good but their cameras aren't great and Sense is pretty naff. The G4, S6, Z4 and M9 will all be released in the next couple of months so it will be interesting to see which is best then. I wouldn't be surprised if it's LG again. This is all just my opinion of course.

    • ozhunter on 13/01/2015 - 18:07
      -6

      lol

    • Hazardousking on 15/01/2015 - 16:10

      Don't forget the google nexus range they have some good value for money, although you need to determine what you need in a phone as the nexus 5 lacks sd card support.

      • dazweeja on 15/01/2015 - 16:38

        Nexus 5 was a great phone but has been out of stock on Google Play for a while and I believe they have ceased production.

        Nexus 6 is out of stock too and only for those who like massive phones. Also, not great value for money unlike previous Nexus devices, ie. not much cheaper than the Note 4, which is slightly better IMO.

        • RI4V4N on 16/01/2015 - 23:51

          Nexus 5 is back in stock, google said production will keep going for a while, which is good, because paying a huge amount for a 6inch phone is not something any man should do.

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