Apple Barton Creek — Local services in Austin

Hi guys - This post is more to help people with Airpods issues and a "buyer beware" type thing for those dealing with certain Airpods issues, and how Apple has been acting unethically with those. I had bought a new pair of Apple Airpods about 6 weeks ago off Amazon. From day 1, they were having "strange" issues. For starters, one Airpod would die before the other. Then, I started realizing that they both would be dead "in the case".. as in, they would just drain battery without use. Then, I noticed the other Airpod would not charge without being wiggled around. Just a sleu of issues, within the first month. Anyways, I called Apple support and they said that I could send them in and they would just send out a new pair, but to just expedite that, go into Apple store they would just exchange them out - Simple as that. So I get to the Apple, and I explain the situation. they did the whole "apple thing" an ask you to describe the issue. So I did just that. She then takes the Airpods, looks at them for about 1-2 seconds and says this - "Right away, I can tell their is damage of them item" and went on to explain that there was water damage on the golden colored "leads" where they charge. She said there was a green discoloration. I looked at what she was talking about, and I kid you not (I have 20/20 perfect vision and no glasses) -- there was absolutely no discolored green like she said. I have had them the entire time and can tell you with absolute certainty, these have never seen any liquid damage at all whatsoever. I have pictures but was just too lay to upload. Within a minute she started going through all these repair options and I cut her off and said "are you serious?". I saw no discoloration and she was trying to pull a fast one on me, to probably fulfill some sort of return or apple care sales quota. It was frankly, ridiculous. Once she put her notes int he system ,even management couldn't help me. I ended up calling amazon and getting a full refund on the product and returned them - Funny, how amazon has ethical customer support but not apple. Anyways, I wanted to highlight this for anyone with Airpods issue: If you want a complete return with no questions asked by Apple, just wash your Airpods clean before you go in, and take pictures of them, so you have proof that there is nothing on them at all, and tell them that, so they cant pull a fast one and put it in the system. Just make them look squeaky clean and be clear with the employees, "they have no water damages, I have all pictures of them" etc.Also tell hem that they cannot make the water damage distinction legally without actually testing them, which they don't do for AirPods I found out. There is no diagnostics kit. Better yet, just do the options they give you on the phone and don't do a physical return in the store. Lastly, if you have to, just buy a new pair on Amazon and put your broken ones in the case. Hit apple in any way you can. The lack of ethics on the people in the store to try and get you to upgrade to apple care or whatever is just ridiculous. Good...

I normally find any occasion to visit the Apple Store a stressful event - especially in their location at the Domain. But when my laptop spazzed out after a software update and got stuck in recovery mode for 12+ hours and I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning trying every solution known to the internet to no avail, Apple Barton Creek was the most wonderful lifesaver! I was pleasantly surprised to be able to get a same-day Genius Bar reservation, looking into it around 9 am and scheduling for 11:45 am! (On 4/7/21.)

I was in a pessimistic mood, fully believing that this was the end for my almost-a-decade-old MacBook and that this would turn into a costly day. Immediately upon arrival, though, associate Geoffrey's positivity was so infectious that I couldn't not smile! Geoffrey greeted me with the friendliest attitude possible, got me checked in to my reservation, and ushered me through temperature checks and hand sanitizing while I waited and nearly a week later, I am still so struck by his impact!

Another associate noted a few more details about my Mac's situation and within 3 minutes or so, Brandon the Mac specialist arrived, introduced himself, and escorted me into the store to our socially distanced work area. Not only was I impressed by the generous space left between us by the tables where we sat, but also by the provision of hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes readily available (and used) for devices! Brandon himself was so reassuring that my laptop would make it, walked me through all of the steps he took, gave me his recommendations and listened thoughtfully to my counterproposals, and we moved forward accordingly. Ultimately I ended up checking my laptop in for repair, leaving the store, and returning to pick it up in pristine condition within 2 hours. Back to Brandon, though, I want to express how much I appreciated his expertise, his authentic listening, and his pleasant conversation. Above all else, as a young woman with little tech fluency, I most appreciate how Brandon was able to explain every aspect of the process and the what-ifs in earnest, without condescension or man-splaining.

What started as a routine evening back-up and update gone horribly wrong and manifested into a sleepless night of frustration and sour morning of negativity was transformed by both Geoffrey and Brandon at the Barton Creek Apple Store. Management: take note, as these are two shining stars on your staff! Geoffrey's approach customer care and Brandon's well-imparted expertise are invaluable and should be acknowledged as such! Thank you both for turning that terrible, horrible, no good, very bad morning into such a positive day with your kindness and...

I have no idea what is going on at Apple retail but they have begun to hire just about any Apple fan/user that will say the most obvious thing when asked a question. About 90% of the employees at the store have little-to-no knowledge on all the products there. The Genius Bar is even worse. This is barely a speck of what Apple retail was a decade ago which is a shame since they had the best retail experience.

Screens broken? Well, you should buy a new phone. iPhone buggy? Well have you upgraded to iOS 11? I went in to get an Apple Pencil replaced due to an error in Apple’s manufacturing and the guy said I had to just replace it and pay for the new one when I know that Apple has been replacing them for people at no charge. Instead of getting irritated at the employee I walked out and exchanged it through the mail.

TIP: Before you go, know everything! Do not go there to ask questions about a product... especially technical ones. You could end up purchasing something you didn’t need.

3 stars because it’s a good experience if you just walk in, buy what you want, and leave.

Old Review (5 Stars): After the remodel the store can now handle the amount of people that need to go to the Apple Store, it was too crowded before. Exchanges and returns are a breeze, most employees are nice, but most employees don't learn about all of the products being sold at the stores. I understand that if theres a brand new fitness tracker that there aren't going to be too many people going to get it on the first day it arrives in the store but the employees should know of the new products coming in just in case. The store is always clean and nicely lit. They mostly always have the products that...