Apple Makes Changes to 'One to One' Program

Seems to be a pretty impressive service for those new to the Mac platform.

As the AppleInsider articles on this topic state, this change, despite seeming limiting, was probably forced on Apple by the increasing popularity of the program. Look on the bright side - the people who need it most will now benefit more from it.

As the AppleInsider articles on this topic state, this change, despite seeming limiting, was probably forced on Apple by the increasing popularity of the program. Look on the bright side - the people who need it most will now benefit more from it.

So, the ones who need it most are the people purchasing only from Apple?

why do you have to buy the mac from them? Personally setting up a mac is fun I love doing it!

Yeah, this is actually a big reduction in the service, but the response from the public was overwhelming, and Apple couldn't keep up.

It used to be a part of ProCare before the popularity made it split into ProCare (express instore Genius Bar service and faster repair turnaround) and 1-to-1. Now, 1-to-1 is even getting too big for Apple to contain it in the stores.

Bad news for some, but indicative of good news for Apple.

From the AI article mentioned above:

The new One-to-One will bundle personal setup and data transfer services that were previously part of Apple's complimentary "Standard Care" treatment for each new Mac buyer.

Again, I fail to see how this would be a benefit to anyone.

I figured at some point this would happen. One to One just isn't fair to people because of how impossible booking appointments can be at times, and also finding a Creative to cater to your specific needs.

This is a horrible change of policy. You can only order it at time of purchase? So if I decide I want or need to learn more after I've gotten used to my Mac for a month, or a year, I'm out of luck? What if I suddenly decide I need to use Pages because Word has failed me once again? No help. Or Garage Band because my kid has taken up an instrument? Or iMovie because I got a digital camcorder? This is an absolutely idiotic change in policy. Idiotic.

If it's a matter of the program being too popular, then charge new buyers the $99 and charge others $129 or something. Who shuts off a program because too many people like it. Did you want them to hate it?

If it's costing you money, raise the price to a rate you can make money at. Or charge by session after the first year. Or use whatever pricing scheme the geniuses at marketing and finance come up with.

But don't tell your loyal customers, "Sorry, sucks to be you, but you aren't new enough for us to care about anymore, and besides, you should have had the foresight to sign up when you first bought from us because you surely had an extra $99 lying around after buying your new computer at our store."

This is a decision left over from the Gil Amelio days. Oh Apple, Apple, Apple! Someone in customer relations needs a refresher course. What chapter covers taking away popular programs from your customers again? The one on Alienating Your Clients?

why do you have to buy the mac from them? Personally setting up a mac is fun I love doing it!

Well not everyone who buys a Mac knows how to transfer all of their stuff and set everything up. Everytime I walk into an Apple Store and I see those who are getting 1 to 1 help, it's always "older" people (30+ usually)

I think its best in the long run for people to learn how to set up their new computers and transfer data. Apple has made that step quite easy anyway.