We live about a mile away so we have stopped here before. Sometimes it is quite full and busy while other times not so bad. On Saturday (3 days ago) we went in as my Apple watch was well over 3 years old and I was experiencing it dying during work-outs. I do long runs....marathons and ultramarathons. I found the watch battery was dying around 4 hours of use. Because of the age, the fact we were entitled to an upgrade, and the battery issue I decided to get a new one.
We got to the store and the staff was busy helping other customers (about 5 people maybe 6). We gave our name and waited. We could tell there were three others in front of us but we looked around and played games on our phone. After about 20 minutes about 3 other customers cam in, gave their names, and also waited. Two people ahead of us were called for their turn and a salesperson came to wait on us. We told her that one other guy was ahead of us so she thanked us and went to help him. After a while she left him and came to us (she would occasionally check back on the guy before us....not sure what they were doing).
Anyway, we explained the battery issue and the fact I needed a new watch. She was nice and even let us update the account info (our son is a recent nurse and had some healthcare provider account that we all shared....we paid but it was in his name, but the salesperson helped us get listed as authorized account users).
She showed us the watches - I had a 10.3.1, Series 9, another model and the Ultra. I explained that I was fine with the size of the 9 that I had but was concerned about the battery. I specifically asked her what the difference was between the Ultra and the 9. She said "The Ultra is larger". I could see the case and it was thicker and larger but I asked was the battery life better. She said "no". I asked "So the only difference is the body size and width?" She said "yes". So I said "If when you said "larger" you meant memory size or battery size, I would go with the ultra but since there is no difference I'll stay with the same size." That was it. We paid the upgrade fee and agreed to a monthly charge on the cost.
It was delivered on Monday - real fast. I put the new watch on the charger (it came with no charge) and started getting on a Facebook running group that I frequent. My new watch came up and I was told I should have gotten the Ultra because it has the same basic functions runners need (GPS, pace, distance, time) but that the battery life was twice as long. I was shocked so I got onto Apple's website and compared the models. Sure enough, right there, it shows the Ultra lasts TWICE as long. The ONE and ONLY concern I expressed to the staff in this AT&T store was the battery life and my running!
So, I brought it back in the next day. I had only had this watch - selected based upon this store's salesperson's statements - for less than 24 hours. The store balked at the return but, after a manager was called, he agreed to exchange it for the Ultra if I paid the larger monthly cost (I agreed - no problem) AND a $55 dollar "restocking fee"!
I explained that this was unreasonable as we purchased the watch based upon what his employee stated. he didn't argue at all....just said that was their policy and if we had the watch in our hands for 60 seconds, walked out the front door, and handed it back we would still be charged a $55 restocking fee. He wouldn't budge and, to be honest, didn't even seem to care that his store tricked us in buying this model.
I am running 7 marathons, in 7 states, in 7 consecutive days starting in two days. In April, I am running the keys 100 mile ultramarathon from Key Largo to Key West (fifth time). In July I am attempting the 314 mile Vol State road race. Later this year, I am entered in the Salina Kansas Crossroads marathon, the Maine Marathon, and a "3 marathons, in 3 states, in 3 days" race (again - did it last year)....all with a watch that I purchased solely upon this store's employee's statements and representations.....and that will almost certainly die during EVERY one of those races.
We have been lifetime AT&T customers. Our entire house (tv, security, modem, alarm) run on AT&T. All family members use AT&T. My father was a lifetime AT&T employee (retired from Bell Corps Labs) and my mother-in-law worked AT&T and a baby bell.
Definitely one of the worse customer experiences we have had. read more