Apple Willowbrook — Local services in Wayne

Apple Review: A Nightmare of Incompetence, Broken Promises, and Waste of Time

I’ve been a loyal Apple user for years, but my recent experience has completely shattered any trust or respect I had for the company. What should have been a straightforward screen replacement turned into an absolute fever dream—an endless loop of incompetence and excuses, wrapped in corporate nonsense.

I went to the Apple Store four separate times to get my phone’s screen replaced. Every single time, I was crystal clear: I DO NOT WANT DATA LOSS. My photos aren’t just files—they’re irreplaceable memories, deeply sentimental, and absolutely vital to me. Yet each visit ended with the same frustrating line: “There’s a chance of data loss, and we have to reset your phone.” For a broken screen. Seriously? The memory is internal. How on earth does swapping out a screen require wiping your entire phone? It’s basic tech knowledge. It feels illegal how they operate, but unfortunately, they’re too big to go under—though I’m holding out hope.

Each visit wasted 2-3 hours of my life and a ridiculous amount of gas. I’m not an electronics genius, but I’m also not dumb enough to buy the story that a simple screen fix has to erase my data. This felt like a bad nightmare or some fever dream where logic was suspended. Apple’s refusal to actually fix the screen without resetting the phone isn’t just incompetence—it’s a blatant disregard for customers.

To make matters worse, Apple doesn’t just passively discourage you from third-party repair shops—they actively frown upon and go out of their way to tell you they don’t recommend it. They tried to make places like FLEX FIX PHONE REPAIR in Livingston sound sketchy or untrustworthy, even though FLEX FIX is the store to go to if you need anything repaired. Not only did they fix my screen in under 10 minutes with zero data loss, but their communication blew Apple out of the water. When I called FLEX FIX, someone picked up immediately and sounded extremely confident, knowing exactly what I was talking about—a huge plus in customer service. They even called me back promptly, keeping me updated every step of the way. Contrast that with Apple’s hours of wasted time, broken promises, and headaches.

And just when I thought it couldn’t get worse, Apple tried to upsell me on the latest products that wouldn’t even help my situation. Their solution was basically: “We can’t fix your phone without wiping it, but hey, why not buy a brand-new model instead?” What a joke. This whole ordeal was a nightmare from start to finish.

The whole thing felt like an enormous waste of time and money, and an insult to anyone who values their personal data. Apple’s repair policy is broken, their service is a joke, and their customer loyalty is a myth. They’ve turned into a company that profits off customer frustration and ignorance rather than genuine support.

I’m done. After years of loyalty, I’m switching away from Apple. This experience opened my eyes to how deeply flawed their system really is. They could learn a lot from smaller, more competent repair shops that actually care about their customers. Until then, Apple is a joke, and I strongly recommend anyone thinking about buying or repairing their devices to reconsider.

Do better, Apple. Because right now, you’re just a corporate nightmare masquerading...

God only knows I haven’t visited the Apple Store in several years because I take care of my iPhone 11. My reason of visiting Apple Store was because I didn’t have no Network connection all day. I check with T-Mobile and they suggested to reset the network settings. I did exactly what was told of me to do. My network status came back worse with “service error” and “SOS”top right corner. No service unless i connect to Wi-Fi. I appreciate that I was able to see a technician without an appointment. The technician excused herself to take the phone for a diagnostic test in the back room as I waited For her to come back. My curiosity Lead me to the accessory Wall and I saw something very amazing and interesting with accessory which I couldn’t read or See exactly what the packaging said because I am not able to see from far. I didn’t think it would be an issue to grab an accessory and read the label however, an employee… I think his name is Terry or Gary approach me not so much politely not even welcoming. Telling me if I would like to see the accessory“I can walk across the room to see it on display”. Soon after he stood guarding the accessory wall.. To me, I felt like he thought that I was going to STEAL!!!. His approach wasn’t warm felting, as he was very serious and look serious. then continued to eye me with a mean demeanor after walking off. I FELT SO EMBARRASSED AND SO SAD. I DECIDE TO SIT DOWN NOT TO GIVE ANYONE THE WRONG IDEA. CONTINUE TONWAIT FOR THE TECH TO COME BACK. OBVIOUSLY WITH BAD NEWS! Technician came back and said the diagnostic test on the phone failed and there’s an issue with the “radio frequency”, and the “Antenna” not connecting to my phone. and the Super sad part about it my AppleCare just expired not too long ago. I am not trying to give my life story, but I had a long CRAPPY day, my bank account was hacked two weeks ago still recovering and waiting for that, my car needed a part which was expensive. And obviously among other adult responsibilities to take care of. The technician said I would have to trade in the phone, The credit Will go towards a new phone $425. It might not be a lot for some people but to me it’s a lot as I do everything in life alone.!!! I appreciate the technicians help, however didn’t appreciate the other associate. My day was crappy as it is And he had Made it worse by assuming or treating me as if I’m capable to do a thing. I worked for Sprint for 10 years of my life. I even applied to Apple. I know customer service and that wasn’t it, if he had more customers Friendliness could’ve Took it a more positive But it wasn’t. I’ve been a sales rep and I understand employees get frustrated when customers tend to Mess up displays. But that comes with the job! there’s always a way to approach someone about it and that wasn’t it! I feeling horrible as it is, tha I couldn’t get my phone repaired or replaced and wasn’t Even to long ago that my apple care expired! anyways With this being said After more than 10 years of using Apple products! I’m done! To pay $425 to get the same phone Is ridiculous to me! It’s ridiculous how They don’t repair phones anymore. I guess I’m not a Apple consumer no longer, I can’t afford it. but I’m sure I was stereotype even more after leaving with no new phone or a...

My experience in the Apple store today was absolutely terrible. It started with a scheduled 12:45 appointment. I had to wait 10 minutes, that was not that bad. Here is the bad parts. I was greeted by a young woman named Margarita. She noted the cracked screen on my I-phone and told me that she would repair it, I said OK. I also said that I wanted to get a screen protector on my phone because that was damaged as well. Margarita told me that she does not do the screen protections and that I can get the screen protection put on when I go back to the Apple store to get my phone. I mentioned to her that I wanted to get the phone fixed and the screen protector put on at the same time so when I arrive to pick up my phone it will save me time. She again said "I do not do the Screen Protections". I said I know that what I am requesting of you is that when you are done repairing the glass on my phone to just hand my phone over to the person that does the screen protection. She said AGAIN "I do not do the screen protections" I said again I understand that, please do not say you don't do screen protections again. I don't even want you to do the screen protection on my phone if you are telling me you don't do it. All I am asking you to do is when you are done repairing my phone to pass it on to the person who does the screen protecting. Then she asked me if I wanted her to call a manager. I said no, look I think I am asking a very simple request of you and Apple a technology company known for its efficient time management to make this process efficient for me, I just want to get everything done who whomever does the work so when I come back to pick up my phone everything is done. She agreed. Not so as it was later determined. Then I told her that I wanted to pay for everything right now, she said I don't have to pay now. I said I want to pay now so that when my wife arrives to pick up my phone she can just take my phone and leave. Margarita who to me seemed to just be in her own little world was in my opinion confused by my simple request to pay Apple sooner than later. When my wife arrived to pick up my phone she had to wait 10 minutes for someone (that is not a problem for us) for someone to ring her up. Turns out Margarita forgot to charge me $32 dollars which I would of gladly paid initially then my wife had to wait another 10 minutes for them to find someone to put the protector onto put the protector on my Phone - EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TRYING TO AVOID IN MY COMMUNCIATIONS WITH MARGARITA. In short I am very disappointed in the Apple organization for setting up this inefficient system and I am very disappointed in the staff of Apple specifically Margarita who again I feel was in her own little world, consistently didn't listen to what I the customer had to say, kept repeating that she didn't install the protector on the phone, agreed reluctantly to pass on my phone to the person that did do the phone protection and didn't do that. Terrible experience today. I am very...