JC
Jennifer Clark
3 days ago
Lengthy review, but detailed.
I made an appointment at the Apple Store in Mapleview specifically for an iPhone 14 Pro Max Battery Replacement. My appointment was for a battery replacement not a diagnosis or assessment.
My appointment was at 2:05 p.m., and I arrived around 1:50 p.m. After checking in, I was told to wait at a table. Two other customers with 2:00 p.m. appointments were also waiting.
By about 2:30 p.m., none of us had been helped. During that time, I observed several employees standing around talking while customers with appointments continued waiting. After I asked when we would be seen, I was told we were next.
A technician eventually helped me. I explained that I had booked a battery replacement because I was charging my phone multiple times a day. He ran diagnostics, confirmed I needed a battery replacement, and I replied that I already knew, that was why I booked the appointment. He then told me someone else would be with me.
Around 2:45 another employee then had me sign the repair waiver before informing me that, although the battery was in stock, they could not replace it that day.
At that point, I had already been there for nearly an hour. Had I been told that from the start, I would have left instead of wasting more time. By then, my 8-month-old daughter, who had been incredibly patient the entire time, was understandably starting to get fussy.
I asked to speak with the manager. Unfortunately, Marina made an already frustrating situation much worse. She told me they couldn’t complete the repair and that my options were essentially to accept it or leave. I explained multiple times that I had specifically booked a Battery Replacement appointment, but she repeatedly insisted I had booked a “battery service,” despite me having a screenshot clearly stating Battery Replacement.
I was told employees had called in sick and they couldn’t delay other repairs. While staffing issues happen, those are Apple’s responsibility not the customer’s. If the store couldn’t honour scheduled repair appointments, customers should have been contacted beforehand instead of driving 45 minutes each way, waiting over an hour, and leaving without the service they booked.
The biggest issue wasn’t the delay it was Marina’s attitude. She was dismissive, spoke to me in a condescending manner, argued with me about what I had booked despite my proof, then walked away from the conversation instead of resolving it. That is not how a manager should treat customers.
I later spoke with Mel, who handled the situation professionally and respectfully.
The only solution offered was for me to return the next morning, leave my phone for the day with no loaner, and make multiple 45-minute trips with no guarantee when the repair would be completed.
Instead, I booked with Jump+, who confirmed they had the battery in stock and could complete the repair in about 90 minutes.
I’ve already filed a complaint with Apple. I rarely leave reviews, but this experience warranted one.
This wasn’t about waiting a little longer. It was about booking a specific repair, waiting nearly 90 minutes, only to be told it wouldn’t be completed, and then being treated dismissively when I questioned why.
Attached is a screenshot showing my appointment was for “Battery Replacement,” not “battery service” as Marina repeatedly claimed. She then claimed when you book a battery replacement it’s a service appointment first then they have to confirm you need a battery. It should be specified on the website. And if I’m saying, I want a new battery and paying for it out-of-pocket, there’s no reason to have a service appointment.
Management at this location needs better customer service training.