the    sides

I’m on my way to the Genius Bar yesterday and I had what I thought was a fit of inspiration.

I have a friend here in town that is a Mac Guru. He had some desktop issues but got it fixed in like 3 days. I called him on my way. He told me about a place called MicroSystems in Aurora.

I head over there. It didn’t open until 10. Which means I have to make a decision - either punt MicroSystems and go to my 9.45 appointment at Apple OR punt the appointment see what MicroSystems has to offer.

I decided to risk MicroSystems. Got online, rescheduled my appointment with the Genius Bar and that’s when the first hint of trouble started. The next available appointment was Thursday (today) after lunch.

No worries. I know that once I hand my laptop over to Apple, it’s gone for at least a week. So the allure of only being down for 3 days….very strong.

Then the doors opened. I met Rick or Roger or Robert. In short…he was a jerk. It wasn’t just what he said…it was how he said it.

“Well, the earliest one of our techs can get to look at your laptop is 5 to 6 days.” (I’m the first customer of the day and it’s hard to believe this guy is already tired and put out. But he is.)

“Okay, so the turn around for fixing it is what … 7 days?”

“No. (Said like - “you stupid idiot) Once we find out what is wrong with it then we ship it out to get it fixed. That alone will take 2 weeks. So, let’s tag your laptop and get it in line.”

“Uhhh…let me get this straight. The earliest you can look at my laptop is in 5 or 6 days and in the meantime it sits on a shelf here in your store? Then I have to wait another two weeks on top of that for it to get fixed?”

Long pause like - “Are you deaf and dumb?” “Yes.”

“Not hardly.”

So I grab my laptop and start packing up and the next line he says is completely how they train their workers because I laughed out loud when he said it.

“Well, we glad to be of service to you, hope you have a great day.” Said in Ben Stein mono-tone.

I froze just looking at him.

“Ummmmm….. I guess I’m supposed to say ‘thank you’ right?”

And I walked out.

Back at the Apple Store, there is a crazy bunch of people. This nice lady walks up to me - “Can I help you, sir?”

So I told her that I had an appointment, canceled it and now was wondering if they had a standby line.

“You can do that but it’s going to be at least an hour and a half, probably 2 hours. Do you live close to here?”

Yes.

“Let me make you an appointment for tomorrow - save you some time.”

Already did that.

She confirmed my appointment, shook my hand and said - “We’ll see you tomorrow.”

I laughed - “You working tomorrow?”

“Yep. I’m the store manager.”

She was working the floor just like everyone else. She had the same uni as the rest of the team. And she was happy to be there.

Now if they only start serving drinks and live music.