Apple Mall of Georgia — Local services in Buford

So. I went into an Apple store for the first time today. I began a little perplexed. And it went downhill from there.

Rather than looking like any store I was familiar with, it looked more like a cafe that didn't serve coffee, which was rather disappointing.

I saw a wooden floor with a number of small square seats that looked like cubby holes you would see at a preschool, and they were all arranged like someone was about to read story time. (Story time also did not happen. No coffee. No stories. No check out. I'll get to that in a moment.)

So I see groups of people hanging out and mingling at long, rectangular tables and am wondering where the employees are. I circle around the tables of what looks like dozens of people just hanging out and talking. After a while, I notice that some of these people mingling like its a hipster bar with no beer (No coffee, no stories, and now no beer, despite all appearances. Seriously, it's like Apple thrives on empty expectations) are wearing black shirts with tiny Apple logos on them that I missed my first pass.

Either that's just a thing Apple fanatics wear, or I've finally discovered the elusive employees. I wander over and wait for any of them to make eye contact. Or acknowledge me in any way, as no one greeted me on my way in, and I don't see a counter or check out area anywhere. Spoiler, no one does.

After several minutes of this and my walking to numerous coffee and beer free tables, I finally stand right next to someone with the black shirt and tiny Apple logo for a few minutes and stare at them until they finally happen to glance my way. I'm only guessing they are an employee at this point as no one has confirmed nor denied this as yet. They don't speak or acknowledge my presence. Apple employees are apparently all cats in human disguises. So I just immediately ask where I can go to purchase something before they look away again. They point at a random employee and say "you can talk to the guy in the middle"

I walk to the guy in the middle.

He points me to the guy in the corner.

I walk to the guy in the corner.

He's talking with two more people and never looks up or over.

I still don't see a cash register. I pick up an item and wait another couple of minutes. Corner guy still never looks my way. I look at the back of the box of a set of wireless ear phones marked at $160. Ear phones. For $160...

(I imagine at this point, an Apple board meeting.

"What should we charge for this item?"

"Let's take whatever a moderate consumer would consider to be the upper end of acceptable pricing for an item like this, and triple that."

"Brilliant!")

I walk to another employee who seems to finally have an idle moment and I ask if I'm understanding the pricing correctly. He says yes.

I ask where the check out counter is. He points me back to corner guy.

I set down the air pods and leave the store, never to return.

I never felt more confused and out of place in my life, and I've been lost in a foreign country.

But the surreal experience did save me $160! So I'll call it a win.

And I think I'll be avoiding the surreal Apple negaverse...

Nestled in the heart of Buford, the Mall of Georgia stands as a colossal beacon of retail therapy, dining delights, and entertainment extravagance. With over 200 stores, it’s no wonder shoppers find themselves lost in a sea of choices, from high-end brands like Apple and Sephora to more budget-friendly options such as H&M and Old Navy.

Shopping Experience: Customers rave about the wide variety of stores available. Whether you’re on the hunt for the latest fashion trends, tech gadgets, or home décor, the Mall of Georgia has it all. The mall is clean, well-organized, and features spacious walkways, making for a pleasant shopping experience. The layout is intuitive, with directories conveniently placed to help navigate the expansive space.

Dining Options: The food court and surrounding restaurants cater to all tastes and preferences. From fast food staples like Chick-fil-A to sit-down venues such as The Cheesecake Factory, there’s something for everyone. Shoppers particularly enjoy the diversity of cuisine, with options ranging from American to Asian, and everything in between.

Entertainment: Beyond shopping and dining, the Mall of Georgia offers a plethora of entertainment options. The Regal Cinemas theater is a highlight, providing a comfortable and immersive movie-going experience. Families appreciate the children’s play area and the interactive fountain, which keep the little ones entertained.

Customer Service: Staff across the mall are frequently praised for their helpfulness and friendly demeanor. Security is visible and approachable, ensuring a safe environment for all visitors.

Parking and Accessibility: Parking, while ample, can be a bit of a hassle during peak times. However, the availability of valet service and strategically placed entrances helps mitigate this issue. The mall is also well-equipped for accessibility, with elevators and ramps making it easy for everyone to navigate.

Atmosphere: The overall atmosphere of the Mall of Georgia is lively and vibrant. Seasonal decorations and events add to the charm, making each visit feel unique and exciting.

Summary: In conclusion, the Mall of Georgia is a top-tier shopping destination that caters to a wide range of needs and preferences. Its extensive array of stores, diverse dining options, and robust entertainment offerings make it a beloved spot for locals and visitors alike. Despite minor inconveniences with parking, the overall experience is overwhelmingly positive, ensuring it remains a favorite go-to for a...

I dont even know where to start. This was by far the worst Apple Store experience I've ever had. I only come here when I have a need for repair and I've been an Apple user for well over 15 years now. I don't understand how their service keeps getting worse. I'll cut to the chase, their "Genius appointments" leave much to be desired. I spoke with two young employees who don't need to be anywhere need tech support roles. I came in with a dead phone due to it not being able to charge - that means it cannot recognize a power cable and thus the battery died. I was clear that the issue was likely with the charging port and/or the battery. I wanted to know my options for repairing the charging port/battery and possible replacement with an equivalent phone. Hopeful that the repair cost wouldn't be more than $200 for an out of warranty phone. Their version of tech support is to plug a dead phone to an iPad (that was at less than 50% charge I noticed) and attempt to run a diagnostic test. I let them do their thing and of course the test failed because the phone wouldn't power on. At no point did the techs think maybe they should look at the port to check for damage or debris. At no point did they ask probing questions to see how we got a dead phone. After five minutes they are trying to sell me on upgrading to a brand new device or paying nearly $600 to replace my iPhone XS with another XS that they likely don't even carry in store. I left the Apple store, walked around the corner to the third party iFix it spot and the guy was able to get my phone to connect to power in 2 seconds. The problem? My charging port needs replacement. I swear to god they hire people with no common sense at the Apple store. Don't bother coming in for "repair" because they no longer staff real technicians in the back. Apparently, they don't even send phones off to the factory for repair anymore, they just replace phones.

I want to give an update for anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation. The NON genius at the Apple store told me with a straight face my phone was "brain dead" because it would not power on. After the third party store was able to power it on I had confirmation I was right about the lightening port. I went online and ordered a replacement battery and port for less than $100 total from a different third party, watched a youtube video, and fixed the thing myself. My XS is fully functional and charging better than ever. Will never waste my time with Apple tech...