Do not depend on Apple Care

In another forum, I mentioned Keri's iPhone went out when she was in Chicago last week. When she got back I made contact with Apple and a new iPhone is on its way to us. I doubt it will get here before Keri leaves tomorrow for London, but it should be here when she gets home. In the meantime, she is using my Samsung backup. It took a 15-minute phone call to get the iPhone changed out. This could have also been handled at an Apple Store, there is one in Virginia Beach, but getting an appointment takes longer than just contacting Apple directly. In all honesty, I have made contact with Apple several times now to get something fixed. I have finished that process happy with the service I received.

 

I have thenPro Max 11, bought it the first week it came out. It’s been flawless and best phone I ever owned(still have it). I pay for the insurance, and I’ve been told to call my carrier provider if any issues ever arises. I’ve tried dealing with Apple in the past for other phones and they where difficult to deal with. My carrier on the other hand, handle it professionally.

 

My experience is the exact opposite. A while back my iPad went wonky. I have my data on that device through T-Mobile. The device was still under full warranty but the clerk at the (COMPANY) store told me I had to go through Apple. I did, the issue was minor, but they replaced it anyway. I'm not attempting to be an Apple fanboi, I just have never had any issues dealing with Apple Service. Apple as a company yes, service? NO!

 

This is the thing. When we start talking about smartphones and tablets and the different companies that make them people have different experiences. The same can be said for the different cell carriers. Back in the early 2000s, I got royally peeved at I believe they were Cingular at the time. I switched my service to Verizon. Only to start having trouble with dropped calls and no service period in places like East Texas. When I asked a manager at the Verizon store why I got a reply Verizon can't be responsible for another carrier's cell towers. So I changed back to Cingular. Then after I moved to Virginia got a fantastic cell plan from Verizon. I have spoken to many people that have an on and off relationship with carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon. I was in Virginia Beach several years ago and run into a rude clerk at a Verizon store there. The Verizon Store I deal with I have never had an issue with them.

Now, I think my favorite smartphone was my HTC windows phone. Gosh, I loved that phone. Over time I simply wore it out.

I actually think it is wise to stay loyal to a carrier and device maker IF you can. Before we bought Keri's iPhone 12 both of us spent several days looking at reviews of that phone. I spoke to a person I know that manages a Best Buy in Georgia about that phone. Asking questions like what is the typical service complaint of that phone. Both of us felt confident about the purchase. Even after it died Apple took care of it. The tech that handled our call got the information and told me what was going to happen.

To be 100% honest I have no major issues with android and with other carriers. If Apple were ever to disappoint me I would have no issues going back to an Android phone or tablet. Further, I don't make decisions on these kinds of things just based on some jackleg being a jerk in a store or a service call. I will attempt to fix the problem first. Back before I moved to Virginia I was trying to get something changed on my plan. The person on the phone was being a Richard. I finally had enough and asked to speak to a supervisor. I had to wait for several minutes, but the supervisor got on the call and was nice, and working together we got my problem solved.

YES! There are some businesses I REFUSE to patronize. The majority is because their customer service is horrid and they refuse to fix the crap they sell. Then there are those businesses where I won't spend my money because of political reasons.

As too my preferences right now I am a happy iOS user. I use Verizon for my cell service and T-mobile for my iPad data. I am under no contracts and if I develop a problem ANY of these companies won't fix, I'm gone!

 

Verizon royally peeved me off as I described in an earlier comment. I stayed peeved off at them for many years after that. I am not 100% sure where this was, but I got stopped by a Verizon person and asked about switching oh I guess about 18 years ago. I looked at that person and made the cha-ching sound a cash register makes. Then said this is all Verizon cares about. Then after I moved to Hampton Virginia I started to notice problems with the AT&T tower that serves my residence. After months of complaining, I went to visit a Verizon store. because I had a phone that would work on the Verizon network I got service with them and tested the service. I still kept my AT&T phone during that test. Then when I saw Verizon was better for me I went back to that store and transferred my AT&T number to that phone, dropping my AT&T service. I did get angry at Verizon over their pricing for data, so I went to T-mobile and got a much better deal. I could have changed my voice to T-Mobile, but at the time several of my neighbors were using T-mobile and was not happy.

I have also had issues with Best But too. To this day I refuse to purchase PCs or phones from them. Best Buy to me is where I go if I need something very quick and can't wait for Amazon. For example, last year I needed a video card and had to have it that day.