Mac Headquarters

12/13/05

I Won't Return, And Didn't Even Get To Do Business With Them by Ken W. at InsiderPages

Contributor at Insider Pages

I was commisioned by a famliy friend to upgrade his wife's computer. Because of travel arrangements, the timeframe in which I had to do the job was very specific. I went to MacHQ and spoke with a very helpful woman who helped me figure out exactly what I would be buying on his behalf. I told her that I'd be coming in on Dec. 12th. On the 9th of December, I called MacHQ and confirmed that I was coming in on the 12th and needed the list of products ready to be picked up (including a 17 iMac). He refused to set one aside for me and assured me that he had enough of the iMacs in stock, and that I didn't have to worry about it. I showed up on the 12th and they had no 17 iMacs left. Without an apology or an explanation, they left me no option, aside from purchasing the 20 in stock. I went to the Apple store in the mall (the very one MacHQ advertises against as inconvenient) and was outfitted with no problem. Now, I know that this was a minor thing in the great scope of things, but I had emphasized to them how important it was that I get the equipment and install it all in a limited timeframe and they disregarded it. I believe that if Mac purveyors want Macs to be taken seriously as a business machine, they'd better conduct their businesses better than PC chains, especially if they're independent. I don't think MacHQ will last long unless it takes seriously every person that comes through their door. (And, by the by, with the lack of security cameras or locks on cabinets/doors/cases, a thief could easily swipe some inventory if left alone a while, as I was on my first visit while the entire staff ate their lunch in the back room all at the same time). Unwise practices.

PROS: Really good entertainment software, cute Appley presentation

CONS: Unreliable & unresponsive, feels like a treehouse business, unprofessional

08/04/09

Don't get slimed !

by TSan at Citysearch

I had one of the macbook pros with the bad nvidia controller that apple will replace within 3 yrs of purchase. I called machq, told them I wanted my mbp fixed and then trade it in for a new 17" mbp. The guy said no problem, they had the mbp I wanted in stock, and they would give me $900-$1100 for mine, depending on its condition. I went right up there, and found out there were NO 17" mbps to be found. They explained that "in stock" meant in stock at a warehouse in Texas. Then I found out that the $900-$1100 was NOT in-fact contingent upon the condition of my laptop. If I gave them a $2000 deposit and signed up for their "new computer for life program" they'd give me $1100, otherwise they'd give me $600. When I declined the offer, the owner explained to me that he was going to sell my laptop for $1100, and it was unfair of me to ask him to buy it for $1100. I reminded him that $900-$1100 were his numbers, and asked him if he really wanted to tell me that MY using HIS numbers was unfair, while telling me that him making a 83.3% profit on my laptop was totally fair. Apparently math makes him angry, so I terminated the discussion.

• Pros: They talk a great game.
• Cons: None of it is true.

12/08/08

OH YEAH, DEALER COST BABY!

by thestorysofar at Citysearch

A friend recommended this place to me. I had never heard of them but I'm so glad I know about them now! I went here to buy a new MacBook and they just happened to be having a SALE! Yes, a SALE on a new Mac! Macs NEVER go on sale so I was totally excited! I saved money on my new machine and they bought my old one. Very friendly, very product savvy, very cool. And, no mall to hassle with. Check this place out, they ROCK!

• Pros: Awesome store/parking
• Cons: none

08/09/08

mac headquarters

by Hairguy52 at Citysearch

Wow in reading the last review i was suprised. I own a hair salon, and am switching computers to mac.. The guys at the sales desk were able to answer all of my Questions and did so with great acuity. All were very professional, and with any return calls did so quickly and professionally. I did purchase a used imac at a great price, in fact the salesman had to call his manager about the price..and yes they worked with me on that. It went quickly and painlessly. i'm wondering if the last reviewer had just had a bad day in all the crowds of tax break day and came in with a chip on the shoulder. what ever the reason...it sure was not my experience thats for sure. i truly recommend this place over other stores. at least here i felt like it was alright to show i didn't know anything about macs and ask questions. with my own business one thing i do know about is customer service...and they showed it right when i was there. Thanks Mac headquarters

• Pros: great parking and easy to find with a nice greeting at the desk

08/03/08

Stay Away from MacHQ

by nitten13 at Citysearch

I really wanted to like this place. They sell used and new Macs. But the customer service and attitude give the feeling that this store is more of a clubhouse than a business.

I went there during the Education Tax Rebate weekend Missouri has. My goal was to find a good, inexpensive used Mac for my daughter. The used selection was poor, and prices were way above what you'd expect. I looked at an iMac G5 priced at $800.00 The sales clerk quoted the price said it had "one gig of RAM and a 250 gig hard drive". I opened the prefs while he was standing there and it clearly showed the machine had only 1 gig of RAM and 150 Gig HD!" I asked if the price could be lowered a bit since he quoted the specs wrong. Nope, because "We had to put a new motherboard in it". Yeah right! This is USED equipment people, let's haggle!!

A lady was asking another clerk about educational pricing on Apple software. The clerk said "No, we don't offer that." The customer responded "But the Apple store offers it and you're an Apple reseller". The clerk just looked at her and said "Well, I don't want to turn away business, but you should go to the Apple Store then." I noticed a used ibook on the counter behind this dude and asked if it was for sale. "Uhhhhm, it's been here a month, so I guess so." was his response. He seemed startled by my response of "OK, how much, what are the specs and when can I buy it then?" He said they had to contact a customer, and make sure she wanted to sell it, blah blah." I gave them my phone number and asked they call me the next day since the sales tax rebate would be over Monday. I had to call them the next day of course. All I got in response was "Uhhh, she didn't call back so I guess we can't sell it."

So I went on EBAY, found a cool little iMac G4 for my daughter that only cost $300.00 and had better specs than anything at MacHQ. The seller even lives in St. Louis so I don't have to pay shipping! My advice is to avoid Mac HQ. I

• Pros: Lots of cool Mac & iPod accessories. Easy parking.
• Cons: Used prices expensive, won't haggle. Poor sales clerk attitudes.

12/10/07

Cool experience

by macmaniac at Citysearch

I stopped by this place because a friend recommended it. I wasn't disappointed. These people are the ultimate Mac heads. They know just about every single Mac that has ever been produced and they have them there to prove it. The owner of this place collects the old Mac relics. They don't display them but if you ask to see a specific item even from the eighties, odds are they have it in back. I thought that was pretty awesome. They also sell used Macs and take trade ins, which I didn't know about. The atmosphere is very relaxed and fun. They have a 'theatre' where they show Apple promos and vintage Apple commercials. That was interesting. They have a lot of software for the Mac, games and stuff. They actually have people who just sort of 'hang out' and talk Mac stuff all the time. While I was there I noticed that they know many of their customers by name. The employees there are just fun and reeeeeally into Macs, old and new. They had some real cool posters on the walls from old Apple advertising campaigns. It was really fun. I went to have a quick look and wound up spending about 2 hours there. Check this place out if you haven't already. You will love it!

• Pros: They have their own parking lot and a very cool atmosphere. The employees really know their stuff.
• Cons: none

09/04/07

Fabulous Mac Service

by joanne_patterson at Citysearch

My company uses Macs. When we have problems, we have relied on other companies in the past to correct them. Most of those companies have extensive PC knowledge, but not so much Mac experience. We were so delighted to find Command Z. They specialize in Mac service. We were on a press deadline and our network server experienced a catostrophic failure. We tried to contact the other company we had been working with and they said they couldn't come until the next day as it was 4:30pm. We called Command Z and explained our situation. They came out within the hour and they stayed past conventional business hours to resolve our problems. We were so releived to find they knew pre-press inside and out. It's one of their specialties. We made our deadline and our publication went out on time thanks to these guys. We won't be using anyone else. They were professional, friendly and sympathetic to our company's situation. They really went above and beyond.

• Pros: They know the Mac, even older models
• Cons: None