Apple Store openings: Did you go?

I agree with the (IMHO, understated) hatred of Yes Computers expressed here. Everyone I know (including myself) has had a horrible experience there.

My horror story:

6 weeks of them having my dual G5 tower and not fixing it. Drove to Cambridge, gave it to the apple store there, had it back within a week, working.

It will be interesting to see if the influx of new students can swamp the pull of a real Apple store ~15 minutes down the road.

I want to go to the Oxmoor Mall opening as well... is the Sept 8th date good?

Speaking of Apple Store openings. I went and asked customer service when the Apple Store in Oxmoor Mall, KY is opening. She said on September 8th. I would like to go to that one

I went to the Holyoke store opening, Got there around 8:00 and read harry potter in line... Link to photos of the opening:



It was great fun. (I was the first round in), though I didn't get any pictures as I was going in.

I didn't make it to Holyoke but THANK GOD.

The Northampton-Amherst local Mac dealer is just so mind-numbingly horrible. I always try to shop local when possible, but I've driven machines to Hartford (50 minute drive) instead of trusting the local NOHO shop. They've screwed up every service they've ever done for us (we've given them "one more shot" about 5 times, you'd think we'd learn). The most absurd was a Cube that would shut down randomly (remember those). We printed out the apple directions to update it, and the part number they had to order to fix it, and after 2 weeks they returned it because they "couldn't figure out what was wrong". How did they manage that one?

I have a customer where everyone in his 25 person company have vowed never to use a Mac again because the local Northampton shop totally misrepresented how software works on Macs, and they really couldn't do their work with Macs, so after getting $40,000 plus in hardware and software on the Mac, had to go back to Dell and repurchase machines for everyone!

I have heard horror stories from people who have worked there about what the local Northampton shop thinks "customer service" means, and I've heard tales of how they treat their employees. As a local small business I love to shop local, but without any remorse I can say "If you live in Western Mass, go to the Apple Store, don't stop in downtown Northampton.

I drove 75 minutes to the Ann Arbor opening. My first opening. There were so many people,and I got into the the store 40 minutes after the opening. It was fun, and I got a free t-shirt. I thought it would be a long time before I could go to a store opening since Apple never opens that mnay stores.

I was at the Ann Arbor store, and it was really great. Finally I can go to a store without driving 2+ hours, AND I got to touch an iPhone. FINALLY!

I was at the Briarwood (Ann Arbor) opening. I got in with the first wave (I was around number 30) and shot some video. I picked up a wireless keyboard and played with the iPhone. It was lots of fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhtvYgOc1qI

I loved the energy of the team and crowd! It was great, you couldn't help but love the moment. It was amazing walking in to high-fives and cheers.

You're utmost welcome! I am glad I could provide the photographs for you to enjoy. If you want the high-resolution photos, you can shoot me an email at: michael dot baran @ mac dot com

I will definitely be back, it's great having a store so close. Already went back today to enter in the raffle, as I forgot the first time around.

Maybe see you around sometime!

Uuuuhhh, *HELLO TUAW!!!* Perhaps a bit of constructive criticism is in order: this is the SECOND "Apple Store Grand Opening" post of the week, and AGAIN no mention of the store in Orland Park, IL...a suburb of Chicago. What gives? Careless oversight? Vendetta against Chicago for some strange reason? Weird.

That said, I was there too. I forgot my camera, and all I have are crappy Verizon LG VX8300 cell pix that I won't be posting due to poor quality...but it was a HOOT. This was my first Apple Store Grand Opening, and it was electric.

Lots of cheering, high fives, smiling associates...and my first hands-on look at the iPhone. They were letting us make calls on the display iPhones, too. Maybe a common practice, but I hadn't read about it.

The store is small-to-medium in size, but looks great. Saw some people I know there too. I'll be back, that's for sure.

Hey Michael Baran, #9: great shots! I'm in one of your photos. Thanks for posting them.