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Apple Store Natick Collection
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Allison R. said: "I found myself at the Collection this past weekend and in desperate need of a glasses adjustment. Sometimes they just feel funny! I walked in to find the funny woman I always see there (should have gotten her name off her name…" read more »
21 reviews for Apple Store Natick Collection
Review Highlights
"you've gotta love the genius bar."
(in 6 reviews)
"...but make sure you make an appointment first if you're..."
(in 4 reviews)
"Thank you so much to Bob and Amy."
(in 3 reviews)
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21 reviews in English
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Review from Ran D.
Bolton, MA
12/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is the closest apple store near me, and I'm a devote apple user, blindly in fact. Not sleeping in the mall devoted, but devoted none the less.
So here is a huge tip for all the Yelpers out there about Apple stores. Make sure you really need to come here. The Istore is like a great Apple Zoo where you can play with their toys, or go onto other people facebook pages that they never logged out of, and post inappropriate updates.
Aside from that, I just got my 16 gig Iphone4s at Walmart for less then the price of the 8 gig at the Istore? How dose that work? -
Review from Vivz C.
Framingham, MA
1/12/2012
I had my first Genius Bar experience today and I was incredibly pleased. Not only did Aaron, the "Genius" assigned to help me, have a great positive attitude (at 9 in the morning), he was incredibly helpful. He was able to answer all of the questions I had, although he wasn't able to tell me what had happened to my iPad that caused it to have issues. But the important thing is that he was able to resolve the issue for me. So far, so good. (Knock on wood!) The best part was no service charge for having them diagnose and resolve my issue.
Previous experience at this store though has disappointed me. A few months ago, my mother and I were looking for an iPad for my father. If you've ever passed an Apple store, you know that no matter what time it is, it is usually pretty bustling inside. This particular day was no different. However, the sales associate didn't seem to have the time or desire to want to really help me. She told me they didn't have any of the iPads that we were looking for in stock. Understandable. They were a hot commodity at the time. I asked if she could call the Chestnut Hill store to see if they had any in stock before we took the ride out there. Her response was a blunt "No." I worked many years in retail and whether I felt like it or not, I always offered to call another store to see if they had the product in stock. The customer will remember an associate going above and beyond and will typically become a repeat customer. Unfortunately for this location, they have lost my business twice to the Chestnut Hill location and will continue to unless their service improves. -
Review from Julie S.
Philadelphia, PA
11/11/2011
I am a recent Apple convert, love the products and have been to a number of Apple stores, so am familiar with what to expect, but had a crappy experience here.
I was having a docking issue with a newly purchased iPod classic and when I approached one of the sales associates to ask for help, he couldn't offer any assistance. He basically threw up his hands and told me "no one really buys these anymore." Totally unhelpful and frustrating. I was able to get my question answered at the Bose store in the Natick Collection, where a sales associate took the time to listen, said he didn't have a product to help solve the problem but suggested some work arounds.
The Apple store can do better than this. -
Review from Kristin S.
Framingham, MA
8/14/2011
I recently moved back from CA and on the trip back my Dell computer crashed and the hard drive was what survived. I was upset until Matt Lavoie, who had more than helped my mother with a new Apple computer, told me that he would transfer my data from Dell to her old Apple. Not more that a few weeks later, something happened to my "newish" computer and I brought it in only to find out that the hard drive was damaged. I was upset thinking I lost all my work on the hard drive until Matt Lavoie came up and told me they could again transfer my data from old hard drive (I had forgotten about) to the now replaced hard drive.
He and his team were more than helpful in assisting my mother and I with this process and I highly recommend If you shop at this location ask for Matt Lavoie! -
Review from Eric W.
Maynard, MA
10/24/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Love apple! Just wish the vast majority of the new generation customer (all you baby boomers!) could get on bored with 21st century business methods..haha, YES you need to reserve the phone to ensure its in stock, and YES you still need to wait in line after you make a reservation its that simple! I waited in line for an hour being forced to listen to all those complaining around me..buy online if you dont want to stand IN LINE. Okay, I am off my soap box now. Love you Apple!
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Review from Jenna S.
Brighton, MA
8/15/2011
I will never go to another Apple store. This store, by far, has the best service, all thanks to Bob the store manager. This past weekend (tax free) my mac charger stopped working. Not knowing it was tax free weekend I went to the store and to my surprise there was a HUGE line. It was very important that I get the charger as I needed my laptop for work, After walking around a bit I found Bob and he got me the help I needed immediatly. What could have been a disasterious trip to Apple ended up being the best customer service I have had in a long time. Thank you so much to Bob and Amy!!
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Review from Gwen F.
Buffalo, NY
Updated - 4/5/2009
I hate to do this, considering that I have had many, many positive experiences here (to be fair, please read my previous review). Still, today's encounter left a bad enough taste in my mouth that I had to reluctantly knock off some stars.
Apple recently replaced my defective Macbook with a newer one, which I thought was pretty stellar of them (I did pay the difference for the upgrade). They were also kind enough to take care of the data transfer from one machine to the other, even though I had a backup of my data on a hard drive knocking around somewhere in my closet.
So far, so good. Great, actually. I was really pleased with the way my problem was handled, and made sure to give them a great review.
When I picked up the new laptop, I was also given back my old defective one. I figured maybe it was beyond refurb, and they had no use for it. I figured they knew what they were doing.
Three days ago (a Thursday), they called and told me that they had made a mistake, and they wanted my old laptop back. Ok, fine. I told the manager that I would drop it off either Friday (the next day) or over the weekend. All was hunky dory and we hung up.
I noticed on my caller ID that the Apple Store called a couple more times but didn't leave messages. That was sort of weird.
Today (Saturday, which is exactly in the middle of the time window I gave the manager) looked good for the drop off. As I was brushing my teeth before leaving for the Apple store, I happened to listen to my answering machine.
It was the store manager at Apple again, calling earlier in the day. Just a 'friendly' reminder that they need the Macbook. But this time he also threatened to charge thirteen hundred dollars to my credit card if he didn't get the laptop back. What?
Hold on. I said the thing would be returned over the weekend. And that's exactly what I was doing. You know, dropping it off on Saturday. Like. I. Said.
So what's with the ransoming of my credit card, eh?
It was Apple's mistake, giving me the laptop. I was very nice and said I would make the 30 minute trip in my free time (also wasting money on gas, tolls, etc.) to help them correct this mistake. It wasn't even a big deal until the dude pulled a Patty Duke and got all twitchy. There was no need to threaten charging my credit card when I wasn't even late returning the thing. Hey Apple - customers don't like threats. This customer especially.
As I had planned, I headed to the Apple store, laptop in hand. Since this was a big enough deal to have the manager call my house multiple times, I wanted to make sure that the machine was in his hands and that he witnessed that I had brought it back (exactly when promised).
I asked to speak with him specifically by name, but the manager was apparently "too busy" to see me, and sent someone else in his stead. Which was kind of insulting. It's ok for him to phone me many times to help correct a problem that wasn't my mistake, but he can't even take the time to talk to me when I show up? Please.
I'm sitting here, shaking my head. I wouldn't have blinked at all if it had just been left to that first call. The laptop would have been returned today anyway, and I wouldn't have touched this review. Again, much like with the Chestnut Hill store, it's the attitude I was given that sent the whole thing into the toilet.
I will point out though, that my problems all lay with that particular manager. The rest of the staff, both sales and Genuis Bar, have been nothing but kind and helpful. Kind of a bummer that this one guy had to mess things up.
Next?Listed in: Sailing on the Failboat
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/24/2009
No really, not all Apple stores are created equal. The one in Chestnut Hill treated me like...well,… Read more »
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Review from Kim O.
Worcester, MA
4/5/2011
My husband & I were here today for issues I was having with my iPhone. Going in I knew I no longer had a warranty covering the phone & anticipated a problem. All staff members we encountered were very friendly & helpful. Much to my surprise the employee who helped us directly was extremely understanding. He tried fixing the phone & when he was unsuccessful he asked for his managers approval to replace the phone with a newer version. Without any further questions asked I walked away with the new phone. We were both extremely impressed with our visit today. Job well done!
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Review from Daniel L.
Boston, MA
2/23/2010
Over the 10+ times I have visited this store, the variety of experiences I had there just average out to a "meh" 3-star rating. There's nothing exceptionally good or bad about this Apple location.
Here's the good. Everyone does it ... I often stop in while at the mall to check email, sports scores, traffic, weather, etc on the demo Macbooks. I never get any flak for being on the computer too long especially during busy weekend days. I usually get a hello or some form of greeting upon entering the store. Of the few Genius Bar staff members I have dealt with, I think Ray (tall with dark rimmed glasses?) has consistently been the most informative, straight-forward and helpful.
Here's the not-so-good. Not all the Genius Bar people know what they are doing. Some of them just aren't very customer friendly, and I suspect that they talk down to women who come into the store with computer problems. Case in point: my girlfriend came into the store by herself with a Macbook issue. I came into the store about 15 minutes later. As soon as the Genius Bar guy saw me walk up, he perked up and changed his body language. Later, my girlfriend told me that she definitely noticed a difference in the way she was being treated before and after I was in the store. Hmm ... I'm not a big fan of computer techs glossing over details just because a particular customer doesn't appear to know much about computers. Now I'm not saying this behavior is true of ever GBar tech, but it certainly shouldn't be tolerated. -
Review from Beth E.
Medford, MA
12/4/2008 1 Check-in Here
Tried to stop in one Friday afternoon to see a genius about the bum battery in my laptop. Showed up at like 3, was told that the next available appointment wasn't until 7 or so. No thanks, I don't have 4+ hours to wait around. Figured that since it was the middle of the afternoon, that it might be clear. Not so much.
So, I made an appointment for Sunday morning, and met with my genius, Eric. Luckily, the laptop didn't start behaving like a car when you take it to the mechanic and everything works perfectly. Bum battery was still broken, and I had myself a new one lickety split. Eric answered all my random questions, cleaned my baby for me, and gave me his card so I could come back and see him if I was still having trouble. So far, my laptop is functioning as such, not like the portable desktop it had been when I needed it to be plugged in at all times.
The store, like most Apple Stores I've been in, is fairly barren, but just ask for what you want and someone will bring it to you. On the fly credit card swiping makes purchasing quick, and hey, they'll even email your receipt to you.
Love the Apple, but make sure you make an appointment first if you're looking for a genius, there are apparently a lot of stupid folks out there needing help. ;-) -
Review from Ellen L.
Shrewsbury, MA
1/24/2008
This store annoys me. There's no cashier wtf. I walked in the store and was just plain annoyed and confused. Turns out that everyone walks around carrying a self pay station basically. Which, is a great idea, if the stores were consistent about it! I hate having to ask people for directions on something like that because it just seems idiotic. Plus if you're paying cash or check, there a real cashier you need to see.
Every time i've been in here, it's abosolutely packed and impossible to get to anything. And even more impossible to get someone to help you (even if you're totally set on exactly what you want and just need to give them a credit card to deal with it!)
I love apple products because they're so easy to use and intuitive! I used to be a strictly PC/non-apple person back in the day, but ever since I got my powerbook 4 years ago, i really realized how much easier their devices are to use. Of course it requires some getting used to because a pc is just sooo much more customizable.
The genius bar is the first i've been to that was actually on schedule. This makes me very hopeful because 80% of my apple store visits are related to the genius bar. Usually other locations are at least 30 minutes behind schedule. It almost makes fixing a device not worth it.... -
Review from Ben L.
4/17/2009
UPDATE: STAY AWAY. Doesn't Yelp have a 0 star rating?
I had trouble updating this, because the Mac store broke my computer. Suffice it to say, after my first impression (below) it took me 6 more visits to the store before they provided me with a new computer. I went in with a working laptop that had a minor cosmetic flaw; and came out with one that didn't work at all. The final resolution worked out ok (I just had to come in at 7 a.m. before my flight to pick up the new computer so they could transfer files overnight; and they cost me time with my family and friends, whom I will not see for another 8 months) but the path to get there was extraordinarily painful.
To top it off, their tech manager was condescending and rude. I have never been treated so poorly as a customer, and I hope I never employ someone so poor at customer service.
ORIGINAL REVIEW (First Impressions):
Bought my Mac here and haven't been very happy with them all in all. First, I had the sales guy tell me all sort of things that weren't true about their products. Luckily I researched them on my own and was able to make my own decision; but the representative of the company had not a clue. Then they couldn't get me the software I needed (they brought out something different than what I had asked for, charged me, and when I said, "I was looking for the new creative suite software" they said, "well I thought this would be close enough." At least they refunded me.
Fast forward one year, and I am sitting outside the store right now. Brought my computer back because the casing is slowly cracking away. I arrived to get a whole little speech about how I should really make an appointment ahead of time. Not a great first impression; and now I am sitting here waiting because they won't just take the computer in for a basic repair without me standing there to watch. -
Review from Christopher S.
Newton, MA
5/21/2009 1 Check-in Here
I go to the Apple Store's Genius Bar with my Macbook that is under a year old. I was inquiring about it's performance and wanted to get a better idea if upgrading the RAM was the best route to go to increase speed. All my previous computer have been Apple desktops and being new to Apple laptops I wanted to make sure I got good advice from the makers.
Being Mac Geniuses I figured they would be as good as calling support but faster since I had an appointment with a real person. I was surprised even though my name was on the board others still went ahead of me. I checked in at the suggested time and waited for about 10 minutes into my appointment before I got called.
My "genius" was a 50-year-old middle aged man who resembled Gary Valentine from tv's King of Queens. Even though I explained my situation carefully I still felt he didn't understand what I was asking. We talked for about 20 maybe 30 minutes before he told me I had to move along because other customers were waiting. Excuse me? There is a time limit? No one told me.
I didn't want the session to end, I still had a few questions but didn't want to feel rushed into buying $200.00 of RAM. So, I decided to just say okay and walk out dissatisfied. A couple weeks go by and I still want more RAM but don't want to pay the cost of a fancy cell phone. I decide to go to http://apple.com/support and search the "Communities" forums. What a huge different! Like Yelp! members can post discussions, share advice and experience. There I was able to find the exact information I needed and got reviews for online store that sell Apple hardware/software for way, way, way less. I got my RAM for only $63.00 and it works great!
There are plenty of other options than going to the Genius Bar at Apple. Don't waste your time these people are not as trained as you expect. Having a t-shirt with a Apple logo don't make you smarter. Just more trendy. -
Review from Vincent M.
Brookline, MA
11/10/2010 1 Check-in Here
what a huuugggeee store! And on top of that, this place is well staffed. Came here on a Friday night to be greeted by a whole bunch of MacStaff looking to pry my hard earned money out of my wallet in exchange for a glorious iProduct. They failed though! I just wanted to look at the new Macbook Air... how pretty!
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Review from Kevin S.
Wrentham, MA
10/25/2010
Was having a problem with my iPhone4 where I couldn't hear anyone in the other end of a call. Decided to go down to ask about it in my lunch break. Had to wait a half hour for a support guy appointment which was no big deal (I ate at the food court). The tech took my phone out back and fiddled with my phone for a bit before deciding it was probably a hardware problem. So, with no questions asked he swapped my busted phone with a brand new one (which I'm using to draft this review)! I was amazed how simple the process was. Thanks Apple... you aren't as evil as they say you are.
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Review from Mandy L.
Framingham, MA
12/28/2009
This store is awesome from the concierge to the Genius Bar. If you think about it this store is ALWAYS packed, and why is it packed? Because people like to go there. I am very surprised to see the negative feedback some of you have left. You have to look at it from the other side, if you went to the doctors you would be expected to make an appointment right? Same here, the Genius Bar is like the doctor for your computer. I honestly can't think of once place that you can make an appointment and have your computer looked at by the manufacturers themselves. If Apple didn't have appointments chances are you would be waiting in a line, picking a number like you are at a deli. Also if they are late by a certain amount of time its not taken off your appointment. I would LOVE to see any of you try to diagnose a problem and propose a solution in a 15 minute time frame. Apple Geniuses are highly trained and have to pass very hard tests to be certified.
Just a couple tips for planning your next trip:
Always expect the store to be packed, half of the time there are more people in that store then in the entire mall.
If you go to the Genius bar don't be late, leave early if you have to.
Be patient. If they are running behind its not because they don't care its because they are trying to help the previous customer and not send them away dissatisfied. Wouldn't you want them to help you as long as you needed rather than push you away?
Make sure you need to even see a tech. Call Apple care first to 1. Make sure you have Apple care and 2. Make sure it isn't a simple solution that could save you a trip there.
And Finally. Give them a break, it's hard enough dealing with that many people never mind a bunch of crabby people. -
Review from Andrea P.
Boston, MA
9/1/2010 1 Check-in Here
you've gotta love the genius bar. they are always so nice and helpful and always fix my apple problems. The only thing that was awful was the wait, but obviously it's wort it.
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Review from Brandon H.
Woonsocket, RI
Updated - 7/9/2010
Once again this place has impressed me beyond belief. My day on the 24th started in providence at the apple store. After waiting in line for the iPhone I ordered the week prior, I was told my reservation had not been processed, and that try did not have an iPhone me. I then went to Natick and dealt with Bob, who without hesitation said "your in good hands". I got my iPhone 45 minutes later. I will go to this apple store exclusively from now on. The service here is outstanding, and the staff is terrific. Several members of the staff remembered my name throughout the visit, even with literally hundreds of people waiting in line for phones. I am beyond impressed with this apple store.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/7/2010
I really like this Apple store. I deal mostly with Bob, the manager, when I go in. He and his staff… Read more »
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Review from Anthony S.
Hudson, MA
1/1/2010
I have been in here many times mostly just for browsing and checking out new Apple products on display. I will make this review short and sweet, because there is only one problem I have with this store, but its a BIG issue. First I will review the other good points.
The location is wonderful! Located in The Natick Collection on RT. Natick. Perfect location if you want to get your shopping done and check out some Apple stuff. Its not hard to spot once inside the mall.
The decor looks like any other Apple store, but this one is pretty simple and the most standard of them all, but its because its in the mall. Everything is easy to find and organized very well and clean looking.
I wont comment on prices or anything like that since all Apple stores are the same and this isn't a restaurant where each one is unique. This is where I will now talk about what I LOATH about this store. I can not speak about all the other Apple stores, except the ones I have been too, but this one has a HUGE issue with customer service and helping customers. I have been in here multiple times and I remember 4 times especially that each time I went there looking for help and no one came over to me to ask if I needed help. Even when I looked around on purpose and probably had the "Im a customer in need, Sell me something" look on my face, no one still came over! I know it was crowded and busy there, but there was a moment when it wasnt and no one still came over to help me. I just can't believe no one that worked there was smart enough to come over to try to help, even though they promote im sure, dont bug the customer. Still they are loosing me and im sure others if they continue to just walk by everyone and trying to look busier with other things.
Other then that, I would go here, because its the closest to me, and I enjoy the fact I can try Apple products when new ones come out. I will I'm sure be coming here many other times, but I'll have to try to refrain from asking questions and just buy what I'm getting.
Thank You!! -
Review from Caroline W.
Middlesex, MA
10/26/2009
My last-generation Macbook's wrist rest is cracked. This has happened before, and I got it fixed at Cambridgeside with no problem in about half an hour-- including wait time. Seriously, all the Genius has to do is check my AppleCare, have me sign a piece of paper releasing them from liability or whatever, and then pop the old one off and a new one on. It should take 5 minutes, but whatever, they're humans.
So, on a Saturday afternoon, I make an appointment, show up, the place is packed to the gills, and the concierge tells me they won't be able to perform my really simple repair without keeping it overnight and to come back during the week, when they'll "be able to do it in front of me." Fair enough, I figure, the place is a zoo on weekends anyway.
I came back (again with an appointment) on a Monday evening when the place is empty, and not only do they tell me they can't fix it without keeping it overnight, they make me wait 15 minutes past my scheduled appointment to do so. Seriously? They could have fixed it three times over while I was sitting there waiting. They could have given me the top case and *I* could have fixed it three times over. And to top it all off? They tell me to "try coming back on the weekend." I hate this place. I'm going back to Cambridgeside. -
Review from Robert F.
Framingham, MA
12/18/2010
Went to store with Iphone problem. Staff at store is tuned out. Person took my phone in back and when it was returned I had a phone that ran through battery in 15 minutes. To much hassle to go back. Natck store is not a good experience. Called Apple support , easier and had a perfect replacement the next day. Read Jobs book "The Innovation secrets of Steve Jobs" What he says about the stores is BS. His dream experience is being dissassembled in the Apple stores. I tried to get a decent genius to help me with purchasinfg a new Imac , all attitude . It's not just about what I read how some tecjhs look down on women. I'm a 65 year old man and was the famous invisible customer on 2 visits. Guess I am not hip enough for these Apple snobs. Bought my Ipad online with no attitude. Bought the Imac at Best Buy and was treated with repspect and all the time I wanted. Like the product skip the Apple stores.
