Lectric Avenue Electronics — Local services in Creston

BEWARE: Confused, hostile owner. Refuses legitimate returns.

I tried to return an unlocked phone, but the owner got confused, and thought it was a prepaid phone because it came with a Telus prepaid SIM card. Even though it's called "prepaid", the Telus prepaid SIM card doesn't come with a plan or any minutes, you can just use it to buy a pay-as-you-go plan and minutes if you want to. It's just an ad. What I bought was an unlocked phone; no plan or minutes came with the purchase.

When I told the owner that it wasn't a prepaid phone, he pointed at the box, which said "Prepaid SIM Card included", and told me it was a prepaid phone. When I explained that that the phone came with no plans or minutes, and that a plan was a separate purchase, he simply refused to believe me, and walked away from me while I was trying to explain.

When I kept trying to talk to him, he directed me to a sign taped on the front counter that said that the store did not accept returns on prepaid phones, and then turned his back to me and walked away again, which is very frustrating to have happen to you in a small, slow store. He couldn't even pretend he was needed anywhere, he just... walked from one end to the other, trying to ignore me.

When I tried again to explain that it wasn't a prepaid phone, he claimed that it was ordered as a prepaid phone, so, according to the rules, he had to treat it as one, and walked to a customer who had just come in to talk to them instead.

After waiting for him to talk to the other customer, I asked if there was anyone above him in charge of the rules I could talk to, and he told me that there isn't, because he's the owner, so he makes the rules. Then he stopped talking to me entirely, and tried to pretend I wasn't there, so I left.

This was an infuriating experience, especially since the owner has set himself up to be the only person that can accept returns. I tried to return the phone quickly, but in the brief hour I was gone he had left for two days, and was then repeatedly missing when I tried to get a hold of him again.

The staff seem friendly and helpful, but if you have to deal with anything important, you might have to deal with the owner, and if he doesn't know what he's talking about, or if he's just in a bad mood and wants to keep your money because he feels like it, then it's your problem, and it's going to cost you.

I don't recommend you go...

Made an appointment through Apple to have my phone screen replaced. It was cracked but phone was fine otherwise. Was there July 13, 2024. First thing that happened was the service guy told me I had to go home (to Nelson) to turn off "Find my iphone". I told him I lived in Nelson so it would be an hour and a half drive one way - he told me he's been to Nelson and it's a "hop skip and jump". Second guy told me that I could log on to any Mac in the store and do it. Left the phone for 3 hours - finally came back and they told me they fixed my screen and the phone was fine but one of the cameras wasn't working so it would probably be 3 days before they got the new one. I asked to take my phone - I could get the camera replaced another day at an Apple store when I went through Vancouver- they refused to give me my phone back because they had a ticket open. I had to call Apple - who agreed with me that they couldn't seize my phone - it was my property. Apple talked the guys at Lectric Avenue through closing the ticket so I could have my phone back. Got in the car to drive to Nelson and about 15 minutes into the trip the phone was too hot to hold. Turned it off, tried again at home - same thing - overheating to the point of being a fire hazard. Texted Apple - they ran a diagnostic and the display was faulty and could cause a fire. UGH - at least they offered me a new phone. So, Lectric Ave took my fully functional phone and turned it into a fire hazard, were rude and flat out ignorant of basic iphone functions, dismissed and trivialized their request that I would have to drive 6 hours for the phone repair as they envisioned it. I will NEVER go...

The service here is absolutely fantastic. A few weeks ago I came in to purchase a SIM card (right at closing), and their staff, Joe Bouchard, took the time to help me set it up right then. A few days later, I came back for a different issue and was assisted by another Joe who was lovely and gave me a free tool to help with opening my SIM tray. A week later, I was helped by Warren, who expertly installed a phone screen I'd purchased there — free of charge, just as they promised. Every interaction I've had with the team has been outstanding. They're incredibly competent, helpful, and genuinely kind.

They also had everything I needed in stock, which is impressive for a small-town store. On top of that, another tech, Ian, comes highly recommended by my neighbours — who are in their 80s. He's even made home visits to help them with their computer troubles. They rave about him and the good work he does.

I can't say enough good things about the team here. We're so lucky to have such an excellent group of service pros right...