The Mac Support Store

11/17/09

LOVE THEM!

by AprilShowers at Citysearch

I highly recommend them. My iBook screen went black so I brought it in for a free estimate (note - other places I've been to want to charge for an estimate - they don't).

They had my estimate in 2 days instead of 3. To their credit they called me with the estimate since the other email I use had bounced back to them. So they wanted to make sure I stayed informed and there was no lag in turn around. Stellar!

Their diagnosis was the iBook needed a new inverter board - and after I called two other places to compare price this place beat the other two. I approved the repair and they delivered it on time and the screen was working again. It's been a few months and the screen is still working great.

One star deducted because the location is off the beaten path. But since I've been going to the Bell House house it doesn't seem like such an effort to head down there anymore.

• Pros: Professional and friendly
• Cons: A little far but I'ven gotten used to it!

10/14/09

Noteworthy Mac geeks

by JaSchneerson at Citysearch

This place is getting busy for a good reason - they do good work and treat people well. I'm an editor working in Final Cut Studio and one of my two Mac Pros needed a logic board replacement. They gave me a fair estimate and I approved the work. Throughout the process I was given updates, usually by email or text of repair status. I had my Mac back in about four days and everything works.

Some words of advice: if you're planning on making the trip, preregister on their site beforehand. It saves time. They also have rentals in case you're stuck without a Mac.

• Pros: Great service. Friendly staff. LOCAL!!!
• Cons: Lines getting longer - but still faster than other places

07/09/09

BEWARE SCAM ARTISTS

by lboog2000 at Citysearch

GO ELSEWHERE! after these guys overcharged me for a repair that was never done, APPLE did an investigation and discovered in fact that NO repair took place and regardless, these guys still tried to charge me. After Apple worked with me, covered the repair and recommended I go elsewhere, these guys had the audacity to send my bill (which my bank refunded after the investigation) to collections! WATCH OUT!!! DON'T TRUST THEM WITH YOUR COMPUTER OR MONEY!!!!

• Pros: NONE
• Cons: they lie, cheat & steal - READ ALL REVIEWS

06/25/09

Go someplace else!!!

by Pathgirl at Citysearch

I was experiencing some problems with my MacBook and I took it to the Mac Support Store because it was local and I didn't want to schlepp all the way to Manhattan or Staten Island. I was wrong. First of all, the building is impossible to get into. You have to dial a code which should alert them to buzz you in, but the buzzer goes to voicemail. I had a diagnostic performed on my MacBook, which was free, and I received an email telling me that I needed to replace my hard drive and my optical drive, and they charged me for backup services, which I did not need. The estimate was over $700. It is impossible to reach them over the phone, 4 out of 5 times it goes to voicemail. When I finally got through to them they did not make an effort to explain why I needed what they said, it was a "take it or leave it" kind of attitude. Well, I left it. I took back my MacBook and brought it to an Apple Store. They ran a diagnostic and found that there was nothing wrong with my MacBook at all. The Mac Support Store said that my optical drive was "shot", which it was not, and that my hard drive failed verification, which it did not. Had I not gone for a second opinion I would have spent $700 unnecessarily. Bottom line: don't go there - or, if you do, get a second opinion before you have any work done by these people.

• Pros: none
• Cons: read review

06/14/09

Great work, great customer service

by GinaC21 at Citysearch

I brought my 17" iMac to the Mac Support Store last Saturday because it would not turn on and I didn't know what was wrong. Just one week later, I have my computer back, fully functioning with a new hard drive. I couldn't be happier with the service that I received here and would definitely bring my computer back. Whenever I had to deal with the store, the employee at the front desk was always professional and helpful. I would definitely recommend this store.

• Pros: Quick repair, convenient location

03/16/09

Incompetent. Go elsewhere!

by zaranoff at Citysearch

Sorry to say, I agree with the negative reviewers. For several years I’ve been supporting this store, even back when it was on 9th St. I bought several computers from them for myself, for my office, and referred others to them. I wanted them to succeed, because I want an apple store/repair shop to be successful in Brooklyn. The store is in my neighborhood, and that would be very convenient. But two repairs that I’ve done got me suspicious that something’s awry there. I own a PowerPC G5. A top of the line system. One day it had trouble turning on. I gave it in, and to make a long story short, they claimed they had to replace the hard drive, logic board, and a host of other major components, at a price tag of $2500. Luckily I had 6 days remaining on my warranty, so I didn’t pay a penny. Since then the computer hasn’t been working smoothly, but because I made my then recently purchased MacBookPro my main computer and hardly used the G5, I didn’t realize that it wasn’t working smoothly until much later on. I didn’t understand how is it possible that the entire system got fried, but, heck, if they say so it must be so. Right? Well, not really. Recently my several-month old MacBookPro stopped responding (I bought this MBP from them, btw). I used it at 4am, and at 9am it was dead. I called Apple tech support, and they determined the hard drive died. Gave it in to the Support Store, and was told it should take 1-3 days to diagnose, and 1-3 to repair. Ok. A few days later I get an email from them saying that the HD needs to be replaced. I authorize that, and from then on I only got hell. Waited several days – nada. Sent several emails – no replies at all. Called several times - and got vague answers (“we’re now doing *extensive* diagnostics, after we’ve done the *regular* diagnostics”, yeah, right). The rep couldn’t tell me what’s wrong with my system and kept giving me the runaround. 3 weeks after giving it in, they told me that in addition to my HD being dead, my logic board had to be replaced and some other major components. Just as it was with my G5. Odd. And this is a new MBP! They don’t keep any parts in shop (?!?!), so I had to wait another week to get it. Sounded to me like they were exaggerating the problems so they can collect more from Apple. They in fact claimed they had to replace the logic board SEVERAL times. How can that be? Finally, after all these weeks, I got it back, only to discover that my airport card is missing! Gave it in, again, and after three days they claimed the Air Port card failed. Failed? This was a brand new computer! They probably just forgot to insert it. Anyway, had to wait another week to get my MBP back (since, again, they don’t keep any parts in shop). All in all, this “6 day repair” took almost a month and half, after numerous emails, phone calls, promises, delays, getting the runaround, etc. Bottom line, should I ever need repair, I will certainly go into the city. The schlep to TekServe is certainly worth it. I have more faith in TekServe than these clowns in Brooklyn and hopefully, the waiting period will much shorter.

• Pros: In Brooklyn
• Cons: Incompetent, long wait, something's fishy there

03/05/09

Wonderful music to my ears

by kkdowning at Citysearch

This place ROCKS. I had my iPod fixed there but also wanted to see how garageband worked. Guy there gave me a full demo answered a zillion questions and I was sold. Bought the works and I love my new toys. Had a few more questions later and had no problem calling them up. I LOVE having this place there when I'm home from touring. They know it all but don't act uppity about it. Sweet....

• Pros: Down to earth...good repair work
• Cons: Can't think of any...

02/23/09

My data recovery experience was good

by Stacy3418 at Citysearch

A friend had data recovery there and said they were good. True, they're cheaper than TekServe, but the quality of their recovery work was very good in my opinion. And, I got everything back including all my family pictures which can never be replaced.

They were very clear that they don't integrate your files after recovery, so I was already aware that it would be up to me to do this..and I made some time to get it done. When I had a question about getting the data back into my address book I called them and they were willing to walk me through it (and I didn't abuse their good intention). They also have a service where they do the integration after recovery but I passed on that because it was $50 more. However I would suggest it for anyone who isn't comfortable with working with data after data recovery.

My friend's and my own experience were excellent and I *would* recommend them for data recovery.

• Pros: Professional data recovery and much less expensive than TekServe
• Cons: No complaints here

02/22/09

Take your Mac to Manhattan instead!

by nycseattle at Citysearch

Terrible experience. Needed hard drive recovery and replacement and wanted to support Brooklyn business (also cheaper than Tek Serve). Didnt recover most of my files, lost email, bookmarks, documents. couldnt get email and other applications to work well, spent 2 hours in the store, hours at home and on phone with APple to get back up. will never get those hours back or sadly any of those files.

They didnt know what they were doing and are far below the standards for customer service which we expect with Macs.

If you need something not done by Apple itself, go to Tek Serve. Do NOT come here.

• Pros: in brooklyn
• Cons: incompetent, dont do the job,

02/18/09

My iPod repairs were both good

by brettwilliams at Citysearch

I had called the Apple Store before I knew about this place and the Apple Store doesn't even fix iPods! The Apple Store just wants to sell you another iPod, which is annoying.

I brought The Mac Store my 3G iPod and later an iPod Classic 160Gb and had no troubles whatsoever. No bent parts or shoddy work. And they turned it around in the time they said they would. The guy there talked a little fast but that place is VERY busy and I saw him wanting to keep up with the many customer service requests. It was a good experience and I would recommend it.

• Pros: Top-notch repairs of 2 iPods plus service guarantees
• Cons: None