Computer Solutions — Local services in Crestwood

There is a long version to this but I will just keep it relatively short so as to get to the point. I needed to upgrade the memory in my macbook pro (year 2012) and so I talked to Apple and they recommended three places as certified apple vendors or service companies. Computer Solutions, Micro Center and Mac Headquarters. I of course, like many of us went to the reviews to see which place would be best for me.

Computer solutions had a 5 star rating and the other two were lower (not low) but not 5 stars. So right there I decided this is where I am going. THis is an expensive computer and one I need working quickly and properly as I am a day trader and my tech is my living.

I called the location and told them what I needed. An upgrade of my memory from 4gb to 8gb as apple recommended that after looking at the computer. They said after that I would be all set and the computer would work well. So during our conversation they notify me that they would need to order the 8gb part but that they had a 16gb part. I was cautious and hesitant as I had not heard that once from apple neither did I see it on a self diagnostic I did on the computer to see what it would take. I confirmed atleast 3 times that this would work, that they knew exactly what part I needed and exactly what computer I had. I even read them the name of the parts that the diagnostic had come up with.

After a few minutes of that they assured me that it was fine and to come on in and so they gave me pricing and I had plans to go the next day. So I drive to this place, almost 45 minutes away from me because i wanted the best. I get there and it was a different technician from the one I spoke with on the phone. (And yes it was a technician who told me the 16gb would be fine, I wont mention names.)

This technician looks at my computer and at his and says what I was worried about already...."Apple doesn't recommend 16gb in this device." 8 is the highest you should go. They said you can "technically" put it in there but "it probably wont work" ....... seriously? So then the three of us are all just staring at eachother and they aren't offering immediate solutions on what to do. I told them that every minute in the morning especially that I am away from my computer its risky as I said I am a day trader. So the tech decides to go look and see if he can find a 8gb part. I wait for about 15 minutes before the receptionist decides to go see if he has found anything. Another ten minutes go by and he comes out with no parts, saying there arent any that they have.

At this point I am waiting for them to do something...anything to fix their mistake. But they are both just relatively silent looking at me for what to do and I say ok well I will leave my computer and you guys can overnight it here since this is your mistake. They proceed to tell me that because of the holiday that UPS or Fedex wont deliver it or that it would not be possible. Again....seriously?? UPS will deliver to your door the next morning if the price is right. So then they say well we have to wait for the person who handles shipping to return from lunch. And I am like..... what? And they say ya it shouldn't be more than another 15 minutes.....keep in mind not even to have a solution but just to ask her what to do. I ask them to call her. They dont. I wait another 10 minutes or so and just take my stuff and start going to my car saying this is unacceptable I confirmed over and over that you guys had the right part and knew what you were dealing with.

I get in my car about to leave and I see a lady walk up to the store and I ask if its her (again i wont use names) and she says yes. I tell her shortly what has transpired and then i say ill wait 5 minutes while they fill you in and come up with a solution. I have been here about an hour at this point. So they go and talk and she comes out to the car about 5-10 minutes later with two parts in her hand..... (wait they DO have 8gb parts???) It wont all fit in the post so putting the remainder of the review in the attachments (and no it didnt...

Several years ago I had attempted to add an SSD to an older MacMini as a primary OS drive and a one terabyte data drive. There were some reliability issues so I took it to CS and the did a fine job. However there was not the same experience when a memory chip went bad in my iMac. It would not boot up correctly. After messing around with my iMac I took it to CS and had them look at it. That's when things went bad. I am an advanced amateur photographer and I shoot a lot of RAW photos. So my iMac had 32gb of memory. That's what I wanted it replaced with.So instead of replacing the bad memory with two 16's, the tech replaced them with two eights giving me a total of 24. I even recalled talking to the tech about the cost of the memory that is pretty cheap. At no point did he say he had replaced the iMac with two eights. I noticed when I got it back home the spinning ball was present a lot more. I went in to About This Mac and discovered what they did to me. I immediately called CS and talked to one of the managers. and explained my dilemma. I should have brought the bloody computer right back and have them change it out on the spot. I do a lot of grandkid sports photos, so after being without a my primary computer for a couple of weeks really cramped my style. So I said I'd try it with 24 and see how it would work out. It didn't. I then wrote an email expressing my displeasure at their tech's incomplete repair. What I asked for was that they not charge me the extra sixteen gb's for my trouble and fix it on the spot. I didn't even get a reply. No attempt at any service recovery at all. None. So my advice to you all is to check your bill closely to make sure it was done. It is my fault for not doing so. Since I had a good experience initially I probably glanced at the bill and scribbled my name. MY VERY VERY BAD! But not even a form letter back, that is inexcusable. If I need help in the future, there are other...

I have always needed assistance when I purchase a new computer and its associated gear. I want help appraising what I need and what tech best fits my needs. I want help getting the new system up and running (which includes transferring files and cleaning up directories). I want coaching as to best operational practices.

I have been an Apple/Mac guy since the mid-80's. I still am but when the Apple Stores dropped their genius bars the services I listed above went away. Apples On Line and Phone assistance remains the best but the Apple Stores are little more than showrooms now with a sales staff.

Other places sell Apples/Macs but the competency of their staffs is always questionable. Several of the more trustworthy companies are long gone.

I got all the help I asked for at Computer Solutions. More importantly one of their staff spent significant time with me identifying my needs and then guided me through the options that would address those needs.

I was up and running with a MacBook Air in less that 24 hours after a short afternoon at their shop working with that same staff member who quickly brought the new computer AND me up to speed.

That staff member, Andrew Bader, guided me SO Well! This has been the best experience with a new computer that I have ever had.

A bonus.....he helped me clean up my old computer making it an ongoing asset.

I will go to them for all of my computer needs. Unfortunately, Apples are such good machines that they last for a long time so my future business with Computer Solutions is likely limited BUT I can recommend them to others for...