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Trumbull Mall CT, North County Mall Escondido CA, Towson Town Center MD

EDITS BELOW**

Currently at the police station waiting to file my police report… I was flabbergasted last Saturday to see an email in the afternoon saying my iPhone was picked up from the Apple store. I was nowhere near that store in that moment, nevermind that whole day. I went through text support that night, which led to voice support on Sunday. The lady couldn’t believe it either. They told me they’d escalate the matter and that they’d call me the next 2 business days and that they’d take care of me.

Today I got the call from Apple support, and they told me that my options were to file a police report and have my credit card company refund the transactions. Was a bit peeved at this response, being that it sounded like they won’t investigate this matter at all until the police get involved. The only nice thing is they helped connect with my Apple Card company rep so I could do it straight away.

I’ve never heard of this happen, and the lady herself mentioned she only had calls where people couldn’t get their own phones because they were too strict. Anyone ever hear of this happening?

Either it was a deliberate identity fraud/theft situation, or the employee accidentally gave my phone away to someone else and kept their order unchecked. At least I have the information regarding which employee handed off my iPhone.

EDIT 1 - police report filed a bit ago. We’ll see where this goes. With all the comments about not checking ID and that specific store’s craziness this past week, it’s sounding more like gross incompetence with low chance it being an inside job, but I’ll let the police look into it(hopefully). And no, my name is faaar from common for those wondering if it was a case of similar names.

In either case, it’s very aggravating the lack of support I got with so much money on the line. I’ll update on any big developments.

Appreciate all ideas and other comments! Gonna try escalating with social media and corporate emailing.

EDIT 2 (Tuesday 2pm local)- thanks for all the tips and advice on here and in the dms! This morning I had a call from management at the Apple store. I told them what had transpired the past few days, including apple support telling me to file a police report and chargeback. I got the feeling they realized how much support side screwed the pooch. They began an audit of my phone transaction at the store, so they’re finding out what the deal was. But the manager was very nice and has started working on getting me a replacement phone (which they have to find because it’s sold out). We’ll see how long this will take though.

It’s been a mess this past week, what with chargebacks and police station runs, but things are starting to gain traction. I’m not out of the woods yet as it’s all talk thus far, but I’m optimistic.

Gurman explains that Apple plans to add two new Avenue sections dedicated to online pickups and Today at Apple sessions.

Right now, many stores have a dedicated pickup table and a large seating area for the Today at Apple workshops. Those functions will move to the sides of stores within 10-foot sections known internally as bays.

The Avenue bay for online pickups will be constructed entirely from wood. The upper half will feature a subtle Apple logo, while the lower portion will contain secure drawers for storing pickup orders. A table in front will give employees a place to manage the handoff process.

The dedicated Today at Apple bay will include a large display, as well as secure drawers where instructors can store devices.
The next major change is the “removal of the giant video walls” located at the back of most stores. These video walls are used for Today at Apple sessions and marketing, but Apple plans to ditch them as part of this revamp.

The third change is a return to “dedicated Genius Bars,” Gurman says. Apple moved away from the Genius Bar design in favor of the “Genius Grove” more than a decade ago.

Grabbed two of these from my local Apple store today. Great way to add 2.5Gb to a mac mini m4.

Belkin also sells a black version directly.