Sometimes trying to find the closest Apple store can be a hassle, especially if there are only one or two within a state. However, a new partnership between Apple and Best Buy plans to make repairs for customers easier.
Apple announced June 19 that it would expand some repair services by partnering with Best Buy for its authorized retail service network. Best Buy’s more than 1,000 stores will add a considerable reach to Apple’s customer base, allowing for easier and more convenient repair times.
“At Apple, we’re dedicated to providing the best customer service in the world,” said Tara Bunch, Apple’s vice president of AppleCare. “If a customer ever needs to repair their products, we want them to feel confident those repairs are done safely and correctly. We’re always looking at how we can reliably expand our network of trained technicians and we’re excited to partner with every Best Buy store so it’s even easier for our customers to find an authorized repair location near them.”
This new partnership will affect all Best Buy stores nationwide with customer access to Geek Squad’s nearly 7,600 certified technicians to troubleshoot device issues. This will be a strong retail partnership between both groups as Apple will have an arm’s reach within several communities across the country. With Best Buy’s already established service department, Apple will be able to better serve its U.S. customer base. Customers may be able to get same-day repairs in some cases, making it a win-win-win situation for Apple, Best Buy and iOS users.
“We love being there for our customers no matter what their Apple need is, from helping them choose the right device, to offering AppleCare protection and now helping fix their devices,” said Best Buy’s Trish Walker, president of Services. “We’ve always enjoyed a great partnership with Apple and we’re thrilled that, together, we can better serve our customers.”
There are currently about 1,800 third-party authorized Apple service providers nationwide, according to Apple. Apple authorized service providers are trained and use genuine Apple parts with the repairs backed by Apple.
Apple estimates that more than three times the amount of authorized providers are available to U.S. customers, compared to three years ago, meaning eight out of 10 customers are able to reach a certified store within 20 minutes.
According to The Verge, for same-day iPhone screen replacements, Best Buy recommends making an appointment and dropping off a device before 6 p.m. local time. This will ensure the necessary parts are available for repair, The Verge reported.
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