I visited the store to exchange a gifted item and pay the difference for a different product. However, the process was handled poorly and without any clear communication. The staff member assisting me, he did not explain how the refund or exchange would be processed. Instead, the refund was issued without my understanding or consent, and it was sent back to the original purchaser—putting me in an uncomfortable and difficult position.The person who served me did not engage with me in any meaningful way during the interaction. He appeared disinterested, unhelpful, and made no effort to clarify the process or address my concerns. His attitude was dismissive and unprofessional.Although a manager eventually came over to understand what was happening, by then the damage was already done. She apologized, but unfortunately, it did not resolve the issue or alleviate my frustration.What made the experience even worse was the overall environment in the store. Despite having a large number of staff present, most of them were chatting amongst themselves and seemed disengaged from customers. I felt dismissed and undervalued—as though customers are expected to know nothing while the staff talk down to us with little patience or care.I am extremely disappointed by this experience and no longer feel comfortable shopping at the Apple Store. As a long-time Apple user, I expect much better customer service—especially when dealing with returns and exchanges, which can be sensitive.I urge you to review the training and conduct of staff at the Battersea location, especially regarding how they handle customer communication and service. This experience fell far below the standard expected from a brand like Apple.
