Apple Regent Street — Attraction in London

After over 10 years with Samsung, I made the switch to Apple thinking I’d get a better phone and, most importantly - a better service. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I bought the iPhone 15 Pro as soon as it came out — and convinced my dad to do the same. We spent over £2,600 between us. A massive mistake.

The phone has been nothing but trouble. And please mind - my father and I had it for 1.5 years now. The most ridiculous issue? The alarm volume changes by itself — sometimes down to 6%, 13%, or even zero — despite me setting it high every night. It’s made me late to work more than once. Even worse, the first alarm often doesn’t make any proper sound at all. I’ve been to the Regent Street store three times about this alone, and all I get are vague excuses: “maybe the update did it,” “check your settings,” or worst of all — “buy a separate alarm clock.” Are you serious? After spending £1,300? And after trying to change various settings with different Apple employees on several occasions it keeps happening anyway.

And why is it still impossible to set a one-time alarm for a future date beyond a week? Most other phones have this — Apple can’t be bothered. There are too many issues this phone has - from overly complicated way of downloading files to “automated” updates that aren’t really automated when they’re due - but let’s not go into that now as it would take another separate review of this product while I’d like to emphasise the atrocious service of the Apple store itself.

So, the Regent Street store: the customer service is terrible. The only time they really cared was when we first walked in ready to spend thousands. Since then? You’re sent upstairs to the “Genius Bar,” where staff barely acknowledge you. No one offers help unless you chase them down. Most times they just try to push you to call the tech team yourself — even while you’re standing in the store.

If you’re lucky, you’ll be offered an appointment… for another day. Meanwhile, several employees just stand around chatting in the back like it was on Wednesday in that “genius” area. It’s clear they’d rather do anything else than actually help. Also, another thing I have a bad feeling about, at least based on my personal experience, (and I hope more people will read this) - when push comes to shove and you try to invoke your warranty rights due to some faulty thing with the phone - it a big “no” in reality, even if your warranty is still valid: they’d push you to attend their appointment after appointment as per their “procedures”, do the back up (omg it’s another painful undertaking) before they could take it and check it internally, push you to make countless calls to tech support before you can officially even talk about refund - and I am sure it’s all done with one sole purpose of tiring you when you just give up as you don’t have the will or the time to continue pursuing it - so they’d keep your money in their pockets…

Apple talks a big game about quality and service — but I’ve seen none of that. I regret the switch completely. The phone is unreliable and weird. The staff don’t care. And the support? Practically...

I recently visited the Apple Store on Regent Street, and unfortunately, it was a disappointing experience.

I stopped by on Tuesday with three separate issues involving two pairs of AirPods and a tag. Having been out of the country for a while, these problems had stacked up.

First, I was told there were no appointments available that day. I was also informed that I would need to book three separate appointments since that's how the engineers’ work is measured. I used the support app to book three closely timed appointments for Friday, but it wasn't straightforward. The app kept kicking me out, saying the appointments I selected were not available. After some time, I finally managed to book them.

Upon arriving at the Apple Store, the Genius greeter bluntly told me that I shouldn't have been allowed to book three appointments, despite being previously advised to do so. They mentioned something about protecting the store from businesses taking advantage.

I then sat at a table and had three different assistants help me individually with each issue. One assistant asked me to move tables, and before I could explain that I was already being helped, one of his colleagues just walked off. All in all I placed musical benches 4 times! My issues were missing AirPods from the case and two other issues that required replacements. Fair enough on all counts.

Up to this point, the service was not rude, but it was clinical and cold, with efficiency seemingly the top priority. Remember when Apple was famous for exceptional customer service and taking a long-term approach towards customer retention?

Between making the appointment and arriving, a fourth issue arose: my watch stopped holding a charge. The guy who looked at my AirPods was kind enough to get me an emergency appointment to check it out.

I then went downstairs to buy new AirTags, new AirPods, and paid for the missing ones. It was an expensive day out!

When I returned to address my watch issue, the experience was much more like the old Apple. A much friendlier and helpful assistant gave me various suggestions for a replacement watch since mine was nearly five years old and a battery replacement might not be worth it.

I am writing this review because Apple used to excel in customer service, leading the market and prioritizing long-term customer retention over short-term profits. I recall free replacements in the past for loyal customers using most of the Apple suite of products!

For now, it seems they’ve joined the bandwagon of vanilla service and an average experience (with the exception of...

London's Oxford Street is a shopper's paradise, and nestled amongst the iconic brands is a shining beacon of tech: the Apple Store. This isn't just a shop; it's an experience. From the moment you step through the grand entrance, you're enveloped in a world of sleek design and cutting-edge innovation.

Design and Atmosphere:

The first thing that strikes you is the sheer scale and beauty of the space. The interior is open and airy, with soaring ceilings and minimalist decor that perfectly complements the Apple aesthetic. Natural light floods in, highlighting the gleaming displays of iPhones, Macs, and Apple Watches. It's a truly immersive environment that invites you to explore and interact with the products.

Products and Availability:

Forget about frustrating stock shortages. This Apple Store is a treasure trove of all the latest and greatest Apple devices. Whether you're looking for the newest iPhone, a powerful MacBook Pro, or the innovative Apple Vision Pro headset, you're almost guaranteed to find it here. They even have the full range of Apple Intelligence products, showcasing the brand's commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology.

Staff and Service:

What truly sets this Apple Store apart is its exceptional staff. Every employee I encountered was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to help. They patiently answered my questions, offered insightful advice, and went the extra mile to ensure I had a positive experience.

Genius Bar:

Need help setting up your new device or troubleshooting a technical issue? The Genius Bar is your one-stop solution. The "Geniuses" are true experts in all things Apple, and they're always on hand to provide top-notch support. Whether it's a simple software fix or a more complex hardware repair, they'll get you back on track in no time.

Checkout Experience:

Even when the store is bustling with customers, the checkout process is seamless and efficient. Apple's mobile point-of-sale system allows staff to ring you up from anywhere in the store, minimizing wait times and ensuring a smooth transaction.

Overall Impression:

The Apple Store on Oxford Street is more than just a retail outlet; it's a destination. With its stunning design, comprehensive product selection, exceptional staff, and convenient services, it's a must-visit for any Apple enthusiast or tech lover. Highly...