Apple Stores Now Offering 'Shop With a Specialist' Appointments

Apple retail stores are now accepting appointments from customers who want to book a time at a local store to make a purchase with the one-on-one help of an Apple specialist, similar to Genius Bar reservations.

appleshopwithspecialist
The continued spread of the coronavirus in the United States and other countries has led Apple to implement safety measures that include limiting the number of people in a store, and as 9to5Mac points out, that can lead to long lines as customers wait to enter. With the new appointment system, those who plan ahead can skirt the lines with a reservation at a specific time.

Specialist appointments can be booked through the Apple Store app by searching for a local ‌Apple Store‌ and then selecting the "Shop with a Specialist" option on the store page. From there, customers can choose which product they're interested in and pick a time to visit the ‌Apple Store‌.

Appointments are available in 15 to 30 minute increments throughout the day depending on store location, with customers able to book up to three days ahead of their visit.

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Top Rated Comments

boswald Avatar
65 months ago
This is actually kind of cool!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
icanhazmac Avatar
65 months ago
Nice work! This seems a logical way to keep some stores open for motivated buyers while protecting both consumers and staff.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
itsmilo Avatar
65 months ago
I hope it’s not the same kind of specialist I had to deal with who wanted to sell me the wrong case for my iPad Pro (10.5) trying to convince me that what I am having is an iPad Air and not an iPad Pro lol
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TimB21 Avatar
65 months ago

Sound like a great upselling opportunity for Apple.

I wish I was joking, but you know that’s what’s going to end up happening.
I know when I worked at the Apple Store upselling was strongly discouraged. Someone would come in asking for a Mac Pro to read their email and browse the web they'd be directed to a more appropriate machine.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
neuropsychguy Avatar
65 months ago
I read the headline too quickly as “shop with a socialist” and thought “That’s an interesting marketing strategy...”
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Greenman85 Avatar
65 months ago

I hope it’s not the same kind of specialist I had to deal with who wanted to sell me the wrong case for my iPad Pro (10.5) trying to convince me that what I am having is an iPad Air and not an iPad Pro lol
Hey genius, the case for the new air fits the 10.5” pro. The new air and the 10.5 pros are the exact same size. See the compatibility list on this product page. Maybe listen to the specialist next time. Lol

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MXTF2ZM/A/smart-cover-for-ipad-7th-generation-and-ipad-air-3rd-generation-surf-blue?fnode=aac3eb8ca0063d49186a925790e6690c1e45d38e829aab8c7c2af84548a815549d6c75f3ff543ab3f4d37c87e042db8e9e5c8b513d8095a865b5a9414796dfde9cc27cf61080e9416fa922abfd8b462e0b4ff2a8009f98298a998f8de969156c62916333be6883f3bf157234573600a4&fs=f%3Dipadair2019%26fh%3D4598%252B4b33
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)