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Create More, Inc
Rating Details »
Categories: IT Services & Computer Repair, Computers
Neighborhood: SOMA689 3rd St
(between Brannan St & Townsend St)
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 896-9622
- Hours:
Mon-Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Garage
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
13 reviews for Create More, Inc
I've said it before, I'll say it again. These guys rule.
Alberto was able to take my MacBook Pro, with a failing hard drive, swap in a new HD, clone over the old data, in an afternoon, because we needed the machine really, really bad for some usability testing. It was a totally unreasonable rush job, and they nailed it.
And *then* Alberto went above and beyond, and provided some recommendations on how to shore up the data on the new hard drive, given that it might have had some issues. This was the kind of amazing, deep technical service that you would NEVER find at the Apple store. This is why I tell everyone to go to Create More.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/23/2009
I took my girlfriend's laptop to Create More to get its hard drive upgraded. She was running out of… Read more »
After you take your Mac to be serviced here, you will never want to walk up to the Genius Bar again. Don't worry about reservations - often you can be seen with no wait.
Alberto is extremely knowledgeable with Apple hardware and software.
Not only is he great with repairs, but he will also give you a great deal on a new computer by substituting overpriced Apple drives and memory with superior (and less expensive) 3rd party products. And they stands by what they sell. Alberto, without hesitation, offered to replace both drives of my Mac with another after a reliability issue was revealed -- years after the initial purchase and still under warranty.
Try getting that level of service at the Apple Store.
I went this store a few months ago when my Macbook was failing me. The store's located a few blocks away from my office and so I decided to swing by since they're an authorized Apple Reseller.
The stores has a very quaint layout and it's very easy to find everything you need. However, since I didn't need to purchase anything, I just walked up to the counter to get some assistance.
The problem that I had with my Macbook is an intermittent Wifi problem that is caused my the Airport. A simple Google search with these terms can lead to hundreds of posts of people having this issue. Even Apple's own forum is flooded with ongoing discussion of the problem.
I walked up to the desk and explained the problem to the man there. I told him that the only way I could get a stable connection is if I were within 3 feet of the router. Otherwise, the internet connection would eventually drop out. He took a hold of my laptop and saw that it was connected to the internet fine and thus concluded there was no problem. I explained to him that the connection would break after several minutes. However, he continued to tell me that there was no problem present because my laptop was connected to the internet.
I asked where the router was, and he told me it didn't matter. He then got really impatient and told me that my computer was fine and that he could sell me a new Airport card if I wanted, but he was doing me a favor by not. I told him no thanks and I left the store. However, the problem still existed on my computer.
It really bothers me when people in a store act arrogant and condescending towards the customer. I understand in the technology world that there are sometimes people who do not know what is wrong with their computer and bring it in cluelessly. But I've done weeks of research and knew the exact steps to recreate the problem, but this man chose to behave like he was better than me and try to make me feel incompetent.
I ended up taking my Mac to the Apple Store on Market where they quickly identified the problem. This is the last time I try to go to an Apple Reseller store to get help with my Mac.
To be fair, my bad experience only comes from this individual at the store. I wish I got his name so I could be more specific, but alas I did not. I've gone in several times after this incident to browse and the people working there were genuinely polite and asked if I needed any help. It's a shame that just one sour employee made me never want to go there again.
UPDATE 06/22/2009: Within half of a day posting this review, Alberto, the owner of the store contacted me and apologized for the incident.
The first thing he did that impressed me was take sole responsibility of the incident himself. He did not try to pawn it off on an employee, but stepped forward to apologize - very sincerely I might add. i think that shows a lot when a business owner takes time to directly contact you to apologize for an incident.
The second thing Alberto did was ask me questions about the incident so that he could learn personally from it. In addition, he also asked me how Apple diagnosed the problem so that he could help others in the future.
I think it's an incredible sign of maturity when a business owner will not only take responsibility for a bad experience, but tries to learn from it in order to better his business for future customers. If there is one thing a good business needs to have, it's good customer service because without the customer, there would be no business.
As a result of this apology, I have decided to raise my review to three stars from its original two. Furthermore, I will state that I will be more open to coming here again in the future if I ever have any problems or need to purchase something Apple related. If a business (and more importantly, the owner) is willing to learn from its mistakes and take the time to apologize, I am willing to give it another chance.
The employees here are rude & condescending. My office is right next door and it would be convenient to buy cables and have our macs serviced here. Instead I am happy to head to an Apple Store directly.
The staff is sullen & unhelpful at Create More. They exude attitude. Their prices were too high too. I went to buy a mac here and instead of lowering their ridiculously high price (when I pointed it out) they tried to justify the price. Apparently I am paying high prices for the "relationship" they provide to me. No thanks. I don't need this kind of relationship. Stay away.
Whoever owns this store should clean house and get rid of the unhelpful staff. They aren't doing you any favors.
Do you like the Apple store experience? Well, this store is the opposite of an Apple store: it is very dark inside and the employees don't seem to enjoy their jobs. There's a strange atmosphere of apathy in the store and the employees seem to care less if you're there to buy something or not. They just go about their days, talking on the cell phone and looking at their computers. I'm forced to go here since our office is very close by and they do have a good variety of cables and adapters but if the real Apple store was just a little bit closer I wouldn't mind the extra long walk to get there. I only go to this store for emergency purchases.
Took the mac that I purchased from Create More last year back for a tune-up--slow internet, etc. Great service, now it runs like a top! Purchased AppleCare and there was no charge! Apparently my network settings needed updating . . .who knew?
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/28/2008
I took my aged and failing mac there to see why it was a) not backing up and b) generally out of… Read more »
My PowerBook died. I took it to Apple, and they gave me the number of "PowerBook Guy" in the city to get a new hard drive. I called and got pricing information, but I live near Create More, so I stopped by to see what their pricing was too.
I went with Create More for convenience of location and price. The hard drive cost $118 (cheaper than PowerBook Guy, which charged like $200 for the same size) and $99 for installation (same as Powerbook Guy). They quoted me one price for the data transfer, then charged me a slightly higher price when I went to pick it up -- seems that it was harder to get my stuff than originally thought. They had my laptop for over a week, but they did call to check in a few times to give me an update. I'm just checking out my returned PowerBook now and it looks like Alberto and Create More were able to get everything transfered over.
A great alternative to the Apple Store and online stores, especially when you are looking for something simple like RAM upgrades for a Mac.
The Apple Store charges more than double for the same type of product, and there's no way they (or an online company with better prices) can (a) take you call on the phone to see if your item is available and the correct one or (b) let you park in front of the store, pop in, get what you need (and some great advice) and go about your merry way.
My only complaint: their hours. It would be nice if they were available a little later in the evening or weekends.
This is my new Mac spot in SF, even with the Apple Store being a matter of blocks from my house.
I'm not sure who I just met but I'm thinking it was Alberto - wow...I don't think I've ever been on the defensive so fast in my entire life. Oh, and p.s.- I went into this store actually thinking about purchasing a Mac but now I'd rather take my $2K straight to the Apple store. Or anywhere but to Create More, Inc.
I had a few simple questions about OS and applications and - sure, they might have been remedial...um, last time I checked, I'M not the expert on this stuff which is why I'm standing in this store in the first place - and I couldn't believe the attitude I just received.
Even though this place is right around the corner from my office and could have been super-convenient, I will never step foot in here again, even to buy a lousy cable, keyboard cover, or anything else from them. One of the most unimpressive and rude interactions I've ever had in my life.
I would recommend that when purchasing something significant here get EVERYTHING in writing and waranties etc where possible. Whether it's software, a computer, accessories or service. Be sure you understand what they are selling and how they are able to follow up with you, if needed. They have unconventional ways of doing business.
I don't know what the hell Kate is talking about. I brought my MacBook I bought just last September in to Alberto after the hard drive was making a sort of odd symphony of its own and then went KAPLOOEY. First, I took it to the wankers at the "Genius Bar" at the Mac Store and they were hopeless. I then called that place in Novato and they wanted me to drive up there and were going to charge like $3,000 just to open the front door. Finally I took it to Create More.
Not only were they totally patient and talked me through every step of the way - checking in with what data was most important to go after, what a lesser priority, etc. - but they also checked in with me to give me updates as the data was being restored - which by the way was about 90% successful.
But given that all the data files and my photos from a trip to France where I asked my then girlfriend to marry me were on there (and they restored those) I would call it a 120% success! After I got my Mac back - with a new hard drive - they then called a few days later to see how it was going and if there were any glitches they could work out. Turns out my Airport was a little wonky, so I brought it back in and it was up and running in about 20 minutes.
Bottom line: Data almost totally recovered, very cordial and professional, and quite reasonable price wise. I would without hesitation recommend them to anyone, not only for data recovery but for any Mac stuff altogether. Thank you Alberto, Shannon, and the whole team at Create More for saving my fried computer data and getting me up and running again! It is a really a great relief. And yes I'm backing up twice a day now . . .
Alberto is a life saver. I took my sick macbook pro to him at about 4:00 on monday. He confirmed my fear - a faulty main board - on Tuesday. I did not have AppleCare so I was preparing myself for the cost of a new machine. Wednesday morning, he called me back and told me he had gotten apple to cover the repair! That would have never happened at the Apple Store!
I picked it up Thursday and it is as good as new for $0 out of pocket. I can tell you that Alberto will get all of my future business!
Alberto is a pleasure to deal with, he fixed my kernel panicked freaked out mac laptop in just a few days and recovered all my biznass, awesome!!
