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Speaking as someone that's a fan of independent, local businesses and struggled with running one for 10 years: no business best described by the words "independ

Speaking as someone that's a fan of independent, local businesses and struggled with running one for 10 years: no business best described by the words "independent" and "local" can compete on all aspects of customer service with a megacorp. The resources just ain't there for it. It will have higher prices or poorer service, if one is opened at all.

Wowfunhappy 8y ago
What do you mean by "all aspects"? An mom and pop shop in a small town can have better service than a megacorp by personally knowing its customer base and adapting its policies to individuals. Megacorp customer service, by comparison, always involves some level of bureaucracy.
- hug 8y ago
  Since we’re talking about Apple stores, here’s an anecdote about competing on service: My iPhone was rebooting at random, in the middle of use, with some regularity. I was in an area with no Apple store, so I swung by an authorised Apple repairer/reseller. I explained my problem, and the guy around the counter, while very apologetic, explained there was no way I was having my phone swapped out. He didn’t have stock of my particular model, but even if he did, he said, if he swapped it out and Apple determined it to be non-defective, they’d make him eat the cost of the device, which he couldn’t afford. A week later when I was back home I took it to the nearby Apple store. The lady there looked at it, shrugged, walked out back and came out with a new phone. This isn’t because she cared more, it’s because she cared less.
  - jakobegger 8y ago
    Apple authorized repair shops are the worst. They have so many rules imposed by Apple that they can't provide good service. An iPhone battery swap at an authorised reseller can take a week (!). Non-authorised repair shops can often offer better service -- often they can replace a battery in 20 minutes. That's faster than at the Apple store. (but of course, if something goes wrong, there's probably no warranty)
stcredzero 8y ago
It will have higher prices or poorer service, if one is opened at all. Of course. (I know someone with such a business.) However, if your only competition is no-one, it might be enough.

Wowfunhappy 8y ago

What do you mean by "all aspects"? An mom and pop shop in a small town can have better service than a megacorp by personally knowing its customer base and adapting its policies to individuals. Megacorp customer service, by comparison, always involves some level of bureaucracy.

hug 8y ago
Since we’re talking about Apple stores, here’s an anecdote about competing on service: My iPhone was rebooting at random, in the middle of use, with some regularity. I was in an area with no Apple store, so I swung by an authorised Apple repairer/reseller. I explained my problem, and the guy around the counter, while very apologetic, explained there was no way I was having my phone swapped out. He didn’t have stock of my particular model, but even if he did, he said, if he swapped it out and Apple determined it to be non-defective, they’d make him eat the cost of the device, which he couldn’t afford. A week later when I was back home I took it to the nearby Apple store. The lady there looked at it, shrugged, walked out back and came out with a new phone. This isn’t because she cared more, it’s because she cared less.
- jakobegger 8y ago
  Apple authorized repair shops are the worst. They have so many rules imposed by Apple that they can't provide good service. An iPhone battery swap at an authorised reseller can take a week (!). Non-authorised repair shops can often offer better service -- often they can replace a battery in 20 minutes. That's faster than at the Apple store. (but of course, if something goes wrong, there's probably no warranty)

stcredzero 8y ago

It will have higher prices or poorer service, if one is opened at all. Of course. (I know someone with such a business.) However, if your only competition is no-one, it might be enough.