One Month With The Apple iPhone

First, A Quick Recap

In Part 1, I talked about my qualms with AT&T that have me missing Verizon’s superb service, and Part 2 discusses the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of my iPhone experience.Now, I’m pleased to bring you the conclusion of my first month’s experience with the much discussed Apple iPhone.

How Good Is Apple’s Service?

Apple knows how to please their customers. It’s just that simple.

For several days now the volume down button on the side of my iPhone has had a mind of it’s own. Unfortunately, it made using the phone incredibly frustrating. The volume level wouldn’t leave the screen, and turning the volume up was an exercise in futility as the phone would turn the volume back down whenever it was most inconvenient for me. Enough was enough, and it was time to see what Apple could do for me.

I called up Apple’s technical support and was weary of what kind of response I would get. My first job out of college was on a technical support helpdesk and I knew just how cheery my days were, but Apple’s techs surprised me. They quickly deemed that it was necessary for me to visit their “geniuses” and happily scheduled the appointment for me.

So I took a trek to my favorite Apple store in Shadyside yesterday evening and the service I received was just as I had hoped: top-shelf. While I was standing in the rather long line, I couldn’t help but feel like I was waiting to see the Wizard of Oz. Almost as if at any given moment a colorfully-dressed little man might pop his head out of a brushed aluminum door and tell me that the wizard was busy and to go away.

Give Your Customers Something To Rave About

Instead, I waited for almost an hour before my genius was available. The wait was worth it. He listened to me explain the problem, examined the iPhone for any tell-tale signs of misuse or free-falling plunges, and upon finding none, he exclaimed, “When was the last time you synced this with your computer?”

“Just yesterday,” I replied. I did so with the fear that I might have to part ways with my phone while it was sent to some foreign place, like Sandusky, Ohio, for servicing.

“OK, let me go get you a new phone,” and that was it. My troubles were now behind me. In minutes, my used iPhone (still fairly new) was packed away in a box, and out of another box it’s shiny new replacement emerged. The Apple genius, who through a series of Q&A proved that he had earned the title, placed my SIM card in the new device, and then took his customer service to the next level by transferring my protective screen cover from the old phone to my new phone. It was a nice way of saving me $15.

Why Am I Such A Mac Fan Boy?

My experience tonight is just one more reason why I am so happy with my switch to Apple a couple of years ago. They have the look, feel, and service of a company much smaller than their actual size. Whether you talk with an Apple representative on the phone, in the store, or online, you always feel like you are getting 100% of their attention while they’re assisting you. And more often then not, you are surprised with just how far they go to make sure you are happy.

Cary Hill, a Mac Genius from the Shadyside Apple Store, did exactly that. He was knowledgeable, personable, and enthusiastic about his job. If only everyone felt (or at least acted) like this in their job.

Carrying Over My Experience Into My Entrepreneur Journey

As my business ventures continue to grow I want to ensure that I provide my readers, users, and clients with the level of service that Apple provides their customers. That being said, if you’ve emailed me, left me a comment on my blog, or filled out the contact form: I’m working through writing the responses as quickly as I can, in the order that I’ve received them. This Internet entrepreneur will always be just a few clicks away.