Voelker Research - Mac Repair

I saw an unprofessional face for this business. First called to confirm possibility for MacBook service, scheduled an appt in coming days for a computer diagnostic. I drive across town for said appt--the computer is simply opened and viewed, and I am told that the part will be ordered and the computer can be serviced next week. I'm confused as to why an appointment was needed to literally look at my laptop without any actual diagnostic processes. The date comes (tomorrow) for the service--I call in advance to confirm the part has arrived...it took 5 minutes to even find my reservation details. The tech then informs that not only has the part not arrived, but the diagnostic needs to be ran to order the part. While I have already driven across town once and wasted time/gas on setting up an appointment...The tech did not even offer a service discount on behalf of the business--just an "expedited" experience (when original turnaround on the service was projected to be end of day on the service date). Goofy, waste of time. Could have shipped off to Apple and returned by now, but I tried to support local business.

I had used Voelker in the past for a couple small issues, and felt comfortable taking an older Macbook to them that had a charging issue. My first interaction was to be informed of the normal bench fee of approx $60 which is to inspect the machine for problems and if the resultant findings and repair end up costing more than the fee, the fee goes towards the repair. That's a go, as it's common and I expected it. Next, is that it is claimed my MagSafe board needs replacement, which costs more than a charging port repair since they dig deeper into the machine. I openly weighed the options of having the board replaced, their full recommended repair, or having my SSD hard-drive pulled out so I could perform my own data retrieval later, and leave them with my laptop (which they offer zero payment for). I ended up officially saying I wanted the MagSafe board replaced and was told to check in the following week, midweek, about 5 days after I was there. Instead, I called about 2 days later asking if my part was ordered and they informed me that my machine was simply ready, with no details. I had my girlfriend pick it up and later on she handed me my laptop & a plastic sleeve containing my SSD. I called the shop to explain that their technician misheard my weighing of options for my final decision and that I'd like to bring my machine in to have my SSD re-installed, and that their tech botched the repair, and my voicemails which I left about the issue went unanswered; I eventually (days later) got an email and a tech named James Enyart replied about my voicemail, explaining all I knew already, and I again mentioned my concerns that the wrong repair was made. I am not sure if James was the tech working on my machine or not, but I received no reply to my concerns, leaving me to believe he tried to sweep his incompetence under the rug, or covered for another tech. Following his lack of reply, I even sent an email saying "is this thing on?" at the end of our email threads; also to no reply!As I write this view it dawns on me that Voelker may still be a good shop, just with at least one constantly-stoned, inept, shady tech working there, and that I maybe could have tried to go over his head... but at the same time I expect some oversight there and this person's refusal to deal with me could've been circumnavigated if my phone call and voicemail wasn't regulated to a mere shop tech.The nutshell: another shop in town informed me that my MagSafe board was -never- the issue ($175 to fix at Voelker) and instead it was at the port the charger connects to, being a bent pin from years of usage. They informed me that my keyboard was left disconnected also! This other shop replaced my faulty port, and found a newer battery laying around which they installed to my glee, all for $100. Voelker mismanaged my repair in full and I won't be using them for squat unless they come to me with rational reasons why I should. But, that idea seems far-fetched, as I cannot find a -single- reply from them to the negative nor positive reviews on their own Yelp page. Kind of a dud of a business, am I right? Plus you may notice all the positive reviews state nothing technical nor any details about significant repairs, just general jolliness over things as easy as battery replacement. Don't let the foul taste in my mouth become your own - avoid Voelker for real.

Shady... I asked him how much it would be if I left my computer there and they didn't answer me until they were done preparing the order and they said when I asked again that it was $50 just to look at it even though they didn't leave it on the charger long enough for them to even know if it was a charger replacement I needed. Then I asked about the return policy on the charger if it didn't work and they didn't give me an answer... I looked at the receipt and it says it's a restocking fee. Never been to a business where I've asked direct questions and not Gotten answers before

Took in a MacBook Pro with DOA screenThey told me $600 (for motherboard) and ignored my request to be more specificFound some homies in Brooklyn who did it for $125 plus one-way shipping ($29), and got it back in two weeks.. and they told me what was wrong (an IC in the video section) as well Thanks, but no thanks ..

I was advised by Apple to bring in my AirPods Pro for service to Voelker Research. I emailed the store later that night and early the next day I got a very through email on how to proceed. The technician James asked me to call and setup an appointment, which he offered to me the same day.I arrived at the store and followed their health protocols they had in place for the coronavirus. They took care in making sure not only their customers were safe, but also their staff. I was very impressed on how efficient and professional this locally owned business was operating. The women at the front counter who greeted me said they have been there for 30 years!! How could I have missed this great business?It's no wonder Apple has chosen this local business as one of their authorized service dealers. I believe Apple is one of the best companies for customer service and it looks like Voelker Research represents them well. I'm definitely going back to purchase items in their retail area when this coronavirus issue is resolved. Thank you for taking care of my in warranty repair issue and I look forward to being a customer in the future. Don

Knowledgeable and friendly staff. Each person I interacted with here (4 total) was nice and affable and took their time to explain thoroughly the issue of my machine, as well as the options available and the work performed. A nice service center for Apple users.

Our older Mac was dying so we brought it in to Voelker. They were professional, knowledgeable, efficient and fair. We were extremely pleased with their service!

Voelker's Does sales, and fixing Macs. They fixed my HP Printer that had been a cable printer with changed to turn into a thru the air printer. But my printer is on a computer desk, and is 14 inches from the computer, and worked well as a ink desk top printer. Then the Printer had to be turned off and then on to work. I wanted a cable printer, not a thru the air printer, HP changed it, and didn't work as a thru the air printer, without asking me. The folks at Volker's can almost 100% of the time fix you Mac etc. what your mac or your peripheral's problem is right off the way, no waiting, no appointment. They were selling and fixing Mac computers before there was an Apple Store. He loaned his room for the local Apple User group for free. Nice guy. They love Apple Mac computers, and fixing them. They sell you those Macs, and other peripherals. And put them all together. They will give you advice to help you get the most out of your Computers. A fun place to be.

The very best Mac store of them all! I have trusted Rich, Kathy and crew for my mac needs since 1985. Love these folks!Sales and service from mature professional people who have been alive and supporting apple products since the birth of Macintosh. Professional service to keep your mac running for the long term. Leave the id10t errors to the hapless hipster hellhole box and brand stores. They even have a register for checkout! Now that's real Genius

We used Voelker several years ago to up date our MAC. Today we went in thinking we had another issue. Turns out we didn't and they didn't charge us. We also discussed with the owner about buying a new MAC. We didn't have to today but the information and the service will bring us back!